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Michigans Premier Outdoor Publication

Bronzeback Heaven
New ORV Rules Fish the 'Wood' Improve Bow Accuracy
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Pick Your Port Time to Prepare for Fall & Winter Traplines
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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 3
 By Tom Campbell
Big Trophy Tom

Field Notes...
T Rare Trophy Tom
he 2017 bear and elk hunting application
period is open now through June 1. A total
of 200 elk and 7,140 bear licenses will be
available for the 2017 hunting seasons. Ap-
plications are $5 and Drawing results will be posted
online at mi.gov/bear or mi.gov/elk starting June 26.
If you have questions, call the DNR Wildlife Division
at 517-284-WILD (9453) by June 1 for assistance with
applications.
DEER REGULATIONS PROPOSED
Here are some interesting highlights of deer regu-
lations changes the DNR recommended and presented
to the NRC Mays Meeting.
Urban Deer Management Zone for Macomb,
Oakland, and Wayne counties that allows for an exten-
sion of the archery season until January 31. Licenses
including a deer license, combination deer license, or
an antlerless deer license, are valid during the ex-
tended season.
Baiting for deer is not allowed in Alcona, Alpena,
Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Iosco, Ionia, Montmorency,
Oscoda, Presque Isle, and Shiawassee counties. Shane Loney first saw this big tom on his trail
The DNR proposes the APR (harvest an antlered cam last fall. A week before the early season
deer only if they have at least one antler with three or he set out his trail cams for a little scouting
more antler points. A second antlered deer would need and found the bird still in the area. He and
to have at least four points on one antler) in the North- his hunting buddy Jake Andrews were set up
west L.P. counties of Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix,
Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Lake, Manistee,
opening day and the toms were gobbling to
Mason, Missaukee, Osceola, and Wexford continues their calls. At first Shane doubted his setup
without an expiration date beginning with the 2017 location but the monster tom finally made
deer hunting season. his way to their decoys, after the shot Shane
Of the 22 DMUs in the UP region, its recom- retrieved his flopping bird and brought it
mendationed to allow five units to be open to antler- back to the blind. He laid it down to check
less license during 2017-2019. Four of these units, out the tremendous beards and the big bird
DMU 055 (Menominee), DMU 121 (Bay de Noc), jumped up and took off running. Stunned by
DMU 155 (Gladstone), and DMU 255 (La Branche) this, Shanes only reaction was to chase after
have proposals for issuance of both public and private the tom. After 70 yards, Shane felt he was
land licenses, and one unit, DMU 122 (Norway), has a close enough and launched himself toward
proposal for issuance for private land only licenses.n Tammy Livermore of Hersey took an amaz- the bird and made a perfect open field tackle.
ing smokey-gray trophy tom in Mecosta Co. The record tom beards measurements were
during the early season with help from her 12, 8-14/16, 8-12/16, and 8-6/16. Both

SEASONS husband Trent who was calling. The unique

Open All Year Pike and walleye season on Lower
Peninsula Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair & St. Clair &
colored bird had a 10 inch beard and one
inch spurs and weighed 25 pounds. It was
the first time the bird was seen.
spurs were 1-1/2 The trophy nearly got away
and Shane said, It was wor th the run! CBM
scored it as the 25 th biggest bird in the state
and the four th biggest in Easton County.

NRC and DNR to create scientific panel on CWD

Detroit Rivers
Open All Year Salmon and trout season on Great
Lakes, St. Marys River, Lake St. Clair & St. Clair &
Detroit Rivers
Open All Year Catch-and-immediate-release bass sea-
son on all Michigan waters open to fishing Recognizing the challenge posed by the pres- NRC Chair John Matonich. Chronic wasting dis-
Now-Dec. 31 Pure Michigan Hunt Application
ence of chronic wasting disease in Michigans ease is perhaps the biggest challenge facing
April 17-May 31 Spring turkey hunting, special regu- white-tailed deer population, the Michigan Natural Michigans white-tailed deer herd, and we are
lations and hunt dates, check digest for more information Resources Commission recently adopted a resolu- committed to fighting it head on, with the best
Now-March 15 pike, walleye, muskie seasons on tion to engage the scientific community to identify available science.
Lower Peninsula inland waters practices that will address the threat of CWD. The Scientists are to be selected by the NRC chair
Now-Sept. 30 Trout and salmon on inland Type 1 and resolution was approved at the commissions April and the directors of the state departments of
2 streams and Type A & D lakes meeting in Lansing. Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural
Now-June 1 Application period for elk and bear
licenses The purpose of the resolution is to have scien- Development. Chair and/or co-chairs will be
May 15-March 15 pike, walleye, muskie seasons on tists and experts advise the NRC, the DNR or selected by the NRC chair and the DNR director.
Upper Peninsula Great Lakes, inland waters and St other applicable agencies on further steps and The group is charged with delivering recom-
Marys River actions which could be implemented to substan- mendations by Dec. 31, 2017. After recommenda-
May 27-Dec. 31 Bass; catch and keep season on all tially mitigate or eliminate CWD in Michigan. tions are received, the NRC and DNR will develop
waters except; Lake St. Clair, St. Clair and Detroit Chronic wasting disease first discovered two a public process by which to share and receive
Rivers
June 3-Dec. 15 Muskie season on Lake St. Clair, St. years ago in free-ranging deer in Michigan is a input on those recommendations.
Clair and Detroit Rivers contagious neurological disease affecting deer, elk Michigans white-tailed deer are a critical
June 17-Dec. 31 Bass; catch and keep season on Lake and moose. It causes a characteristic spongy part of the states hunting culture and tradition, as
St. Clair, St. Clair and Detroit Rivers degeneration of the brain of an infected animal, well as the state and local economies supported by
resulting in emaciation, abnormal behavior, loss of those who annually take part in the tradition, said
MJC MJC bodily functions and, ultimately, the animals DNR Director Keith Creagh. Since the first CWD
ARCHERY
MACOMB
ARCHERY
OAKLAND
death. There is no known connection between finding in Michigan, the DNR has taken aggres-
CWD and human health. sive steps to contain and address this threat to our
The Natural Resources Commission and the deer population. We look forward to working with
19744 15 Mile Rd 3001 Rochester Rd
Michigan DNR have a long history of working this group to continue that effort.
Clinton Twp. 48035 Royal Oak, MI 48073 cooperatively to ensure the health and longevity of Learn more about chronic wasting disease at
586-791-4600 248-589-2480 the states wildlife and fisheries resources, said the DNR website www.michigan.gov/cwd.
4 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 5
 In My Experience...
FISHING How deer research has changed
John Ozoga page 36
Stocking efforts the key to building
river trout fisheries Taxidermy: A high art form
Mark Romanack page 10 Betty Sodders page 60
COVER STORY Black bear expert
Bronzeback Heaven speaks at DNR forum
Kenny Darwin page 12 Richard P. Smith page 63
Dear Fish Diary...
Man harbors deep regrets over
strange catch, finally confesses?
Ron St. Germain page 56
Trout Opener...
Paint Creek: natural beauty,
growing potential and fragility
Roger Beukema page 82

Fish the Wood Three early

Bill Ziegler page 16 Michigan fishing lures

The TICKing
Terry McBurney page 70
Pick your Port...
Pick your Tactic TRAIL CAM PAGE

Time Bomb Mark Romanack page 20

Next Bite...
page 72

Tom Huggler...page 8
Gary Parsons/Keith Kavajecz
HUNTING
4 overlooked things that effect BOW
ACCURACY
Andy May page 26
Path of least resistance leads
to deer success in 2016
Fred Abbas page 48
Following in dads footsteps
Sharon M. Kennedy page 59
Dog training
questions and answers
Charlie Linblade page 76
BOAT SMART...
Walleye in the salad Review of ramp safety
Capt. Fred Davis page 78
page 23
Bug Eyes
Crow Island State Game Area
page 85
Mark Martin page 40
Northern pike on a fly rod
Darryl Quidort page 44
OUTDOOR NEWS
American Woodcock:
Topwater Bass... Michigan leads the nation
More fun, more fish MDNR page 15
George Rowe page 46
2017 turkey patch winner
Three great page 35
spring fishing options
John Bergsma page 54 DNR pausing muskie program
page 41 DNRs
CHARTER DIRECTORY
page 57 Michigan Outdoor Hall of Fame deer hunter
Fishing with kids and
recycled plastic worms
Mark Sak page 47

DNR News in Brief

study results
Lewis Horn page 62 page 49 ...page 67
WALLEYES: Steve Converse CO of the year
Advance spinner/crawler tactics
Michael Veine page 74
page 61
OPINIONS
Proper disposal of pets
Questions every potential kayaking or aquarium items Isle Royale moose doomed?
angler should ask page 68 Richard P. Smith page 66
(plus some answers...)
Tom Carney page 80 DNR confirms virus involved New ORV rules to
Stream Small Waters for
in Lake St. Clair fish kill
page 69
take effect 2017 and 2018
Jeff Pendergraff page 67
trout BIG BASS
Mike Gnatkowski page 81

on jigs Bass boats beat kayaks:

PERSPECTIVE GUNS/AMMO
Kenny Darwin...page 32
What a surprise!
Dave Mull page 83 BE PREPARED: Dont be a Black Powder Shooting Sports
Darwin Award Contestant This glorious
Jonathan Schechter page 38 18th-Century lifestyle
From cosmetics to camouflage
Sharon M. Kennedy page 77
FEATURE Ragoo and Ziggy, pals for life...
Dennis Neely page 52

Prepare for fall Randy Jorgensen page 42 Gun Chat: The 223
Puppy Head Start and winter traplines Lee Arten page 58
Len Jenkins page 79 John Chagnon page 30

Puppy Love...
Tom Lounsbury page 84
JUNE 2017

Woods-n-Water News
$4.00
DEPARTMENTS...
Bucket list revisited
Michigans Premier Outdoor Publication
Trophy Page. . . . . . 64 Classifieds . . . . 88-89
10 years later
Betty Sodders page 86 Letters/Op-Ed . . 66-69 Real Estate . . . . 90-97

COVER PHOTOS 1-810-724-0254

Bronzeback Heaven
www.woods-n-waternews.com
Photo and Story
By Kenny Darwin Bronzeback Heaven
New ORV Rules Fish the 'Wood' Improve Bow Accuracy
P.O. Box 278, Imlay City, MI 48444
How Deer Research Has Changed Walleyes and Weeds

...page 12 www.facebook.com/woodsnwaternews
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6 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS

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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 7

The TICK ing Time Bomb
I
f youve ever combed a tick
from your hunting dogs coat,
you know about the involun-
tary shiver that creeps up your
back. There are worse feel-
ings, like flicking away a tick
crawling over your own skin or trying
to extract a blood-engorged
hitchhiker without breaking
off the parasite and making
the problem worse.
Sorry if youve just
eaten lunch. I could change
the subject, but you should
know that blacklegged ticks
(the ones that spread Lyme
disease and are com-
monly called deer
ticks) are increas- Michigan
ing in the Northeast
and Upper Midwest.
By Tom Huggler
Researchers are also
watching a Southern population of the
same species, whichif they close
ranks and join up with their Northern
kincould create the perfect storm
for a pandemic.
This scenario would not bode well
for those of us who love the outdoors.
Lyme disease is now the most
common vector-borne illness spread
by parasites in the United States. The
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
estimates nearly 300,000 people are
diagnosed with Lyme disease each
year. In 2015, of the roughly 10
percent of these cases reported to the
CDC, 95 percent came from 14 states
in the Northeast and Upper Midwest,
including Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Although Michigan was exempt from
this list, ticks are increasing here, too.
Three components must be present
for anyone to contract Lyme disease:
8 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
(1) the vector or parasite (the black-
legged tick), (2) the bacteria (Borrelia
burgdorferi), and (3) a competent host
able to harbor the bacteria. In north-
ern states the primary host is usually
small mammals such as white-footed
mice. In the South the primary host is
usually reptile.
Deer are not competent
hosts because they cant carry
the bacteria that cause the dis-
ease. Deer, however, are im-
portant to the spread of Lyme
disease because they feed the
adult stage of the tick.
Life cycle of the black-
legged tick include
Meanders larvae, nymph and
adult stages. Lyme
disease is not passed
from mother tick to
her eggs; rather, it is
maintained throughout the life stages
once a juvenile tick takes a blood
meal from an infected host. Each
stage must involve a blood meal.
How Lyme
Disease Spreads
Starting with adults, heres how
the disease propagates itself over a
two-year period: After gorging on its
host (deer, dog or person), the female
drops off and may wait all winter
until spring to lay 1,000 to 2,000 eggs
in leaf litter. In the laboratory, eggs
take about 40 days to hatch. In the
wild, however, larvae may not appear
until summer and perhaps as late as
September. The tiny larvae, which
are not infected, (again Lyme disease
spreads through digestive and not
reproductive organs), climb vegeta-
tion to a favorable height where they
might encounter a host. Here they
quest with legs extended upward in
hopes of hitching a ride and getting
their first blood meal.
After feeding, the engorged larva
drops off the host and prepares to molt
for 40 days or longer when it emerges
as a nymph (engorged larvae can also
overwinter to become nymphs the
following spring). As nymphs, the
parasite repeats the scenarioattach-
es itself to a host for a second blood
meal before dropping off and return-
ing to litter duff.
When the adult finally emerges,
as early as February, it waits to cling
to whatever is available. Peak adult
questing occurs in spring and again
in fall. During the nymphal or adult
stages, if the tick has acquired the
bacteria from a previous blood meal,
it can infect its human host.
The Michigan
Connection
How often does infection occur?
That was one of the questions I had
for Isis Kuczaj, a former PhD candi-
date in the Dept. of Fisheries & Wild-
life at Michigan State University. She
studied Lyme disease ecology in an
effort to understand why ticks behave
differently depending upon where
they live. According to 10 years of
research at VanBuren State Park in
southwest Lower Michigan, 17 to 20
percent of nymph populations could
be infected.
The infection prevalence for
adults jumps to as high as 40 percent.
According to the CDC, most cases
involving humans occur in June,
July and August when people tend to
be more active outdoors. However,
spring turkey hunters and mushroom
pickers are not exempt, nor are hunt-
ers in the fall. Unusual patterns of
warm weather, such as we sometimes
experience in spring and fall, extend
the periods when ticks are active.
No doubt Lyme disease has
been around for hundreds, perhaps
thousands of years. Otzi, the famed
Austrian hunter whose 5,000-year-old
frozen body was discovered in 1991,
carried evidence of the disease.
In Michigan, Lyme disease was
discovered in Menominee County in
1990 and is still concentrated there.
There is a population of blacklegged
ticks on North Manitou Island in
Lake Michigan, but no one can say
why with certainty. In recent years
ticks have spread up the eastern Lake
Michigan coast from Berrien Springs
all the way to Sleeping Bear Dunes
National Lakeshore.
Hotspots exist in Wisconsin and
Minnesota and in Maine and other
Northeast states. There are no similar
Lyme disease hotspots in the South
where blacklegged ticks, although
plentiful, are not evenly distributed.
Kuczaj is involved in a National
Science Foundation research project
Lyme disease is now the most
common vector-borne illness
spread by parasites in the U.S.
from Massachusetts to Florida that is
looking at reasons why. She also won-
ders what will happen if the growing
northern and southern populations of
blacklegged ticks merge one day.
Why Ticks
are Increasing
Northern ticks are more visible,
Kuczaj believes, because they quest
above the leaf litter. Southern ticks
dont often appear above the leaf lit-
ter, possibly because of the difference
in available hosts. Using a one-meter
square, white piece of cloth, Kuczaj
and other researchers drag sample
vegetation looking for ticks. Nymphs
are the focus of her research because
they are the most important to under-
stand. Their small size makes them
harder for people to detect, and their
spring-summer seasonality coincides
with human outdoor activity.
Why is the incidence of Lyme dis-
ease increasing? The obvious answer
is that tick populations and ranges are
increasing. Modern game manage-
ment that includes reforestation is
another reason, as is the increase in
deer densities that may be creating the
perfect storm.
In addition, Kuczaj thinks climate
change may help to create more favor-
able conditions for tick growth along
with an informed public reporting
more cases of the disease.
Dont be a Victim
The CDC website http://www.cdc.
gov/lyme/ has excellent information
about how to prevent getting Lyme
disease and what to do if you contract
it. Myths are dispelled and half-truths
explained.
Awareness is the best tool for
prevention, Kuczaj believes. Ticks
know how to hide, so check your
body (and that of your dog) after be-
ing in the woods. It takes 24 hours
for infection to occur; if you find a
tick, pull it straight out with tweezers.
Save the tick in rubbing alcohol. If
you feel symptoms (a bullseye rash
around the bite, headache, nausea,
joint pain), take the tick to your doctor
for lab analysis.
You can vaccinate your dog but
it will need an annual booster shot.
Consider a flea and tick prevention
collar like Frontline, too. I carry a
topical repellent containing Perma-
none, which I spray on pant cuffs and
my dogs legs and belly before going
afield.
The lesson is clear: Be aware and
be vigilant.n
 229 W. 5th Street
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NO RAIN CHECKS
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 9

Stocking efforts the key to
building river trout fisheries
I
ts interesting to note that while the State
of Michigan has stocked very few brown
trout in Great Lakes ports in recent years,
they have stocked a significant number of
brown trout in key western Michigan river
systems. The Big Manistee, Pere Mar-
quette, Muskegon and the Betsie Rivers, to name
a few major flows, have all received significant
numbers of hatchery brown trout in recent years.
In fact, hundreds of thousands of Wild Rose
strain or German browns averaging about six
inches in length have been stocked in recent years!
The shore fishing and small boat fish-
ing opportunities these plants have pro-
vided is astonishing. Astonishing because
very few anglers know about these plants
and are taking advantage of the great
fishing opportunities they provide in May,
June and July.
Average Fish Size
Because the majority of these trout are
planted not as fingerlings,
but rather as six, seven or
eight inch long sub-adults,
By Mark Romanack
the survival rate is very high and the impact on the
resulting fisheries is exceptional. The majority of
the catch is made up of fish from 10 to 14 inches
in length, but there are also good numbers of adult
fish in the 15 to 22 inch size class as well.
Best Artificial Baits
Anglers interested in targeting these stream
browns will find a number of artificial lures pro-
duce good results. Heading the list are in-line
spinners like the famous Rooster Tail by Yakima
Bait. The 1/6 and 1/4 ounce sizes are the most
popular.
Small jerkbaits are also a good bet for stream
browns. The smaller sizes of the Rapala X-Rap
plastic baits cast well and produce good results on
river browns.
Jigs tipped with scent impregnated soft plastics
like Berkley Gulp and Power Bait are also produc-
tive artificial lures for stream browns.
10 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
Live Bait Options
A simple split shot rig baited with a live shiner
minnow is lights out for stream browns. This rig
works best when casted upstream and allowed to
slowly roll downstream with the current.
River browns will also strike cured spawn bags
and small chunks of skein fished on a split shot rig.
Spinning Tackle Works Best
Stream browns are a riot to fight on light action
spinning gear. A seven to seven-foot, six-inch spin-
ning rod equipped with a 20 or 25 size reel and six
to eight pound test clear monofilament
line or fluorocarbon line is the ideal setup
for targeting these trout.
Covering Water
One of the best ways to find brown
trout is to drift downstream in a small
boat, anchoring often to thoroughly fish
deeper runs, undercut banks, log jams
and other obvious fish holding cover
and structure. Many anglers
who are using a small boat to
access river browns are also
using waders to slow down and concentrate on
especially productive stretches.
Live Release a Must
The sheer numbers of brown trout in these river
fisheries demands that anglers master the art of
catch and release. Rubber landing nets are the best
tool for landing stream browns. Its important to
handle these fish as little as possible and to return
them to the water as quickly as possible. Its a
good idea to leave the fish in the landing net while
unhooking the fish using a small pair of pliers or
forceps. Pinching down the barb on both single
hooks and artificial lures equipped with treble
hooks makes it much easier to unhook and release
trout unharmed.
Yakima Bait offers the popular Rooster Tail line
up of spinners with treble hooks and these spinners
can also be ordered rigged with single hooks for
the angler who practices catch and release.
River guide Bob Ison of Another Limit Guide
Ser vice specializes in catching river browns
like this one. Bigger adult fish tend to fall
prey to live bait rigs and also jerk baits.
When handling trout for pictures, avoid putting
fingers inside the gill covers and instead grasp the
fish firmly by the tail with one hand and cradle the
fish near the head with the other hand. A pair of
cotton rubber studded work gloves works well for
handling and live releasing trout.
When fishing from a boat, keep a five gallon
pail handy and fill it with water. When a fish is
landed, pop the fish head down into the bucket
while getting camera gear ready. This simple
trick insures the fish can breathe in those critical
moments it takes to get the camera ready for a
photograph.
A Touch of Color
Anglers who fish shiner minnows should note
that hooks with a touch of color are often the hot
set up. Eagle Claws popular long shank octopus
hooks (model L2CH) are now available in a host
of different color finishes. These hooks arent
anodized, but rather have a powder coating of
paint on the hook shaft that is much more durable
than anodizing and they come in many more color
options.
The sizes 8 and 6 are perfect for targeting trout
with live bait. The larger No. 4 size is perfect for
larger species like steelhead.
Scent Matters
Trout have a highly developed sense of smell
that they use to identify forage types. Adding a
natural fishing scent to hard baits and even live
bait sets up a fish attracting scent stream in the
water.
Many fishing scents are nothing more than
anise oil that washes off baits almost as quickly
as it is applied. Gel type fish scents made from
natural forage species like shiners, alewives, shad,
crayfish, etc., are by far the most productive scents
on the market. Pro Cures Super Gels are unique in
that they are made from natural forage species and
mixed with a stabilizing gel that sticks readily to
hard baits, soft plastics and even live bait.
The natural scent stream produced by the Pro
Cure Super Gels lasts about 30 to 40 minutes.
When fishing with spinners that feature feather
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water soluble fish oils for scent. Again Pro Cure
produces a complete line up of water soluble oils
that work great injected into live baits or squirted
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Public Stocking Records
The Michigan DNR web page has a link (www.
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fish stocking efforts in the state. By simply visiting
this site and punching in the County, Water
Body, Species and Stocking Dates, a wealth
of critical information appears at your fingertips.
For anglers looking for a hot bite, this site makes it
easy to zero in on the best fisheries.
Michigan has been conducting a study during
the last few years to determine which strain of
brown trout does best in Michigan waters. Histori-
cally, the Wild Rose strain from Wisconsin has
been considered the best option, but interestingly
enough recent research suggests that this strain
of trout has been inbred so much it no longer has
adequate resistance to common fish diseases.
This kind of research helps to guarantee that
fish stocking efforts produce the best possible re-
sults. Thanks to some aggressive stocking efforts,
anglers who like to catch river browns have lots of
great options to explore in western Michigan.n
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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 11

 BRONZEBACK HEAVEN
By Kenny Darwin

A
cross Michigans
Bronze Belt,
smallmouth bass
fishing is fast ris-
ing in popularity.
From Holland to
Mo Town, waters
are fast becoming
legendary as anglers tap into epic
brown bass bites yielding trophy
five and six-pound super-charged
monsters. Names like Lake Macata-
wa, Pentwater pier, Grand Traverse
Bays, Charity Islands and Lake Erie
roll off the tongues of savvy bassin
fans excited about exploding fisher-
ies. However, few bodies of water
can compete with the monumental
smallmouth bass fishing found in
the emerald green waters of Lake
St. Clair near Metro Detroit. Some
call it Bronzeback Heaven. Heres
why.
We made plans to fish the
legendary Canadian Mitchells Bay
area of Lake St. Clair in search
of an eight-pound behemoth, but
south winds and a choppy sea sent
us close to St. Clair Shores. The
Skeeter boat settled on the bouncy
water and Joe dropped the powerful
electric trolling motor and quickly
positioned the craft facing into the
wind. He tossed a crawdad finish Bauer allows the mood of the fish to dictate which strategy he uses. Cranks can be on fire if fish are
crank into the churning sea and at aggressive, but if they are tentative he switches to tubes or drop shot soft plastics. His results speak
lightning speed had a solid strike. for themselves. Few thrills in life compete with two-fisted tiger-catching action. Kenny Darwin photos
He leaned into the rod and set
the hook as he battled the beauti- Joe Bauer is a long time fishin finding fish. He begins by looking ics while motoring across the flats.
ful bronzeback. The five-pounder pal and weve shared adventures for structure with his Humminbird Sometimes we are working the big
dug deep into the weed bed, then icing monster Erie walleyes and sag Helix 10 and Helix 12. Both have grass flats on the south end of the
skyrocketed out of the water like bellied St. Clair smallmouth bass. large screens to help identify weed lake or the inlet of the St. Clair Riv-
a Polaris missile gone amok. A He is a fishin fool in the purest edges and side and down imaging er to the north and the depth finder
second leap tossed a halo of water in sense of the word and loves ham- are critical when looking for weed is used to help determine bottom
the morning sunlight as Joes white mering St. Clair bronzebacks and beds or structure like rocks. structure. What you are looking for
casting rod bent double. chases them with his Skeeter boat Once Bauer has pinpointed is grass beds. Dont just shut down
My heart was pounding at the from early spring until late fall. His smallie holding location, he begins and start flinging lures. Instead
sight of the huge bass leaping out of strategies have been time-tested casting cranks, working the wig- locate inside bends, or an outside
the water, switching ends like a tar- and he can get you into smallies at gling lure just above weed tops, line. Sometimes you find a void in
pon on steroids. The beautiful bron- lightning speed. Not surprisingly, along edges in deep and shallow the weeds where the bottom is clean
zeback smacked the lake surface, he often begins with a crankbait to water. Some of his most produc- and drop shot tactics work better
sprinted toward bottom, changed locate schools of active fish. tive cranks include: Rapala DT4 or than dynamite. Concentrate on the
directions and made a second leap Joe has an intimate under- DT 10, Berkley Pit Bull, Damiki thickest weeds that offer clean spots.
at arms length. For a moment the standing of St. Clair smallmouth DC300, Berkley Dredger and more Sometimes the open holes are only
spectacular smallie was suspended and what makes them tick. He shallow cranks. His all-time fa- the size of your car, some the size of
mid-air with mouth agape, early knows they are wanderers of the vorite smallie crank is a Spro Rock a house or they can be long and nar-
morning sunlight reflecting off its huge freshwater sea and constantly Crawler, crayfish color. Once he row. At times, you need to test sev-
tiger-striped sides and sag bellied moving. Truth is St. Clair smal- hits on a honey hole with cranks he eral locations. Instead of sitting in
flanks. My hands were shaking as lies are notorious nomads. They switches to tube jigs or drop shot one area, try moving around; chase
I readied the net and soon I was can be in one location today and methods to keep baits in the strike them in several different locations.
snapping photos of my good friend gone the next. So, Joe knows from zone. Lake St. Clair is fed by the clear
holding the trophy for photos. His day-to-day and sometimes hour-to- If you want to boat plenty of St. water flowing south out of Lake
broad smile exemplified what fish- hour you need to constantly search Clair smallies you gotta know how Huron and into the Detroit River,
ing is really all about as he leaned for fish. He insists the key to St. to locate fish. The trick is to find which dumps into Lake Erie. It is
forward and whispered, Kenny, this Clair success hinges on how much grass beds and grass lines, Joe ex- 430 square miles and hosts some
is smallmouth heaven! knowledge you have regarding plains as he glances at his electron- of the finest sport fishing in North
12 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
America. St. Clair is legendary for
impressive monster Great Lakes
muskies, abundant perch, burgeon-
ing walleye populations and more.
But it is the booming smallmouth
population that draws anglers from
across Michigan and the nation in
search of trophy bronzebacks. In
fact, 50 percent of all the sport fish-
ing that takes place on the Great
Lakes occurs on St. Clair, and 33
percent of the total sport catch.
Over the years it has gained respect
throughout the nation as the little
lake full of monster bass. With
declining Great Lakes stocks of
trout, salmon, walleyes, perch and
other sport species, more Michigan
anglers are turning to Lake St. Clair.
Lake St. Clair boasts millions
of smallies with an average weight
over two pounds, although catching
a sag-bellied five pound monster is
a common occurrence. Some call
it the finest bass fishing in Michi-
gan, and the entire lake serves up
spectacular catches for those casting
from shore, or fishing from kayaks,
small boats, bass boats or larger
vessels. The unrivaled population
of smallmouth bass thrives by no
accident. St. Clair has ideal habitat,
massive forage fish populations,
a thriving ecosystem rich with
aquatic life and impressive biomass.
More importantly, Lake St. Clair is
constantly flushed with Lake Huron
flow, which brings neverending
supplies of forage fish, nutrients
and critters that make up the diet of
resident smallies. The fresh water
flowing from Lake Huron also helps
to keep St. Clair slightly cooler
than you would expect. While the
average depth is around 10 feet, the
channel that accommodates sea wor-
thy vessels is around 27 feet deep.
Bronzeback fishing St. Clair is
nothing short of spectacular with
some anglers reporting catches of
35-55 smallies in a half day. The
non-stop bassin action is the gamest
of all of Michigans sport fishing
during summer and serves up all the
action most can handle. Fantastic
bronzeback fishing keeps sport fish-
ermen statewide coming back for
the thrill of doing battle with one of
the worlds premier game fish.
Some of the hottest action of the
year is during the catch and release
period, from the last Saturday in
April until June 1, when smallies
gather in the shallows, nearshore
harbors, cuts and along piers and
jetties. Six pound-plus trophies are
common in spring. Come opening
day, June 1, look for large fish to
congregate in open water. During
summer, post-spawn smallies move
to deeper water where they gather
along weed edges and structure.
Savvy anglers seek out weed lines,
rock piles, humps, drop-offs or any
structure that attracts bass.
While Bauer often begins by
casting cranks, he quickly goes ver-
tical and makes the move to casting
tube jigs and drop-shot tactics. Ive
seen him hammer fish on drop shots
and when he is fighting one fish he
will toss in a tube and give it a few
seconds and hook up a double. He
knows there is always another bass
waiting for the first fish to cough up
its catch, and often bigger smallies
shark attack the free sinking meal.
Bauers favorite tube is a 4 Poor
Boys Green Pumpkin used on a 1/2
oz. head. I want the tube to remain
on bottom at all times, he explains.
Some anglers claim tubes are
the top artificial lure for St. Clair
bronze. Most combine 1/4-1/2
ounce jig head with a 2 1/2-4 inch
tube. Productive colors include
goby, crayfish, charcoal, and smoke,
with flecks of red or green. Berkley
Powerbait Tube and ISG Dream
Tube is a great combination. Some
anglers swear by the Get Bit Crawl-
ing tube with Get Bit tube head jig.
There is something powerfully at-
tractive about a tube hopping along
bottom, slithering through grass
and over sand, gravel or rocks, that
mimics forage food that causes a
smallmouth to strike.
Without a doubt, drop shot
fishing has taken St. Clair by storm
and out-produced other tactics in
major league bass fishing competi-
tion. Many pros prefer soft plastic
drop shot methods in deep or shal-
low water. Greg Vinson took daily What about safely releasing fish? Bauer cradles them by their belly
five-bass limits using 4 inch Jackall and slowly dips them into the water. Spor tsmen are quick to point
Cross Tail Shad. Chad Pipkens out that the reason Lake St. Clair has a thriving trophy bass fishery
was a recent B.A.S.S. top finisher is because anglers practice catch and release.
using 1/4 oz. round ball weight and
drop shotting a Poor Boys Baits by raising the rod, tip pointing from massive schools or move from tra-
Erie Darter in smoke-pepper and 10-12 oclock and the rod tip is ditional hot spots to new locations.
stone colors. Brandon Palaniuk jiggled. This causes the soft plastic Roaming schools often follow
used Berkley Powerbait Twitch Tail to twitch, dance, come alive and baitfish and tend to gather where
Minnow green pumpkin soaked in attract the attention of nearby bass. there are abundant populations of
Berkley Gulp Alive Marinade on The jiggling action drives fish wild emerald shiners, small perch, and
a drop shot rig to come in second and they slam offerings. The trick shad. Sure, smallies are always on
place at a bass tournament. He was is to identify productive jiggling the prowl for fresh crawfish din-
using a 3/8 oz. Eco Pro tungsten techniques that work. Often strikes ner. In Lake St. Clair, crawfish live
weight, placed 10-12 inches below a come on the pause. More often they in weed beds, and those locations
No. 1 VMC drop shot hook. Bauer smack the hell out of it on the next change yearly. So, the best way to
prefers the Yamamoto Shad Shape twitch. If you dont get a strike, locate bronzeback is to spend time
Worm when he is drop shotting and move the weight across bottom or on the water and nail down fishing
his favorite color is Green pumpkin hop it through weeds and try jig- hot spots. Unfortunately, conditions
because he says, It looks natural. gling in a new location. Use a move cause fish to move and in order to
He also fishes Baby Bass color and and stop and jiggle presentation to continually catch smallies you have
often casts the Strike King Dream cover more water. to relocate fish. When it comes to
shot colored KVD Magic and Dirt. If you are getting strikes or catching a maximum number of fish,
The idea is to cast out the drop catching fish from a particular loca- you need to be continually in fish
shot rigged with minnow or worm tion, keep casting to the exact area scouting mode.
soft plastic placed 10-18 inches until the action subsides. When you The variety of soft plastics avail-
above a weight. 1/4 ounce weights move, mark the productive loca- able for drop shotting is fast expand-
work best in St. Clair and most tion on your GPS and return later. ing, and modern manufacturers are
anglers prefer a weight with a ball Sometimes smallmouth will remain making them more realistic, softer
bearing swivel to avoid line twist. in the same area for extended peri- yet durable, in a variety of shapes
Slack line is reeled in and the angler ods of time. Shifting currents, wind
gives the soft plastic a jigging action and waves cause smallies to join in Bronzeback Heaven page 14
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 13
Bronzeback Heaven:
from page 13
and sizes. Some days smallies want
minnow imitation colored silver/
blue, green/white, purple/silver or
black back with silver belly, while
often they like more natural colors
like tan with blue flecks, brown with
purple flecks, watermelon, green,
gray or smoke with red flecks and
many more.
Once you locate fish, make note
of the depth, water color, current
and underwater vegetation. If the
bite stops, simply move to a new
location that has similar condi-
tions, depth and availability of fish.
Sometimes you will need to move
several times before you hit on the
mother lode and catch larger fish.
If lake conditions change, you
might need to modify fishing strate-
gies. Increased wind and waves
signal time to use heavier weights
to keep contact with bottom. You
may need to keep the electric motor
running in order to stay within cast-
ing distance of smallie hot spots. If
the lake goes still, winds subside
14 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
and the sun is bright, you may need
to make longer casts in order to get
strikes farther from your boat.
Bauer works at the Utica Gander
Mountain and gets daily hot fish-
ing reports for Lake St. Clair. If
you plan to fish the north to middle
section of Lake St. Clair, he rec-
ommends the Harley Ensign DNR
launch in Harrison Township that
accommodates hundreds of boats. If
you are fishing the southern end, he
suggests using 9 Mile public launch
in St. Clair Shores.
Wherever you chase smallies in
Michigan dont overlook an oppor-
tunity to sample the world class ac-
tion offered by Lake St. Clair. Bring
some cranks, tubes and soft drop
shot goodies, and plan on frequently
setting the hook. This is a season-
long monster smallmouth bass hot
spot, but when you see that first 4
1/2 pounder charging the boat with
a pack of excited pals trailing, it will Smallies are aggressive fish and will pound crankbaits. The fero-
become extremely clear you are in cious strike will give you an arm jolt and rush of adrenaline that will
bronzeback heaven.n keep you casting, non-stop, for hours.
American woodcock:
Michigan leads the nation
When it comes to the American woodcock, Michigan leads
the nation in amount of woodcock surveying done,
number of woodcock hunters and harvested woodcock...
S
pring means many things to
many people morel mush-
rooms, trout fishing, turkey
hunting or viewing migrating birds
overhead. The American woodcock
is one of those migrating, part-time
Michigan residents that split time
between the southeastern United
States and Michigan.
For decades, Michigan has
helped gather information on wood-
cock populations, which spend time
in numerous states and provinces
from Canada to the Gulf, said
Michigan Department of Natural
Resources upland game bird special-
ist Al Stewart.
A male woodcock has a unique
call that sounds like peent, said
Stewart. During the spring sing-
ing ground survey, we listen to the
number and locations of peents
along established routes, giving us
an idea of the number of woodcock
present.
In the spring, breeding activ-
ity causes woodcock to be more
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vocal and visible, making spring a
great time for surveying. Annually,
DNR staff members take to their
established survey routes just after
sunset, to count peents as part of
a multistate spring singing ground
survey.
Unique in appearance, wood-
cock have plump, round bodies
with long, skinny, pointed bills.
Their buff bellies and black and
tan, speckle-patterned feathers give
them great camouflage. Woodcock
can be found throughout forested
regions where their food is plentiful.
Woodcock use their bills, perfect for
piercing through the soil, to find and
eat earthworms.
After the audible peent, the North America. (Canada also runs
woodcock will start its aerial dis-
play, lifting off the ground 200 to
350 feet in a spiral dance.
If youre in the right place at
the right time, you can witness this
dance, Stewart said.
The Michigan DNR is just one
of the state agencies that devote
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MDNR photo
time in the spring to assist in
this joint multistate survey that
began back in 1968. The survey
technique used today to monitor
woodcock was developed in 1960
by Bill Goudy at Michigan State
University. Each route is 3.6 miles
long, with 10 listening points.
Survey dates vary based on latitude
and, in Michigan, run April 20 to
May 20.
In 2016, there were a total of
820 woodcock survey routes run in
and keep their eyes and ears open
routes as part of this monitoring
program.)
Michigan is an important
woodcock production state,
meaning they are born here,
said Stewart. We run more
routes in Michigan than any
other state or province.
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Michigan generally runs 115
survey routes annually, providing
long-term information to guide
management of woodcock in North
America. Woodcock are a popular
game species in the United States,
and in Michigan approximately
26,000 upland bird hunters target
them, leading the nation in both the
number of hunters and birds har-
vested.
Wildlife viewers can find a calm
evening and an open country field
for the spring peent of the wood-
cock this year.
This fall, Michigan will host the
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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 15
 FISH the
WOOD
A
s a fisheries biologist
conducting electrofish-
ing surveys,
as a SCUBA
and snorkel
diver, and as
an angler I constantly see
how valuable down trees are
as fish habitat. They are like
a coral reef in a featureless
ocean and often draw in a
large number of mul-
tiple species of fish in or
around them. The down
Bill Ziegler
trees are even more im-
portant fish cover and habitat when
aquatic vegetation is sparse as is
the case in many northern Michigan
lakes.
I have observed adult and juve-
nile bass, crappie, bluegill, walleye,
perch, and minnows using down tree
habitat on a regular basis. Down
A smallmouth and largemouth bass tuck themselves under a down tree as cover.
16 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
tree habitat is typically the best
when present in relatively undevel-
oped lakes and reservoirs.
Down trees in lakes are
often dragged out by lake
owners with houses or cot-
tages in close proximity to
that habitat feature. Wood
on the bottom is one of the
habitat features that contrib-
ute to the success of what
is often tenuous muskie
spawning. The eggs
that are laid on wood
are kept up off the lake
sediments. These sediments may
become devoid of dissolved oxygen
and can kill the eggs. Research by
the University of Michigan and Wis-
consin DNR found a negative corre-
lation between the levels of lake-
shore development and with muskie
natural reproduction. Other species
Larger bluegill closely associated with a submerged tree top in a
Nor thern Michigan lake. Bill Ziegler photos
like perch and smallmouth bass with fairly dense concentrations of
also use woody cover for spawn- fish using it.
ing. Often the process of house and Research in Ontario indicated
cottage development along lakes
removes large, old growth trees that
down trees can be an extremely
long lasting habitat feature. The
would eventually naturally fall into research indicated that hemlock and
the water as habitat. white pine can last in the water for
Game and panfish species use over 500 years. Some species are
the woody cover on and off dur- shorter lived, as we learned when
ing the open water period. If you we carried out some tree drops
regularly watch woody cover in a on State owned shoreline. Drop-
lake, some fish are almost always ping shoreline trees into the lake
associated with that habitat. At
times the wood is very strongly used Fish the wood page 18
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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 17
Fish the wood:
low log cribs shortly after ice out in
the spring, in part due to the shallow
water being warmer. Chuck Basset,
US Forest fisheries biologist for the
Hiawatha National Forest, reported
from page 16 less use of log cribs by fish as water
temperatures fell below 50 F in the
fall in his published research.
As an angler, you dont have to
snorkel or SCUBA dive now to find
good large woody cover. New side
imaging sonars now make locating
this type of cover much easier than
in the past, especially in lakes with
lower water clarity or where the en-
tire tree is below the water surface.
They also allow you to determine
if they are simple logs or intact
trees with extensive remaining tops
or root wads. Down trees that are
not coming out from the lakeshore
are harder to find and often receive
much less fishing pressure.
One of the most effective ways
to fish walleye on the down trees is
by anchoring up wind and casting
a slip bobber rig to the cribs. By
staying a short distance from the
tree top you can fish without losing
your anchor in the tree. The slip
bobber rig will minimize snags and
allow you to effectively fish a lake
hotspot. As a long time observer of
northern Michigan anglers, I can see
some fish the down trees but ap-
pear to give up as soon as they lose
a lure to snags in the wood. That
is a mistake when fish are concen-
trated in that cover type. It would
be better to use weedless jigs from
the slip bobber or a simple hook and
live bait rig. The potential catch of
fish should offset the loss of some
inexpensive jigs or hooks.
Some bass tournament anglers
have won tournaments by finding
one or two highly productive down
trees and fishing them effectively.
Some pro anglers feel the most ef-
fective way to fish a submerged tree
is to cast to the trunk of the tree first
and subsequently to fish the branch-
es of the tree. They can work the
cover effectively by rigging a plastic
worm weedless (Texas rig etc.)
Large woody cover is highly
valued by both anglers and fish biol-
ogists alike. Some bodies of water
have more of this type of cover than
others. If the lake or reservoir you
are fishing does have down trees in
deep enough water to hold fish, this
is one of the first places I would try.
As an angler, it has paid off many
times for me, and when I was pilot-
ing a DNR electroshocker boat we
typically would pull a large number
of fish out of a tree top compared to
other types of habitat around it.n

Fish stocking creates numerous fishing

The author has obser ved bass, crappie, bluegill, walleye, perch,
and minnows using down trees like this on a regular basis. This
tree reaches the drop off and has enough cover to hold fish much
of the season.
is a desirable habitat enhancement
for fish. It can be difficult to get
permission to drop the trees that act
as long term habitat. DNR and US
Forest Service forest managers only
wanted us to drop non-valuable and
un-merchantable trees on the State
and Federal owned shorelines. We
found out the hard way that birch
and spruce are not long lasting trees
in the water. We have had good luck
with hardwoods like maple and oak
as the wood for cribs in UP lakes.
Some of these cribs have been in the
water for about 25 years now with
no sign of deterioration. The lack
of finding evidence of balsam and
spruce cribs that were built by the
Civilian Conservation Corps and
Department of Conservation Habitat
Improvement Crews indicates they
did not last well underwater. It ap-
pears the woods you would expect
to have longevity like hardwoods
and longer lasting conifers (white,
red pine, cedar and hemlock) do live
up to the expectations.
Tree drops are most valuable if
the tops reach into water about six
18 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
feet in depth or more. Sometimes
fish use shallower woody cover, es-
pecially in the early spring, although
as the water warms the fish usage
drops off. Ice damage on shallow
tree tops degrades their habitat value
as well. If trees are dropped, it is
often good to cable the tree to the
stump so ice movement doesnt
move the dropped tree out into the
lake.
All downed wood in the water
does not have the same habitat value
to fish. Anglers should take that
into account when seeking out the
best angling spot. Logs and down
trees in shallow water (less than 4
feet deep) are not likely to regularly
hold fish you would want to target.
As a regular observer of fish while
snorkeling I can say a good down
tree top may not always hold a large
number of fish. The fish move in
and out of this type of cover during
the course of the open water season,
although a good tree top at the drop
off of the lake has a few game and
panfish most of the time. I have ob-
served fish in woody cover and shal-
opportunities throughout Michigan
The MDNR announced it is in the middle of its new fish stocking
season. This spring, youll find DNR fish stocking trucks releasing their
prized recreational cargo at hundreds of lakes and streams throughout
the state.
Fish stocking is a valu-
able tool used by fisheries
managers to restore, enhance
and create new fishing op-
portunities in Michigans
inland lakes and streams and
the Great Lakes. The DNRs
Fisheries Division accom-
plishes this task by rearing
fish at its six fish production
facilities located throughout
the state, cooperatively managing up to 46 rearing ponds and eight Great
Lakes imprinting net pen locations, and maintaining a fleet of 18 special-
ized fish stocking vehicles.
Over the course of a typical year, the DNR will stock roughly 26
million fish weighing nearly 350 tons, including eight species of trout
and salmon and three coolwater strains of walleye and muskellunge.
Beginning in mid-March and ending in early June, the DNR fish stock-
ing trucks will travel well over 100,000 miles to stock between 700 and
1,100 locations.
Michigan anglers have access to four Great Lakes, 3,000 miles of
Great Lakes shoreline, more than 11,000 inland lakes and tens of thou-
sands of miles of rivers and streams. That puts residents and visitors
no more than 10 minutes away from quality angling opportunities and
world-class fisheries.
Visit the DNR website michigandnr.com/fishstock/ for information
on local fish stocking locations.
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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 19
 Pick Your Port
Salmon numbers are fewer in the Great Lakes these days, but creative anglers are still catching their share by changing tactics and targeting key por ts
at key times of year. Mark Romanack photos
I
ts fair to say that Michigans Great
Lakes trout and salmon fishery is
currently experiencing a bit of a funk.
A diminishing forage base and subse-
quent reductions in salmon
and steelhead stocking efforts
adds up to tougher fishing. That doesnt
mean however that the fishery has col-
lapsed, and it certainly doesnt prevent
determined anglers from finding and
catching king and coho salmon, lake
trout, browns and steelhead.
What the changing face of the Great
Lakes does spell out is that anglers must
By Mark Romanack
be willing to change their
tactics to keep pace. Clearer
water and a shrinking forage
base forces trout and salmon to be constantly on
the move seeking out food resources. It is also
forcing anglers to be more mobile in their Great
Lakes trolling approach.
The Small Boat Angler
Historically, the majority of Michigans trout
and salmon have been taken by anglers using
larger charter boat style fishing craft. Because
of their size, these boats are forced to remain at
dock in just one or two ports a year.
By simply downsizing to trailerable fishing
boats, anglers can do a much better job of travel-
ing to the ports that are hot, while at the same
time avoiding those that are not! The ability to be
as mobile as the fish enables astute fishermen to
capitalize on critical bites that occur during peak
times of year.
Boats in the 18 to 24 foot class are ideal for
trailering to productive ports at key times of year.
In many cases the multi-species boats often
marketed to walleye anglers are ideal for target-
ing Great Lakes trout and salmon on the go.
Hot Ports
For example, the Fishing 411 Television crew
20 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
Pick Your Tactic
has enjoyed, filmed and documented world class
spring salmon fishing in recent years by simply
trailering their Starcraft to the Niagara Falls re-
gion and targeting Lake Ontarios abundant popu-
lation of king and coho salmon. This
fishery has largely avoided the forage
base issues impacting on Lakes Michi-
gan and Huron. The Lake Ontario fishery
is thriving and continues to produce the
caliber of salmon fishing the Great Lakes
has become known for.
Because Lake Eries nutrient rich
waters ultimately flow into Lake Ontario
via the Welland Canal and the Niagara
River, a dependable forage
base thrives in these waters
allowing fisheries manag-
ers the luxury of an aggressive trout and salmon
stocking program.
Ironically, in terms of miles traveled, Niagara
Falls is approximately the same distance east as
an angler in the Detroit metro area would travel
to fish traditional west Michigan ports like Man-
istee, Frankfort or Onekama. The Milwaukee,
Wisconsin spring brown trout fishery is another
example of a highly productive Great Lakes port
located an easy drive from Michigan residents.
Brown trout thrive in this region of Lake Michi-
gan near Milwaukee for a number of reasons.
Aggressive stocking efforts by the Wiscon-
sin DNR have created simply amazing fisheries
smack in the middle of Wisconsins largest met-
ropolitan area. Both Seeforellen and Wild Rose
strains of brown trout are stocked in these waters.
The Seeforellen strain grows larger, and fish
upwards of 20 pounds are common. The smaller
Wild Rose strain is a home body and tends to stay
close to the waters where they are stocked.
Another fishing advantage the Milwaukee area
has comes in the form of several warm water
discharge sites at Oak Creek and Racine. Spring
brown trout tend to concentrate in warmer waters
making these sites key fishing areas year in and
year out.
A third and equally important reason south-
western Lake Michigan coughs up consistent
fishing for brown trout and other salmonids is this
region of Lake Michigan features many reefs and
other bottom structure that tends to concentrate
baitfish and game fish in predictable areas.
Further north in the Wisconsin waters of Lake
Michigan lie the ports of Sheboygan, Manitowoc
and Sturgeon Bay. Its here that the majority of
Lake Michigans king salmon population spends
the summer months. From June into August,
charters fishing out of these ports report double
digit catches of kings, coho, steelhead and lake
trout on a daily basis.
Salmon head up the Wisconsin side of Lake
Michigan because non-point run off and prevail-
ing winds tend to hold the most nutrient rich
waters of Lake Michigan on the Wisconsin side
of the lake. Baitfish are going to be found in the
most nutrient rich waters and salmon and other
predatory species are rarely far away.
Some other noteworthy trout and salmon
destinations include the Michigan City area of
southern Lake Michigan. This area represents
the southernmost waters of Lake Michigan.
The majority of the lakes coho salmon popula-
tion spends the winter and early spring in these
waters.
Southern Lake Michigan remains a little
warmer on average than the other parts of the
lake. This in turn attracts baitfish and explains
why year after year the Michigan City area
produces consistent limit catches of coho in April
and early May.
The same phenomenon takes place on south-
ern Lake Huron near the port of Lexington.
Its here in the early spring that anglers enjoy
a mixed bag of king, coho and Atlantic salmon
mixed with some pink salmon, steelhead and
brown trout. Because southern Lake Huron is a
few degrees warmer on average than the northern
portions of the lake, most of the salmonids follow
the alewives and gizzard shad that winter in these
temperate waters.
Changing Tactics
In addition to targeting key ports at peak times
of year, Great Lakes trout and salmon fishermen
must change their angling tactics to be consis-
tently successful. Traditional gear -- downriggers,
diving planers and trolling spoons -- are produc-
ing fewer and fewer fish these days when used in
traditional ways.
Anglers in the know are using cutting edge
tactics to target salmonids that over time have
become tougher to catch as the Great Lakes have
become increasingly clearer and clearer. Clean
water is a good thing from an environmental
standpoint, but gin clear water is also lacking
in key nutrients and plankton that make up the
building blocks of the food chain.
By modifying traditional tactics like downrig-
ger trolling, its possible to catch spooky salmon
even in clear water. The first step is using fewer
downriggers to keep gear to a minimum. Another
important step is to extend trolling leads so tackle
is presented further away from the boat. This step
is especially important when fishing spoons and
plugs in clear water.
Another creative way that downriggers are
used to target harder to catch salmon is by com-
bining presentations. Using a one or two color
lead core rig in combination with a downrigger
helps present tackle below the downrigger weight
and further behind the boat than normal.
Considered a super-secret tournament tactic,
combining downriggers and lead core is rapidly
becoming a mainstream way of targeting trout
and salmon in the Great Lakes.
One way to remain successful in the face of reduced stocking effor ts in the Great Lakes trout and salm-
on fishery is to target locally abundant species like this brown trout taken near Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
More on Lead Core
Anglers who troll with lead core line when
faced with clear water are enjoying astonishing
WABLER
success. Lead core is one of those old school
trolling tactics that has been resurrected as an
ultra-modern trolling tactic. The latest generation
of lead core lines are made from super thin and
1916 - 2017
strong Spectra fibers that allow these lines to sink
faster and fish deeper than traditional Dacron/Ny- A CANADIAN
lon lead core products. CLASSIC WITH
The way to get the most from these mod- WORLD WIDE
ern lead core lines is to first spool onto a reel a RECOGNITION
backing line of 20 pound test monofilament or
50 pound test super braid. Next add a pre-deter-
mined amount of lead core line and finish the rig
by adding a 20 to 50 foot leader of 20 pound test
fluorocarbon line.
Lead core line is color metered to make it easy
to determine how much line is being deployed.
Every 10 yards the color of the lead core changes.
When Great Lakes trollers who are using lead
core communicate with other fishermen they typi-
cally refer to how much lead core they are fishing
as the number of colors being used.
For example, a two color set up represents
60 feet of lead core, a five color rig is 150 feet
of line, etc. Because using lead core requires
designating rods and reels to this presentation,
most trollers set up their boat with lead core rods
in pairs. The most common set ups include 3, 5, 7
and 10 color pairings.
Lead core is effective because it reaches target
depths and also presents baits well away from the
boat. The final piece of the puzzle when fishing
lead core rigs is to combine them with in-line
planer boards like the popular OR12 produced by
Pick a port...Pick a tactic page 22
HN
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Nu-wrinkle
Genuine Silver,
24k Gold &
Copper finishes
The original Williams
lure that started it all
over 100 years ago.
Multispecies
Stabilising ridge
7 sizes, 28 colours
/williamslures
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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 21
Pick a port... from page 21
Off Shore Tackle to spread out lines
and cover the maximum amount of
water.
The key here is to set shorter
lengths of lead core that are fishing
higher in the water column as the
outside board lines and increasingly
deeper lead core set ups as middle
and inside board lines. Most Great
Lakes trollers limit themselves to a
pair or perhaps three lead core rigs
per side of the boat.
Lead core is a highly effective
way of presenting spoons, plugs and
other popular baits at depths up to
about 50 feet. For fishing deeper a
different type of line and fishing ap-
proach is required.
Copper or
Weighted Steel?
Historically, anglers have turned
to copper line when it becomes
necessary to fish deeper than practi-
cal with lead core line. The problem
with copper line is it easily kinks,
backlashes constantly and is any-
thing but user friendly. Thankfully, a
new product eliminates the need for
fishing with problematic copper line.
Weighted stainless steel wire pro-
duced by Torpedo Divers fishes as
deep as copper wire, but it doesnt
suffer from the common problems
of backlashing and kinking. This
unique trolling wire is rigged and
fished in a similar manner to lead
core line by sandwiching a pre-de-
termined segment of stainless wire
between a backing line and leader.
Most anglers are using Weighted
Stainless Steel wire for targeting
deep fish by spooling on 200, 300
or more feet of wire. Its possible
to use shorter lengths of Weighted
Steel to target fish closer to the sur-
face, but this stainless wire is more
expensive than lead core line. The
most practical way to get the most
from these weighted lines is to fish
Spectra style lead core for lines to
be fished higher in the water column
and Weighted Steel for targeting
deeper fish.
Weighted Steel line can also be
fished in combination with in-line
planer boards. Because this line is
much heavier and has more drag in
the water, larger in-line boards like
the Off Shore Tackle SST Pro Mag
are required.
Diver Tricks
Diving planers are another
traditional salmon trolling tactic
that falls short when used in con-
ventional ways. Typical divers like
the legendary Dipsy Diver force ing salmon and trout in clear water.
the angler to limit the trolling leader
used behind the diver to the length
of the fishing rod. Fishing a spoon
or other trolling lure just six to 10
feet behind the diver simply doesnt
produce effectively when targeting
salmon in clear water.
Some adaptive charter captains
have gone to fishing a 20, 30 or 40
foot leader behind their diver. This
creates a problem however because
when the diver hits the rod tip, the
fish must be pulled in hand over
hand the last 20, 30 or 40 feet to the
net!
A better way to fish longer lead-
ers in combination with a diving
planer is to simply invest in Slide
Divers. These unique divers have
been on the market for some time
and now that the Great Lakes are
becoming clearer and clearer, this
product has finally found an impor-
tant niche.
The main line slides through the
Slide D iver, allowing the angler to
effectively fish any leader length
desired. When a fish is hooked, the
diver trips and slides down the line
to a swivel tied in-line a few feet
ahead of the lure.
Separating the lure from the div-
er helps tremendously when target-
brown trout and lake trout is still
The Slide Diver can be easily rigged
with super braid line, monofila-
ment or fluorocarbon line. Another
advantage of the Slide Diver is they
offer six outboard settings instead
of three provided on the Dipsy. This
feature allows anglers to gain more
outward coverage from divers than
has historically been possible with
mainstream diving planer designs.
Summing It Up
Its true that the Great Lakes
trout and salmon fishery is experi-
encing some challenging struggles.
Fishing traditional ports and using
traditional tactics simply isnt a
winning strategy in the face of these
environmental changes and reduc-
tions in stocking efforts.
While some anglers are claiming
gloom and doom for our big water
salmon and trout fishery, others are
adapting their tactics to become
more mobile and consistently suc-
cessful. By targeting key ports at
key times of year and using modern
trolling tactics, great catches of
salmon, trout and steelhead are still
possible day in and day out.
Staying on the best bites requires
the lean and mean approach, but the
thrill of catching salmon, steelhead,
alive and well in the Great Lakes.n

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WALLEYE
in the salad
By Gary Parsons/Keith Kavajecz

I
f you are going fishing with
your buddies, there is no
doubt that there will be a
little bit of ribbing going
on throughout the day. Every
move you make is fair game.
If you trip and break a rod, drop
your sunglasses in the lake, or reel
in a ball of weeds, you will most
likely get a little grief. While we re-
ally cant help you when it comes to
being clumsy, we can help you bring
more walleyes than weeds back to
the boat.
To a lot of fishermen, the
thought of casting a crankbait with
weed grabbing treble hooks towards
vegetation sounds like a hassle. Yet
with the right approach, it is actually
a fun and easy way to catch early
summer walleyes.
The first key to success is doing
a little bit of homework to find the
weed edges. This will allow you
to keep your distance so you dont
spook the fish and keep your lure
in the strike zone without bringing
back a ball of salad with every cast.
If it is our first time on this body
of water, we start out by making S
curves back and forth over the weed
bed to find the edge of it. Every time
Using the right equipment for this type of fishing will maximize your
chances for success.
we find the edge, we place an icon
on our Lowrance HDS GPS. This
will give us a trail to follow.
If we find another piece of struc-
ture just outside of the weed bed,
such as a rock pile or stumps, we
will mark them with a different icon
so we can pull our crank past those
too on the retrieve.
If we will be fishing the area
often, we will drive over targeted
areas in a grid-like pattern to record
our sonar logs to an SD card on
our Lowrance unit. Upon returning
home we upload the data from the
SD card to the Lowrance Insight
Genesis program, which creates a
custom map. This map is then saved
back to the SD card to be used on
future fishing trips.
Walleyes in weeds page 24

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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 23

Walleyes in the weeds:
from page 23
The cool thing about the map
is that it allows us to identify small
points and holes that we otherwise
would not know about.
We can also add a vegetation
layer to our map, which is a great
way to eyeball where weed beds
are, so we can find the edges. In
addition, it gives us the ability to
pinpoint key areas of structure with
a color-coded composition map. The
darker areas indicate a hard bottom,
while lighter colors indicate a soft
bottom.
Once we know where the weed
line is, we position the boat so we
can cast at an angle towards them.
When we get into an area where we
get a bump or catch a fish, we stop
and thoroughly fish that area. This is
where we use the anchor feature
on our MotorGuide Xi5 bow mount
trolling motor to hold us in place
while we fan cast over the area.
This is also a great way to pick apart
a piece of structure in the area.
We wont lie, there are going to
be times that you will get your lure
stuck on the weeds. A little trick
for getting your lure unstuck if you
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make contact with them is what we
like to call the double pop. Many
times when you first make contact
with a weed and try to pop it off
with a quick jerk up, it wont pull
through. Instead, try giving it a pop,
and then drop your rod down to
give it some slack. This will leave
some space between the lure and
the weed. Follow this with another
quick pop and it should pull free on
the second pop.
Using the right equipment for
this type of fishing will maximize
your chances for success. When it
comes to rods, we like to use a 6.5-
7 spinning rod, like the Bass Pro
Shops Walleye Angler WL66MLS.
The length of this rod allows us to
cast a long distance.
Our favorite lure for this tech-
nique is the Berkley Flicker Shad.
A lot of times when we are casting
shallow we like to use the #6 Flicker
Shad, but when casting to weed beds
that are up to nine feet deep, we go
to a #7 Flicker Shad because it has
a deeper dive curve. Perch and fire
tiger are good choices for color, but
dont be afraid to mix it up and give
The authors favorite lure for this technique is the Berkley Flicker Shad,
but perch and fire tiger are good choices for color, but dont be afraid to
mix it up and give the fish something different to look at.
the fish something different to look crankbait. To solve this problem, we
at. put a three foot Berkley 100 percent
We also like to swap out the Professional Grade Fluorocarbon
treble hooks on our cranks with the leader on the line. This combination
Mustad KVD Triple Grip Hooks of lines has very little stretch, so
(Model TG58BLN). These trebles you are able to feel every vibration
have a great inward bend that is of the bait as you are reeling it back
great for hook-ups. in.
Since we are keeping the boat Speaking of reeling things back
outside the weed line, we like to in, while we cant guarantee that fol-
use 10 lb. Berkley Nanofil, which is lowing this program will keep your
great for making long casts. How- buddies from toning down on the
ever, Nanofil is a very limp line, amount of grief they give you in the
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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 25
4
Preparing for the 2017 Deer Season...

overlooked things that

effect BOW ACCURACY
The following are a few things that often get overlooked that can
have dramatic effects on bow accuracy. The off-season (now) is the
time to work on this stuff so when archery season comes around you
are in tip-top shape to put an arrow on the mark.

1
Nock Fit
This is often a neglected factor even by experienced
archery shops. A tight nock fit will definitely cause tun-
ing issues. Ideally, I like to have the nock snap on pretty
easily. I prefer to have the nock (off the arrow of course)
spin around the string without any resistance if I flicked it.
If its too tight and binding it will cause inconsistencies and wear on
your center serving which over time will change the way the arrow is
coming off the string.

The Check/Fix
With an arrow nocked, hold the bow horizontally with the ar-
row pointing down to the ground. Just give the string a light tap and
the arrow should come off fairly easily, falling to the floor. That is
the proper knock fit. If nock fit is too tight, you can try serving your
string with a smaller diameter center serving. Number 2: Improper draw length...draw length too long.

2 Improper Draw length

Everybody wants speed these days, but sometimes
chasing speed can rob you of accuracy which ultimately
is the most important thing in bow hunting. I like speed
just as much as anyone, but accuracy and penetration
trump speed in my opinion. Having your draw length set
up properly will not only give you the most accuracy but also consis-
tency. When your draw length is too long, typically your body is too
stretched out and your drawing arm is too far back and pointed be-
hind you. This causes your bow arm to be out of alignment with the
arrow, potentially increased facial pressure with the string, and you
lose the bone on bone structure and T-formation that will really give
you consistent shot execution time after time (see top-right photo).

The Check/Fix
Your bow arm should be in alignment with your arrow on the
horizontal plane. If it isnt, try shortening your draw length a touch to
bring it in. It may feel strange at first, but it will improve your accu-
racy and consistency when set up correctly. Another potential indica-
tion that your draw length might be too long is when your upper body The fix: Your bow arm should be in alignment with your arrow.
is leaning back away from the target. Essentially youre reaching
your face and body back to meet the string (see bottom-right photo). approximate 45 angle with the bow sitting at or inside of your life-

3
Grip
Although its common knowledge that the grip is
vitally important for consistent accuracy, there are other
factors to consider. An improper grip can potentially cause
significant hand torque and a headache while tuning.
Your bow hand is the only part of your body thats actu-
ally touching the bow and can have dramatic effects on your accuracy
and tune. The proper bow grip should consist of your knuckles in an
26 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
line. Also consider the balance of the bow. If you have a heavy sight
and/or a quiver mounted, youre adding a lot of side weight to the
bow. If you have to counter that weight by adjusting your grip or grip
pressure, you are torqueing your bow and it will affect accuracy. A lot
of hunters could benefit from some offset stabilization, but sometimes
adding additional weight is an unwanted fix. A lighter sight, closer
mounted quiver or shooting with the quiver off can help reduce the
side weight of an unbalanced bow. (see top-right photo page 28)
Bow accuracy page 28
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 27
Bow accuracy:
from page 26

The Check/Fix
Adjust grip so that the bow sits medial to the lifeline in your
palm. Your knuckles should be angled approximately at a 45 degree
angle. Draw your bow back with your eyes closed, anchor and then
open your eyes. If your bubble is not level (assuming your second
axis is set correctly) you have to torque your bow to get it back to
level and this is robbing your accuracy.
Experiment with adding weight to offset side weight from your
sight/quiver combo and or with using lighter accessories. Ideally,
you wouldnt have to change grip or grip pressure to get your bow to
level.

4
Arrows
The funny thing about arrows is that so many guys
spend over $1000 on their bow and then buy poor quality
arrows. If youre going to spend that kind of money on Number 3: The bow sits medial to the lifeline in your palm.
the bow, get the best arrows that you can afford. There are
plenty of great choices out there, but that doesnt guaran-
tee you will get 12 quality arrows when you buy a dozen.
For instance, I bought a dozen of a brand I shall not name that is
considered one of the best arrows money can buy. The weight dif-
ferences between the dozen arrows varied by as much as 10 grains.
While this may not show much of an effect at 20 yards, it absolutely
will when you get to longer ranges. Also make sure to spin test every
arrow.
Depending on the straightness tolerance, you may get some that
have a slight wobble through them. An arrow that has significant
wobble is strictly a practice arrow for me, and I dont consider it for
hunting or for tuning purposes. I tried out a dozen new shafts that had
a straightness tolerance of .001. They were the most expensive arrow
shaft I have ever bought and 10 out of the 12 wobbled like crazy.
Thankfully, the company returned them for me and sent me a dozen
that spun true. (see bottom-right photo)

The Check/Fix
All arrows need a little love, so weed out the bad ones and utilize
the good ones to maximize your accuracy and forgiveness, especially
when you consider shooting with broadheads. I like to spin test an
uncut shaft and cut from the end that wobbles the most or possibly a Number 4: Make sure to spin test every arrow.
little from both ends to get to my 28 finished arrow. Next, I square
both ends with the G5 squaring tool. Then I spin test all arrows again within 2 grains of each other.
with all components installed to see if they pass the test. You can Those are just a few things that can rob you of bow accuracy.
take it a step further and have them spine indexed for maximum accu- Technology in archery has come a long way, and I feel I owe it to the
racy. After all arrow components are installed, I weigh each arrow to animal to be as accurate as I can. That means using the best quality
make sure they all fall within an acceptable weight, which for me is equipment that I can afford and lots of practice.n

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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 29

Prepare for fall and winter traplines
By John Chagnon
P
reparing for the upcom-
ing trapping season can
be nearly as rewarding to
me as the actual trapping
season. Most successful
trappers across North
America spend many hours purchas-
ing supplies, prepping equipment,
making baits and lures, and yes
scouting territory for trapping. You
can simply procrastinate and go
trapping when the season begins,
but you would only be cheating
yourself and drastically reducing
your success rate during the season.
Scouting new territory for trap-
ping is my favorite and may be the
most important of things we trappers
do preparing for trapping season.
In my opinion, it is also the first
thing we should do preparing for
the new trapping season. It is hard
to buy supplies, prepare equipment
and make baits and lures if you do
not know how many and what types
of furbearing critters populate the
woods, fields and streams in your
area. It is hard to trap otter and
beaver if you do not have a good
population at hand. The good news
is raccoon, skunk, muskrat, mink,
red and grey foxes inhabit most of
our great state in good numbers.
Today you can even include the
coyote, as in the last 30 years they
have established too good of a
population across Michigan. I say
too good of a population because
most Michigan sport persons are
also avid deer, turkey and small
game hunters. The coyote drastically
decreases large and small game
populations. Trapping coyote is one
of the most successful population
management tools. Coyotes are the
most challenging of the Michigan
furbearing animals to learn to trap. I
trapped my first coyote in the thumb
of Michigan 40 years ago, two in
one season, and there were not
many back then. Today, coyotes are
everywhere.
Michigan is a big, wonder-
ful state. There are a lot of miles
from the Michigan / Ohio border to
Ironwood, Michigan. If Im going
to give you advice on trapping in
Michigan, I think I should let you
know some of the areas Ive trapped
in Michigan.
My passion for the art of trap-
ping began on the shores of Lake
Huron, in the Thumb, as a school
boy trapper. I was lucky from the
beginning, as family and old time
trappers shared their knowledge
30 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
Spring and Summer...
The author, his wife Sheri and grandson Tobyn Slater with their seasons catch.
with me. They introduced me to
Fur Fish and Game and Trapper
and Predator Caller magazines.
Those magazines were a treasure
chest of good information then and
remain a monthly tool of informa-
tion for the modern trapper.
I attended Ferris State Uni-
versity and rented a place on the
Muskegon River. From Ferris State,
I trapped different areas from Big
Rapids to Traverse City.
After college I ended up land-
ing a job in the center of the Upper
Peninsula. No finer time trapping
was to be had prior to or after my
time spent in the U.P. I met and
learned from many great trappers in
the U.P., but none will ever compare
to meeting and becoming friends
with Asa and Maria Lenon. I was
so proud when we announced to the
world, in 2016, that Asa and Maria
Lenon chose me to carry on the
great Animal Lure Brand that Herb
Lenon started in 1924. Mr. Lenon
is still with us today to guide us;
unfortunately Mrs. Lenon passed
last year.
Since 2005 Ive resided Oscoda
and AuGres areas were Im the
Division Director of PcsOutdoors
and make Lenon Lures at home. It is
also were I have trapped the AuS-
able River and the vast federal and
state lands that surround the area.
If you learned anything from
what Ive written so far, it should be
that we should start our search for
pockets of furbearing animals close
to and around sources of water. It
is simple, water furbearers: musk-
rat, beaver, mink and otter need
water. Plus most, if not all, canine
travel patterns in Michigan are in or
around our abundant water sources.
When Im running a trapline, I pre-
fer to trap water animals and canines
at the same time. I also wait until
water season to start trapping, which
is after fox and coyote season. This
allows the fur to prime up more.
Thus, we are harvesting fur when
it is worth the most. Prior to water
trapping season, which is muskrat,
mink, otter and beaver, trappers
must set their land sets for fox and
coyote 50 feet from waters edge.
So, in addition to primer furs dur-
ing water trapping season, fox and
coyote trappers can set the hot trails
that follow our waterways for prime
canines while checking water traps.
Some of my first fur scouting
trips every year are while Im in
search of steelhead, trout, bluegills
or perch. The fishing is accom-
plished using a boat on navigable
rivers and inland lakes. When the
fish are biting well I do less scout-
ing for tracks, trails, droppings and
beaver cuttings (things that indicate
the presence of fur bearing animals).
When the fish limit is reached, or
they quit biting, the scouting and
preparation begins in earnest.
When areas are found with a lot
of sign and dens, I construct cubbies
out of natural materials found in the
area such as wood, large chunks of
bark, branches and rock. Cubbies
are pens that prevent the furbear-
ing animal from approaching the
bait and lure from any side except
the one side opening guarded by a
trap. The trap guarding the cubby
opening can be foothold or body-
grip. One can at times find natural
cubbies such as hollow logs or trees
and stumps. Cubbies work really
well for weasel, skunk, raccoon,
opossum, mink, bobcat and marten
and fisher, and that way my sets will
be protected from wet and snowy
conditions that will prevail during
trapping season. If time warrants,
prior to trapping season, I pre-bait
these cubbies two weeks prior to the
season. Animals such as raccoon,
skunk and opossum semi-hibernate
during extreme cold periods of win-
ter, but having baited cubbies tends
to keep them from hibernating as
quickly. The cubbies help keep your
trap sets dry and in operation during
the periods of inclement weather.
During your spring and sum-
mer fishing trips, while in search
of good eating fish, occasionally
one will happen into a good bite by
bullheads, fresh water drum, carp,
suckers, chubs, etc. This is your
opportunity to save on trapping
bait expense while obtaining some
fine bait. Contrary to what you may
think, fish as a bait is extremely
effective on fox, coyote and bobcat.
And obviously, the best bait for rac-
coon and mink. The only difference
is when making mink and raccoon
fish bait you preserve it, for a lasting
fresh fish smell, while for canines
you want a slight taint smell.
Either way, you start by cutting
the head and tail off the fish and
removing the guts. Then rinse the
fish, cube into 2 to 3 inch chunks, late season. A good time to scout for of Woods-N-Water News. I will
and fill a half of a plastic 5 gallon furbearer animal tracks on old two explain in detail how to choose and
bucket with the fish chunks. Do tracks and country roads is during prepare your trapping equipment
not remove the scales as they are mid and late summer as you take the and gear for the coming trapping
a visual attractant to raccoon and family in search of delicious blue- season. This fall, I will share with
mink. Add, and mix in, 4 pounds berries, blackberries and raspberries. you some of my most successful
of pickling/canning salt, 2 ounces Watch for old, overgrown orchards sets that have worked well for me in
anise oil, 8 ounces shellfish oil, 8 and homesteads, as they are magnets our great State of Michigan.
ounces corn syrup and 4 ounces for good populations of furbearing I welcome you to visit my
dried ground beaver castor. This will animals. Also, these areas tend to websites at PcsOutdoors.com and
be one of the finest mink and rac- have good berry patches. LenonLures.com. I always welcome
coon baits available anywhere. You My friends, I will complete calls from fellow trappers (989) The author on the banks of
can vary your formula, just do not this article in upcoming issues 569-3480 ext. 225.n AuSable River scouting for muskrat.
forget to add the salt. This keeps the
bait from freezing, allowing scent to
travel, and keeps the bait smelling
fresh. This method is far superior to
folks that freeze fish and then use it E A S Y O N Y O U R W A L L E T,
as trapping bait, because the salted
fish will not freeze and lasts longer H A RD ON THE CHORE S AT H A ND.
E A S Y O N Y O U R W A L L E T,
at the set. For fox and coyote bait, I
taint for a few days, in the summer H A RD ON THE CHORE S AT H A ND.
heat, prior to adding pickling and
canning salt. Also, I add fox and
coyote attractants. (I like some type
of musk.) Make sure to use cheese
cloth where the lid attaches to the WORKMA STER
5 gallon bucket and also add a vent COMPACT SERIES
TORS
TRACSTER
tube. If flies are given a chance to
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ruined.
The final scouting for areas of A NEW WORLD DEMANDS NEW HOLL AND
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2017 CNH Industrial Capital America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland Agriculture is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH
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XTV
in and
BStratton Commercial
the USA 25hp Kohler Confidant
INDUSTRY-LEADING Hauling and Towing Capacities
In addition to searching the wa- 3 year residential /*commercial engine warranty 3 year residential / commercial engine warranty dealer fees and
Payment is for 750 B and is calculated at 20% down and 84 months financing. Accessories,
Smart Ride Technology Xtreme Turf Flow Deck INDUSTRY- LEADING
delivery Hauling
charges may affect andcredit.
price. With approved Towing Capacities
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Briggs 54
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terways for animal sign, one should Engine Options BEST-IN-CLASS Ground Clearance
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not overlook areas in the woods and Confidant GT-Trac Precision handling, traction and balance SMITH TRACTOR
in the
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fields that have sandy areas. The
0000 Street
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000.000.0000
STOP BYresidential
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SRT-Pro Model Engine Options: 25hpConfidant
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or 27hp Briggs tires for a soft ride (Standard
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www.burnips.com mail@burnips.com
sand does a wonderful job of captur- 54 PriceHAUL
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SMART CHOICE TO MORE, TOW MORE MORE. *

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ing tracks, and telling you a little bit SMITH TRACTOR
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on the(engine
back forand deck),ride
a smooth tachometer, low battery, time charges
delivery betweenmay oil change
affect price. With approved credit. Program restrictions may apply. See dealer for details.

SMITH TRACTOR .
All offers expire June, 30 2017.
GT-Trac Precision handling, tractionand
Warranty:
balance Lifetime Deck, 2 year limited, 3 yearDorr, 0000
engine Street
MIand hydraulic Name
Big Rapids, MI Town Name MI
Coopersville, Hudson, MI Three Rivers, MI
about whether fox and coyote are www.burnips.com
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mail@burnips.com
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starting as low
Northland
Name .Dr.
Townas7353 State Rd. 15838 Carleton Rd. 55232 Franklin Dr.
Name
in the area. Luckily, fox and coyote
$0 down $134 mo.
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000.000.0000 (231) 592-1200 (616) 997-9190 (517) 448-2071
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and 84Technology
delivery charges may affect*price. With approved credit. Program restrictions may apply. See dealer for details.
* Payment is for 750 B and is calculated at 20% down months financing. Accessories, dealer fees and

both love to roam and play in the Model meter (engine and deck),Available DecktimeSizes
tachometer, low battery,
starting as low as
between oil change

SRT-Pro 54 & 61
All offers expire June, 30 2017.

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sand, because many miles of shore- 3073 142nd Ave. 18612 Northland Dr. 7353 State Rd. 15838 CarletonRd. 55232
Warranty: engine and hydraulic
Franklin included. Ask your sales representative
Dr.
* Payment is for 750 B and is calculated at 20% down and 84 months financing. Accessories, dealer fees and

for* 27hp
Program expires 6/30/17

2017. Briggs and Stratton Commercial

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delivery charges may affect price. With approved credit. Program restrictions may apply. See dealer for details.

line become void of human visitors

Destination charges not All offers expire June, 30
details.
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Destination charges not included. Ask your sales representative for details.
3 year residential / commercial engine warranty
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in December and January and are a

with 3.99% for 60 months financing shown. All Payments will be determined by the financial institution funding the loan based on the
starting as low as * 54 Cut, Cash Price $6,599
applicants credit score and/or other information obtained from credit reporting agencies.

Engine Options Tag revised 2/5/2017

prime place to trap all canines in the Program expires 6/30/17

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61 Cut, Cash Price $6,799
Confidant Destination charges not included. Ask your sales representative for details. * Destination charges not included. Ask your sales representative for details. WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 31
*Tax, finance, destination, accessories and additional charges may apply. Spartan SRT-Pro 54 with Briggs and Stratton Commercial $7,259
with 3.99% for 60 months financing shown. All Payments will be determined by the financial institution funding the loan based on the
25hp Kohler Confidant
applicants credit score and/or other information obtained from credit reporting agencies.
3 year residential / commercial engine warranty
Tag revised 2/5/2017
SRT-Pro Model Engine Options: 25hp Confidant or 27hp Briggs Commercial 54 Cut, Cash Price $6,899
SRT- Smart Ride Technology consists of torsional front forks with Patented
 STREAM TROUT
ON JIGS
I
t was a calm morning after a
fresh rain when I hustled along
the banks of the Pere Marquette
in search of stream trout. In the
pre-dawn darkness, spring robins
were singing loud and clear and
in the distance I heard a return
gobble from a boss gobbler. I
was not turkey hunting but stalking a
deep swirling pool, easing slowly into
casting position and tossing a small
float to the head of the pool.
Below the tiny float was one
of the deadliest trout baits
going, a jig with waxworm.
The bobber danced in the
fast upper current but when it
reached the drop off it stood
upright, remained motionless
for a couple seconds then
By Kenny Darwin
jerked underwater
to signal a strike.
I set the hook and
turned the rod sideways to force the
brush hugging German brown trout
from tangling in the sunken logs. I
could feel his big head shake as he
jerked line from the drag.
Then he turned, swam upstream
into the fast current, filtered oxy-
gen rich water through his gills and
suddenly got an adrenaline rush and
blitzed downstream making my drag
sing, zipped into the log jam and the
line suddenly became tangled. I had
a sickening feeling in my gut after the
big trout kicked my butt, then the line
tightened and gave a sickening snap.
The big brown was gone, he broke
the 8 lb. fluorocarbon leader and there
I stood heart pounding, hands shaking
and fishless.
It was a hell of a way to celebrate
the trout opener but I loved every
minute of the hectic fight and waded
downstream to another deep, swirling
hole. I was using my favorite gold
jig with black marabou tipped with
a big waxworm. It is my deadliest
trout presentation and mimics a black
nymph swimming in the swirling
current and the waxie gives it that
special flavor and enticing live action
that draws savage strikes from struc-
ture loving stream trout.
A slight breeze pushed tendrils
of early morning fog over the placid
pool as I searched to see the tiny
float. It moved half way through the
hole then jerked slightly upstream
and I set the hook. This fish charged
upriver and dashed into the fast mov-
ing current swirling at the head of the
pool. I kept line tight but the large
trout remained in the deep run, almost
like he felt camouflaged or hidden
If you seek more and bigger trout this season, make the switch to small from danger in the swirling current.
jigs suspended below a float or bobber about 3 feet and tip the offering We fought a tug of war back and forth
with live bait. Kenny Darwin photos slugfest in the fast water, and as the
32 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
behemoth brown tired he swished his
huge tail and zipped downstream, ran
completely out of the hole, sprinted
across a shallow gravel bar and
blitzed into the next deep pool. There
he stopped, sulked near bottom and
seemed somewhat calm. I was a
nervous wreck to hook a second large
brown trout and this fish just ripped
line off the reel with ease. He would
dash to the far bank and I would pull
him back. He would sulk on
bottom and slowly rip line
as he headed for the opposite
bank but the river was deep
and had no brush, logs or
debris to catch my line. The
battle lasted several minutes
and I finally eased the big
brown into the shallows.
I knelt in the
cold river water
and removed the
hook from the kype of the 28-inch,
8 pound, huge river trout. His long,
beautiful, sleek body was covered
with large dark spots and his head
was highlighted by a large bulbous-
shaped kype. It was definitely a male
German brown trout. I held his large
tail, turned him into the current and
eventually he gave a big swoosh with
his broad tail and he was gone into
the swirling stream current.
I sat on the bank of the famous
Michigan trout stream and thought
about the many days Ive spent chas-
ing big trout on the AuSable, Big
Manistee, Little Manistee, Muskegon,
Grand River, Betsie, Platte, Mus-
kegon, Rogue River, Elk Rapids and
a host of other big brown waterways.
I also thought about my younger
years when browns came easy on
garden worms or grasshoppers. My
mind drifted to trips on the AuSable
near Grayling where I would roll
over river rocks and catch hellgram-
mites. At one time I was convinced
a live hellgrammite on a hook would
draw a savage strike from wary adult
browns like no other bait. But night
forays using large mayfly patterns
during peak hex hatch encouraged me
to change my opinion and put some
big browns in the net. But of all the
tactics, my favorite stream trout tactic
is fishing with jigs below a small bob-
ber or float.
Jigs and floats can be used in
large or small trout streams. If you
are fishing a large river like the
Kalamazoo, Big Manistee, AuSable
below Foote Site Dam, Muskegon or
Grand River, you use a larger float
than you would use on a small trout
stream. Larger jigs are needed for
big rivers and 1/8 oz. is ideal. Dont
use too heavy jigs because they will

plop straight down and hang up frequently. It is a
good idea to use some pinch on ear-less split shot
above lighter jigs to keep them vertical. The trick
is to use a jig that swims freely over structure,
works in the current and mimics live, swimming,
underwater bugs.
The key to trout fishing success often hinges
on the size of the jig you use, color and marabou
or feather pattern. I like to custom design 1/8-
1/64 oz. jigs and tie feathers, marabou and more
on them to make them come alive. Marabou is
an outstanding choice because it flexes and pulses
in the water and makes the jig look like it is
swimming. My hottest color is black, but some-
times fish prefer white, purple, brown and more.
Another trick is to take the zebra striped feathers
from a wood duck and attach them to the jig to
make it look like a swimming striped bug.
Ive experimented with every jig on the
market and trainloads full of custom jigs and hit
on a secret that guarantees trout will slam your
offering. Years ago, while fishing trout in the gin
clear water at Elk Rapids Dam, I discovered the
hottest presentation was a bluegill foam spider
complete with black rubber legs. So, I got rubber
jig skirts and made legs on jigs. I used the brown
skirt with black dots, black with brown dots,
brown with metallic dots and created legs that
looked like grasshopper legs. Sometimes Id let
the skirts dangle off the front to make the jig look
like it had antennas or legs sticking in front of the
jig head. The results were impressive; catches
soared when the jigs appeared like underwater
critters complete with antennas, front legs, rear
tail and legs. So, heres my secret strategy for
catching stream trout with ease. Get some rubber
skirt used on bass jigs that are brown with black
dots and attach the rubber to the jig giving it wig-
gling, current-catching, dancing life-like appeal.
The color of the jig head can make a big dif-
ference. There are days when trout want a white
head during overcast weather or early morning,
but soon as the sun comes out they switch to
gold, yellow, purple, brown or black. If the water
is discolored from rain and runoff bright colors
Jig fishermen use floats as strike indicators. For the perfect presentation keep line drag off the bobber
by holding the rod tip from 10-2 oclock and wiggling the tip to mend loose line.
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Heres a close up look at the custom jigs the
author uses for stream trout. Notice he makes
attractive movable legs by attaching rubber skir t
used on bass jigs. This gives jigs the life-like
dancing movable legs that wiggle in the current
and drives stream trout into savagely striking.
often produce. When spring turns to summer and
green larvae and green grasshoppers are found in
the current, you can bet a green jig will get the
attention of wary stream trout. One peek in my
jig box and you will immediately notice plenty
of natural colors like black, green and variations
of brown. My goal is to use a jig that mimics a
nymph or underwater bug.
For instance, the Rogue River near Rockford
hosts a nice steelie run and stomach biopsies
showed me steelies were dining on stone fly
nymphs that have a metallic green color. So, I
painted some green jigs and used bits of lime
green marabou to give the presentation pulsating
life. What I discovered is the green jig pattern
brought out the stream brown trout and all of
a sudden I was catching stream trout on steelie
jigs. Once early spring turned to summer and the
steelies disappeared, I was still catching trout on
the deadly pattern.
Stream trout on jigs page 34
ORHC
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Honeycomb
Stabilising ridge
3 sizes, 16 colours
Mirror, Honeycomb
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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 33
Stream trout on jigs:
from page 33
Many times the trick to trout fishing neous critters. Some savvy anglers
success hinges on how well you are tipping jigs with super soft plas-
match the hatch. My suggestions tic scented ice tails like Little Atom,
are to seek out rocks found in the offered by www.yourbobbersdown.
riffles and roll them over, inspect the com.
bottom for trout food that includes: Every stream is different and
caddis, stonefly nymph, mayfly offers presentation challenges. Rainbow trout love jigs tipped with a waxie. A jig presentation will provide
nymph, midge, leeches and scud or Small streams are best suited to strikes from a variety of trout including browns, rainbows and brookies, in
freshwater shrimp. Once you iden- flippin casts to get under overhang- addition to steelhead, Coho salmon and Atlantic salmon.
tify available food sources match ing branches and around brush. and ease into casting position. Soft their metabolism and get them eat-
your jigs to their color and size. Side arm pitches are useful in tight casting is essential if you want to ing. This makes them fat and juicy
The popular change to spinning situations, and sometimes you catch trout in close quarters. Avoid which is the hottest trick going with
tackle and centerpin reels allows sneak to the head of the hole and splashing your offering on the calm waxies because dead, thin, lifeless
longer casts with lightweight bob- simply vertically drop the offering surface and give each cast a gentle waxies simply dont get hit. Now,
bers and better strike detection at in the water and let it peel out line touch so it hits the surface with the heres how to fish them. Do not
any distance. Although if Im fish- and walk downriver. The trick to least amount of noise or disturbance. thread them on the jig hook. Instead
ing a small stream, I still like to use catching stream trout often hinges Rookie trout fishermen make the hook them through the head and al-
a jig and float on my 6 weight fly on how close you work your pre- common mistake of marching to low the large body to wiggle, jiggle
rod. I simply tie on a fluorocarbon sentation to cover. You gotta get a favorite hole, sending footstep and look lively in the stream cur-
leader to attach the jig. Sometimes under cedar limbs, around tree roots vibrations to wary trout and novice rent. One of my deadliest tricks is
you need to match your rod and reel or undercut banks. Sometimes big anglers like to wade in direct sun- to use two waxies, which gives the
to the fishing scenario. On large browns can only get hooked if you light to the edge of the hole. Gee, bait a forked tail look, much more
open rivers, cast with a long rod crawl through brush, poke your rod dont they know smart brush-hug- action and when trout come close to
and centerpin or spinning reel. If through branches and get the jig in ging monster trout are always close investigate they get a whiff of the
you are working small creeks and thick cover. to cover, looking upstream and often live bait and smash the offering.
streams, a fly rod is better suited to Perhaps the most important lurk where the shallow water greets Once again, use a stealthy
tight quarters. rule when fishing small streams is the cover of the deep hole? Once upstream approach. Wear camou-
Some fishermen prefer to tip jigs to avoid getting in the water and a big territorial stream trout has flage and polarized sunglasses and
with plastics or soft baits. Knowl- always walk upstream. You gotta an encounter with wading fisher- avoid wading small streams. Walk
edge of available forage and what use a stealthy approach for wary men, chances of approaching upstream and make casts slightly
trout are eating can determine if old trout that spook at the slightest the wary fish become much more quartering upstream and allow the
you want to use curly tail minnows, disturbance. Sneak along the bank, difficult. bobber to drift downstream to wait-
crawdads, worms, grubs or miscella- walk slowly, stick to the shadows On large open rivers, you can ing trout. The slightly upstream
cast overhand because the environ- approach allows you to momentarily
ment is treeless and the large mean- suspend a jig in a feeding trouts
dering river allows for long distance strike zone.
casting. Savvy trout fishermen The amount of time the jig
know that long distance casting on swims, dances and stays in the strike
open waterways can increase strikes zone depends on current, the jig size
over short drifts up close. Savvy an- and leader length. Usually you want
glers cast slightly upstream to trout the jig to be about 3 feet below the
that cannot see their human outline. bobber and you work the offering in
It is a good idea to cast so your of- the current by keeping your rod tip
fering splashes far upstream from high to reduce line drag. You jiggle
where you intend to hook trout. or wiggle the rod tip to twitch the jig
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above all the debris and structure- jig and waving marabou body keys
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offering drifting downstream in the their attention ,the realism of the jig
current and rise up out of the stumps combined with the powerful odor of
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With this system you get snagged After fishing Michigan trout
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34 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
2017 turkey patch winner
W
ith spring turkey High School, now is available for
season under purchase. Each year, Michigan
way, the Michi- students in grades K-12 are given
gan Department the opportunity to submit designs
of Natural Re- for the DNRs annual wild turkey
sources encour- management cooperator patch. The
ages hunters to purchase a wild Michigan chapter of the National
turkey cooperator patch. Wild Turkey Federation, in partner-
The 2017 turkey patch, designed ship with DNR, coordinates the wild
by Sylvia Smith of Lake Orion turkey patch program.
Sylvia Smith of Lake Orion High School, the winner of the annual wild turkey
patch design contest, was presented with an award at the Natural Resources
Commission meeting in Lansing. (Lt-r t) Jon Gray, Smiths teacher at Lake Orion
Middle School at the time she entered the contest; DNR Wildlife Division Chief
Russ Mason; Sylvia Smith; DNR upland game bird specialist Al Stewar t; and Ar t
Pelon, president of the Michigan chapter the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Protect your property from deer or trespassers.
Enough said. Call us today!
231.510.8122 www.BeemFence.com
We feel privileged to be able to
partner with the Michigan DNR on
this project, said Art Pelon, presi-
dent of the Michigan chapter of the
National Turkey Federation.
The patch design award was
presented to Smith at the Natural
Resources Commission meeting in
Lansing April 13.
Proceeds from patch sales are
used to fund wild turkey-related
projects and management in Michi-
gan.
Young hunters, 17 years old
and younger, who have a valid wild
turkey hunting license may receive
a free patch. To receive a patch,
please send name and complete
address, along with a legible copy
of the youths valid wild turkey
hunting license, to National Wild
Turkey Federation, Wild Turkey
Patch Program, P.O. Box 8, Orleans,
MI, 48865. Please allow four to
six weeks for delivery. If you have
questions, please e-mail michigan-
wildturkeypatch@yahoo.com.
Adult hunters, collectors and
other interested individuals may
purchase the patch for $5, includ-
ing postage and handling. Only the
current-year patch is available for
YOUTH DAY 2017
Hosted by the Cass City Gun Club Youth Organization
WHEN:
June 24, 2017
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
W H ER E:
Cass City Gun Club
2676 N. Englehart Rd., Cass City
EVENTS:
BB Trap Trailer Gun Safety 3-D Bow Shoot
Backstop Bow Shoot Mock Blood Trail
410/20 Gauge Trap Shoot 22 Rifle Range
Tree Stand Safety Minnow Racing
Turkey/Duck/Goose Calling
purchase. You do not have to harvest
a turkey to purchase a patch. Send
orders to the address above and
make check or money order payable
to the National Wild Turkey Federa-
tion.
The DNR also reminds hunters
that spring turkey season started
Monday, April 17, and runs through
May 31, with several different hunt
periods to choose from. Information
about spring turkey hunting can be
found at michigan.gov/turkey.
A base license is required for
every resident and nonresident who
hunts in Michigan. Hunters may
purchase a spring turkey license
only after they have obtained a base
license for the year. The base license
is also a small game license.n
AGES 5-15
This event is free and
includes lunch to all kids
with their sign-in ticket.
Lunch is available to
everyone else who may be
attending with their kids
for a donation.
BREAKFAST
FROM 7-9 AM
All you can eat
pancakes, sausage, milk
& coffee for $5.00
P O I N T O F C O N TA C T :
Jeff Wallace
989.670.0421
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 35
How deer research has changed
W
ithout warning, the
cedar limb I was
perched on, 16
feet or so above a
well-used deer trail,
snapped with a loud
crack. Deer scattered in all directions
and down I went. As usual, I was work-
ing alone in northern Michigans Petrel
Grade deeryard.
It was January 1968, and I had
undertaken a study to evaluate the ag-
gressive behavior of white-tailed deer
at winter cuttings. I already had well
over 100 deer individually marked with
numbered snare-type collars, but few
were mature bucks.
My goal was to selectively capture
more bucks using a tranquilizer loaded
capture gun and mark them with ear
tags and individually recognizable col-
lars. This was a fairly easy task given
the heavily used deer trails leading to a
plentiful supply of felled cedar browse
at a logging operation.
All it took was patience, waiting for
the right deer to pass beneath my perch,
slowly lower the gun barrel and plunk
em in the rear end -- even without aim-
ing. Normally, they didnt run too far
and werent particularly hard
to find and handle.
In fact, it was so easy that
I entertained the idea of cap-
turing a smaller deer by hand,
from a lower position, simply
by dropping on it in bobcat
style.
At any rate, I landed on
my back, narrowly missing
In My Experience
a stump protrud-
ing above the
3-foot deep snow
By John Ozoga
pack. I lay there a
while rather dazed,
hurting all over,
and wondering if Id done any serious
damage. Luckily, I seemed to be 0K --
at least I could stand and walk. Then, I
looked up, and there was my gun stuck
on a limb near where Id sat, requiring
an agonizing trip back up the tree to
retrieve it.
Thinking Back
Actually, until recently, I never
really thought, much about those
early days, and how deer research has
changed. Needless to say, today the
governing bureaucracy would frown
upon such dangerous employee be-
havior, and I would be called in by the
brass and severely admonished.
Note, it would have been rather dif-
ficult buying a ladder stand for hunting
purposes in those days. In fact, back
then, I dont believe elevated blinds of
any kind were even legal for deer hunt-
ing purposes in Michigan.
Even the way we handled captive
deer in the past would be unacceptable
today. And, we would not be permitted
to release surplus captive deer into the
wild, for fear of introducing diseases
(even though such things as CWD or
TB have not been found to occur lo-
cally).
So many aspects of deer research,
36 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
management, and hunting have changed
over the past five or so decades. Of
course, deer and deer hunters have
changed too, often unpredictably so.
Many of these associated trends have
undoubtedly benefited the resource --
but some have not and Im concerned.
Trending to Political
Correctness
While reviewing the recent wildlife
literature, Im finding that other wildlife
professionals share some of my specific
concerns. I found comments made by
Dr. James E. Miller, past president of
the Wildlife Society and recipient of the
cherished 2007 Aldo Leopold award,
particularly interesting.
In his award acceptance speech, re-
printed in the spring 2009 issue of The
Wildlife Professional, Miller provides
a historical sketch of wildlife manage-
ment funding, highlights technological
advances, discusses concerns for the
profession, and speculates a little on
the future. While his comments apply
to wildlife management in general, its
quite easy to read between the lines
and see how his concerns apply to deer
research and management.
If our profession is to con-
tinue to progress and be rel-
evant, Miller concludes, we
must continue to value hunting
-- individually, biologically,
socially, and economically. We
work for the public as well as
for wildlife resources and we
must continue to use the best
available science in decision
making, remain
passionate about
what we do, and
adhere to a code of
professional ethics
that sustains our
credibility as biologists.
Although deer research here in
northern Michigan got its start around
1930, funding and serious research
efforts started in 1937 with the passage
of the Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid
in Wildlife Restoration Act. This act
collected a federal excise tax on hunting
arms and ammunition to be returned to
the state for research, land acquisition,
and habitat development.
As a result, the Michigan Depart-
ment of Natural Resources (DNR) hired
full-time wildlife research biologists
and housed them at research stations.
The Cusino Wildlife Research Station,
located in Michigans Upper Peninsula
(UP), and the Houghton Lake Wildlife
Research Station, in Northern Lower
Michigan, concentrated their efforts on
white-tailed deer nutrition, physiology,
behavior, and habitat management.
Today, there are no research biolo-
gists stationed at those facilities, and
nearly all deer research in the state is
conducted through universities.
At the same time, its important to
recognize that fewer research dollars are
now generated from traditional sources
(i.e., hunters). According to Miller, most
comes from directed research funding,
thus influencing the culture and results
of wildlife research.
At a research meeting, I once was
asked how I felt about research involve-
ment with universities. I replied that
we had good results in some cases, but
at other times we devoted considerable
time and energy without learning much
that could be directly applied to deer
population and habitat management and
we were being criticized by manage-
ment for that reason.
I might add that I have highest regard
for most wildlife biologists, and con-
sider my association with Karl Miller
and Steve Ditchkoff a highlight of my
research career.
However, in recent years, despite
considerable financial support, some
university guided deer research has
produced results that merely support
findings from studies conducted by
Louis Verme and myself (assisted by
one technician and two inmates). One
such three-year university sponsored
project acknowledged the involvement
of more than 60 individuals, without
once referring to the critical importance
of high quality deer wintering habitat in
the northern region.
Jim Miller suggests that research
biologists are wandering off coarse
when he provides the following warn-
ing: Wildlife research appears in recent
years to have become more directed
toward addressing politically correct
issues, and in verifying a sponsor-
ing industries or agencys claims for
its products. To remain relevant and
maintain our credibility with a diverse
public, of which hunters are a part,
the research base must retain a strong
focus on wildlife habitat and population
management.
Although we serve the public,
Miller warns there is a line beyond
which social and political pressures
must not dictate resource management
decisions.
Technology
My first research project, initiated in
1960, was a study of coyote ecology on
Beaver Island, located in Northern Lake
Michigan. As one might expect, the
Kenny Darwin photo
islanders were convinced coyotes were
decimating their deer herd.
During the summer months, my
wife Janice and I trapped and tagged
coyotes and red fox and collected scats
for later detailed analysis of seasonal
food habits. Two of those coyotes
eventually dispersed to the Michigan
mainland.
There was no high tech radio telem-
etry gear available for monitoring wild-
life movements in those days. During
the winter months I relied on tracking.
My typical day started (at daybreak)
with finding a fresh coyote track and
following it till dusk, recording such
things as feeding habits, habitat use,
socialization, etc. By the end of the day
I often wound up miles from my truck.
(If youve never done such a thing, try
following coyote tracks for 200 miles
some winter).
I might add, during the course of
coyote investigations, a friend of mine
and I teamed up to publish a 40-page
bulletin, in the Michigan State Museum
series, covering the mammals of Beaver
Island and another on the mammals of
nearby Garden Island. (I bring this up
because its a good example of how an
alert researcher, when engaged in field
studies, will see other opportunities
to expand our knowledge of a given
subject.)
After completing a brief study of
deer wintering behavior in northern
Lower Michigan, I undertook more ex-
tensive studies of wintering whitetails at
Cusino starting in 1964. My objectives
were to examine in detail the microcli-
mate of preferred deer wintering habitat
and determine how deer use of protec-
tive cover and survival were influenced
by weather related factors.
In those days there were no deer
trail cameras nor motion triggered activ-
ity monitors. Neither were there ATVs.
Snowmobiles were available, but not
especially reliable -- mine broke down
after a few weeks of use, necessitating
a mile-long snowshoe hike just to reach
the study area.
I contrived a crude (Rube Goldberg-
type) mechanical deer traffic counter,
consisting of an alarm clock, reset coun-
ter, and spring-loaded monofilament
trip line. It certainly wasnt the fanci-
est device in the world , and required
frequent servicing, but when positioned
on deer trails throughout the deeryard
provided a reasonably good index to
deer activity -when nothing comparable
was available.
Meanwhile, back at Cusino, I used
a somewhat different triggering system
to tally activity of deer in research
pens while measuring their daily food
consumption. However, with an electric
power supply available, I could wire
triggering devices to an event recorder
and record hourly rates of individual
deer activity. That particular system led
to the discovery that doe activity rises
sharply just prior to estrus, making it a
valuable tool when conducting repro-
ductive studies.
In those days, biologists routinely
conducted deer population surveys and
necropsied highway killed deer to deter-
mine deer physical condition as well as
reproductive potential.
Today, given analog and digital
computers, biologists use population
modeling to assess herd composition
and determine harvest rates, via elabo-
rate data storage and analysis proce-
dures. There is also increased emphasis
on ecosystem and landscape approaches
to wildlife management with a corre-
sponding de-emphasis of single-species
approaches -- like white-tailed deer.
The Research Biologist
Technological advancements have
certainly enhanced deer research
performance, but not without some
drawbacks.
Nowadays, It is too easy to become
an armchair biologist, claims Miller,
Inextricably tied to, and dependent on,
computers and complex mathematical
models to tell us what is happening and
what we need to be doing about it.
Miller also suggests there is a sig-
nificant disconnect between how some
educators and universities are preparing
wildlife students and these students
understanding of the role and responsi-
bilities of most state and federal natural
resource management agencies.
Clearly, fewer wildlife faculty mem-
bers today are traditional consumptive
users of wildlife, meaning there tends
to be a reduction in emphasis on hunt-
ing and traditional wildlife management
and an increased focus on conservation
biology in the university classroom.
Miller contends the most significant
change is that student demographics
have shifted markedly since the 1990s.
Prior, most wildlife students came from
rural backgrounds and had a grasp of
land and work ethic.
In my case, for example, a serious
interest in wildlife and the outdoors
probably started when I trapped my
first muskrat and snared a cottontail
at 9 or 10 years of age. I became quite
proficient at trapping coyotes, red fox,
bobcats, beaver, otter mink and weasel
and hunted small game on my own at
the age of 15. In fact, the local DNR
office frequently directed me to farmers
having predator problems.
Two years later, the neighbor boy
and I ran a pulpwood job for an owner
of considerable aspen acreage. He cut
aspen by hand with buck saws (com-
monly referred to as bow saws no
chain saws), peeled it, used a small trac-
tor for skidding, loaded two broken-down
trucks (one with no license) by hand (no
hydraulic loader), drove 10 miles to a
railroad loading deck (no CDLs), and
unloaded in railroad cars by hand.
This early experience made it rela-
tively easy for me to communicate with
wildlife and forestry professionals and
comprehend wildlife population and
habitat relationships at a young age.
From the 1990s to the present, the
majority of wildlife students come from
urban backgrounds, with many having
little or no understanding of huntings
biological, economic, and social rel-
evance to wildlife conservation.
In fact, one study found that hunt-
ing among college wildlife students
declined by 10 to 60 percent during the
past 30 or so years and students with
anti-hunting attitudes increased 30 to 50
percent.
If this trend continues, it does not
bode well for the future of deer research
nor for deer population and habitat man-
agement as weve come to know it.
Changing Emphasis
Whitetail abundance has fluctu-
ated wildly in the past 50-60 years. In
fact, in the Upper Great Lakes region,
weve gone full circle, from too few
deer in the 1960s and 1970s to deer
overabundance during the late 1980s
and early 1990s, back to low densities
more recently. Meanwhile, deer have
expanded their range, especially in the
Southeast, and seem to be thriving in
urban environments.
Understandably, deer research
emphasis has changed accordingly
to accommodate the resultant posi-
tive and negative values deer create.
Most recently, there has been increased
research interest in predation, disease,
human-deer conflict, and deer popula-
tion management to satisfy hunter quest
for quality.
During the course of a 5-year study
designed to evaluate the pros and cons
of supplemental deer feeding, conduct-
ed in Cusinos square-mile deer enclo-
sure, I became especially interested in
deer social behavior. With the advent of
Quality Deer Management and spread
of diseases like CWD and TB, it be-
came obvious that such knowledge was
lacking and critical for scientifically
based deer population management.
The Cusino enclosure served per-
fectly for deer social behavior studies.
We were able to live-trap and handle
each animal for physical measurement,
X-ray does to determine pregnancy
rates and estimate breeding dates, and
radio-collar certain individuals for
monitoring, annually. This permitted me
to select and study a reintroduced herd
of specific sex and age that mimicked a
given deer harvest practice.
This particular line of study became
an obsession with me and continued
until my retirement.
The Deer Hunter
As expected, the deer hunter has
changed considerably over time, thus
influencing deer research in many ways.
For one thing, hunters are more educat-
ed , more dedicated , and more effective
than ever before. They also have higher
expectations. Unfortunately, new hunt-
ers are not being recruited in sufficient
numbers to replace us old guys.
Not only are hunters still playing a
significant role in deer population man-
agement, more of them are becoming
involved in managing private lands to
enhance deer nutrition and deer quality.
In other words, they are using that infor-
mation that research has provided.
Although Jim Miller acknowledges
the vital role that hunters play in deer
management, he offers the following
criticism: We must acknowledge that,
unfortunately, more and more active
hunters seem to desire instant gratifica-
tion. It appears they have been misled
by outdoor television shows, many of
which have become snuff films whose
main motivation is to sell more gadgets,
including feeders and mechanical or
sensory attractants -- anything that will
shorten the time spent outdoors.
We need to further educate the
public about the real trade-offs (on both
public and private lands) that will be
necessary to maintain appropriate habi-
tats and populations to ensure that wild
places and wild things can sustained
for future generations. We must find
incentives that encourage all or most
of society to support natural resources
management and sustainability, both
philosophically and financially.
Communication
Communication, at all levels, plays
a critical role in deer research and
management effectiveness and public
acceptance of deer hunting as a manage-
ment tool. Fortunately, surveys indicate
76 percent of Americans approve of
hunting and only 16 percent disapprove.
Since the 1990s, Miller has noted
profound changes in the way wildlife
professionals communicate, indicating
that we now regularly communicate and
share information through email and
computer-based tools.
As a result, he voices the follow-
ing: Some concerns stimulated by
changing technologies, philosophy, and
culture within the profession include
a decreased emphasis on availability
of printed publications and increased
emphasis on electronic publications and
data sources that may not adequately
serve the profession. Websites and
blogs are increasingly utilized as major
communication tools and appear in
vogue with many newer members of
the profession, yet have not precluded
the need for targeted publications and
critical interaction with stakeholders
Research information remains important
to private landowners, managers, and
other users, and it must be published or
made available in appropriate scientific
resources.
The latest deer bible, Biology and
Management of White-tailed Deer, ed-
ited by David G, Hewitt, was published
in 2011. The first such all-inclusive
book that appeared in 1985, relied on
631 published articles concerning
white-tailed deer, whereas the 2011
version accounted for 834 such articles
published since then.
One measure of a researchers ac-
complishments is his publication record.
Another is the frequency with which
his works are referred to by others. My
immediate supervisor, Louis Verme,
always advised me, If its worth doing,
its worth publishing.
The book edited by Hewitt will no
doubt stand as thee reference for white-
tailed for years to come. While reading
the chapter on behavior, written by Karl
Miller and Randy DeYoung, I noticed
frequent reference to my technical as
well as popular writings -- at least 16
different manuscripts. When I asked
Karl why he referred to so many of
my papers, he said, Because youre
the only one that has done such work.
Compliments like that, coming from the
worlds authority on white-tailed deer
behavior, were more important to me
than you can imagine.
Equally important is the conveying
of technical information in popular form
to the public. Scientific jargon must
be translated into useful and practical
information available to the public in
a manner that can be understood and
implemented. This must happen, says
Miller, to maintain critical public sup-
port for wildlife research and manage-
ment.
I published my first couple of
magazine articles in 1958, but then very
few until 1985 when the Michigan DNR
was having serious budget problems
and threatened to close Cusino.
While discussing the pending crisis
with my wife Janice, she replied, You
researchers spend all your time talk-
ing to yourselves; the general public,
and hunters in particular, dont have
the faintest idea what youre doing and
why.
She was right. In those days it was
rare to see an article in a hunting maga-
zine written by a wildlife biologist. So
began my career as an outdoor writer.
Conclusions
Initially, I was rather apprehen-
sive about tackling this subject of deer
research change -- its exceedingly
complex. Furthermore, I had a num-
ber of preconceived concerns and was
admittedly biased in my views. In fact,
I felt overly critical; just maybe I was
totally wrong.
After reading the Reflections of
Dr. Jim Miller, former president of The
Wildlife Society, however, I realized
others much more knowledgeable about
this subject than I shared my views.
As I said earlier, I have a great deal
of respect (and even envy) for most
biologists conducting deer related
research today, given the sophisticated
techniques now at hand.
Most worrisome are trends I see
taking place in education, student and
instructor background, and research
project funding, with reduced empha-
sis on hunting and traditional wildlife
management and increased focus on
pure conservation biology-- apparently
sometimes designed to yield politically
correct answers.
Like it or not, the past president of the
Wildlife Society, has criticized all of us
involved in deer and deer hunting in one
way or another-- maybe even himself. I
readily admit, as a researcher, I prob-
ably could have done a better job -- how
about you?
On the bright side, remember,
white-tailed deer are one of the most
behaviorally flexible mammals on the
planet, quite capable of adapting to
seemingly unbelievable environmental
hardship -- humans included. Even so,
no one really knows what the future
holds for deer and deer hunting.n
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 37
 BE PREPARED:
Dont be a Darwin
Award contestant

W
hen your four
wheeler that
was going too
fast slipped off
the edge of an
old two track
and plunged 30 feet down a
muddy embankment before
hitting an oak tree, your
thoughts were not about
being unprepared. Your
first thought might have
been messed up steering or
leaking fuel. Perhaps your
second thought was intense
pain in your twisted leg, the
protruding
bone, or the By Jonathan Schechter
blood that
spurted freely from your slashed
arm. Your third thought might
have been being late for dinner
again, really late. And maybe the
fourth thought was the road was
closed to ATVs and a Conservation
Since 2000, we have been selling and installing metal
roofs for area homeowners, making us Michigans most
experienced residential metal roofing company.
Residences make up approximately three-quarters of our installations; the
rest include small office buildings, stores, restaurants, and churches.
Officer might find you before you
can get your wheels back on the
trail (you cant) and be underway
again. If you are not prepared for
the unexpected, your fourth thought
should be your wish and prayer, not
your fear.
We all seek adventure.
Its in our genes! We
tackle unknown trails,
stumble through swamps,
camp in questionable loca-
tions, kayak after dark, ford
fast-flowing streams, forage
for fungi on slippery slopes,
gather berries in bear coun-
try, and
have a heck
of a lot of
fun in the wilds of Michigan. And
every spring some of us die when
the unexpected happens.
It should go without saying, we
rely much too much on nothing ever
going wrong and our strong belief
It should go without saying, we rely much too much on nothing ever
going wrong and our strong belief that technology never fails and
our undying faith in that magic number 9-1-1. Author photos
that technology never fails and our
undying faith in that magic number
9-1-1. Dialing 911 is not a plan.
Sadly, it often signals having no
plan and making very poor choices.
We may think we are invincible
and life-threatening incidents and
injuries wont occur. Lightning
does strike in the same place twice,
as do accidents, mishaps and foolish
errors. As I finalized plans for my
imminent departure for a month
long adventure on South Manitou Is-
land with the National Park Service,
I skimmed over my list for pre-
paredness planning, with thoughts
of a healthy 19 year old that died of
hypothermia in the Upper Peninsula
in the closing days of April. I am
sure he thought he was invincible.
We all do.
Twelve Tips of
Preparedness
Weather: There is no excuse
for ignoring the weather. Pack
for unexpected changes. NOAA
Weather Radios are inexpensive and
reliable. Common sense is even
cheaper, and that means keeping an
eye on the weather and not doing
silly things like camping in a ravine
or under dead trees. Ravines flood.
Dead trees fall. And sometimes
forecasts are totally wrong.
Extra Clothing: Have an outer
layer to protect yourself from wind
and rain, even on warm days. An
unexpected night out might just hap-
pen. Ankles break. Tiredness hap-
pens. Hypothermia can strike on
a wet summer day quickly leading
to a fuzzy mind and poor decision
making. Pack fleece, toss in a hat.
Dry socks and other clothing items
belong in your day pack or stashed
in your truck.
First Aid: First aid knowledge
comes with experience and the
willingness to learn. And packing
first aid equipment that you have no
idea how to use is silly, and some-
times dangerous. Adventurers that
use chain saws, knives or run ATVs
into trees need to know when and
how to use a tourniquet that can be
applied with one hand. Consider the
CATCombat Application Tour-
niquet. And know how to apply it
before its needed. And yes, I keep
one in my day pack and one in my
jeep and one will always be with me
in the backcountry of South Mani-

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38 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
tou Island. More importantly, I try
to avoid situations that accelerate
my candidacy for a Darwin Award.
Sitting on a life jacket puts one in
the running, when a kayak or small
boat flips in rough waters.
Cell Phones: Accept the fact
that cell phone service can be spotty.
Batteries go dead. Towers go down.
They break. They get lost. And just
as sky divers have reserve chutes,
pack your reserve device. A work-
ing whistle has a better chance
of signaling help than a dead cell
phone.
Stay Put: Once someone real-
izes you are missing, or something
went wrong, a search will start in
the area you are supposed to be
in. Staying put is critical to getting
found. Does anyone know where
you went? Hint: If no one knows
you went adventuring, no one will
look for you; but a few days after
you die, turkey vultures circling
overhead may draw the attention
of nature-savvy hikers wondering
whats drawing their attention. If
you hike with young children, be
sure each child has a whistle and
knows to sit by a big tree and blow
that whistle if they get lost. A five
dollar high-quality whistle can save
a life. I was happy to see that some
children that backpacked with their
parents on South Manitou Island last
year were equipped with whistles
and knew their sole use: Emer-
gency!
GPS And Compass: GPS
devises are great, if you know how
to use them, the batteries are work-
ing and signals are strong. But dont
dump the compass. Even if you do
not know where you are, a compass
can keep you on a straight course
until you reach a road, a shoreline, a
stream or a landmark what will help
you get found.
Food: High energy food is the
way to go. Running on empty is
not. And if you carry some emer-
gency canned goods, a small can
opener such as the WW2 era p38
opener is what you need. They are
very cheap and sold on Amazon.
Stabbing a can of tuna with your
oversized sheath knife is likely to
take you back to the first aid section.
And dont toss out the empty can.
It might serve as reflector, a water
holding device, or be improvised
into some sort of tool.
Water Purification: Nobody
wants to be dehydrated to the point
of delirium and then stubble upon
a puddle and slurp away, only to
discover your action lead to severe
intestinal distress. LifeStraw is one
of the popular brands of no-brainer
filtering devices that can be pur-
chased for less than the price of a
good dinner.
Wild Edibles: Dont assume We all seek adventure. Its in our genes! We tackle unknown trails,
something is edible because wildlife stumble through swamps, camp in questionable locations... . If you
eat it. Contrary to myth, all red ber- are not prepared for the unexpected, your four th thought should be
ries are not edible. Stay with your your wish and prayer, not your fear.
power bars, and that emergency bag
of nuts and berries you packed. You themselves out of the gene pool via win that award, the game of life is
did pack one, didnt you? death by their own actions, and lack over.
Fire: Have several ways to of preparedness or common sense. Jonathan Schechter is the Na-
make a fire. Sure you might be able Perhaps that was you on the ATV ture Education Writer for Oakland
to play survivalist and build a fire that raced around the corner, slid County Government and a wilder-
bow, but it makes a lot more sense down the embankment and during ness experienced paramedic. His
to pack a lighter and waterproof the roll over slashed your brachial Wilder Side of Oakland County
matches. A small bag of dry tinder artery. No tourniquet? Cant stop blog post may be viewed at www.
or commercial fire starters is not the bleeding? No help coming? OaklandCountyBlog.com Email:
a bad idea. I carry a small tin of Darwin Award time. And when you oaknature@aol.comn
paraffin impregnated cotton balls as
a fire starter.
Light Source: Have a head-
lamp and a small LED light.
There is no excuse not to carry
them. Things go wrong and
darkness can sneak up on you.
Darkness is not your friend when
things go wrong.
Emergency Shelter: Know how
to build a simple emergency make-
shift shelter. The internet is over-
flowing with plans for debris huts.
Or perhaps toss a SOL Bivvy Sack
in your day pack. Common sense
will help you survive longer.
Darwin Award: The Darwin
Award is a tongue-in-cheek award
for individuals who have contribut-
ed to human evolution by selecting
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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 39
 Bug Eyes
Key in on the very spots bugs are
hatching and youll find feeding game fish
By Mark Martin

A
re huge insect hatches
the first thing that
comes to mind when
you think about fish-
ing during the early
summer months? They
should be. But dont let a major
hatch get you down. Some of the
best bites will occur when bugs first
start appearing.
Im not just talking about
the pesky little mosquitoes
and black flies that swarm you
at the boat launch. Instead, Im
focusing on the larger bugs that
start out as aquatic insects, such
as the many different species of
mayflies.
And if you key in on the very
spots bug hatches are taking place,
youll find feeding game fish.
Seek and Ye
Shall Find Fish
Locating emerging bugs is not
difficult. Sometime I just watch the
waters surface with nothing more
than my own eyes. Often times, Ill
have to use my Lowrance sonar and
Marcum underwater camera to find
insects under the surface. I just have
to make sure to look for the smallest
signs.
Ponder sitting upon the shore
during the early morning hours,
hot coffee in hand, taking in the
environment as the mist rises off The author, Mark Mar tin, holds a walleye he caught while casting
the flat-calm surface You almost into a mass bug hatch on an inland lake.
always see little dimples on the But thats not falling rain. In- the bow-mounted electric trolling
surface, looking more like raindrops stead, those are bugs flying up and motor towards the tiny disturbances
hits, suddenly appearing from no- off the lake. Mere moments before, in the surface, making sure to stay
where in certain areas of the lake. they were nymphs waggling their off to the side of where the hatch is
way from the bottom to the surface. taking place.
And I guarantee you there are Then I pull tiny spinners (aka:

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there are minnows, young-of the-
year fish, as well predator fish. And,
yes, even walleyes that high. So,
when you see a bug hatch happening
you better grab your rod and reel as
the bite is on.
Sneaking In
When I see the minute rings on
the surface over deep water, Ill set
a course for them and prepare to
troll. But I dont run my boat right
through the mass of emerging bugs.
That would spook any game fish,
and rile the environment enough to
Hunts Available! stop the hatch all together.
Ill quietly pull my Lund with
crawler harnesses) or small crank-
baits (more about lure size later)
behind Church Tackle in-line planer
boards through the area. To stay
as stealthy as possible, however,
Ill use Churchs smallest TX-6
boards rather than anything larger.
These little boards wont churn the
calm water and spook fish that are
mere inches below the surface.
I also like to cast to bug hatches
when I see them occurring in the
shallows. Again, with only my
bow-mounted electric trolling motor
to position my boat, I make sure to
stay away from the hatching insects,
yet, get within casting distance.

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Look Out Below!
I find insects when they are not
in the process of hatching with my
Lowrance sonar. And when coupled
with Navionics mapping, I not only
know where the submerged bugs are
at the moment, but will be able to
decipher where they may be in other
parts of the lake.
Nymphs can look like any num-
ber of things on sonar. Take, for ex-
ample, that surface clutter the sonar
is marking high in the water column,
which is dust and plankton. I guar-
antee you there are insects mixed in
there, as well. Sometimes it may be
a strange mass that shows up on the
screen. That, too, is probably bugs.
Large, individual aquatic insects
will show up, too; they look like thin
diagonal streaks on the screen. They
appear this way as they wiggle their
way up off bottom while my boat
is stationary and the sonars screen
scrolls.
Aquatic insects tend to be in
areas of a lake with soft bottom, or,
within the thermocline over specific
water depths. When I mark a mass
of bugs on my sonar, I not only pay
attention to where they are at in the
water column, but how deep the wa-
ter is and the type of bottom (hard,
soft, flat or drop off). More than
likely, other places on the lake with
comparable characteristics will have
the same buggy situations happening.
Because of the information from
Navionics mapping program I have
running in the background of the
GPS (via an SD card in the units
card reader), I know the exact lay of
the underwater land; then I can check
out other places of the lake where
bugs might be emerging after taking
note of the bottom composite, depth
and contours.
In shallower water, say, 15 feet or
less, Ill use my Marcum underwater
viewing system to spot insects. Ill
check out the aquatic life around
weeds, wood, and rocks, as well as
over mud flats. Aquatic insects are
easy to spot with the high-definition
picture of underwater cameras nowa-
days. Watch for insects scouring
about. This is when I break out the
jigging rod.
Eagle One Bait Company
ChrisFieger@EagleOneBait.com
www.EagleOneBait.com
Match Maker
When insects are the main for-
age, walleyes will get real specific
as to what size bait they will hit.
Overall, using small baits will get bit
more so than large ones as the insects
are tiny and thats what the fish are
zoning in on. During a hatch, I use
small spinners, crankbaits, and jigs to
best match the forage at hand.
When using spinners, I reduce
the size of my Northland Baitfish-
Image Colorado blade # 2, and then
only use a small portion of a live
night crawler, small piece of Berkley
Gulp! or PowerBait Night Crawler
on a single hook. These blades have
a lot of bling from the holographic
images. Ones with a gold or copper
hue to them are always a good choice
as they best match the natural color
of many nymphs.
When trolling crankbaits, I like
to use #5 Rapala Shallow Shad Raps
and their newer Scatter Rap Shad. If
Im casting, Ill throw a #5 Rapala
CountDown and Scatter Rap Count-
Down, #5 and #7 Original Floaters,
as well #6 Husky Jerks and Scatter
Rap Deep Husky Jerks.
And I like to match the color
of the forage when fishing in clear
water, and go with florescent colors
when fishing stained water.
When casting jigs in shallow
water, I reduce the size of the head
down to a 1/16 or 1/8 ounce North-
land SinkN Jig, then skewer on a
Berkley PowerBait Pro Jig Worm.
The color spectrum of these jig and
plastic combos is endless.
In the End
Do insects drive you buggy dur-
ing late spring/early summer? I hope
so. Ignore them and youll be miss-
ing out on some of the best fishing of
the year. Find them with your eyes as
they fly from a lakes surface, or with
electronics when theyre submersed,
and reduce the size of your lures and
bait. Youll catch walleye, for sure.
Mark Martin is a walleye tour-
nament pro and instructor with the
Fishing/Vacation School who lives in
Michigans southeastern Lower Pen-
insula. Check out www.markmartins.
net for more information.n
Americas Best
Chris Fieger
Raini Lucas
3597 Miller Rd
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 316-8544
DNR pausing muskellunge program
The MDNR announced it will not collect eggs from Great Lakes muskel-
lunge in the Detroit River this month due to recent fish kills in Lake St. Clair
that are attributed to a confirmed, widespread infection of viral hemorrhagic
septicemia virus (VHSv).
Normally, the DNR collects eggs from the Detroit Rivers muskellunge
population to be reared at Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery in Mattawan and
stocked each fall in Michigan waters throughout the state. With an increasing
number of dead muskellunge being found in the Detroit River, and the con-
firmed presence of VHSv in Lake St. Clair, DNR fisheries managers feel the risk
of contaminating this hatchery is too great to proceed with this years rearing
efforts.
VHSv is a contagious pathogen that causes the fishs blood vessels to leak,
which can show as bloody patches on the skin. It is known to infect more than
30 species of Great Lakes fish and has been found in lakes Superior, Huron, Erie
and Ontario, along with a few inland lakes. Some species such as lake sturgeon
and walleye are very resistant to it, while others including bluegill, largemouth
bass, muskellunge, gizzard shad and round goby are very susceptible.
If VHSv was found at Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery, there is a likelihood
the facility possibly including all steelhead and Chinook salmon would
need to be depopulated (destroyed and landfilled), which would affect future
fish stocking efforts and fishing opportunities statewide.
The DNR has been working for several years to develop additional egg
sources for its muskellunge rearing program, but the populations at these brood
lakes are still under development and are not at a point where they can serve in
that role this year.
The tests we use to detect VHSv are good, but they are not 100 percent
guaranteed, said DNRs fish production manager, Ed Eisch. The last thing we
want to do is move this virus to lakes where it currently does not exist. Thats
especially true for the future brood lakes. The risk of inadvertently moving this
pathogen around is much higher during an active outbreak year.
Muskellunge are a long-lived species. The DNR is confident having a one-
year gap in its stocking efforts will not be a real detriment to this fishery or to
the program.
The DNR will continue to monitor the VHSv situation in Lake St. Clair
and surrounding waterbodies. For more information on managing Michigan's
fisheries, visit michigan.gov/fishing.
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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 41
 Ragoo and Ziggy, pals for life...
So what do you want to do fel-
las? I enthusiastically ask my two
grandsons who were visiting.
Lets go fishing... yells one. The gun.
other shouts, Lets go on a Bigfoot
hunt!
And I say, Lets do both. ing bumble bees. And of stopping bears
One of my pure joys in life these
days is the time I spend with my grand-
sons, Ryker, age 7 and Zadyn, age 4.
They call me Papa and I affectionately
call them Ragoo and Ziggy. There is a
story in those nicknames but well save
that for later.
There is no denying grandfathers
and grandsons have a special kinship, a
unique connection. The relationship is
one of pure fun and simple games.
Little, if any, discipline is offered
or expected from Papa. For now, most
anything goes, theres no reason for it
to be otherwise. Discipline is for their
parents.
Our time together is
telling stories, a time when
I was their age. Outrageous
stories of creatures chasing
me through the woods, bi-
cycles as fast as a speeding
By Randy Jorgensen
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42 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
locomotive, fish the size of small farm
animals and incredible feats of marks-
manship with my trusty single shot BB
The boys are mesmerized by my
tall tales of shooting the wings off fly-
in their tracks from sheer fear of me.
Or least I think they are.
Ill be able to do that, wont I
Papa? asks Ragoo. Of course you
will, I tell him.
Ziggy says, with a fierce look on
his face, And I will wrestle the bear
and throw him in the pond! Wont I
Papa?
Sure will, I say, Look at those
muscles.
Maybe, the relationship I share with
my grandsons came from the relation-
ship I had with my grandfather, Holger.
Gramps, as I recall, was a giant of a
man. Hands the size of dinner plates patch. Grandsons,
and broad, powerful shoulders. I was in My other grandfather, George, was Ryker (Ragoo)
awe of his strength. He believed in hard a smaller man, gentle and fun loving. and Zadyn
work and expected it from me. Grandpa George was never in a hurry, (Ziggy) on
As a youngster, he planted a small there was a time and place for every- one of many
pickle patch and it was my job to main- thing. He taught me to fish and to walks in the
tain and pick the pickles. I picked a lot clean fish. He taught me to shoot woods with
of pickles and for rabbits, squirrels and grouse. And grandfather.
my age, made very
good money off that
along the way I suppose, he taught me
to respect, appreciate and enjoy what
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nature provided us.
Grandpa George and I would sometimes just
take walks in the woods. Along the way hed ex-
plain the many different types of trees and plants.
He walked slow, and I liked that because I could
keep up with my small stride.
One of our favorite outdoor activities was
morel mushroom hunting. The woods near home
Making ourselves comfor table while watch-
ing Bigfoot Hunters on TV.
were chuck full of morels. Wed eat morels with
steak at dinner and with eggs for breakfast.
Oh, how I loved those men. I was lucky
to have them both in my life. I would think
many of you had similar experiences with
your grandfather.
Clearly, the fond memories of my grandfa-
thers make me want to be a good grandfather to
my grandsons.
Ragoo, Ziggy and I have the story telling part
of our relationship down pat. Its an ongoing ex-
ercise in imagination. Just the other day we taped
another episode of our ongoing documentary
Brothers and Big Foot Hunters. Its taped on
my smartphone and watched almost every time
we are together. It may not make the Discovery
Channel anytime soon, but .
Ragoo has a pretty good handle on fishing,
and Ziggy isnt too bad at it either, but digging
for worms may be what we are best at. Well
catch crickets, grasshoppers and grubs for fishing
too.
Campfires at the family cottage rates high on
our list of favorites. As does morel hunting which
is new for us this year. And soon enough, well be
moving on to small game. But for now its pure
joy in the simple things.
As for the names, well my grandfather Hol-
ger called me Turpentine, since I held the turpen-
tine bottle during the castration of pigs. Yeah, I
know, but its what we did.
And Grandpa George called me Puddin, af-
ter his favorite rock to hunt for, Puddingstones. I
enjoyed those walks with him searching for such
stones found in the area I grew up in.
As for Ryker, Ragoo is a mis-pronounciation
Something magical about a car ton of worms
of a his name in Danish and Zadyn is just because for a young fisherman.
to me he looks like he should be called Ziggy. same thing about me.
One thing is certain, my life is richer I look forward to teaching and sharing
with those little guys in it. And Im proud to an outdoor lifestyle of the outdoors with my
think my grandfathers may have thought the grandsons. n

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 Northern pike on a fly rod
I
quietly
laid my
paddle
By Darryl Quidort
down as
I tried to keep the canoe in
stealth mode while posi-
tioning myself for a cast. My target
was a shady pool under the shelter
of an overhanging tree limb.
On the first return strip, after
the big fly hit the water, a northern
pike slammed it with the typical
sideways slash and immediately
burned 20 feet of fly line from my
reel. Applying pressure with the fly
rod, I turned the fish just before it
reached the safety of some un-
derwater brush. His next run took
him directly under the canoe. My
9-foot, 5-weight rod was bent nearly
double, with the tip somewhere un-
der the boat, before I got him turned
around again.
The little canoe spun around
like a compass needle searching for
north as the fish circled around me.
About that time I realized that my
landing net was tucked under the
canoe seat behind me. Even worse,
it was still filled with all the gear
which I had carried from the truck
in it. The pike was wearing down
by the time Id shaken all the gear
out of net. Fortunately, he was well
hooked on my hand tied fly. I led
him into the net and hoisted him
aboard. Woo-Hoo! I grinned, as
he rolled himself up into a mess of
fish line, hooks, and netting. That
was the most fun Id ever had with a
pike that was only 27 inches long.
This isnt a story about catching
monster pike, this is about catching
pike with an exciting method. My
interest was first piqued when I read
a magazine article about fly fishing
for northern pike. Unfortunately, the
author didnt really give much infor-
mation that would help a beginner.
Since I didnt know anyone who fly
fished for pike, I turned to You-Tube
for information. There is a wealth
of information theresome of it
is even useful. Then I got out my
dads old fly tying gear and tried my
hand at tying pike flies. That was the
beginning of an exciting learning
experience. front of the fly that pike cant bite
Three pike were landed on that
first morning of fly-fishing for them.
Every one of them attacked my fly
with a savage, sideways slash, fol-
lowed by the burn of fly line cutting
through the water during their first
powerful run. Although they were
all about the same size, barely over
the legal 24 inches long, they put
up an admirable battle on a light fly
rod. In addition, it was satisfying
to catch them on own my hand tied
flies.
I learned a few things during
44 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
that first sum-
mer as I enjoyed
catching pike on
my flies. Most
of my fish were taken in shallow
water along weed beds, drop-offs,
and from under overhanging cover.
I suppose larger fish may be taken
from deeper water by using a sink-
ing fly line, but I like to see the
explosion when a big predator fish
blasts from the water with my fly in
its mouth.
The first homemade fly I made
looked somewhat like a half grown
muskrat. I wondered if I could even
cast that thing. I learned that when
dry, a huge fly casts badly, like a
badminton birdie. And when wet,
they also cast badly, like a big bell
sinker. Would I need a helmet for
protection?
I found that fur flies were just
too heavy when soaked up with wa-
ter. I needed to refine my flies. Slim-
mer flies, with less fur and more
feather, were lighter and cast better.
Five to six inch long flies worked
well on pike. A fly tied with bright
red and white was one of my favor-
ites. Bright, gaudy colors seemed to
draw strikes, and I could see them
better in the water, but pure black
flies also worked well. Silver or
gold tinsel added some flash to the
fly as well.
Toothy critters, like northern
pike, will cut monofilament line
with the first bite. A wire leader is
essential. One of the best things I
learned from the You-Tube videos
was how to tie the pike flies on a
one piece wire leader made from
coated stainless steel wire. Several
fish line manufacturers sell a wire
line made especially for this use, but The author took this selfie before releasing the nice pike.
there is a more economical source.
Seven strand beading wire can be setting the hooks into the tough jaws to be growing right out of the
purchased in the Walmart jewelry of a toothy northern pike. fog. After easing the canoe out onto
section. As for presentation, no fancy the glass smooth surface, I paddled
Starting with a 20 inch length back-cast is needed. Dont worry slowly along, just off the drop-off.
of seven strand silver beading wire, about a sloppy cast either. The After working out my fly line,
I used small connector sleeves to bigger the splash the more excited I cast a big fly into the shallows
clamp a 2/0 single hook on the a pike becomes. In fact, I have and stripped it back in 12-inch
end, with a 4/0 hook clamped two perfected the slop cast (he grins). pulls. The moving fly looked like
inches in front of it. This leaves a With a big, wet, heavy fly, I just flop a 6 inch long black leach as it
one piece, 18 inch, steel leader in my fly line out on one side of the swam off the drop-off. A dark
boat, lift the rod tip to get the line shadow shot up from the depths
through. A small swivel on the other off the water, and shoot it over the and slammed into the fly, putting
end will keep the rig from twisting boat to splash into the target area. a serious bend in my fly rod.
the line. I then tie my 5 to 6-inch When the fly hits the water, I im- That first pike of the day actually
long fly over both of the hooks. mediately start quick, 12 inch strips towed my little canoe out toward
northern pike can tear up your gear to retrieve it. Be ready too. Often a deeper water before I landed
though. Ive noticed that when steel pike will slam the fly within the first him. As the rising sun burned off
leaders become badly kinked the fly few strips. the fog that morning, I followed
doesnt pull straight and I seem to Last August, my friend Mark the shoreline casting the big pike
get fewer hits. and I spent a weekend tent camping fly. By the time my buddy whistled
By being quiet and stealthy with on a remote lake in Northern Michi- from shore to signal that breakfast
my canoe, I could position myself to gan. On a cool morning, just after was ready, I had caught two more
make short casts, which I could con- daylight, I found the lake lying in a nice northern pike. And, I had the
trol better than longer casts with the light fog. The bright green spruce net ready to land them. Id learned
big flies. A shorter line also helps in trees around the little lake appeared that lesson.n
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 More Fun, More Fish
Topwater Bass
I
f you ask ten bass anglers
the same question, it is said,
you will get at least nine
different answers. You
dont expect them to agree
on much, but there is one
thing, however, they will generally
all agree on, and that is
that there is no more fun
you can have bass fishing
than to catch the fish right
on top of the water. They
dont have to be all the way
on top just far enough
up so that you can see that
strike thats the real test
and the real thrill of top-
water fishing
that tremendous
hole in the water
By George Rowe
when a bass hits a lure near or at the
surface. The visible strike makes all
the difference in the world.
The best action of the year starts
in May, peaks in June and continues
on into July. During that calendar
period, bass just seem ready to
bang top-water lures. It has been
my good fortune to live on a pretty
good bass lake and it was easy for
me to fish for a couple of hours each
morning and, when the fishing is
good, the evening bite is enjoyed as
well. Over the years, I kept track
of the bass I caught throughout the
summer, and the log indicated that
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June and early July were best for
fishing and that period was marked
by the best top-water action of the
summer.
My personal favorite for a top-
water plug is a jointed Rapala in a
silver and blue-green finish. When
this thing is tossed out
over good cover, the bass
usually pay attention. The
usual action is to place it
near cover or over deep
weeds and let is rest for a
few seconds before giving
it just a slight twitch. Then,
it is rested again for a few
seconds and twitched again.
After several
repetitions, it is
retrieved slowly.
Most of the strikes come right after
one of those enticing twitches. A
few will come on the retrieve and
that generally means the bass are
feeling pretty aggressive. On rare
occasions, a bass seems to spot it
in the air because it hardly hits the
water before the fish bangs it hard.
The good surface action almost al-
ways occurs when the lake is flat or
almost flat. A wind and the waves it
produces on the surface seem to stop
the top-water action.
One good tactic is to drift with
the wind along the shore, placing
your plug right at the drop-off, as
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A good way to take bass on top is with a fly rod popper. The author
fishes with a popper exclusively in May and into mid-June, when the
bass are in the shallows.
indicated by the color change where
the water gets deeper. This is very
often the strike zone for bass on the
scout for an easy meal.
Another good way to take bass
on top is with a fly rod popper. I
fish with a popper exclusively in
May and into mid-June, when the
bass are in the shallows. A popper
tied on a number six hook is my
favorite it is small enough to take
the larger bluegills and large enough
to attract most bass, and it can be
cast easily on a light fly rod a
number five or six rig. If you use
a much larger popper, you might
attract larger bass, but you will have
to present it on a heavier rod and a
number seven or eight rod will wear
you out before you are ready to quit
fishing. The poppers are tied during
the winter and made up of cork bod-
ies, painted pearl white or a brilliant
yellow and dressed with calf tail
hair and various colors of feathers.
While feathers move more in the
water, when the popper is at rest, the
hair is more durable so a combina-
tion is attractive to the angler and to
the fish. All poppers have a gener-
ous amount of white rubber hackle,
a finishing touch that just makes
that popper come alive when it is
twitched on the water.
Working the shoreline and the
edges of weed beds and lily pad
beds is the best way to fish the pop-
per, ordinarily. When the dragon
flies and Dobson flies hatch in June,
the young flies flutter off from reeds
and shoreline brush, and you can get
some great sight-fishing for bass.
If you see the water boil near some
cover, you can cast your popper
over that disturbance and almost bet
on a strike.
Later in the summer, when the
bluegills have gone deep, it isnt a
bad idea to switch to a slightly larg-
er popper, one tied on a number four
hook. The larger lure will attract
more bass and larger bass and it can
still be handled well on a six-weight
rod and a weight-forward line.
When the bass are really on the
prod, a plug will produce better than
the popper. Even though I much
prefer to fish with a fly rod, it often
pays to stick with a plug when the
fish let you know that they are look-
ing for a big mouthful.n
 Michigan Outdoor Hall of Fame
inductees ready to be announced
B
y the time this months
Woods-N-Water News
hits your mailbox or
favorite newsstand, we
will have decided the
first five inductees to the
Michigan Outdoor Hall of Fame.
As I write this we are voting on
the nominees presented. What an
exciting time for our outdoor history
in Michigan. Although I
cant reveal who will be
inducted, (Ill save that for
next month), I can tell you
that there are some surpris-
es coming. The first five
inductees are a great mix
of famous icons and silent
legends. Two of the poten-
tial inductees are living,
By Mark Sak
two are long deceased,
and one has recently
passed away. All have
made significant contributions to our
state, and several have had national
impacts.
As the nominations started to
come in, I couldnt help but smile
a little at the names. Not only was
our hard work becoming reality,
but it seemed the founding com-
mittee members took their job very
seriously and did some searching.
We know that over time all of the
famous outdoor folks in our state
will end up gracing the walls of
this hall of fame, but for some who
didnt get the publicity, didnt have
their own TV show, or didnt write a
column every week, those would be
the folks that truly earn the nod of
induction. That is one of the reasons
I believe this Hall will be so special.
Changing the committee every
two years will also help bring in
new blood with new thinking, and
allowing the general public to have
input will undoubtedly bring more
of those who tirelessly volunteered
and gave of themselves so others
may learn or utilize the outdoors
in our great state. The public will
be able to download a Michigan
Outdoor Hall of Fame nomination
to MOWA, and the committee will
take it from there. We want those
special nominations from some
lesser-known heroes.
The Hall will be in good hands
going forward. The physical loca-
tion at the Carl T. Johnson Center in
Cadillac will provide all with access
to the Hall. The Michigan Outdoor
Writers Association will also host
the Hall on its web pages at www.
miowa.net. The Michigan Outdoor
Writers Association conference will
hold its 2017 summer conference in
Cadillac June 16-18 and will help
dedicate the section of the Carl T.
Johnson Center to the Hall of Fame
on June 17 at 3:00 p.m. The public
is invited. There is no cost to get
into the Hall, although the Carl T.
Johnson hunting and fishing cen-
ter is a state park. The recreational
passport is required to get into the
park.
A big thank you must go out to
the Michigan Outdoor Writers Asso-
ciation Board of Directors
as without their initial sup-
port the idea would have
died on the table. David
Graham, Jonathan Schech-
ter, Darin Potter, Adele
Woskobojnik, Rick Fowler,
David Rose, Dave Mull,
Amanda Rogers, Chuck
Lichon and Drew Younge-
dyke were instrumental
in their support. The Michigan Outdoor Hall of Fame will be on display at the Carl
The Michigan T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center located on Cadillac Highway
Outdoor Hall of Fame committee (M-115). MDNR photo
brought these first five nominations
to be inducted. They are Randy sponsors of the Michigan Outdoor Last but not least Id like to tip
Jorgensen, Publisher, Woods-N-Wa- Hall of Fame. The Woods-N-Water my hat to the Michigan DNR. Ed-
ter News; Mark Hoffman, Deputy News Foundation stepped up right ward Shaw has been involved with
Director of Michigan DNR; Rick away to help. A good Hall deserves this project from the start, and obvi-
Fowler, MOWA Board of Direc- to look great and we are determined ously other folks above him needed
tors; Tom Lounsbury, MOWA Papa to make that happen. Also, Toyota to agree for the project to move
Bear Recipient and myself. To of North American stepped up in a forward. We know this will be a
identify and nominate the first five huge way to help. Curt McAllister is win for everyone. Thank you.
nominees, as one can imagine, was known far and wide throughout the If you are headed up north in
a bit overwhelming to say the least. region for giving financial support mid-June and you think about
Thank you all. to outdoor related causes, and that is it, stop by the Carl T. I just may
I also need to thank the founding what this is all about. see you there.n
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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 47
Path of least resistance leads to success
L
ast year we
noticed a By Fred Abbas Itthatwasthenow apparent
dramatic
drop in buck sightings at
one of our most productive
blind locations. Three of
my grandchildren hunt from Shad-
ow Hunter blinds mounted on eight
foot platforms, so of course these
blinds are not easily relocated. The
problem, one of our most productive
blinds which had produced several
big bucks over the last few years
became less productive when for
no apparent reason the deer totally
changed their travel pattern.
In the past the deer used to cross
in front of this blind for a short cut
to one of our Imperial Whitetail
Clover food plots. Alarmingly, the
deer began to follow the trail for
another 100 yards further before
crossing over into the food plot.
This would have been no problem
for a gun hunter, but all three blinds
happened to be situated in our bow
only zones.
Our first thought was to use
obstructions to alter the deers
travel route, but soon learned this
tactic was unmanageable due to the
unusual structure of the land. Now
that our deer season was over we
had plenty of time to figure out a
solution.
When we visited this farm in
March to frost seed one of our
clover fields, there was enough
snow on the ground to reveal that
the deer were still using the far run.
48 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
deer had no
intentions of switch-
ing back without intervention from
us. Although Greg and I are seminar
speakers on both deer and turkey,
and travel the country giving semi-
nars, we dont always have all of the
answers. But we are humble enough
to seek out professionals who do
have the answers, such as wildlife
biologists, when questioning deer or
turkey behavior, or in this instance
we called on Steve Scott of the
Whitetail Institute for his expertise
because part of our plan called for a
variety of fall plantings.
We did know that deer can be
very lazy at times and will always
take the path of least resistance,
such as a mowed trail. We had been
using this tactic for many years,
successfully I may add. We even
mow trails leading to our tree stands
(and blinds) for quiet entry. When
the time came in late summer for
our fall plantings, the deer runs were
completely covered by three feet of
brush and weeds, you could faintly
see that the deer runs were being
somewhat in use. Our first order of
business was to encourage the deer
to use a mowed trail (riding mower)
directly from the food plot crossing
in front of the blind and all the way
to the trail that the deer were travel-
ing on. We then used chain saws to
cut a path through the fallen trees
and removed every single branch
from the trail. We believe in spoiling
The author caught this piebald doe, the first hes seen in the wild after
more than 50 years of hunting. It was the piebalds reaction that tipped
him off that a trophy buck was 30 yards behind him! (photo below)
our deer. Mix 1 cup ammonia, 1 cup ko-
Last, we made a mock scrape sher salt, and cup husk fiber (husk
midway between the food plot and fiber could be found in the phar-
the main deer run and hung a drip- macy section in Walmart, get their
per over the scrape. Deer are curi- brand) in a gallon jug and fill with
ous, they heard all of the commotion water. It makes gallons for about
and now they will come at night to $10. Use a sprayer to spray either on
investigate what we were doing and a real scrape or a mock scrape along
they will also be attracted to our with the licking branch for your
secret scent. initial contact. Once the deer have
This secret scent is not so secret responded, position a dripper above
anymore because I exposed it to the the scrape. This should last for a few
many readers of this magazine and weeks before it needs a refill, but by
at countless seminars, but for the that time deer will be conditioned to
few who dont knowsince deer use that trail. Even though deer are
urine is useless during this time unable to reason as we know it, they
frame what other choices does a will know a short cut when they see
hunter have to attract deer in sum- one.
mer? You really dont have a choice, Thats what my son, Greg and
so we invented a formulation. I dowe are inventors, we invent
hunting products and we invent
hunting tactics. Over the years we
have shared many new tactics to
the readership of Woods-N-Waters
News. We believe that there is a
solution to every problem. We also
believe that just about every person
on earth will get a great idea every
now and then. Unfortunately, the
vast majority of these inventors will
dismiss such a golden opportunity
as too expensive, only to later see
someone else profit from their idea.
It happens all of the time.
The pitfalls and traps are many
and we fell into every one of them,
costing us countless thousands of
dollars. As time went by, we gained
major experience in the field along
with the all-important contacts with
the biggest companies in the in-
dustry. Eventually we came to the
conclusion that what had happened
to us shouldnt happen to any other
inventor. Two years ago we started
a new business, A-Way Outdoors
Invention Consulting and Submis-
sion Service. Now every potential
inventor has a fair opportunity at

Greg took this beautiful buck on the first evening after he decided to hunt
the blind that they had resurrected from the dead.
success, at minimum expense.
We now turned our attention
to our food plot to further entice/
bribe the deer with a variety of
three tender food sources found in
one location. Since we wanted two
fall plantings in a single food plot
connecting with our existing clover
field, Steve recommended that we
plant Imperial Whitetail Oats Plus
and Imperial Whitetail Winter Peas
Plus. Not only did Steve tell me
what works best for our situation,
he also advised us how to plant the
seeds since each called for a differ-
ent depth.
We tilled a strip 25 yards wide
and about 300 yards long through
our clover field in an overlapping
manner in order to benefit one of
the other blinds as well. We soon
discovered that our strategy worked
to perfection, the deer started using
the trail in front of the blind on a
regular basis to reach the tender
shoots. The good old days were
back. Michigans bow season kicks
in on October 1. Greg and I would
start the hunt, but we viewed it more
as a scouting tool. Of course if a
big buck stepped out we would take
him, but we normally dont get seri-
ous until the pre-rut/rut time frames.
Thats also the time when we
begin the hunt for the grandkids.
Between school sports and activities
none have much free time, so we try
to utilize their limited time produc-
tively. As it turned out, all three of
them successfully shot deer with
their crossbows, and all had great
opportunities at bucks.
Once the grandkids returned
home, our hunt began in earnest.
Although we own or lease several
farms in three Southern Michigan
counties with all having food plots,
this farm seemed to be most promis-
ing as witnessed by trail cameras
and sightings. Greg decided to
hunt the blind that we had resur-
rected from the dead because of
the renewed strong activity in that
area. Would you believe Greg shot
a beautiful buck on the first eve-
ning he hunted there when the buck
nonchalantly came walking down
the mowed trail heading toward the
food plot.
I spent a few days on another
farm hunting a certain nocturnal
buck, but to no avail. Soon after, I
had to head home to drive my wife
to the airport and babysit the kids.
Today our kids are four dogs, three
were rescued dogs.
As I moped around the house
for a few days a brilliant idea came
to mind, why dont I take the dogs
hunting? After reviewing several
cameras on the different farms, I de-
cided the best course of action was
to hunt the blind Greg had shot his
buck in because of the unbelievable
number of deer captured on camera
crossing in front of that blind, drawn
in like a magnet by that fantastic
food plot no doubt. It didnt take
long before I lost count after 31 deer
had passed by, thats how many deer
were using that run. A movement
to my right caught my eye. It was
an unusual animal, who at first I
thought was a goat.
Astonishingly, the realization
came to me that it was a piebald
doe, the first I have seen in the wild
after more than 50 years of hunting.
She was sneaking behind me. What
a thrilling moment this was as I
took pictures of her. All of a sudden
her ears shot forward, something
had her full attention. I followed
her gaze with my binoculars and
was shocked to see a shooter buck
standing broadside directly behind
my blind at no more than 30 yards
away. What a historic moment this
was, here was a wonder of nature
and she was telling me that a buck
was sneaking behind me, hows that
for luck?
Fred and Greg Abbas are the
owners of A-Way Hunting Products
and A-Way Outdoors Invention
Consulting and Submission Service.
(989) 435-3879
www.awayhunting.com. For more
information on the Whitetail In-
stitute of North America; www.
whitetailinstitute.com or (800)688-
3030.n
DNR investigation results in charges
against Bay County resident
Officers seize more than 87 pounds of illegally harvested pike
A MDNR investigation has resulted in charges against a Bay County man
for illegally harvesting more than 87 pounds of pike.
The 55-year-old suspect recently was charged after conservation officers
responded to a citizens tip and conducted surveillance in Mt. Forest Town-
ship.
Conservation Officers Mark Papineau and Phil Hudson of the DNRs
Roscommon Customer Service Center spearheaded the investigation. After
pinpointing the location of the activity and observing the suspects tend to
their illegal net on several occasions, the officers obtained a search warrant
and discovered the stash of pike with support from Lt. Jeremy Payne and
Conservation Officers Chad Foerster and Jill Miller of the Bay City Custom-
er Service Center. All of the fish were illegally netted or speared in violation
of state laws.
Our partnership with the public is critical to protecting Michigans
resources, said Payne, District 6 supervisor for the DNRs Law Enforcement
Division. We appreciate citizens coming forward with information that
can lead to successful investigations. In this instance, Conservation Officers
Papineau and Hudson did an outstanding job of following up on a citizens
tip to conduct a thorough investigation. Because of their work, and effective
support from fellow officers, charges were filed and this abuse of our fish
population was halted.
The suspect was charged with using unlawful devices to take fish, and
with exceeding the limit of pike. He faces up to 90 days in jail, a fine up to
$500 for each charge and reimbursement up to $880.
The pike fishing season runs from the last Saturday in April through
March 15 for Lower Peninsula inland waters. Check the Michigan Fishing
Guide for additional regulations.
The public is encouraged to call or text the Report All Poaching (RAP)
line at 800-292-7800 with information regarding the illegal taking of fish or
game, or damage to Michigan's natural resources. The line is open 24 hours
a day, seven days a week.
Michigan conservation officers are elite, highly trained professionals who
serve in every corner of the state. They are fully commissioned peace officers
with full authority to enforce the state's criminal laws. Learn more at www.
michigan.gov/conservationofficers.
************
DNR seeks information on turkey poaching
State, Wild Turkey Hunters Association offering rewards
The MDNR is seeking information from the public to assist its investiga-
tion of a turkey poaching incident in Midland County, Michigan.
Five turkey carcasses were found April 28 on Castor Road near Huck-
leberry Road in Jerome Township. The breast meat was removed and the
carcasses were discarded.
We welcome any tips that citizens can provide, said Lt. Jeremy Payne,
District 6 supervisor for the DNRs Law Enforcement Division. Its im-
portant that we team up to guard against the abuse of our shared natural
resources.
The DNR and the North Central chapter of the Michigan Wild Turkey
Hunters Association are offering rewards for information that leads to a suc-
cessful conviction.
Violators could face up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000, as
well as court costs and reimbursement to the state of $1,000 per turkey.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call or text the Report All
Poaching (RAP) line at 800-292-7800. While citizens can remain anony-
mous, they must provide their names if they wish to receive the reward.
The RAP line is a convenient, effective way for citizens to report the illegal
taking of fish or game, or damage to Michigan's natural resources. The line
is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Michigans spring turkey hunt is under way. The bag limit is one bearded
turkey per licensed hunter. Check the Michigan Spring Turkey Digest for
regulations.
Michigan conservation officers are elite, highly trained professionals who
serve in every corner of the state. They are fully commissioned peace officers
with full authority to enforce the states criminal laws. Learn more at www.
michiganconservationofficers.
************
2017 fur harvester license and kill tags available
Fur harvesters, you can now purchase your 2017 fur harvester license
and get kill tags for bobcat, fisher, marten and otter for the 2017 seasons.
The 2017 fur harvester license is valid until April 30, 2018.
You can buy fur harvester licenses at a license agent or DNR Customer
Service Center or online at E-License. Kill tags are issued to 2017 fur har-
vester license-holders, free of charge, at license agents or DNR Customer
Service Centers.
Dont forget that bobcat kill tags only will be available through Nov. 30,
2017.
For season information and regulations, visit mi.gov/trapping.
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 49
50 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 51
50 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 51
 Black Powder Shooting Sports...
this glorious 18th-century lifestyle
B
oy, I pulled that one, Roger
Pierce said as he eased his
.54-caliber trade gun down
and peered through the roiling
smoke at his score card, post-
ed on a white target backer twenty paces down-
range. At seven oclock, the lead balls black hole
touched the outside of the round circle, printed at
the bottom of the long, narrow card.
Me and Dennis feel real bad about that, Rog-
er, Cal Meabon said as he stepped forward and
nudged the little toe of his right foot against the
board that marked the firing line. Meabon dusted
black powder in the flash pan of his Virginia-style
fowlers large Siler flintlock.
Dont get splinters in that bare toe,
Pierce chided. Cal, your lock is on the
wrong side. Did you drop that fowler?
I just dont like to wear shoes,
Meabon said as he cocked the hammer,
then shouldered the .62-caliber smooth-
bore. And I didnt drop this gun. I
made it this way. Im left-handed, if you
couldnt tell.
Kla-whoosh-BOOM!
Meabons shot hit just to the
By Dennis Neely
left of center on his tie breaker circle.
That should be illegal, Dennis Priddy said
as he took his turn. Roger, you need to speak to
the rules committee about bare feet. Cal has an
unfair advantage. Hes a half-inch closer to the
ground than the rest of us.
A few minutes later, Pierce shook his head as
he folded his score card in half and tucked it in-
side the crown of his broad-brimmed, brown-felt
hat. The good-natured banter ebbed to a serious
silence at the knock-down steel candle and the
big-looped chain. But the small, yellow chicken
turned the trios attention to shooting.
I thought I pulled that up high, Priddy said
as he stepped to his right and saw the steel clan-
gor wobbling back and forth.
The primitive camp area is a major attraction at the Spring Rendezvous. The pre-1840
canvas village features 18th-century life mixed with period-correct vendors of all manner
of fur-trade-era goods.
52 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
You did hit it high, Meabon said, but you hit it
and the shot counts.
Two stations later, the woods walk featured
a challenging novelty target: round cheese puffs.
Thirteen rubber bands, stretched tight and verti-
cal, held the mouth-watering morsels. Shooters
must call the number of the target they are shoot-
ing at and destroy the cheese puff without break-
ing the rubber band.
You pretty much have to shoot a 10X on
this one, Roger Pierce said, referring to the
small X in the center of the 10 ring on a
standard paper target. The wooden roof over the
target stand shaded some cheese puffs, but the
bright, late June sun streaming through
the forest foliage made others glow
with blinding brilliance. A light breeze
fluttered leaves, which made the far left
targets glow, then turn dark.
Seven, eight and nine look like the
best to see, Priddy said as he primed the
pan of his brass-barreled French fowler.
Ten looks good, too, Pierce said as
he leaned to see past Priddy.
You should try twelve or
thirteen, Meabon said with a
big smile on his face.
Youd like me to do that, wouldnt you,
Cal? Priddy said in a sarcastic tone as he glared
at his friend over his 18th-century glasses. Ill
take number eight.
Priddy cradled the French fowlers walnut
forestock in the palm of his left hand. He exhaled
a bit. Sparks flew. The fowler thundered. The
cheese ball vanished before the smoke reached
the target stand. The rubber band vibrated, but
remained intact.
Thats how its done, Pierce said. Nice
shot, Dennis.
The Howard City Conservation Clubs Spring
Rendezvous is a popular destination for Michigan
black powder shooters. Held the third weekend
Cal Meabon shoots all of his black powder
matches barefoot. I dont wear shoes, he
said, but I watch where Im stepping, too.
Wild River tree photo
in June, the clubs spring gathering offers a top-
quality shooting experience in a relaxed, family-
oriented atmosphere.
In 1938, Bill Wilson, the high school shop
teacher, suggested the Howard City area needed
a conservation club. About a dozen other locals
agreed, and the idea became a reality. The club
grew, started raising funds and bought 80 acres
that border the Manistee National Forest.
The Little Muskegon River flows through a cor-
ner of the property.
Interest in the black powder shooting sports
kindled in 1980, and the first How-
ard City Spring Rendezvous became
a reality in June, 1982. The club is
known as the Home of the Bea-
ver Brigade, which references the
areas rich fur trade history.
We have everything black
powder shooters like to do, Ted
Anderson, a past president of the
club, said. We have the main range,
and behind the clubhouse we have
more than one woods walk, all
semi-primitive. There is an archery
range and a knife-and-hawk woods
walk if you like to throw knives and
tomahawks. Weve got a playground
for the kids and a swimmin hole on
the beautiful Little Muskegon.
We just built our trading post on Sunday. The cost per family is
this year. Anybody who would
normally put a trade blanket out can
put their goods for sale on the tables
in the trading post, as long as each
item is priced. We tend it for a small
fee. A lot of folks like the idea, be-
cause they can shoot and not worry
about their goods. Well have close
to 140 regular shooters for the three-
day event, Anderson added.
A small log cabin is the shoot
registration center and general
information area for the rendezvous.
A covered firing line hosts flint and
percussion matches for rifles, pistols
and trade guns, with divisions for
men, women, juniors (12 to 17 years
of age) and sub-juniors (11 and
under). Range officers are on hand,
and safety is always the top prior-
ity in each shooting venue. Special
times are set aside for the junior
shooters to maximize supervision
and learning.
A situational woods walk is
held on Saturday, which includes a
Roger Pierce placed a cheese puff between the tight sides of a
rubber band. These are a simple target, but they sure cause the
shooters a lot of trouble, he said with a broad smile.
history-based scenario for each of
the stations. And there is the primi-
tive woods walk Roger Pierce, Cal
Meabon and Dennis Priddy par-
ticipated in. Informal shotgun trap
matches for flintlock and percussion
smoothbores fill Saturday evening.
There are knife and tomahawk
throwing events, and primitive stick-
bow archery matches.
The club grounds include ample
space for tin teepees, as modern
recreational vehicles are called,
and a clearing devoted to pre-1840
campsites. Wood, water and
restrooms are provided. Pre-1840
dress is encouraged in the primitive
camp. Church services are at 8 a.m.
$25.00.
We are really trying to encour-
age the young people in the 12 to
17 age group to participate, John
Stamp said. We used to shoot 25,
50 and 100 yards on this range dur-
ing the shoot, but it took so long to
walk down and post targets at 100
yards that we decided to shorten it
up to 50 yards. That moves the line
events right along, and everyone
seems to like that.
Friday, after the range is closed,
we have a cannon shoot, Bill
Duffield said. All cannons must be
inspected and approved by the range
officers. We build a fort fence
behind the berm on the 25-yard
line, and the cannons get to destroy
the fort. Were trying to get more
people to bring cannons or swivel
guns to the shoot. This used to be
big years ago, and we want to revive
the cannon shoots.
White canvas wedges, lean-tos
and coureur des bois tents hugged
Dennis Priddy (left) measures the tie breaker shot of Cal Mea-
bon (back center) as Roger Pierce (right) holds the card steady.
Meabon and Priddy tied with 15 hits each so the three needed to
determine who was closest to the center on the tie breaker shot.
the perimeter of the primitive camp The 35th annual Howard City
area, all taking advantage of the Spring Rendezvous is scheduled for
shade of the tall hardwoods. Some June 16 to 18, 2017. For more infor-
lodges have a canvas awning, or mation, call 616-887-9716. The club
dining fly. Campers and guests is located at the corner of Tamarac
recline under the fly, or some folks and Long Roads, just west of exit
display their fur-trade-era wares in 120 off US-131.
the flys shade. Visitors are welcome, so you
By late afternoon, copper tea dont have to shoot or camp
kettles bubbled, venison steaks just come out and enjoy the
sizzled and a chicken or two roasted Beaver Brigades hospitality.
over the open fires. Hardwood Who knows, you might get hooked
smoke perfumed the canvas village. on this glorious 18th-century life-
Laughter filled the air and tales of style
the days marksmanship or perhaps Give the black powder shooting
a memorable fall hunt dominated sports a try, be safe and may God
casual conversations. bless you.n
Muzzle Loading State Events
Michigan State Muzzle Loading Association State Shoots
June 2-4NMLRA Skeet & Trap Territorial Grand Valley Cap N
Ballers: 616-836-5760
June 3-4Spring Shoot Rendezvous: Lansing Muzzleloading Gun Club
517-393-2772
June 9-114 Annual Memorial Shoot: Sauk Trail Long Rifles
th
Tecumseh: 517-522-8976
June 10Youth Day: Grand Valley Cap N Ballers: 269-792-4384
June 10-18NMLRA National Championships: Friendship, IN
812-667-5131
June 11Woods Walk; Clinton River Muzzle Loaders; Detroit
Sportsman Congress: 586-731-6088
June 16-18Howard City June Rendezvous/Fathers Day Shoot
Howard City: 616-887-9716
June 16-18Bridgeport Family Fun Rendezvous: Bridgeport
989-746-0723
June 17Sporting Clays (Modern Shotgun): Grand Valley Cap N
Ballers: 616-836-5760 or 616-307-7728
June 24-25Shoot Time Manistee: Manistee: 231-723-6768
June 24-25Social Trap & Skeet: Grand Valley Cap N Ballers
616-836-5760 or 616-307-7728
June 2537 Annual Fun Shoot: Linden: 810-629-0478
th
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 53
Three great spring
fishing options
S
aginaw Bay in the spring is a great
time of year. It offers anglers sev-
eral different ways to target walleye.
Many people start on the bay too late!
It starts in early May most years. You
can target the shallow water 5-10 feet
deep by trolling with crawler harnesses
behind small inline weights or jet divers,
small or large body baits, and even cast-
ing jigs or crankbaits over structure and
weedbeds.
As the water warms up and the
fish move out deeper 10-30 feet, many
anglers use crawler harnesses behind
jets, inline weights, and bottom bounc-
By John Bergsma
ers. Crankbaits and spoons
can be more effective because
you can troll faster and cover
more water in less time. My personal preference
is trolling spoons at 1.8-3 mph with leadcore or
copper line. Two, three and four colors of lead
works great. Popular crankbaits include Berkley
Flicker Shads or minnows, Rapala HJ10s & 12s,
Storm Hot-N-Tots, and Reef Runners Deep Little
Rippers.
When trolling, I try several different profile
baits that produce different noise and vibrations
in the water. After I narrow down my baits then
Ill try to fine tune it with bait colors.
A good fish finder will be your best friend.
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54 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
You will be able to find active fish suspended off
the bottom. My best advice is, if there is not a
gap between the fish and the bottom move on to
the active feeding fish suspended off the bottom.
Good navigation charts will help you follow con-
tour lines, find points, and detect subtle changes
in depth. If you are looking for a charter
trip, Captain Eric Long of Long Line
Charters is an experienced Saginaw Bay
fisherman who will put you on lots of
fish.
Lake Gogebic, in the western U.P. A
new open water season is upon us. The
opener for fishing in Michigan is May
15. Lake Gogebic is the largest inland Saginaw Bay produces great walleye catches.
lake in the U.P. of Michigan. It
is approximately 14,000 acres, species that swim in this lake.
18 miles long and 3 miles Some very popular techniques include slip
wide at its widest point and has around 40 miles bobber fishing with live bait such as 3-4 inch
of shoreline. At this time of year (May/June) the sucker minnows or fat head minnows. I will
fishing is in full swing on Gogebic with wall- usually take both with me and let the fish tell me
eye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, perch, and what they prefer that day.
crappie being the main targets for most anglers. As the season progresses, I may switch to
Catching is typically not a problem. leeches or crawlers. Other techniques would
This year the ice went out April 18, so we include trolling over these shallow flats that are
could start to see some new weed growth by starting to show new weed growth, positioning
opening day if Mother Nature cooperates just a my bait just above the top of the new weed.
little bit. At the beginning of the season, I would Wind is always a factor when fishing and I
typically be fishing shallow for walleye. While always like to position myself on the windblown
fishing for walleye, I catch all the rocky shorelines. I like to work my crankbaits
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that happens primarily at night in and gobies, so the profile of the
Thunder Bay. Saginaw Bay fish Stinger spoons or Flintstone Slam-
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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 55
 The Strangest Thing You Ever Caught While Fishing -- Continued...
Man harbors deep regrets over
strange catch, finally confesses?
Dear Fish Diary:
I
n February, I launched my
search for readers to write
to me about the strangest
thing theyve ever caught
while fishing. As the stories
come in, Im sifting through
them and getting some pretty good
laughs. I got this idea after I read
about a fisherman in Miami, Florida,
catching a kilo of cocaine off the
coast of Miami. If youve had an
odd catch, I certainly want to hear
about it.
So far youve met Nancy Has-
call, of Ostego, and got the hilarious
story of her adventure catching and
releasing a bat while fly fishing.
Youve met Mark Leegstra, of Gray-
ling, who mysteriously caught a
fawn. Last month the extraordinary
story of Paul Kazmierski, the Grand
Rapids man who caught a pair
of expensive prescription glasses
and actually found the owner and
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returned them.
Over the years, I have served my
readers and friends well as an advi-
sor, or shall I say, a fishing
therapist. Issues arise over
not fishing enough or hav-
ing marital issues because
theyre fishing too much.
Sometimes its teaching
their wife or girlfriend just
enough to where they are
constantly being out fished
by them. There are those
By Ron St. Germain
peak frustra-
tion issues over
not catching
anything, or catching everything
but what youre after or losing the
trophy fish of a lifetime, soon to
be caught by some little child on a
kiddy combo rig bought at the near-
est toy store.
But my latest therapy session
caught me totally by surprise.
Todays session begins with Tom
Matych, (pronounced Maddish).
The name was changed by his
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great-grandfather at Ellis Island,
from Mattyhoveoc to Matych. His
name has been changed again in
the 2000s by many DNR
fisheries representatives to
a long list of hyphenated,
not so nice surnames or,
now aliases that they refer
to him by.
Why does Tom have so
many hyphenated, not so
nice surnames and aliases
from the DNR fisher-
ies division?
Well, mainly
because since
his retirement a few years back, the
Twin Lake man has been a relent-
less tornado, storming from one
DNR fisheries meeting to the next.
His day from start to finish might be
emailing and emailing and email-
ing, calling and calling and calling,
and yes, snail mailing anyone he can
in the division that might need his
advice as to how we can restore the
Great Lakes back to its native great-
1414 N. Leroy Street, Fenton, MI48430
810.629.5325
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ness and why we should do just that.
Tom isnt one to sit back and
take the loss of perch and walleye
lightly. Hes not buying the DNRs
agenda to continue managing the
Great Lakes for salmon and invasive
species. So, day after day, night after
night, week after week, month after
month, and yesyear after year,
Tom is burning up his keyboard
while burning the eyes and ears of
anyone on the Fisheries staff. And if
they arent honestly towing the line,
he has no problem publicly calling
them out.
How do I know this?
Because for many years I have
been on the receiving end of Toms
list of highly informative documen-
tations. I get more mail and email
from Tom than any of my other mail
combined in a years time. Im not
complaining, because Ive learned a
boatload from Tom, Im just telling
you about Tom. Im a writer, I need
perspective information and Tom
is always happy to supply me with
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it and educate me. However, I can
see where certain people in certain
positions dont really want to be in-
formed or educated and might view
Tom as a, well invasive species so
to say. But regardless, his heart is in
the right place and I was happy to be
his therapist for a day.
It wasnt until about a week ago
I came to realization exactly why
Tom is such a fisheries rebel. Why
does someone spend so much time
trying to save our native fish and
protect our Great Lakes? Well, its
because of his childhood and the
strangest thing he ever caught. Tom
made the mistake of sending it to
me in an email after reading last
months column. Our session kind
of went like this
Tom: Did I ever tell you about
the time I caught a gas can in Mus-
kegon Lake? Turns out there was a
hole in it, and in the gas can was a
bullhead who had grown too big to
get out. I just put him back in the
lake because I had nothing to cut
the can with. I was a kid wading the
north side, thought Id leave him for
the next guy to catch and wonder
at.
Ron: Hmmmmmmmmmmmm,
glad you could finally get that off
your chest after all of these years
and clear your conscious Thats a
heck of a thing to have to live with
your entire life MEANY!!!
Tom: LOL! I may or may not
be dripping with guilt for a vari-
ety of things but not from leaving
a bullhead in a can. Who knows
what happened, maybe some little
girl bullhead that fit thru the hole
came in there and they made babies
who could escape through the hole
happily ever after. They could be in
there still, you dont know, it could
happen.
Ron: Thats how you justify this
overwhelming guilt? REALLY?
That was just plain ROTTEN. Im
writing this in my column and going
to expose you for the thug you are
and help your healing process so
you can continue to save the fisher-
ies of the Great Lakes.
Tom: Gonna snitch me out?
Fine He wanted to live in that gas
can, I didnt make him do it. It was
natures way, I really had nothing to
do with it. I was a kid with a fishing
pole and a couple of spare hooks.
I couldnt even call 911 because it
wasnt invented yet.
Ron: This is one of those life
changing moments you wish that
you could go back and change isnt
it?
Tom: For all I know Mr. and
Mrs. Bullhead are living happy ever
in that can.
Ron: Thats BULL CAN and
you know it. I believe it is this guilt
that has propelled you into becom-
ing an advocate for saving our na-
tive fish in the Great Lakes.
Tom: Oh, you dont even know
do ya?
Ron: Yes, I do know now. And
this concludes our therapy ses-
sion for today. I believe we have
made great progress exposing these
underlying issues and you may now
move forward with your saving the
Great Lakes agenda with a clearer
conscious. More bullheads may now
flourish because of your continued
work to save all native fish.
Let Toms remorseful act be a
lesson to the young people, this is
no way to treat a fish. Tom has lived
many years justifying his act by
convincing himself that the bullhead
is still alive and well inside that
gas can, only now with a mate and
living happily ever after. Dont tell
Tom, but that probably isnt what
happened, not that it couldnt, but
probably not. However, if there is
anyone in the area that caught a gas
can and released a bullhead from it
on Muskegon Lake, please notify
me right away so I can inform Tom
and release him from his misery
once and for all. Even hyphenated,
not so nice surnames and aliases
Tom, deserves to live in peace. And
those are the nicknames from the
DNR, just imagine what the bull-
heads called him?
Funny fish stories wanted:
Strangest thing youve ever caught
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.
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.Face-
book.com/BearwaveBooksn

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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 57
GUN CHAT: The 223
Y
ears ago there was a
small sporting goods
store in the town next
to mine. It didnt last
long but, while
it was open, I
visited often. The used gun
rack always drew my atten-
tion.
One of the rifles in the
rack was a .22 target rifle
with a heavy stock and a
Martini action. Another was
a varmint rifle in .222 Rem-
ington. The .222 was
introduced in 1950. By Lee Arten
The .222 Remington
Magnum followed in 1958. The
.223 Remington, or 5.56 X 45mm
cartridge, was developed as a mili-
tary round in 1963. As with the .222
Magnum, the parent cartridge of the
.223 was the .222 Remington.
The custom .222 rifle fascinated
me. Although styled differently, the
stock was as heavy as the one on the
.22 target rifle, with a thick forend
made to fit on a flat, wide, rifle rest,
or bag. I had no real use for a var-
mint rifle and a serious lack of cash.
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If Id had the money I might own
that .222 today. Its probably good
that I was broke because, except
for benchrest competition, the .222
Remington has just about
faded away by now.
One reason is that
varmint hunters like car-
tridges that are new, shoot
faster, and get more pub-
licity than older ones. An-
other is that the military
adopted the .223 Reming-
ton (5.56 x 45mm). That
meant surplus brass,
and bullets, became
available. I bought
both at bargain prices years ago.
At the start, the .223 was touted
as a more effective cartridge than
any military round used before. The
rifle made for it was designed by Ar-
malite, and sold to Colt. Colt made
it, as the M16, for the armed forces.
The rifle looked exotic and, at first,
even in the jungles and rice paddies
of South East Asia, was said to need
no cleaning. The M16 definitely
did need cleaning. And, despite the
high velocity, the .223/5.56 round
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general storage.
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was about as effective as any other
varmint round shooting a 55 grain
bullet. A change in powder used in
5.56 ammo also made trouble for
the rifle and the men who had to
use it. Those problems were fixed
long ago, but they left a lingering
bad taste in a lot of veterans and
shooters mouths.
The main advantage of the 5.56
X 45mm was the ammo weighed
less than the 7.62X 51 (.308). That
meant troops could carry more
rounds with them on operations. The
aluminum magazines for the M16
weighed less than the steel mags for
the M14 as well. Ive seen pictures
of gear carried on long-range mis-
sions in Vietnam. There were an
astounding number of magazines in
the pile of stuff to be hauled.
I bought an AR clone many
years ago. It was assembled with
parts from lots of different makers,
but functioned and shot fine. Ive
used it as a plinker, in a few NRA
Highpower Rifle matches, and in
some three-gun matches. My older
son used the rifle in Highpower
matches. It fit him better than the
.30 caliber rifles I had. My younger
son used it at an Appleseed shoot.
Although she hasnt competed with
it, my daughter likes to shoot the AR
as well.
Recoil from the .223 is easier
to manage than that from a .30-06
or .308. So, if I started shooting
highpower again, Id probably use
an AR type rifle. The older I get the
less I like recoil.
The .223 is legal for deer in
the rifle hunting areas of Michigan.
A very large-antlered buck was
taken with one years ago in the
Eastern Upper Peninsula. I hunted
with a couple of people who used
ARs for deer many years ago.
None of us got a shot, so I cant
report on how the .223 did on
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Authors .223 rifle shoots all
these different .223s well.
Menominee County deer.
Winchester made (and may still
make) a tough 64 grain softpoint
especially for deer hunting with a
.223. I still have part of a box but
shot nothing but some water-filled
coffee cans with it. I also have a par-
tial box of Black Hills .223 loaded
with 60 grain soft points. They
might work on deer too.
The .223 is generally an
accurate cartridge. After buying
my AR and some low cost .223
loads, I took my new rifle to the
range. At the time I didnt own
the Caldwell range bag I use now.
So, the rifle was fired from the
bench with my elbows and the
bottom of the magazine for rests.
The scoped rifle still put three
shots into an inch at 100 yards.
Target loads use bullets up to 77
grains and might shoot even better
than that. Ive seen reports that they
shoot as well, or better, at longer
yardage, than target loads in the
.308. They buck the wind as well or
better too, they say. I havent proved
that myself. All the matches I shot
were at 100 or 200 yards.
Ive toyed with the idea of a
bolt-action in .223 for years. I still
dont hunt varmints and have a
heavy bolt-action .308, so havent
bought one. I could find something
to do with one if I really tried,
however.n
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 Following in dads
hunting footsteps
By Sharon M. Kennedy
B
rooklynn Mackin of Sault
Ste. Marie is a teen-
ager any parent would
be proud to call daugh-
ter. When she isnt in a
classroom at Sault High,
youll find this beautiful 15 year
old playing softball, practicing jazz
dance, and running track and cross
country. Snowmobiling and four
wheeling are also favorite outdoor
activities, but when November rolls
around theres only one place she
wants to be and thats at her dads
blind in Dafter.
From the time she was a little
girl, she accompanied Pat Mackin
when he went hunting. While he
waited for deer, seven year-old
Brook colored in her coloring book.
You might say she had the heart of a
hunter from childhood.
November 19, 2016 dawned cold
and clear. Brook and Pat headed
for their Dafter blind at the edge of
woods overlooking an open field. Pat
began hunting at an early age when
he tagged along with his father and
grandfather, Ross Armstrong, and
hunted deer on Armstrongs property
in Raco. Pat hadnt hunted on the
Dafter land for three years because
his job keeps him away from home.
During that time, his aim must have
gotten rusty. Although he put out
carrots a few days prior to opening
day, if it hadnt been for his daughter,
there wouldnt be a story to tell. It
was Brook who spotted a four point
in the field, and it was she who filled
the larder that day.
We had been out less than an
hour when I saw the buck 100 feet
from us. It was my first deer and I
was so excited I was shaking and
couldnt find it in the scope so I
couldnt shoot it. I was disappointed,
but Dad said not to worry. The day
was young and we had plenty of
time. He was right. About 25 minutes
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Office: 517-254-4463
Fax: 517-254-4404
later, another buck came from the
direction where the four point had
run. I thought it might be the same
one, but when Dad looked through
the binoculars he saw it was a seven
point.
This time I was ready and got it
in my scope. It was about 100 yards
away when I fired my Ruger M77.
The bolt action 30-06 echoed through
the woods. My heart was beating fast
as Dad and I ran to the deer. I wasnt
sure if my shot had finished it or if it
was wounded.
He took a few pictures. I wanted
to take some of him, but he said, no,
this was my buck. There would be
other times when I could photograph
him with his kill, but he wanted the
focus on me and my first deer. Thats
the thoughtful way Dad is. I helped
him drag the deer back to the truck
and held its legs while he gutted it.
We were getting ready to leave when
Dad reached for the keys and real-
ized they werent in his pocket.
The day was fading fast and it
had started snowing. We werent able
to find the keys but luckily we had
our cell phones with us so we called
my grandmother, Rose Mackin, and
she gave us a ride home. We hopped
in Dads other truck and went back
for the deer. I helped hang it from
a maple tree in our front yard in
Harwood Subdivision. It was too late
to go back to Dafter, so next morning
Dad hitched a ride and returned to
look for the keys. After poking in the
snow for awhile, he found them.
I was happy Dad made it home
from Kalkaska where he works and
took me hunting. The memory of the
day I brought down my first deer is
one Ill never forget. I enjoy spend-
ing time with Dad. He encourages
me to participate in outdoor activities
and to do the best I can in whatever
sport I choose. Hes taught me to re-
spect wildlife and nature in general.
Hot Shot Outfitters
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Weekends: 989-670-4336
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Brooklynn Mackin
with her first deer
Brooks account of that day is hunt. Once she successfully com-
touching on many levels. Its the pleted the DNRs Hunters Safety
story of a young girl who has a spe- Course, she was eager to practice her
cial bond with her father whose love skill. After the deer was processed
for her is obvious. Sometimes men by Loves Meat in Rudyard, Pat
have a hard time showing their af- prepared Brooks favorite cut, a nice
fection for their children, but not Pat steak sauted in onions and oil. Al-
Mackin. His unconditional devotion though Pat didnt get a deer last sea-
to his daughter has helped her be- son, the Mackin freezer is filled with
come a strong, independent teenager venison steaks and sausages thanks
who is well prepared to meet lifes to Brooks marksmanship. The fam-
challenges. ily looks forward to many more years
It should be noted that Brook of this father-daughter team bringing
shot her seven point deer during reg- home wild game as well as a lifetime
ular hunting season, not during early of memories.n
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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 59
 Taxidermy: A high art form
The word taxidermy is derived
from the Latin taxi meaning to
move about and from dermis of
skin; thus a taxidermist is a person
who moves skin in order to make
an animal mount not only appear
lifelike, but maintain characteristics
such as flow, color, placement and
accuracy. The animal must not only
be anatomically correct, the
mount must also appear in
its normal habitat.
A sign of a good
taxidermist is to note if
mounts flow with grace and
power. The natural look
takes precedence over an
aggressive stance. And that
is exactly what
Brian Desormeau,
owner of North- By Betty Sodders
land Taxidermy,
located south of Sault Ste. Marie,
has managed to accomplish. His
mounts capture the spirit of the wild
creature whether it is a rarely seen
fisher or pine martin or one holding
a larger stature such as deer, elk,
bear or even a cougar.
While mounting a cougar is not
an often event, a client from Nee-
bish Island had maintained a pet
cougar for years, and when the wild
animal passed away, he asked Brian
to mount the animal. Thus you never
know what might present itself in
the taxidermy field.
Brian advised that his favorite
subjects actually are the fisher and
pine martin due to the fact that both
animals had been reintroduced in
the Eastern Upper Peninsula years
back dating to 196l for the fisher
and 1959 for the pine martin, but
today are seldom seen. Both belong
to the weasel family, related to the
wolverine. Actually, the fisher is
often mistaken by an excited hunter
for a small-sized wolverine.
I also enjoy mounting mink and
ermine for the same reason as stated
above, Brian added.
Brian advised he had been in
the taxidermy business since his
first pay check at age 14. His father,
Randy Desormeau taught him the
basics 30 or 40 years ago. The busi-
ness was passed down from father
to son. Randy retired in 2012 and
moved to Washington state. Brian
has certainly filled his dads shoes!
I asked Brian if I was correct
having heard that at one point, his
dad had earned a huge award at a
taxidermy show. His reply; During
the 1980s Dad took the first #0001
Master Certification issued by the
International Guild of Taxider-
mists...the IGT...for maintaining
60 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
quality taxidermy work in all fields
of fish, game and mammals.
In 2013 at the World Taxidermy
and Fish Carving Championships
held in Springfield Illinois, Dad took
first place in the Collective Artist
Division and Best of Category. He
won at the last World Competition
for Collective Artist Fish Reproduc-
tion. Together, Dad and I
entered two Atlantic salmon
for the World Competition,
Collective Artist, in the
All Fish Category, which
proved to be an absolute
honor!
Naturally, I had a
few questions for Brian
Desormeau. Such
as, What are
your favorite fish
for mounting?
I enjoy doing the big muskies.
At present I am working on a 54-
inch muskie brought in by a DNR
officer. Also preparing a 113-inch
sturgeon plus I taxidermy a 12-foot
reproduction of a Tiger Shark. To do
so you need photographs and assort-
ed data for working up a replica of a
catch-and-release subject fish.
Having a 52 muskie on my
wall, taken by Bud Thomas of
Raber, mounted by Northland
Taxidermy, I was interested in the
story behind the big muskie Michi-
gan DNR officer Jeffrey Panich had
taken. Formerly stationed in the
eastern Upper Peninsula, now in Al-
cona County, Jeff sent me the story
on just how it happened:
Brian did an amazing job
with him and my muskie is ever so
proudly mounted in my house now.
Best part of the story is I
caught him while walleye fishing
Raber Bay using a crawler harness,
light action Okuma rod/reel combo
and 8 lb. test line with no net! I
snagged a big weed and it pulled
my board down. As I was bringing
in the harness, I got to watch as this
monster swam from underneath, roll
and engulf my harness. A 40 min-
ute fight and my partner continued
fishing, figuring the muskie would
cut the line. He caught two keeper
walleyes while I battled. After tiring
the fish out, we brought him to the
boat three times before my fishing
partner hand grappled its gill plate
and rolled the fish into my duck
boat.
Unofficial size was 53 39.7
lbs. though it is not. Then he mentioned,
I am a salmon fisherman, and
the largest fish of my life was caught
on a worm in my duck boat using
8 lb. test line! Hence he was worth
A very unique mount of a buck with a mane.
the mount for the remembrance!
Over time, the Pickford/Cedar-
ville area has produced several deer
holding manes. This event happens
from time to time, as the experts
claim, from a recessive gene dating dermy shows and they certainly are
back to a prehistory time when crea-
tures were still evolving, as at one
point in time deer relatives sported
manes. Desormeau advised that he
was currently working on a maned
deer and that he felt it was most
unusual. It proved to be a relatively
short bristly mane running down the
back of its neck. Still, a very unusu-
al trophy for that particular hunter.
Two years apart, Cedarville
hunter Richard Carr brought down
two deer with manes. His first one
proved to be a large-bodied 7-point
buck possessing a 13-inch mane that
measured two inches long. The sec-
ond deer was so similar that surely it
must have been from the same gene
pool as both deer were harvested
from Rock View private hunting
acreage. How special was that?
I asked the taxidermist if he
had done any unusual animals and
his reply was that he did a large
snapping turtle and recently had a
call from a lady stating she wanted
information on the cost of having a
mount of a two-headed calf that was
most likely stillborn. To date she has
not as yet replied.
I asked Brian if taxidermy of
waterfowl is as popular as it was a
decade or two ago and he feels as
I dont do waterfowl or any migra- hunter all along, I believe he could
tory birds as the taxidermist must
have a federal mounting license and
the paperwork involved is terrific.
Nor do I work on baby wild animals
as once again special permits must
be obtained to work on young of
any of the animal species. I have
however seen family units at taxi-
appealing.
I do mount partridge and a few
pheasants...of course, pheasants are
not winter hardy. My pheasants are
done for a Canadian pheasant ranch
across the International St. Marys
River.
I was curious, wondering if
Brian preferred mounts taxidermied
with a passive or aggressive look.
He loves nature and prefers to trans-
late that fact into passive appearing
mounts. I noted this as I examined a
great mount of a larger than normal
bobcat. Brian stated that the cat
weighed in at 43 pounds and that the
man who ordered the mount would
be in any minute to pick it up. He
was right. I asked the client if he
had anything special to tell me about
the big bobcat. His reply perplexed
me. He said the cat had no teeth.
Immediately I wondered how it
could remain so healthy as it had
displayed no teeth. In turn I asked
a DNR wildlife biologist and his
comments parallel my own. I asked
an animal rehabilitator the same
question (Jan VanHoesen formerly
of Rogers City), what she thought
on the matter. Her reply follows,
Here are my thoughts on the bobcat
with no teeth. If he was old and had
no teeth and he had been a good
still catch small things like rabbits
and mice. Small wild cats catch
prey more with their paws then their

mouths. They could use their jaws
pressure to finish the kill. Mice they
could just swallow and rabbits they
could open with their claws. I think
a bobcat is tough enough to do what
needs to be done to survive.
In speaking with Brian I asked,
Do you consider taxidermy as an
art? and his answer was yes, abso-
lutely.
Next question, How would
a novice learn taxidermy? And
his reply was; There are sev-
eral schools that teach taxidermy.
Google it. Looking back...most
outdoor related magazines held an
advertisement on their advertising
page touting...Learn taxidermy
at home. Mail order taxidermy. I
imagine many an old-timer remem-
bers.
The steelhead taken on a catch-and-release with photo...includes
fly rod, flies, trout net, hand-car ved rocks.
Tell our readers about the
unusual fish mount I noted in your
homes living room.
It is a steelhead I took on a
catch-and-release with photo...
includes fly rod, flies, trout net,
hand-carved rocks. Then all were
wet-sealed.
On average, I asked, How
many mounts do you do a year? His
answer was surprising. Before huge
losses in the eastern U.P. I averaged
120 deer mounts per year; today that
number drops down to 20!
Briefly explain the general taxi-
dermy process, was my next subject.
He replied, Skin, tan, skin over
form such as Styrofoam or excalibar
and clay. Next, painting, finish work
such as paint nose, eye area, mouth.
Fish...paint entire mount.
It was interesting to learn that
Brian makes most of his own
taxidermy forms for both mammals
and fish. He only buys commercial
if they have something out of the
ordinary or a special order from a
customer. If he orders...of course the
price goes up.
Another question that quickly
came to mind was how long, on
average, does it take Brian to mount,
a deer or large muskie? He advised
that he returns a mount to its owner
within three to six months time.
Pricing? That was our next
subject. The average deer mount
runs approximately $375. Bears cost
according to size. Fish; warm water
species are set at $12 per inch; cold
water species, $15 per inch. Trout
and salmon are cold water species.
Reproductions from photograph on
a catch-and-release program would
be in a $20 per inch range.
Next I asked Brian if he allows
a discount for a youngsters first
or trophy fish and the answer was,
Yes, I do. Gotta get em hooked! I
also allow a price discount on first
deer.
Recently, Bud Thomass six-
year-old grandson, Jason, pulled
in a 42-inch pike (August 2016).
Certainly it may take a while
for little Jay to surpass that first
catch.
My final question for Brian
Desormeau was that if he had any-
thing to add to the discussion, now
was the time to do so. Everything
I do incorporates nature into my
work, showcasing my deep love for
the out-of-doors.
For more information: North-
land Taxidermy, Brian Desormeau,
Ste. Marie, 906-647-6674.n
DNR officer Steve Converse earns
Shikar-Safari Club CO of the Year
Sixteen-year veteran goes above and beyond the call of duty
DNR Conser vation Officer Steve Converse (back row, second from the
left). Joining him for the award presentation were his wife Jennifer
and their children Grayson, Lilly, Weston and Allie. Also pictured are
DNR Law Enforcement Chief Gary Hagler, far left, and Gunnar Klarr of
Shikar-Safari Club International, far right.
Conservation Officer Steve Converse, a 16-year Department of Natural
Resources veteran serving Manistee County, recently was honored by the
Shikar-Safari Club International as Michigans 2016 Wildlife Officer of the
Year. The international hunting organization is involved in such recognitions
of key officials in natural resources agencies across the United States and
Canada.
Converse received the award at Aprils regular meeting of the Michigan
Natural Resources Commission in Lansing.
We hold our officers to the highest standards, said DNR Law Enforce-
ment Division Chief Gary Hagler. The fact that Officer Converse earned
this recognition speaks to his outstanding dedication and professionalism.
He genuinely cares about the people and resources hes sworn to protect. Hes
a credit to the DNR and Michigans law enforcement community.
The award is presented to officers who show exemplary conduct and
initiative while performing their duties.
Hagler praised Converse for his strong work ethic and devotion to
duty. Converse routinely makes himself available to handle complaints and
investigations no matter the time of day or night, even if the work takes him
outside of his assigned county.
Converse is known for taking on additional responsibilities. For example,
he serves as a charter boat inspector, a significant task considering Manistee
County has one of the busiest commercial fishing harbors in the state. In
addition, the DNR Law Enforcement Division relies on his creativity and
expertise when developing training scenarios for new officers.
When it comes to protecting Michigans natural resources, Converse gets
results.
His investigative work results each year in numerous poaching convic-
tions for fish and game illegally taken from Manistee and surrounding coun-
ties, generating tens of thousands of dollars in penalties and reimbursement
to the state in 2016 alone, Officer Converse had 16 successful prosecutions
of deer-related violations that resulted in more than $47,000 in reimburse-
ment. Those proceeds support the departments management of Michigans
natural resources and help provide outdoor recreation safety and education
programming.
Officer Converse was instrumental in the implementation of a 2015
regulation restricting devices used to illegally harvest fish in Benzie, Man-
istee and Mason counties.
While enforcing the law is a big part of an officers job, Converse also
enjoys serving as a DNR ambassador to educate citizens so they can safely
and legally enjoy Michigans outdoor opportunities. He teaches hunter safety
classes and has positively influenced many young hunters during his career.
Converse also routinely visits schools to educate students about Michigans
natural resources and to discuss career opportunities within the DNR.
Converses colleagues nominated him for the award, demonstrating the
respect he has earned among his peers.
A native of Middleville and an Olivet College graduate, Converse and his
family live in Manistee County.
Michigan conservation officers are elite, highly trained professionals who
serve in every corner of the state. They are fully commissioned peace officers
will full authority to enforce the states criminal laws. Learn more at www.
michigan.gov/conservationofficers.
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 61
 Fishing with kids and
recycled plastic worms
A
s an avid fisherman,
By Lewis Horn problem.
a father to five kids,
recycles those old worms and
and now a grandpa
to eight, Ive spent a good deal of
time teaching kids the fine art of
fishing. Through trial and error, I
think I have a system that works pretty well, and
its good for the environment.
If you fish soft plastic worms wacky style,
then you have a lot of damaged worms. Yeah,
I know O rings cut down on the damage, but
eventually the worms split. So what to do? Well
what NOT to do is throw them in the water.
Discarded plastic baits are becoming a pollution
The author has a great tactic that recycles
those old plastic worms and gets kids ex-
cited about fishing...a win, win!
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62 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
Heres a solution that
gets kids excited about fishing.
Cut the worms into small chunks and
use them for panfish bait. I discovered this a
few years back while fishing a four inch worm
in very clear water. I observed a school of rock
bass trying to grab it. Some of the bigger ones I
could actually hook, but most just tried to inhale
the worm then spit it out. So I broke the worm in
half and started hooking a few more. Curious, I
broke it again and had a fish on every cast, and
now a few perch were in the mix. The problem
was, with bass tackle, the rig became too light to
cast. The solution, a slip bobber.
My fishing buddy Dave and I decided to try
it out with his nephew, and the little guy started
catching one fish after another. We later refined
the technique by using small circle hooks and
the success rate went up. Now my grandkids,
ranging in age from two to ten, want to go fish-
ing whenever they visit us at our cottage. With
their parents, I used to painstakingly thread
worms or minnows onto hooks only to watch the
fish steal them when the kids couldnt quite set
the hook, or end up preforming surgery when
they waited too long and the fish swallowed
the bait. But with this system, the fish is almost
always hooked in the corner of the mouth, and
the bait rarely comes off.
Heres how I set it up. I rig a small circle
hook with a light weight under a small slip
bobber. For the really little guys ( I start them
at about three) I use the Spiderman or princess
rod (I let them choose). I put a variety of colors
in an old worm bag and they choose the one
they like. Last summer an old chartreuse pep-
per became the magic bait. I cast the line for
the little kids with the simple instruction: when
the bobber goes out of sight, start reeling. No
need to worry about setting the hook, the circle
hook takes care of that. Then I watch them reel
like crazy until the fish hits the bobber. I snap a
quick picture and the fish goes back in the water.
As their skills progress, the kids start
learning how to cast with longer rods. This
Dont trust your hunt to anything less
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Ava, 9 and sister Ali, 8 score a double!
rig has a nice weight for casting, and because
theyre catching a lot of fish, the kids are getting
in some good practice. The four older grandchil-
dren have now graduated to an open faced reel
and, on their own, have landed some nice bass.
But all of them still love to go to our spots and
catch a mess of panfish.
Ive found this rig also works quite well
with adults who have limited fishing experience.
Again, no worries about setting the hook or pry-
ing out swallowed hooks.
A final tip. Do your scouting. Getting kids,
or adults for that matter, excited about fishing
depends a lot on catching fish. Locate schools
of fish that are in water shallow enough to make
catching them easy. And do this before you
take the fishermen out. In our lake, rock bass are
easiest to catch, but schools of perch are also
fun. In other lakes I have caught bluegills and
sunfish, but for them, I keep the hook and bait
small.
This system makes the job a lot easier for the
adult involved. Last summer I had four kids in
the boat and, at times, four fish on at once. Be-
lieve me, no bait changing or swallowed hooks
gives grandpa more time to enjoy the fun too.
Getting kids into fishing while recycling soft
plastics is a win-win situation.n
Actual
Black bear expert speaks at DNR forum
A
good crowd turned
out to hear what
world-renowned
black bear expert Dr.
Lynn Rogers from
Ely, Minnesota had to
say about the animals at Fisher Hall
on Michigan Technological Univer-
sitys campus in Houghton on April
18. Rogers has spent most of his
life studying black bears.
Although much of his bear
research has been conduct-
ed in Minnesota, he got his
start in Michigan. Rogers
is originally from Grand
Rapids.
In 1967, Rogers got a
job at the DNRs Cusino
Wildlife Re-
search Station
in Shingleton. By Richard P. Smith
The late El
Harger was doing bear research out
of Cusino at the time.
June 20th this year will be
my 50th anniversary of handling
bears, Rogers said. The first bear
I handled was with El Harger when
I worked at Cusino in 1967. I grew
up being afraid of bears, but I even-
tually learned that black bears are
not like their popular image.
Rogers pioneered methods of
bear research that involve gain-
ing the trust of individual bears, so
they would accept the presence of
researchers as they went about their
daily activities. By walking with
bears to observe what they actually
do, he has been able to learn far
more about the animals behavior
and biology than would be possible
by simply monitoring the move-
ments of animals fitted with radio
collars. As a result of his ground-
breaking research methods, Rogers
has been featured in a number of
documentaries and other television
programs filmed by National Geo-
graphic and aired on the Animal
Planet cable network.
Rogers is currently the principal
biologist at the Wildlife Research
Institute in Ely where he founded
the American Bear Center, which is
a major tourist attraction.
Among the many things Rogers
has learned about black bears while
walking with them is what they eat,
how they interact with one another,
their vocalizations, their behavior
and how much time they spend in
dens. One of the things he learned
about the behavior of bears toward
people that helped him get past his
fear of the animals is that the warn-
ings they exhibit such as blow slaps
and bluff charges are ritualized
harmless displays.
Bluff charges are events involv-
ing bears, agitated by the presence
of people, that suddenly run toward
the people but stop short of making
contact with them. Rogers said his
first experience with being bluff
charged by bears was when he was
working in the UP out of Cusino
and they were catching cubs.
We had the cubs in our hands
and they were calling to
their mothers nearby be-
cause they felt threatened,
Rogers commented. The
mothers of those cubs bluff
charged us, but I noticed
that they always stopped
20 feet away.
Blow slaps are less in-
tense warnings
that involve a
bear advanc-
ing a step or
two toward a person while blow-
ing explosively and then slapping
the ground hard with a front paw.
Rogers said bears would sometimes
slap a sapling or some other object
as part of this display to make more
noise and more of an impression.
In response to a question about
what people should do if they sud-
denly encounter a bear Rogers said,
It doesnt make much difference
what you do when you see a bear.
The chances of an attack are so
rare. People who have seen bears
most often tell me they ran one
way and the bear ran the other way.
Advice you usually hear is dont
run from a bear because that could
trigger a predatory attack. I dont
know of any case where that has
happened when people ran from a
black bear.
As far as duration of denning,
the shortest and longest denning
periods Rogers has recorded in
northeastern Minnesota are 155 and
225 days (5.1 to 7.4 months), both
of which involved the same bear.
In the shortest denning
period, Rogers wrote in an unpub-
lished manuscript, female A and
her 9-month-old female cub entered
a den on October 22, 2011 and left
it on March 24, 2012 after a week
of unseasonably warm tempera-
tures caused an early snow melt. In
the longest denning period, female
A denned on September 10, 2012,
gave birth on January 12, 2013 and
left the den on April 23, 2013 after
being delayed by a week of unusu-
ally cold temperatures and a bliz-
zard that added 22 inches of snow.
Rogers added that there was
still about 24 inches of snow
remaining on the ground when the
female left the den with her cubs
Dr. Lynn Rogers is currently the principal biologist at the Wildlife
Research Institute in Ely.
that year, but a solid crust had
formed on the remaining snow.
Another female bear didnt leave its
den until April 27 that year.
Most bears use a new den every
winter, according to Rogers, but he
said one of his study bears reused
the same den three out of four
years. Lynn said the den that was
reused multiple times is a secluded
rock den with the right size en-
trance for a mother bear to squeeze
into. He added that den is on an
island and that even during the year
the bear did not reuse the same den,
she denned in a different location
on that island.
That particular rock den is so
appealing that Rogers said one of
that females daughters that was
born in that den, used it two years
in a row. She gave birth to her first
cubs in the den and then denned
there again the following winter
with her yearlings.
Through the use of webcams
placed in the dens of adult female
black bears, Rogers has discovered
that there is a lot more going on in
bear dens during the winter than
formerly thought. Pregnant females
give birth to cubs in dens during the
winter. It was previously assumed
that females either slept through
or were groggy during the birth of
their cubs. Rogers proved that is
not the case.
Video that the researcher has
captured in dens containing preg-
nant females shows that they are
very much awake during the birth
of their cubs, grunting to the infants
when they are born, licking them,
keeping them warm and caring
for them during the remainder of
winter. Most cubs are born during
January. The video confirms ex-
actly when cubs are born as well as
the fact that cubs are active in dens
throughout the winter, too.
Rogers said the average litter
size for black bears in Minnesota
is 2.6, but the number of cubs a
female has is directly related to
her nutritional level. He said
that pregnant females that dont
weigh at least 148 pounds when
they enter dens usually abort
their cubs because they dont
have enough fat reserves to nurse
cubs. During years with poor natu-
ral food supplies, for instance, the
average number of cubs pregnant
females give birth to may only be
two.
When pregnant females have
access to plenty of food to gain as
much weight as possible, they can
have larger litters. Black bears have
been known to have as many as five
cubs in a litter.
The website for the North
American Bear Center is www.bear.
org. During the winter, web cam-
eras in bear dens can be accessed
through that website. Rogers offers
black bear field study courses.
For more information about these
courses go to www.bearstudy.org.
Rogers presentation was part
of the DNRs Wildlife Through
Forestry forum series and was also
sponsored by the US Forest Service
and USDA.n
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 63


TROPHY PAGE
Jensyn
Bradley
harvested
her first
turkey
hunting
Livings-
ton Co.
It had an
11
beard,
1 1/8
spurs and
weighed
26 lbs.

Brynn Anderson, 10,
took this Eaton County
tom with an 8 inch
beard using her .410.
Jake West, 16, of Dear-
born took this 23 pound
gobbler opening morn-
ing near Clare.
Legendary bowhunter Dick Wilt
of Bath took this monster tom
with an 11 2/16 inch beard and 1
5/16 inch spurs!

Father and son; Luke and Brian

Champnella doubled up on a pair
of gobblers in Calhoun Co. in the
afternoon of April 21. A great day
to share together!

Matt
Chris Brozik caught and Veggian
released this beautiful Lake in his first
Brooke Hubler took her first deer, a St. Clair smallmouth. year of
dandy 10-pt., last fall and her first turkey turkey
this spring, a rare bearded hen. hunt-
ing took
this tom
with a 9
Macy Nelson, 8, of beard,
Ravenna took her
first turkey and it had hunt-
an 11 beard and 1 ing near
spurs. Hale.

Gregg Pratt of Warren. While

fishing in March on the Muskeg-
on River for steelies, he caught
this 12 pounder (carp)!
Tivis Crawford, 10,
of Hazel Park shot a Bryndon Budek
monster bird in St. from Midland took
Clair Co. The tom had this awesome turkey
a 9 beard and 1.25 with his crossbow
spurs and this was his
first bird. on April 20th.

The Stine Family had great

luck on Burt Lake this win-
ter: Above: David, Andrea,
Heather. Lt: Heather with a
dandy perch
64 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
Eli Smithgall
Silena Cervantes, 19, helps his dad
took this nice Shiawas- Rich Gusa of Harbor Blake Guldi of Brown
see Co. tom with a 10 Beach with a nice City took this Lapeer
Dan with a squir-
beard and 1 1/8 spurs bunch of Thumb area Co. tom with a 9 rel taken in Kent
her first time hunting morels. beard April 30. Co.
 MICHIGAN'S
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Woods-N-Water News
Michigans Premier Outdoor Publication
www.woods-n-waternews.com
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 65
 Letters, My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions...
Isle Royale moose doomed?
N
ow that the National
Park Service has taken
all options off the table
for direct manage-
ment of the booming
moose population on
Michigans Isle Royale National
Park, the population of the popular
large mammals is destined
to crash just like the island
parks wolf population. It
may be a year or two before
the moose population
crashes on the island, but it
will crash like it did in the
mid-1990s and the islands
vegetation will suffer major
wounds in the
By Richard P. Smith
process that
will take years
to heal. When the moose population
does crash on the island park, any-
one who cares can thank the Park
Service for their inability to use
common sense in managing public
wildlife resources.
In the meantime, anyone who
wants to see some of the islands
abundant moose should plan a trip
there during 2017 or 2018 at the
latest. It will probably be too late
by 2019. If and when wolves are re-
introduced to the park, it should be
just in time for them to feed on the
abundant carcasses of winter-starved
moose.
The public comment period for
Why all the coyotes?
Dear Woods-N-Water News:
I enjoy your magazine very
much.
Subject; where have all the
coyotes come from? The population
seems to be exploding. As a truck
driver I have seen them during my
travels quite often. In Oshtemo, a
mobile home park has signs warn-
ing residents to keep their dogs and
cats inside the house. I also saw a
report on local news warning people
in Kent and Ottawa counties of the
same thing.
When I was a kid growing up in
the sixties and seventies there were
pheasants and grouse everywhere.
Now they are a distant memory. I
know its not the only reason, but
like deer fawns the coyotes must
have contributed to this.
My question is, where have they
come from? There have been many
articles in your magazine and others
stressing the urgency for hunters to
get after them. Laws from Lansing
have been amended to help hunters
66 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
the latest round of alternatives for
the parks 20-year moose-wolf-
vegetation management plan, which
ended March 15, is a distraction
designed to keep the publics collec-
tive minds off of moose since each
and every alternative deals with
whether or not to bring more wolves
to the island. The entire
process is a joke. Bringing
more wolves to Isle Royale
wont do a thing to protect
or manage the parks two
remaining valuable resourc-
es moose and vegetation.
Wolves have never been
able to keep moose num-
bers in check,
even when a
healthy popula-
tion of the predators was present on
the island. The park service knows
that and so does anyone else who
has paid attention to the results of
the annual wolf/moose study con-
ducted by Michigan Technological
University personnel. For those who
didnt know that wolves were not
able to prevent moose from increas-
ing beyond the carrying capacity of
their habitat, a park service publica-
tion prepared when the planning
process for the 20-year management
plan started educated them during
the summer of 2015.
Moose first arrived on Isle
Royale in the early 1900s, the pub-
be more successful. But, how did
this happen in the first place?
I have heard from the DNR its
because no one is trapping anymore.
I have also heard a decision was
made by the DNR to actually plant
coyotes in Michigan to help reduce
car-deer accidents. Obviously, if this
is true it has backfired enormously.
Southwest Michigan years ago was
teeming with pheasants and grouse.
The last time I saw a rooster pheas-
ant was in the Imlay City area. The
last time I heard a grouse drumming
was many years ago. Not to men-
tion what is happening to the deer
population. I, like many others,
have started hunting coyotes. But in
the meantime I am very concerned
for all the wild populations that are
being gobbled up, by this predator.
Is someone or a certain group
responsible for this invasion? I, like
many others, would like answers.
Thank you
Robert Bilski,
Wayland
lication states, and their population
has fluctuated dramatically over
the past century. Moose are known
to have important effects on island
vegetation. For example, in the past
the population has increased dramat-
ically and then declined following
severe over-browsing of island veg-
etation. This boom and bust cycle
has occurred in both the presence
and absence of wolves; however, the
magnitude of the fluctuation is likely
to increase without wolves.
Acknowledgment by the park
service in a public document during
the planning process of the fact that
wolves were not able to prevent
moose from damaging their habitat
and when moose get too abundant
that damage occurs, offered some
hope that the park service might
be willing to take the steps neces-
sary to manage moose and protect
island vegetation. The fact that three
of the plans original alternatives
(D, E and F) dealt directly with
reducing moose numbers to protect
island vegetation reinforced that
hope. That hope was dashed along
with common sense, when the park
service announced without any
explanation of why, that any direct
management of moose numbers
was off the table. Nor was there any
information about how that decision
was reached or who was involved in
making that decision.
The current high moose numbers
present on Isle Royale represent the
greatest threat to themselves and
the islands vegetation. If nothing is
done soon to reduce moose num-
bers on the island through culling
or relocating some of the animals
to the mainland, the inevitable will
happen. The overpopulation of
moose will eat most of the available
food supply, damaging vegetation
resources in the park, and many
moose will die.
Overcrowded moose on Isle
Royale suffer much more and far
longer from the injustice of the lack
of management than the eventual
deaths of many of them, of course.
Competition for food results in some
animals eating less than they should,
which leads to lower weights and
smaller size animals. Moose that
have access to less food arent as
healthy as they should be, increasing
their vulnerability to parasites and
disease. Overcrowding causes stress.
I visited Isle Royale during June
of 1995, which was the last time the
herd peaked there. All of the moose
I saw then looked terrible from
the presence of too many of them.
Patches of bare skin were visible
and yearlings were stunted, looking
close to the size of healthy calves
that were half their age.
Theres no reason that makes
any sense why Isle Royale moose
could not be moved to the mainland.
The moose on Isle Royale originated
from Ontario just like the animals
that were trucked to the UP from
Algonquin Provincial Park during
1985 and 87. They are representa-
tives of the same species. If the
Michigan DNR doesnt want more
moose on the mainland, Im sure
Minnesota would take them. Theres
no doubt in my mind that the resi-
dents of both states would like to
see more moose on the mainland.
The last time Isle Royales
moose population peaked was in
1995 when the herd was estimated
to be almost 2,500. And moose
numbers grew beyond the carry-
ing capacity of their habitat in spite
of the presence of more than 20
wolves. By 1999, only about 500
moose remained. Isle Royales
moose population will peak this
time either this year or next year.
Based on island moose estimates
from the first months of 2015, there
were 1,250 animals present. That
number was up to at least 1,600 by
2017. This years crop of calves has
been born since then, which would
put the population around 2,000 and
they could even exceed that number.
Isle Royales moose page 68

DNR releases deer hunter study report
T
he Michigan De-
partment of Natural
Resources, in collabo-
ration with DJ Case &
Associates, recently
released a report on a
nearly yearlong study of Michigan
deer hunters. Following up on recent
DNR research into deer hunting
participation trends, the project was
designed to be completed before the
2017-2019 deer hunting regulations
are established.
Report findings were presented
at the April 13 Natural Resources
Commission meeting. The full writ-
ten report, which includes more than
100 pages of detailed information
on the study process and results, is
available online at michigan.gov/
deer, under MI Deer Resources.
Key Findings
Included...
Most respondents (79 percent)
did not think the current deer hunt-
ing regulations are too complex.
Differences of opinions across
age categories were greater than
differences between males and
females.
Regulations changes did
not receive a majority of support
among any group of hunters, though
younger hunters generally were
New ORV rules to take effect in 2017/2018
O
n September
28, 2016,
Governor
Rick Snyder
signed Public
Act 288 of
2016 into law. The bill was
introduced by State Rep.
Triston Cole R-Mancelona.
By Jeff Pendergraff
According
to Rep. Cole
this act will
remove the restrictive limitations
regarding the usage of forest roads
currently enforced by law enforce-
ment. This change increases recre-
ational opportunities by giving ORV
users the right of entry statewide,
while also reauthorizing hunters
rights to retrieve game in an alter-
native method, by use of pack or
saddle animal, which is considerably
less erosive on state lands.
Hot Topics In The Outdoors...
more supportive of changes than
older hunters.
As the hunter population ages,
differences of opinions across age
categories indicate the DNR should
re-examine future support for regu-
lations changes.
Among options for possible
discounts and prize drawings, a ma-
jority of younger hunters did believe
they would be likely to purchase a
multiyear license bundle at a dis-
counted rate.
The study was conducted in
two stages. The first included small
group discussions to learn about
opportunities and challenges for
continued participation in deer
hunting. A facilitator from DJ Case
& Associates posed questions and
directed participants to discuss their
own deer hunting experiences and
opinions as a group.
Groups included hunters that
are of particular interest due to prior
research, including females and
young adult males. Female partici-
pation has been on the rise, while
young adult males are participating
at lower rates than men of the same
age during past decades.
Group participants reported
that as they grow older, their hunt-
ing partners continue to be those
that first taught them to hunt most
often close family members, said
DNR rules have longed
governed a variety of recre-
ational activities across the
state, including where and
when an individual may
ride an ORV on state forest
roads and the prohibition
of retrieving hunted game
from public lands with
a pack or a
saddle animal.
These
issues have affected many folks
across the state and has caused
considerable confusion and frustra-
tion, said Rep Cole. This new law
will effectively reduce the burden-
some regulations the DNR has had
on ORV users, hunters and tour-
ists. This will allow and encourage
people to take advantage of the
recreational opportunities available
to them with a clear indication of
Brent Rudolph, DNR
Wildlife Division social
science coordinator.
As hunters get older and
move away from those
traditional partners and
hunting places, they
can find it challenging
to continue to find the
time to hunt, which is
one threat to sustaining
hunting traditions.
We all want to
protect our favorite
deer hunting spots, but
hunters should think
beyond only mentor-
ing youth and consider
inviting adult hunters
that might be struggling
to find a place to hunt to
join them from time to
time, Rudolph said.
The second stage of the
study involved send-
ing 188,000 hunters
an email invitation Kenny Darwin photo
to complete a survey
over the internet. The and who previously provided an
survey evaluated hunting habits, email address to the DNR received
determined opinions about possible an email invitation. The online
changes to deer hunting regulations survey was an efficient way to get
and measured interest in potential much more input than was possible
discounts or prize drawings for during the first stage of the study,
those who purchase deer licenses. from hunters of all ages and genders
Anyone who had purchased a across the state.
deer license over the past five years Phil Seng, vice president of DJ
Case & Associates, said he was a
bit surprised at the low percentage
of hunters who felt that current deer
regulations are a barrier to hunting.
Its common for hunters to
take any opportunity to complain
about regulations, but 86 percent of
survey responses indicated regula-
the rules and laws in place. Below is tions are not a barrier, said Seng.
a breakdown of the new ORV rules Michigan should be cautious about
set to go into effect. changing regulations unless there
State-managed Forest Roads is strong evidence to support the
in the Upper Peninsula are currently change. The DNR should continue
open to ORV use unless closed by to track these attitudes of hunters
the DNR. In the Lower Peninsula closely over time.
the law has been the opposite: For- DJ Case & Associates (www.dj-
est Roads have been closed to ORVs case.com) is a team of communica-
unless designated open by the DNR. tion specialists in natural resources
After an inventory and review conservation. They specialize in
is completed ,this new law will call helping natural resources agencies
for all Forest Roads to be treated as and organizations better achieve
they are now in the UP -- open un- their goals by conducting baseline
less closed by DNR. research and program assessments,
The bill sets forth a timeline to strategic and operational plan-
for the DNR to make a comprehen- ning, to implementation of commu-
sive inventory of state Forest Roads. nication strategies and tactics.
The DNR will complete the two For more information about
most northern regions in the Lower hunting opportunities or deer man-
Peninsula by the end of 2017 and agement in Michigan, go to michi-
gan.gov/hunting or michigan.gov/
New ORV rules page 69 deer.n
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 67
 Letters, My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions...
Proper disposal of pets or aquarium items
VERY important to protect Michigans waters
E
ach year the MDNR receives
numerous reports of unique spe-
cies showing up in water bodies
throughout the state. While oftentimes
these reports consist of a single animal
being found, occasionally they point to
large populations of non-native species
where you wouldnt expect to find them.
How these species got into the
water can be a mystery, but there is one
method thats often the culprit and its
100-percent preventable.
Pet and aquarium owners often face
the dilemma where they no longer want
to keep their various organisms, so they
sometimes opt to release them into the
wild.
Pet release is almost never humane.
Pets released from confined, artificial
environments are poorly equipped to
fend off predators and may be unable
to successfully forage for food or find
shelter, said Nick Popoff, manager
of the DNRs Aquatic Species and
Regulatory Affairs Unit. Those that do
succeed in the wild can spread and have
the potential to spread exotic diseases
to native animals. In the worst-case sce-
nario, released animals can thrive and
reproduce, upsetting natural ecosystems
to the degree these former pets become
invasive species.
An invasive species is defined
Tom Carney
Among the Aspens
To purchase: $34.95 (Michigan residents, please add $2.10 sales tax) plus
$6.35 postage/handling
Send check or money order to: Partridge Pointe Press, 2470 Strawberry
Farm St. NE, Belmont, Michigan 49306.
Purchase online at www.tomcarneywriter.com
68 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
as one that is not native and whose
introduction can cause harm or is likely
to cause harm to the environment, the
economy or human health.
Additionally, dumping fish or other
aquatic animals into public water bodies
is illegal, as doing so requires a permit
from the state of Michigan. This in-
cludes the release of aquarium fish like
goldfish or pacus, or farm-raised fish
from private ponds.
There is a statewide campaign in
Michigan that works to educate owners
about proper maintenance and disposal
of their pets or aquarium species. The
campaign, Reduce Invasive Pet and
PLant Escapes (RIPPLE), strives to
provide solutions opposite of dumping
them in a local river, lake or stream.
If your fish or other species has
outgrown its tank or has begun to feed
on your other fish, you should consider
donating or trading it with another hob-
byist, an environmental learning center,
an aquarium or a zoo, said Jo Latimore
with Michigan State University Exten-
sion and RIPPLE.
Additionally, you can often check
with the store where you purchased the
fish or species to see if they will take it
back.
We are committed to assisting hob-
byists through the lifetime journey with
Award-winning nature and outdoor
writer Thomas Carney returns to
form in his latest collection of
essays, Among the Aspens: Stolen
Moments in Secret Coverts.
As with his previous collections,
Sun-Drenched Days, Two-Blanket
Nights; and Bird Dogs and Betty
Cakes, Tom employs a variety of
perspectives and presentations
as his writing glides effortlessly
across the lines that delineate
serious writing, humor, nostalgia,
analysis, description and storytelling.
Different this time around: Instead
of moving from activity to activity
with the progressing seasons as he
did in his first two books of essays,
in Among the Aspens Tom delivers
the goods through a single form
of outdoor recreation: upland bird
hunting.
their pet, said Rick Preuss, owner of
Preuss Pets in Lansing. If unexpected
changes lead to a need to re-home fish,
we are here to help.
Another option is to talk with a vet-
erinarian or pet retailer about humane
methods to dispose of any species.
For more information on the
RIPPLE campaign, visit michigan.gov/
invasives or check out RIPPLEs new
video at https://youtu.be/iOXeYZk8-
V8.
Isle Royales moose: from page 66
If next winter is severe, the
population may begin its downward
plunge. If winter is easy on the
parks moose, the herd will peak
during 2018 before crashing even if
the next winter is mild. There will
simply be too many mouths to feed
and when many of those mouths
belong to animals that weigh 1,000
pounds or more, it takes a tremen-
dous amount of vegetation to keep
them going.
Since most of the island park is
designated wilderness, strict inter-
pretation of management under that
designation is to let nature take its
course. In other words, man should
not intervene in any way in what
happens to any of the resources
at the park. Its too late for a total
hands off policy at Isle Royale.
Years ago, a decision was made
to allow researchers to trap and
radio collar some of the parks
wolves. The animals were weighed
and measured at the same time and
blood samples taken. That decision
did make it easier for researchers to
keep track of wolves and determine
what was happening with the popu-
lation, but was inconsistent with true
hands off wilderness management.
So wilderness designation is
no excuse for failure to take steps
necessary to manage Isle Royales
growing moose population to
prevent the herd from crashing. At
a time when moose populations
elsewhere in the Great Lakes Region
are declining in the face of intense
pressure from predators and the
knowledge that the public wants to
see more moose, it will be a crime
to allow most of the parks moose to
die. The animals deserve better and
so do future park visitors who dont
want their chances of seeing moose
and their overall Isle Royale experi-
ence diminished.
Common sense dictates that
one of two things should be done to
reduce Isle Royales moose popula-
tion as soon as possible. Either a
cull should be planned to remove
some of the excess or moose should
be transplanted to the mainland. If
If you catch an unusual fish or other
aquatic species, keep it and preserve it
on ice. If that is not possible, then take
photos of the fish. Do not return it to
the water. Contact Seth Herbst, DNR
aquatic invasive species biologist, at
517-284-5841 or herbsts1@michigan.
gov for assistance in identification.n
its possible to bring wolves to the
island, as both current and past al-
ternatives suggest, it should also be
possible to remove moose from the
park. Each involves manipulation of
wildlife populations by man.
Back in the 1930s, moose were
successfully moved from the island
to the mainland with far less so-
phisticated equipment and technol-
ogy than are available today. The
relocation of moose from Ontarios
Algonquin Provincial Park to the
UP during 1985 and 1987 showed
such a project could be done more
efficiently. Moving moose from the
park to the mainland would certainly
be easier than hauling animals from
Ontario.
If moose are to be culled, I think
it would be important to include
the public in that process. Public
involvement would certainly reduce
the cost of such an effort and, in
fact, could help pay for it. A draw-
ing for moose culling permits can be
conducted, with a nonrefundable ap-
plication fee required of applicants.
Due to the wilderness nature of Isle
Royale and the fact moose are big
animals that require a lot of effort to
salvage, a minimum of two people
should be required to apply for a
cull permit. Successful applicants
can then be charged an additional
fee for a moose permit.
Since Isle Royale visitation is
low during September and October,
late September or early to mid-Oc-
tober would be perfect for a moose
culling operation. To avoid any
conflict with normal visitation, of
course, a cull could be planned for
after the normal closure of the park.
We want to make the best deci-
sion possible, park superintendent
Phyllis Green said at a public meet-
ing in Houghton on July 27, 2015
when discussing the 20-year man-
agement plan. We are not taking a
vote to see which alternative is most
popular. She added that, We like
to spend your money wisely.
Based on what has happened
since then, I have to question the
sincerity of those words!n
 Hot Topics In The Outdoors...

New ORV rules: from page 67
the remaining regions by the end
of 2018. This review will allow the
DNR to decide which forest roads
should remain closed.
The new rules on state Forest
Roads under this act do NOT go
into effect until those reviews are
complete.
Once DNR completes the in-
ventory of state Forest Roads, maps
of those forest roads will be posted
annually for the public and available
for ORV use. Local governments
will receive notification of new
restrictions placed on roads or trails
accessing public land.
The new law allows for the use
of an ORV ONLY for the retrieval
of harvested deer, bear or elk from
public land on which hunting is per-
mitted and ORV use is allowed.
The new law only allows for
an individual operating an ORV to
leave a designated trail or route to
retrieve harvested deer, bear, and elk
but not to exceed 5 mph and must
use the most direct route that does
not enter a stream, river, or wetland
except over a bridge, culvert or
similar structure.
The new law does NOT allow
ORVs to be used for hunting or oth-
erwise traversing state-owned lands.
The new law allows for the use
of pack and saddle animals ONLY
for the off-trail retrieval of harvested
deer, bear, and elk from state public
land on which hunting is permitted
and where packs and saddle trails
are open for access by pack and
saddle animals.
The new law only allows an
individual to leave an open pack
and saddle trail to retrieve harvested
jobs and income in areas of the state
that need it.
I live in northern Michigan and
its not uncommon to see ORVs
driving down the travel portion of
a county road, and I have also seen
them driving down state highways
in the travel portion of the road like
they are an automobile. Of course, if
they get caught by law enforcement
most likely they will be ticketed for
the violation. Most operate legally,
a lot dont. One issue that I have run
into is the off-road use onto state
lands (operating off ORV trails and
climbing hills, etc.), which currently
is illegal and will remain so once
this new law becomes effective.

DNR confirms virus involved deer, bear, and elk by using the most
direct route that does not enter a
stream, river, or wetland except over
This new law isnt going to al-
low ORV use off of State two-tracks
or forest roads that are going to be
in Lake St. Clair fish kill a bridge, culvert or similar structure.
The new law does NOT allow
open once the DNR has their inven-
tory completed. In other words, if
The MDNR announced pack and saddle animals to be used you go cross-county or see a big
that test results on fish col- for any purpose on lands are not hill you want to climb you will
lected in the ongoing fish kill open for access by pack and saddle be operating illegally. The DNR
event on Lake St. Clair were animals. will have this inventory of the two
confirmed to be positive for Now, let me give you a little most northern regions in the Lower
viral hemorrhagic septicemia history on why there were restric- Peninsula by December 31, 2017,
virus (VHSv). Fish were col- tions on where an ORV could be and the remaining regions will be
lected during late March and used in the Lower Peninsular. Prior completed by December 31, 2018.
early April and included giz- to 1990/1991 ORV operators were Until this inventory is finished the
zard shad, bluegill, and black running their ORVs everywhere new law isnt in effect.
and white crappie. in Northern Michigan. It was so There is one other issue that is
A total of 165 fish have bad that the areas that were posted going to arise. I had it happen to
been tested thus far using pooled samples of five fish, and of the 33 pooled closed to ORV use had all of the me last fall while bowhunting in
samples, 31 of them have been positive for VHSv, said Gary Whelan, re- signs removed or destroyed and northern Michigan. That is ORVs
search program manager for the DNRs Fisheries Division. Ten gizzard shad ORV users were running every- that were traveling down two-track
were tested individually and all were positive for the virus. These results where and destroying state land. roads which was illegal while I was
confirm what we initially suspected, given the external signs on the fish, spe- At that point, the DNR changed bowhunting. Once the inventory is
cies involved, and timing of the fish kill, all strongly implicating VHSv as the the rules which stated now you finished, traveling down a two-track
cause of this fish kill. could only operate on state lands or state forest road will be legal,
Based on both public and other DNR and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that were posted open to ORV use. but there will be conflicts between
reports, the current known distribution of the fish kill event is from Algonac In the past few years the law has hunters and ORV operators. Nothing
to Lake Erie, with many of the reports from Harrison Township to St. Clair
Shores. Initially, the fish kill was mostly gizzard shad, an important forage
changed which has allowed ORVs is going to upset a bowhunter or a
species, but now is widening to more species and is likely to affect tens of to be operated on the shoulder of bear hunter quicker than to be sitting
thousands of fish. This event is considered an unusually large fish kill but county roads if that county passed in his stand during prime time and
is smaller than an earlier VHSv-related fish kill in 2006. The reasons for an ordinance allowing the townships have ORVs running by disturbing
the fish kill occurring this year are under investigation and the mortalities to decide which roads they wanted his or her hunt. The noise from an
should begin to be reduced with water temperatures rising above 60 to 65 open for ORV travel on their road ORV travels a long distance in the
degrees Fahrenheit. shoulders. This didnt allow for woods!
VHSv is known to infect more than 30 species of Great Lakes fish and ORVs to travel down the travel por- This is one of those be careful
has been found in lakes Superior, Huron, Erie and Ontario, along with a few tion of the road or open-up travel on what you wish for things. I hope
inland lakes. It is not a native pathogen and likely arrived in Great Lakes Michigans State Highways. we dont go back to the old days
waters in the early 2000s. Some species such as lake sturgeon and walleye are The main reason for the above where ORVs are running every-
very resistant to it and others such as bluegill, largemouth bass, muskellunge, law changes and the new changes is where and destroying state land and
gizzard shad and round goby are very susceptible. The pathogen causes the to allow ORVs access to many areas interfering with people hunting in
fishs blood vessels to leak, which is why the skin shows bloody patches and of northern Michigan, hoping to the fall. It only takes a few to mess
the fish ultimately dies of blood loss and organ failure. This external symp- enhance commerce. The more areas up a good thing!
tom is shared with other pathogens, which is why testing was needed to fully open to ORV use allows more ORVs Jeff Pendergraff, retired Captain
confirm if VHSv was involved in this event. Previous research has shown in the cities and towns and hopefully from the DNRs Law Enforcement
many fish recover from this virus infection, although there is no treatment. spend more money and help create Division.n
The public has been essential in helping the DNR efficiently track and
sample this event and is encouraged to continue to provide us with reports
of fish kills with a focus on kills of more than 25 fish, Whelan said. The My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions
public can provide the reports to DNR-FISH-Report-Fish-Kills@michigan.
gov. We also ask that anglers be extra careful and be part of the team that Share your thoughts, views, opinions or shor t stories with
prevents this virus from spreading to other waters. Woods-N-Water News readers by emailing
Anglers are reminded to refrain from moving live fish between water wnw@pageone-inc.com or mail to
bodies and to properly dispose of bait. Boaters need to make sure their bilges
and live wells are emptied prior to leaving a boat launch, and equipment Woods-N-Water News, PO Box 278, Imlay City, MI 48444
must be cleaned and disinfected after use. Visit michigan.gov/fishing for Questions regarding Woods-N-Water News subscriptions,
more information on how those who fish and boat can help limit the spread newsstand sales, Outdoor Weekend, stories, trophy page
of fish disease and invasive species. contact our office Mon. - Fri. 8 am-5 pm 810-724-0254,
More information on viral hemorrhagic septicemia is available on the
DNR website michigan.gov/fishhealth. www.woods-n-waternews.com or facebook woodsnwaternews
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 69
 Three early
Michigan
fishing lures
L
ast month, I wrote about
four different Michigan
lures including two wood-
pecker-style wood baits,
the Starlight Surface Bait
sold by Standart Brothers,
a large Detroit hardware
wholesaler, and The White
Miller, marketed by Wil-
liam Locher, a successful
sporting goods dealer from
Kalamazoo. The two baits
were identical and clearly
were produced by the same
unknown lure manufactur-
er. Both were typical early
Sporting Collectibles
woodpecker-
style baits 4
By Terry McBurney
inches in
length with
three treble
hooks along with white luminous
bodies and bright red heads. Wood-
pecker-style lures were popular
top-water bass baits during the early
1900s. The best selling size was
generally 4 to 4 inches in length,
came with three treble hooks and
was most often sold in all luminous
paint or luminous paint with a red
head. A number of manufacturers
also sold a baby version, which
measured as a rule about 3 inches,
and several companies offered mod-
els with weedless hooks as well.
My research shows that the
Top: A nice example of the rare Boulton Bass Hog in the box with two pinned belly hooks
and a rear treble hook. Clarence Zahn collection. On the bottom, one of two known Boul-
ton Bass Hog ads July 1911 issue of Field & Stream .
70 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
Moonlight Bait Company intro-
duced the first woodpecker-style
bait, the Moonlight Floating Bait #1,
sometime in 1909. This was Moon-
lights first lure, and it proved to be
a popular seller from the beginning.
Soon many other manu-
facturers, both large and
small, followed with their
own versions that closely
imitated it in shape and
color. Just in Michigan, I
have found more than eight
different makers Hed-
dons #1001 Woodpecker
Surface Bait from Dowa-
giac, the rare
A.A. Lehman
White Wonder
from Kalama-
zoo, William
Shakespeares Surface Wonder from
Kalamazoo, R.S.T. Markhams Day
or Night Bait #22 from Battle Creek,
L.A. Wifords Jointed Croaker from
Jackson, the J. A. Holzapfel Mush-
room Bait from Jackson, and T. J.
Boultons Bass Hog from Detroit a
historical corridor of Michigan lure
manufacturers stretching west to
east from Dowagiac, to Paw Paw,
to Kalamazoo, to Battle Creek, to
Jackson and then Detroit!
I recently photographed several
examples of the Boulton Bass Hog
and also obtained photos of two dif-
A near perfect example of a T. J. Boulton Bass Hog wood bait with the
more common three treble hooks, Robbie Pavey collection. The paper
inser t featuring Clarence E. Mulfords testimonial in the background.
ferent versions of the Boulton Bass
Hogs in their original two-piece
cardboard boxes with yellow labels.
The label trumpets the Bass Hog as
The Greatest Bass Bait Known,
a bold one-hundred and seven year
old exaggeration that made me
smile. The label also gave instruc-
tions on how to fish it in the shal-
lows and offered it for 50.
There are two known national
ads for the Bass Hog in the May
1911 issue and the July 1911 issue
of Field and Stream magazine.
The very small July ad includes a
recommendation from Clarence E.
Mulford. His name also appears in
the lures paper insert that quotes
him saying: Its the Kingbolt in my
bait wagon. Ive tried it out in fast
company, right alongside the others,
and Ive had more strikes on it every
time than any of the other baits Ive
got.
That started me wondering who
Clarence E. Mulford was. Did he
write outdoor fishing articles for the
leading magazines of the day? Was
Mulford a nationally known tourna-
ment caster? Was he an admired
sports champion?
After researching his name, I
discovered that Clarence E. Mul-
ford was the author of the popular
Hopalong Cassidy short stories
and books beginning with a series
of short stories printed in Outing
Magazine starting in 1905 and then
with his first book, Bar 20, pub-
lished in 1907! Having grown up
watching black and white Hopalong
Cassidy cowboy movies in the
1950s, that information got my at-
tention, as well as my admiration for
Mulford he had also been an avid
bass fisherman.
The Bass Hog was produced
during 1910 and 1911. The lure was
created by T.J. Boulton who lived
at 32 Lauderdale St. in Detroit for
much of his adult life along with
his wife and children. Today, it is
vacant lot several miles southwest
of downtown Detroit and five blocks
from the nearby Detroit River.
Thomas Jefferson Boulton, born
in Tennessee in November 1858,
moved to Ohio and then Detroit
sometime in the late 1880s where he
was working as a railroad baggage-
man. He was in charge of handling
all checked luggage during a trains
journey, loading and then unloading
it at the correct destination. Bag-
gagemen sometimes were involved
with the U. S. mail and were often
the trains head brakeman. He and
his wife lived at the Lauderdale
address until his death in March of
1938 at the age of 79.
There were supposedly three
versions of the Bass Hog, though
all of them were painted white with
a bright red head along with four
hand-painted red gill marks and dots
on the belly. The more common
ones that I have measured do vary
in length from about 4 inches to 4
inches in length, though a longer 4
inch model has been reported.
Remember, these baits were
carved on a copying lathe in all
probability by just the lure maker,
T.J. Boulton, so final length and
shape could differ a little. This com-
mon version of the Bass Hog came
with cup and screw eye hardware
with two swinging treble hooks on
the belly and with a trailing treble
hook from the tail. The second style
is much rarer and had either two
double hooks pinned to the belly
along with a trailing treble hook or
three double hooks pinned to the
belly without the rear treble hook.
The pinned hook versions would
have been more weedless than the
one with the three treble hooks. A
much smaller 2 inch model has
been reported, though I have never
seen it.
The second unique lure this
month is the Heddon 2000 series
Wiggle-King wood lure and its
special introductory cardboard
box. The empty cardboard box was
inside a tackle box that Troy Farley
of Rockford brought into the Grand
Rapids Ultimate Sports Show this
past March for me to see. I was
aware that the box existed but did
not know much about the lure itself
since it was only produced for two
years starting in 1918. The Heddon
Wiggle-King measured 3 inches
in length, weighed oz. and came
only in four cataloged colors white
spotted, rainbow, white body/red
head and frog. It also was produced
without eyes.
The lure was introduced in Hed-
dons 1918-1919 catalog/flyer an
abbreviated four-page publication
Top: A nice example of Heddons Wiggle-King introductory cardboard box
first issued in 1918, Troy Farley collection. Middle/Bottom: The Heddon
Wiggle-King came in four colors rainbow, white spotted, white body/red
head and frog and was produced without eyes. Author photographs
as compared to Heddons previous
catalogs, which were as much as
sixteen pages in size. The catalog
copy for the Wiggle-King read:
Has a most attractive and erratic
swimming movement, running
about eighteen inches below surface
when retrieved, floating at rest.
The first year it was produced,
Heddon shipped the Wiggle-King
in a distinctive introductory box
instead of their standard Down-
ward Leaping Gamefish Minnow
box, hoping to bring more attention
to their new introduction and to
boost its sales to the angling public.
The grey textured box with the red
printing came with its own enter-
taining jingle: The Wobble Makes
Em Gobble. Introductory boxes
by themselves are rare, and, in good
condition, can add considerably to
the value of the lure. In this case, the
Wiggle-King box alone would be
valued at $300.
The Wiggle-King lure came with
nickle-plated cup rigged screw-eye
This extremely rare Rhodes three-hook Perfect Casting Minnow made in
1904 was found about ten miles from where it was manufactured in Ka-
lamazoo. Jim Wagner collection
hook hangers along with a simple
screw-eye tail hook hanger. Heddon
also pasted a gold decal on its belly
reading Heddons Wiggle King. nal lead sinker that was normally
The decals apparently came off
easily as most of these rare lures are
found today without the decal. bowtie props and brass tack eyes.
Historically important, the
Wiggle-King was the predecessor
to both their Lucky 13 introduced in
1920 and the Basser introduced two
years later in 1922, both of which
were very successful sellers for
Heddon. When the three lures are
lined up side-by-side, they not only
are similar in shape except for their
faces, but all three look like South
Bends best selling bait of all time,
the South Bend Bass Oreno!
The third lure was found in
an antique shop near Kalamazoo
several months ago by Jim Wagner
of Hickory Corners, Michigan. A
knowledgeable lure collector, he
could tell that it was a very early
underwater minnow that had been
repainted many years ago with a
greenish-blue paint. It also showed
quite a bit of wear from catching
fish! Regardless of it being repainted
and chewed on, he liked the wood
lure and ended up buying it for $10.
Jim took the lure home and start-
ed researching it to find out how old
it was, who made it, and where. It
turned out that he had found the lure
only about ten miles from where
it was made. It was a rare Rhodes
three-hook Perfect Casting Minnow
that was made in Kalamazoo most
likely in 1904, a historically
important lure and one of the
first underwater minnows ever
manufactured.
The thin-bodied 2 inch wood
lure was made by Fred Rhodes, a
young Kalamazoo machinist and
bicycle repairman who also was an
avid bass fisherman. He developed
his lure during 1902 and production
of his The Perfect Casting Min-
now began in December of that
year in time for the 1903 fishing sea-
son. He applied for a patent on No-
vember 2, 1903, and patent #777488
was granted on December 13, 1904.
The patent featured his method of
hanging the treble hooks from split
rings through which a steel rod ran
down the lures center.
Jims three-hook model had a
large see-through opening for the
two treble hooks and was weighted
with two small internal belly
weights instead of a hanging exter-
attached to the bottom of the lure.
Jims lure also featured unmarked
A 1903 ad for the Perfect Casting
Minnow featuring a letter written by
a local Kalamazoo sporting goods
dealer is classic: Your bait is O.K.
for bass. It gets them. That is all I
can say. Locher and Robb.
Freds uncle, Jay Rhodes, also
designed his own underwater min-
now during 1904 and manufactured
it under the name, The Kalamazoo
Fishing Tackle Manufacturers. It
was round-bodied and designed
so that the anglers fishing line
passed through the length of the
lure through the eyes of the treble
hooks that were inserted into the
see-through holes in the side of the
minnow, a very complicated system.
Jay recognized that his nephews
Perfect Casting Minnow was the
better design, so he purchased the
rights from Fred in 1904. Their
contract called for Fred to continue
manufacturing the lures while his
uncle sold them.
Jay soon developed a better
hook hanging system and started
producing his improved under-
water minnows during 1905, with
what would later be called Gem
Clip Hardware. In October, 1905
Jay sold his company to William
Shakespeare Jr., including the lure
designs, patents, the Rhodes name,
and The Kalamazoo Fishing Tackle
Manufacturers name.
Thanks to Robbie Pavey for his
help with the article and his great
photographs of the Boulton Bass
Hog and to Bill Wazelle, Maynard
Dyer and Tony Przybylo for allow-
ing me to photograph their Bass
Hog baits. Thanks also to Troy
Farley for bringing in his Heddon
Wiggle-King box and Jim Wagner
for allowing me to photograph his
Rhodes three-hook Perfect Casting
Minnow.
Feel free to contact the author
at antiquefishing@comcast.net with
your questions. Photographs are im-
portant, so please send them. They
help me with identification and give
me an idea of the condition of the
item.n
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 71
 TRAIL CAM PAGE
Join us in sharing interesting and sometimes rare trail cam photos with our readers.
Send your photos to: wnw@pageone-inc.com (please submit in jpeg format)
VOTE NOW FOR YOUR FAVORITE TRAIL CAM PHOTO go to www.woods-n-waternews.com

Scott Mann sends us this group of trail cam

photos of a rather curious elk taken near Kraig Staples sent in this trail cam shot of a pair of determined and crafty coyotes on the
Gaylord. prowl near Millersburg.

Ken and Dawn Ball of Newaygo County sent Larry Piotrowski sent in this up close and per-
us this nice mature tom caught on trail cam. sonal trail cam of a Oscoda County black bear.

Russ Videan was

able to capture Sandy Videan sent us this trail cam
this trail cam photo of a Osceola County black bear...
photo of a doe just passing by the feeder.
who is just loving
the camera. The
photo was taken
in Osceola County.

Dustin Smith captured one of two big

bobcats patrolling their hunting camp
near Hersey. A picture he thought our
readers would find interesting.
72 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
Woods-N-Water News Presents...
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Outdoor Exhibits!
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O u r O u t d o o r He r i ta ge !
Celebrat i n g
September 8 - 9 - 10 th th th
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www.OutdoorWeekend.net
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 73
 WALLEYES
Advance spinner/crawler tactics
When spinners are
deployed into the
walleye strike zone, in
most cases, the odds for
success are maximized.
F
or years spinner/crawler
rigs, otherwise known as
crawler harnesses, have
been my go-to walleye
trolling presen-
tation. Reason
being; they produce more
consistently in wide variety
of conditions than any other
trolling tactic out there,
bar none. When spinners
are deployed into the strike
zone of walleyes, in most
cases, the odds for success
By Michael Veine
are maximized.
The main reason
why the vast
majority of my clients enjoyed limit
catches of fine walleyes last year
was due the use of spinner/crawler
rigs. Harnesses can be fished either
on the bottom or for suspended fish
with equally good results. With
spinner/crawler rigs, all you really
need to know is what depth most of
the walleyes are active at and after
that its just a simple mater of put-
ting the meat right in their faces for
limits of prime eating filets.
Some years ago, while on a Sagi-
naw Bay walleye charter with some
long time, repeat clients, we started
off the morning in somewhat typical
style for June out of Au Gres with
some world class fishing action. We
74 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
were catching big walleyes, small
ones and every size in between for
a perfect mix of walleye nirvana. I
was trolling eight spinner/crawler
rigs behind bottom bouncers using
Church Tackle Walleye Boards to
spread out the lures. Some of the
rigs were ticking the bottom, but
some were suspended in the water
column and everything was getting
hammered. After just an hour of
non-stop action my four clients were
approaching their limits, so
just for something differ-
ent, with their approval, I
decided to do some ex-
perimenting in catch and
release mode. The fishing
conditions were perfect
with all day sunshine and
light winds predicted. With
the stable weather, those
fish were going
to bite well all
day, so that is the
perfect time to experiment with dif-
ferent techniques and tackle.
I pulled up all the lines and
changed over to a 100 percent
crankbait spread putting out a bunch
of old favorites that produce well in
those conditions. We were fishing
in about 25 feet of water, so I had
to use some weight to take some of
cranks down near the bottom, and
I tailored my speed to those crank-
baits, which optimized the presen-
tations. We caught and released
some fish for sure, and some nice
ones too, but the action was still
not nearly as good as the spinner/
crawler bite.
After a couple hours of pulling
plastic I decided to switch over to
spoons, so I pulled everything up
and redeployed a 100 percent spoon
spread. I used Jet divers to take the
spoons down to the strike zone and
mixed up the depths by adjusting the
setbacks so we were pulling them
at about the same depths where the
spinner/crawler rigs did the damage.
The spoons certainly also produced
some walleyes too, even more than
the crankbaits, but they still only
produced a small fraction of the fish
that the spinners had done.
After a while of pulling metal, I
changed back to the original spin-
ner/crawler rigs and as soon as those
rigs hit the water they were getting
pounded non-stop. That experiment
taught me an important lesson: Even
when the walleye bite is on fire, a
fine tuned spinner/crawler presenta-
tion will out produce the competi-
tion big time.
One of the advantages of using spinner/crawler rigs for walleyes are
bonus, jumbo perch, which also like these lures too. Author photos
When Crawlers
are a Disadvantage
There are going to be some
instances when using meat will not
be the smartest choice. During the
very early spring, or during the cold
periods of fall and winter months
when the water is very frigid, slow
trolled crankbaits will rule. I typi-
cally wont start pulling meat until
the crankbait bite dies during mid
to late April on either Saginaw Bay
or Lake Erie. Another big draw-
back to fishing with meat is dealing
with bait steeling, junk fish. If
white bass, white perch, sheephead
or other non-target species are too
abundant, then thats when spoons
or crankbaits trolled at faster speeds
are ideal.
The Mess Factor
When compared to fishing with
spoons or crankbaits, crawlers are
much more of a pain in the butt to
deal with. First, they can be expen-
sive when you use them a lot. You
can save a lot of money though by
buying in bulk, or you can even pick
them yourself on rainy nights during
the spring for free.
Crawlers can also be very messy
to deal with and they also make
setting lines a lot slower. I minimize
this by keeping a small cooler on
the boat for crawlers. If the water
is not too warm, I simply dip some
lake water into the cooler and toss a
dozen crawlers at a time into the wa-
ter, which cleans them up nicely and
also gives me a convenient place to
rinse the dirt and crawler crap off
my fingers. If the water is hot, I add
ice to the crawler cocktail. When
done fishing for the day, any unused
crawlers swimming in the water are
then put back into their dirt filled
container until the next outing.
The Rigs
There are certainly a lot of color
and size choices for spinner rigs that
will catch a lot of walleyes. Howev-
er, after trolling meat over thousands
of miles of Lake Erie and Saginaw
Bay, I have come to the conclusion
that specific colors are not really a
very important ingredient to suc-
cess on most days. Sure there will
be a few instances during the season
when color is somewhat important,
but most days one can run just about
any color in the rainbow and catch
equal numbers of fish on Erie or
Saginaw Bay. What is certainly very
important though are the compo-
nents of the spinner/crawler rigs.
First lets address taking the lure
to the desired depth. 90 percent of
the time I use heavy bottom bounc-
ers for that task. By heavy I mean
mostly three and four ouncers.
About the only time I use lighter
bottom bouncers or other types of
weights is when Im trolling over
weed tops in shallow water or when
Im fishing suspended fish up high,
near the surface. In those cases,
I either use rubber core sinkers
about five feet from the spinner or a
lightweight bottom bouncer. Really,
the only reason I dont use a heavy
bottom bouncer then is because my
setback is too short to allow me to
unhook the planer board safely or
without loosing fish due to their
close proximity to the fish. An 18
foot setback is the minimum I want
to use.
Im convinced that heavy bottom
bouncers somehow attract walleyes,
so if at all possible, thats what I
prefer to use. The only problem with
big bottom bouncers though is that
they can be very dangerous if the
angler is careless. If a fish pops off
and the rod is not in a safe position
out to the side of the boat, those
This nice Saginaw Bay walleye was caught on a spinner/crawler rig.
big lead weights, with a sharp wire
protruding, become very hazard-
ous projectiles that can easily put
out an eye or worse. Therefore all
fish brought in using them must be
fought with a 90 degree bend in the
rod out to the side of the boat so
that a flying lure cant possibly hit a
person on board.
After trolling for walleyes with
spinner/crawler rigs for over four
decades, I have determined that
walleyes just are not line shy at all.
Therefore, there is no reason to use
a light weight main line and espe-
cially the harness leader need not
be anything but heavy duty. I use
25 pound test, Viscous, fluorocar-
bon line for all my spinner/crawler
rigs these days. I would use 30, but
I have found that 25 is the heavi-
est line that still allows the plastic
clevises that I use to spin freely. The
heavy leader is advantageous in that
it is very abrasion resistant when
trolled over rocks, zebra muscles,
and other rough bottom materials
that frequent the Great Lakes. It also
holds up well on toothy fish too,
like walleye and even pike that will
shred lesser leader materials.
Hooks are critically important
in any spinner/crawler rig. Most of
the time I use single hooks unless
Im trolling for suspended walleyes
in very deep water, which is when
treble hooks get the nod. Treble
hooks though are terrible when
fished on or near the bottom where
they tend to snag up on debris more.
They also tangle in the net a lot
worse than single hooks.
I prefer a pair of Eagle Claw,
#4, bait holder hooks tied just two
to three inches apart. I mostly use a
half crawler threaded onto those bait
holders so the barbs on the back of
the hooks hold the crawler straight.
Ive done side by side testing a lot
with whole or half crawlers and the
halfs will out produce the whole
crawlers nine times out of 10. The
only time I use whole crawlers is in
deep water on suspended walleyes
with my treble hook rigs. Those rigs
have a hook spacing of about four
inches.
All of my spinners are Colorado
blades with #3 size (nickel sized)
being used the vast majority of the
time. The only time I use larger
blades is when Im trolling for
suspended walleyes over very deep
water using my treble hook harness-
es. On those rigs I like maximum
visibility for the fish, so I go with
#7 or #8 (silver dollar sized) blades
then. Whole crawlers with heavier
hooks are necessary to stabilize
those big blades.
I can troll the smaller blades at
speeds from .75 to 2.2 mph and I
pull them at the fastest speed the
fish will allow so I can cover more
water and increase the hook to catch
ratio. Bigger blades need to be
trolled slower though, or they will
tangle with speeds of 1 to 1.4 mph
being most popular.
I use two main styles of beads
on my rigs: One is just five beads
strung between the hook and the
clevis. This rig is what I call my
more natural harness as it features
beads and a blade that imitates the
colors of baitfish. I also use a bright
colored rig that features florescent
colors for maximum attraction.
Those rigs consist of a bead, then a
foam rig float, then another bead all
between the hook and the clevis. My
favorite colors are chartreuse and
florescent orange for these rigs with
the blade color matching the beads/
float. The rig float is much brighter
than any beads and they increase the
bulk and visibility of the lure.
I use a loop knot to attach the
harness to a bottom bouncer or snap
swivel. Hooks need to be kept super
sharp. If Im trolling them on the
bottom I sharpen them every day
and with the heavy leader material
I use, I often wear out the hooks
from constant sharpening before
the line gives out. Still I can usually
catch 100 walleyes with a rig before
its toast and needs to be scrapped.
When I scrap them, I keep the still
usable components and recycle
them.n
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 75
 Dog training questions and answers
A
llow me to rehash
some of my points on
using the e-collar. You
warn him and then nip him if he
didnt stop. Some people use a can
with rocks in it that they shake at
Q My English Pointer runs too
wide for me. There are times
he ranges out two to three hundred
do not need to use a the dog to try and startle them. That yards and Im not comfortable with
harsh command voice. might work on some dogs but I have it. How can I tighten him up in the
Try to sound happy worked with some blockheads that field?
and friendly when administering you could throw the can at and it Don W. Brighton
I would first start on leash with
the stimulation. Do not stimulate
when the dog is looking at you, only
when he looks away. If the dogs sits
wouldnt bother them.

Q Why wont you sell me birds

so I can train my dog on your
A him and teach him a command
of Close. When he pulls on the
and wont come, go to the dog and grounds? And why do I need a leash pull back and say Close.
move them off the spot. Do not use guide at your place? Ive never Allow him four to five foot of leash
momentary stimulation, a warning been there but I can find my way then shorten it to two to three foot.
tone or vibration. Your voice is the around without your help. Varying the length will help him to
warning. Do not use the e-collar Name withheld understand. When he stays within
to punish the dog or when you are
angry. Remember a sense of humor
and patience are a valuable tool in
A Have any of you ever called
up a restaurant and told them
that you loved to cook and wanted
the length of the lead without pull-
ing tell him Good dog. If he pulls,
pull back. After several days of this
training with an e-collar. to come and cook your own meal in put the e-collar on him and take him
to the field. When he starts to range
Q My Brit pup constantly bites us.
I dont think he is mean but it
does hurt. What should we do?
their restaurant?
Oh yeah, and you will wait on
your table and also wash your own
out too far give him the Close
command. Dont wait until he is
Anne M. Bay City dishes. So you wont be needing two hundred yards away to start giv-

A First let him know it hurts by

reacting in that manner. Then
let him know you dont like it and
wont put up with it. I would tell
him to Stop it and if he doesnt I
would spank him across the face.
Young dogs need a reason to change
their actions and getting spanked
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them that you love working on your
own car and would like to use their
is one way of doing it. If he was garage and hoist to work on your
doing that to his mother she would car. You may need some advice so
maybe one of their staff can help
answer a few questions too. And of
course you will buy the parts from
them.
I have friends who own restau-
rants and friends who own repair
shops and they are never asked these
questions. I bet youve never called
a restaurant and asked the price of a
ing the command. I would say once
he is sixty to seventy yards out you
should start. Then when he doesnt
come in you will need to give him
the e-collar stimulation. Not so
intense that he screams in pain but
enough that it is unpleasant for him
to continue. And again, do not use
the momentary setting. Use the
continuous setting. He will prob-
ably need two or three seconds of
stimulation to get the point across.
Remember to praise him and tell
him good dog when he shortens up
his range. This may take several
weeks to accomplish if he has been
getting away with it for very long.

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steak dinner then tried to talk them
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Q I heard in one of your talks that
you said not to bring the wife
and kids when picking out a pup.
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teen to sixteen years I have watched
as Michigans shooting preserves
have degenerated into open free for
A What I also said was that
whatever pup you bring home
they will like. The family will pick
Name
all type operations as their numbers out the pretty one or the shy one
Address
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have tripled. And many of you or the one who sat on their lap the
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ing a bird that was released shortly
before your arrival. Sorry but this is
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Q Do you notice any difference
in training Labs depending on
their color?
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Michigan Brassica Blend
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preserves, Ive been in the chocolate dogs are a little softer
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not come at bargain basement
Name Name
prices. Why dont you just go buy super calm black ones. Usually the
Address Address
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a box of birds and release them in parents are a good indicator of what
Phone # Phone # somebodys field? you can expect the pups to be.n
76 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
From cosmetics
to camouflage
By Sharon Kennedy
S
ometimes it takes a
woman to finish a mans
job. Just ask Laurie Pat-
terson of Brimley. When
she isnt busy selling and
delivering Avon products,
shes bringing down a five point buck.
Never underestimate the aim of a
woman with a 308 Remington in one
hand and a cup of hot coffee in the
other. Take heed, fellows. If you wing
it, Laurie will share bragging rights
with you as she takes the final shot.
This is how I heard the story.
Mind you, theres a lot of Irish in me
and a touch in Laurie so have the salt
shaker handy in case things get a bit
exaggerated. You know how women
tend to embellish a good story. Its
kind of like a gent talking about the
one that got away. Anyway, heres the
story in Lauries own words.
The morning I brought down
the wounded deer began much like
all other opening days. When I got to
my blind, I unloaded my backpack.
The fellows always kid me about all
the stuff I bring, but they appreci-
ate the snacks and thermoses of hot
coffee. Its only when I unpack the
Avon catalogues, newspapers, boxes
of Kleenex, matches, and toilet paper
they ask if I plan on moving in and
sharing the blind with red squirrels,
white weasels, and mice.
I was at my blind on Riley Lake
just east of Hulbert when I heard
a shot. A good five minutes later,
I heard a click, clack, click, clack
sound. I put down my cup of cof-
fee and the book I was reading and
reached for my rifle. It was opening
morning and I had forgotten to clean
off the scope, but no matter. I looked
out the side window and saw a nice
five point go by. One of its front legs
had been shot so it was managing on
three. My only choice was a Texas
Heart Shot or the back of the head.
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I took the back head shot and
down he went. When he hit the
ground, I got out my radio and told
the guys I had finished off the wound-
ed deer. The response over the radio
was thank you and I knew it was
from my cousin Kevin Harrison from
Flint. It was Kevin who had taken
the knee shot. My husband, Bob,
was next to arrive just as Kevin was
about to tag the deer. Bob praised me
for downing the buck with one shell
which meant I had two left for the
rest of the season. Its been a long-
standing joke that my limit is three
bullets. Being the only gal in camp, if
I had any more Id most likely put the
fellows to shame.
I laugh right along with them,
especially when Im the one who
shoots their deer. I told the guys if
Kevin had got his on the first shot,
I would have continued reading my
book and enjoying my coffee in-
stead of investigating the noise. The
morning was clear and cold and I had
just got a fire going in the stove and
taken the chill off the place. I opened
a window when I heard the shot ring
out. I saw the wounded deer, took
aim, and that was that. Our hunting is
usually better in black powder season
when theres lots of snow and the deer
have moved to the yarding areas. But
we take what we get when we can
get it. The rest of the season yielded
only one more buck for the other three
hunters.
Laurie paused in her story as we
enjoyed morning coffee and looked
through Avon brochures. Shes been
selling Avon products since her
mother, Betty Harrison, retired after
being a sales representative for 55
years. Ive known Laurie for years,
but it never occurred to me she was
an outdoors woman. One isnt used to
seeing a dolled-up Avon lady toting
cosmetics and cologne in one hand
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5-point buck with a killing shot.
and a rifle in the other. It just goes to ing venison for burgers, Laurie and
show that you cant judge a gal by her Bob head for Nevilles in Sault Ste.
make-up. Marie.
As a teenager, Laurie hunted and Over the years, Laurie has downed
fished alongside her father. She still at least eight bucks, caught hundreds
uses his 65 year-old 308 Remington of fish and has one black bear to her
Woodsman. Her husband uses his credit. Since retiring, she spends a lot
30-06 Remington that belonged to of time gardening in summer, can-
his dad. The rifles are a pleasant ning fruits and vegetables in the fall,
reminder of days gone by when they and restoring antiques year round.
hunted with her fathers. As in the But when the snow falls and the early
past, Laurie is usually the only female morning of November 15 is upon us,
hunter, and when she shoots a deer theres only one place youll find her
the guys tease her by claiming it was and thats heading for Hulbert and her
an easy shot. She helps her husband Uncle Leroys blind.
field dress, skin, and butcher the meat Hes hunting in heaven now, but
unless its early in the season. Then on opening morning theres no doubt
its Lance Horde of Sault Ste. Marie his spirit is cheering the hunters
who does the butchering. When it on as his kinfolk continue a family
comes to making sausage and grind- tradition.n
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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 77
Boat Smartreview of ramp safety
I
m sure most of you know
how to ramp your boat but
its always a good idea to
review. The check list later
should be required reading
to those new to boating.
Read and reflect about some of my
experiences at the ramps, and you
may want to cut out the list to stick
on your visor for when its needed.
One evening I received a call
requesting I hurry down to
a local launch site; Bring
dive gear, the caller said.
When I arrived, the caller
rushed up and pointed to
the launch base. He said
his trailer and pick-up had
slipped beneath the water
and sank. A young diver
who worked for me hap-
By Capt. Fred Davis
pened along
and suggested
he suit up and
go in to hook a chain on the truck so
the wrecker could pull it out. When
he took a light down to locate the
vehicle he discovered it had not just
slid down the ramp. Trapped air
in the cab had allowed the truck to
drift as it sank, leaving it crossways
to the ramp and downstream 20 or
30 feet.
The trailer had to be disconnect-
ed under water and hauled in first.
The wrecker relocated on a steep
bank across from the ramp to pull
the vehicle out. It took two divers
attaching chains and blocks to even-
tually remove the truck in an upright
position without extensive body
damage. The interior was soaked
and the engine and transmission
were full of water. A simple wedge
behind a rear tire as the trailer was
positioned would have prevented the
very expensive repair this fella had.
A few weeks later I witnessed
another problem at the four-bay,
DNR ramp. An owner left his
vehicle in gear to hold it on the
ramp as he launched his boat. As
the vehicle began to slip back, the
owner jumped into it and hit the
When you have completed a successful launch, there will be no applause.
78 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
brakes. The action saved the vehicle
from slipping into the water but the
sudden stop caused the boat to roll
off the trailer and it floated away. By
the time the man secured his vehicle
and trailer and returned to the ramp,
his boat had drifted out into the har-
bor. He had to get another boater to
take him out to retrieve it. A wedge
behind a tire sure could have saved
that captain a lot of embarrassment.
At the same ramp, I
witnessed a near disaster as
a boat operator approached
the ramp. He had his wife
on the bow with a line
ready to tie on the ramps
dock. Just as she reached
out with the line, the driver
of the boat put it in reverse,
throwing his wife forward
into the water
over the ce-
ment ramp. She
received severe cuts to her legs and
knees from her fall. The cause of this
accident was the vessel approached
the dock too fast and the captain had
put his wife in an unsafe position.
I witnessed these events be-
cause my charter boat was located
adjacent to the launch ramps and I
would sit and watch while waiting
for customers to arrive. One day I
watched a gentleman launch a beau-
tiful wooden vessel, about 20 feet
in length. It obviously had just been
restored, had a new paint job and all
new interior. Gleaming, new elec-
tronics were mounted on the dash.
She was truly beautiful.
The captain carefully launched
her and tied her up to the dock.
When he returned after parking his
rig, he watched as all his hard work
slipped under the water. He had for-
gotten to install the drain plug. He
quickly ran to get his trailer but as
he winched it back on, the back of
the trailer buckled and bent from all
the weight of water in the boat and
it could not travel over the road. A
tough lesson, which could have been
prevent by just checking this list...
Review the following in the
pre-launch area as you head for a ramp:
Check all drain plugs to be sure they are properly installed.
Remove lines or straps holding the boat on the trailer.
Unplug light wiring to avoid blowing out bulbs.
Load gear; tackle and life jackets at this time to avoid delay at the
ramp.
Prepare motor to start; open fuel lines, turn on battery switch,
squeeze bulb on outboard fuel lines, tilt engine or outdrive as necessary
to back safely into ramp.
Check fuel and oil levels plus battery charge.
Attach a line to the bow to remove the boat from the trailer.
Before you pull to the ramp, remove
all occupants and advise them to
stay clear then proceed as follows:
If you do not have a driver at the wheel when launching, place a
wedge at a rear tire. Its a good idea to carry one, you may not find one
lying around.
If launching single-handed, fasten your bow line to the dock toward
your boats stern to guard against its getting away if an unexpected roll-
off occurs.
When backing down the ramp, go slow and cautious, many ramps
are very slippery.
If you must enter the water to remove your boat from the trailer,
you should be wearing boots or rubber-soled shoes. Small metal pieces
broken off trailers can cause nasty cuts on bare feet.
Once you are launched, tie your vessel securely to the launch dock
and do the following:
If you have a blower, let it run as you retrieve your wedge and park
your rig.
Start and warm your boats engine before untying.
Double check the drain plugs to be sure they are tight.
Load your passengers, with their PFDs and leave launch area in a
slow safe manner being watchful for other vessels.
When you have completed a successful launch, there will be no ap-
plause. If you forgot to put the drain plug in, remove the tie downs, or
worse, backed beyond the ramps end, you may hear laughter and abusive
comments.
Returning to the ramp:
After your day on the water, return to the ramp area SLOWLY. A
wake from your boat could damage or delay other vessels.
Tie your vessel securely to the dock.
Remove passengers from the boat and have them stand clear of the
ramp area. Tilt your engine if necessary.
Back trailer into ramp and place wedge behind tire.
Untie from dock and line up with the trailer.
Winch your boat onto the trailer - note: driving boats on and off of
trailers is dangerous and should be left to the professionals.
When the boat is properly set on the trailer, fasten safety chain to
bow and slowly pull out of the ramp and proceed to an out of the way
area to secure equipment and tie down.
Be sure to drain any water in the boat, reconnect trailer lights and
check their operation. Adjust engine position for trailering.
Many trailer boaters travel without the security of hold downs
properly fastening the boat firm to the trailer. Boats of various size and
weight have been known to become airborne on the highway causing a
total loss of boat, trailer and even tow vehicle. Hold downs are required
in most states.
With a new rig, its a very good idea to practice loading and un-
loading your boat from the trailer, until you are comfortable and capable
of doing so without holding up others waiting to use the ramp.
A boater proficient at ramping a vessel is admired. Those who tie up
the ramp with foolish mistakes are usually embarrassed by comments
from onlookers.
 By Len Jenkins

Puppy Head Start

Dont sentence
your pup to soli-
tary confinement
if you want him
to become your
hard-working
eager compan-
Your dogs experience early youre conscious of all your interac- ion in the field
tions with your dog, hell probably or in the house.
in his life will have a profound mature into a happy and secure adult

I
impact in his adult life... that will be highly devoted to you.
Dont yell at him and dont strike or
f your dog is merely con- kick him. An abused dog will cower retrieve and youll be able to play new whelps, but the ones who are
fined to a kennel with no and that will be a pure sign that he retrieve (fetch) well into his ad- well socialized and trained as pups
interaction with his owner was mistreated or neglected in his vanced years. by a caring owner will be spectacu-
and nothing to do but to eat formative years. If your dog is one of the point- lar in the field.n
and brood about his lonely When you get your pup, teach ing breeds, attach a wing to a fishing
station in life, hell probably him his name. Reward him enthu- rod. Dont let the dog catch the wing
grow up to be fearful or insecure. siastically when he comes to you. as you make him chase it. Before
If, on the other hand, you visit with If you call him, be sure to acknowl- long hell point it as you talk sooth-
him and talk to him frequently he edge his obedience by making all ingly to him and teach whoa. By
will grow to love you and look interaction with you fun. Begin your this point in your dogs training, he
forward to all interaction with you. early training by putting a nylon or learned to walk on the lead (heel),
Hell also be much easier to train. rubber collar on your pup. Attach point, and retrieve. The rest of your 3415 South Portage
Hell probably be a bold performer a short lead and just let him drag it training will be very easily accom- Jackson, MI 49201
in the field and well-mannered in around. Your pup will leash break plished. The English setter pups in (517) 740-6833
the home. Dont sentence your pup himself. Theres no need to treat him the photo are equal. Theyre well- WWW.JACKSONGAMEBIRDS.COM
to solitary confinement if you want roughly. Call him to you and gener- bred from hunting stock and should
him to become your hard-working ally play. Before long youll be able mature into great hunters as you
eager companion in the field, in the to guide him with the lead to teach begin handling them and training as
house, or on a lead as you take him him to heel properly or come when soon as you acquire one. Theyll re-
for walks or begin early training. called. spond favorably to your interaction
Talk to your dog frequently and han- All dogs enjoy retrieving and with them and youll have a canine
dle him with the purpose of making theyll gladly bring the object to friend and hunting companion for
him want to please you. Be aware of you. Use a bird wing or a corn many years because of your early
the inflection in your voice and gen- cob for this early retrieve training. handling and training. The setter
eral tone while working with him. If Youll find that your dog will live to pups in the photo might be equal as

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WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 79
 Questions every potential
kayaking angler should ask
(plus some answers...)
C
onsidering taking up
fishing from a kayak,
but youve got tons of
questions? Why not do
what I did?
Everything I have
ever seen written about the sport has
come from Dave Mull. So, I took
my questions to him.
If youve paid any atten-
tion to Michigan-based fish-
ing writers the last couple
of decades, you should be
familiar with Mull. You
might remember him as
the editor of Great Lakes
Angler magazine (GLA),
By Tom Carney
where he worked
for 17 years. He has
shared his angling
knowledge and experiences in loads
of other publications, Woods-N-
Water News included.
He came to kayak fishing easily
enough, in 2011. For a photo shoot
for GLA, Hobie sent a Pro Angler
14 kayak to pose for him. He had
long thought about kayaking, but
hadnt taken the plunge. After the
photo shoot, he says, I could have
shipped it back, but that seemed like
too much of a hassle.
So he bought the Hobie, and it
just sat there a couple years until I
needed to do another photo shoot
of some gear at a local lake. When
he finished with the camera, just for
fun he cast a Texas-rigged worm
around the lily pads. Something
bit. I set the hook, and the fish
towed me right into the pads. The
three-pound bass was not the only
one hooked that day.
Mull has been sharing his enthu-
siasm for kayaks since then, starting
with what attracts him to fishing
while sitting atop a sliver of fiber-
glass in large bodies of water.
I having to figure out how to
work with Mother Nature. Unlike a
boat with powerful trolling motor,
youre pretty much at the mercy of
wind and waves and have to figure
out a strategy that lets those things
work with you as far as covering a
lake. Im also enjoying the friendly
competition of the kayak bass
tournaments that have popped up
all over Michigan you can pretty
much fish one every weekend from
April until October somewhere in
the state.
To make a long story short, be-
cause Ive anointed Mull Father of
Kayak Fishing in Michigan, its his
job to answer our questions.
80 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
Do different kayaks handle
differently?
Yes, they do handle differently,
and you should demo to find one
that you can maneuver comfortably.
The demos, however, are more to
find the one you can comfortably sit
in and fish out of for a full day.
Demo a bunch of
models until you find the
size and features that best fit
you. Then buy the best one
you can afford. Lots of guys
get an el-cheapo model and
end up deciding to upgrade
within a month or two.
Why would a person
consider a kayak
with a propulsion
system over a sim-
ply paddle-only version?
Because he or she can fish
while moving around the lake or
river. Paddlers have to get to where
theyre going, lay their paddle down
and then fish while a person with a
yak such as a Hobie and its Mirage
Drive or a Old Town Predator PDL
with its pedal/propeller system can
cast and reel while propelling their
kayak.
If your kayak has a propulsion
system is there any reason to add
to the clutter by taking along a
paddle?
Yes. Pedal drives arent in-
vulnerable and can break or at least
bend when you run into an under-
water obstruction. I just break the
paddle down into two pieces and
slide it out of the way next to my
tackle crate behind me.
As with any increasingly popular
outdoors pastime, kayak angling has
spawned an equally growing indus-
try for accessories.
What are the must have
add-ons to help a newbie trans-
form his kayak into a more versa-
tile fishing craft?
All you really need is a paddle
and a fishing pole.
If someone wanted to add
some options, what would you
suggest?
Number one is an anchor and
some sort of system to keep your
anchor line out of the way. I dont
know how people do without that.
One brand, the Anchor Wizard, is
basically a crank with a clutch that
makes it easy to deploy and then
crank up an anchor without getting
your hands wet. Anchors help im-
mensely when wind would other-
wise blow you around.
Generous with his knowledge and wisdom gained through experi-
ence, Dave Mull is a fountain of information for the kayaking angler.
Tailfeather Communications, LLC. photo
Second, is an electronics unit
with sonar although GPS is really
nice to have too. Entry-level sonar
units cost less than 100 dollars these
days but you can spend a lot more
on one if you want to. They are
handy to just to show you depth and
water temperature.
Third, a front rod holder to
place your rod in when changing
lures or taking off a fish thats
when most rods get accidentally
booted into the water.
Fourth, consider a stakeout pole
for quick anchoring in shallow water
and to use with your anchor to keep
the wind from spinning you around.
They are also handy (used as a push
pole) for quietly moving through
shallow water and just boosting
yourself away from shore.
Fifth, a hand paddle thats easy
to grab and make small adjustments
in boat angle. As their name im-
plies, these paddles have very short
shafts, meant to fit in and be oper-
ated by one hand.
Sixth, a good crate to put be-
hind you to take along some tackle.
Hes talking about a milk crate-sized
plastic box. Some are commercially
made specifically for kayakers and
come with built-in rod holders and
tie-down cords.
Finally, Mull mentioned the
most recent additional piece of gear
he purchased especially for his
Hobie Pro Angler 14, which, fully
rigged weighs around 145 pounds.
Thats not including fishing gear.
I just installed Landing Gear
from Boonedox. These are wheels
on steel bars that are mounted semi-
permanently, and you drop them
down when youre getting close to
shore. Then you just get out of the
yak and pull it up onto land and
over to your vehicle. This is way
easier to do than to put the regular
wheels under that big kayak. That
was money really well spent.
As far as customizing ones
kayak goes, Mull gives a simple
piece of advice: If youre interested
in fishing, go to a tournament in
your area and see how the different
yaks are set up. Different kayakers
will have figured out different ways
to address their individual likes,
wants, and needs.
One such guy is Andy Roberts
of Kalamazoo, who recently spoke
to me while getting ready for a
tournament on Gun Lake. A skilled
tradesman with an inventive mind,
Roberts has fitted his Jackson Big
Rig so expertly the additions look
like factory-installed features.
Rather than use an Anchor
Wizard, he simply added a pulley to
the rear wall of the forward hatch;
this allows him to pull in line while
facing forward instead of having to
twist around in the seat to haul the
line in the traditional way. He also
removed a side carrying handle,
replacing it with a wide, plastic clip
that will hold his paddle out of the
way while he is fishing. Hes got
other goodies hes devised and at-
tached here and there. He even fash-
ioned his own anchor that doesnt
bring gobs of weed to the surface
with it when he hauls it up.
If were discussing gear, a
couple of safety devices must not go
unmentioned. Not only is it wise to
carry one, but a personal flotation
device (PFD) is also required by
Michigan law. And a smart addition
to the boat is a kayak safety flag. Its
basically a fluorescent orange pen-
nant atop a fiberglass pole of about
four feet or so; it kind of resembles
the flags people sometimes put on
their bicycles in order to be seen in
traffic. It serves the same purpose
for a person in a low-sitting flat
boat when the water gets choppy
and the power boat traffic picks
up.
Another thing to consider is that,
unlike regular kayaks, fishing
kayaks are generally heavier. In
many cases they are too heavy to go
atop vehicles. While some people
custom-build their own transport
systems, others must consider a
trailer as part of the setup.
The cost of all those options
mentioned above plus a decent
trailer, should add another $1,500 to
$2,000 to your purchase price.
Now, for the final question we
all find ourselves asking:
Which kayak should I pur-
chase?
Demo demo demo.n
 Small forWaters
BIG BASS
A
nglers this time of
year are itching to
get on the water after
a prolonged winter.
You cant blame them.
In many parts of the
country though, winter has not
quite decided to relinquish its icy,
cold grip yet. Unexpected spring
snowstorms and cold spring rains
definitely have a way of
dampening our spirits and
expectations. But true to
Mother Natures modus
operandi, these unexpected
events are typically fol-
lowed by several days of
delightful weather that
gives diehard anglers hope.
Large bodies of water
By Mike Gnatkowski
that were
accustomed
to fish-
ing throughout the year take time
to warm up, especially when the
weather and temperature are incon-
sistent. But small lakes, gravel pits
and farm ponds quickly absorb the
spring sunshine that jump starts the
food chain on these smaller bod-
ies of water. A few days of t-shirt
weather will have small-water bass
on the feed while fish in larger
lakes are still feeling the lethargy of
winter.
Because of their size, small
lakes and shallow ponds warm up
quicker in the spring and their resi-
dents take note by moving shallow
and bellying up to the dinner table.
A few days of consistent weather
and sunshine will have largemouths
migrating into shallow bays and
coves and sidling up to stumps,
docks, rocks, laydowns, and grass
that soak up the spring sunshine.
South-facing shorelines that absorb
the suns rays may see water tem-
peratures rise several degrees in a
single day. As water temperatures
rise, so does bass metabolism.
After a winter fast, bass are not
real picky about what they want to
eat. They just want to eat, whether
its crawfish, frogs, baitfish, panfish
or insects. Thats good for anglers.
As long as it looks like something
thats edible, a hungry bass is likely
to eat it. Because of this, there are a
plethora of lures that will produce
in small-water situations. Plastics
like flukes, Senkos and Crawbugs
will all catch their fair share of bass.
Add a few small crankbaits to your
arsenal to cover a little bit deeper
water and youre set.
Two food sources that are com-
mon on small lakes and ponds are
crayfish and bluegills or sunfish.
Both gravitate to the shallows in
early spring and the bass are right on
their heels. Because of this bounty
of forage, plastics in crawdad colors
are hard to beat. Crankbaits
that feature an orange belly
and a bluegill pattern excel,
too. A contradiction to this
is flukes and Senkos in
pearl or even pink. Theres
nothing in these bodies of
waters that even closely
resemble these lures, but
bass thrash them.
Frogs
are common
around ponds,
and as they stir from their winter
doldrums they become available to
small-water bass. Pitching topwater
baits that imitate frogs can be great
fun once the water warms into the
60s and above.
Two traits that are necessary for
an angler to be successful on small
bodies of water are patience and
stealth. Most bass anglers fish by
running-and-gunning and cover as
much water as they can in a single
outing. Because theres less water
to fish and opportunities are lim-
ited on ponds and small lakes, you
need to slow down and observe
before launching a headlong attack.
Before you even make a cast, you
need to analyze the body of water.
Look to the shallows for any signs
of feeding activity or cruising bass.
Prime structure may be scarce on
small waters, so identify it and
come up with a plan to fish it most
effectively. If youre on foot, slink
up to the waters edge and observe.
Walk softly, keep low and wear drab
colors. Bass in the skinny water will
be alert and on edge. Come stomp-
ing up to the edge of the water and
youre likely to see a lot of V-shaped
wakes headed for deeper water.
Pay particular attention to the
face of dams and where creeks enter
the lake or pond. Both are prime
locations for bass patrolling the
shoreline.
Although fishing from shore is
always an option on small waters, a
vessel of some sort can aid tremen-
Small lakes, gravel pits and farm ponds quickly absorb the spring sun-
shine that jump star ts the food chain on these smaller bodies of water.
dously in the amount of water you
can cover and fish effectively. Many
times shorelines are overgrown
and impossible to fish from shore.
Or there are clearings or openings
where everyone fishes. But with a
kayak, float tube, pontoon, or bass
tub, you can effectively work the
edges from deep water and avoid
spooking fish in the shallows. Being
in a watercraft of some kind gives
you the option of working the edges
of the lake or pond from shallow to
deep or paralleling the bank or drop
off where the bulk of activity is go-
ing to be found early in the season.
Pay special attention to obvious
structure on small bodies of water
because they will be at premium and
will likely hold several good fish.
With limited weed growth this time
of year, physical structure becomes
even more inviting for bass. Resist
the temptation to make your first
cast to visible structure the ulti-
mate cast. It will be quite obviously
where a big bass is likely to be hold-
ing, but making successive casts to
secondary holding positions will
often allow you to catch several fish
from one piece of structure before
going for the whole enchilada.
One big stump may only hold
one bass, but several smaller stumps
could hold a whole school. Like-
wise, bass may be positioned the
length of a laydown from shallow
to deep, but dont make your first
cast into the shallows and chance
spooking every bass. Work the deep
end first and work your way down
the treetop.
Think about stealth when rigging
and presenting lures. Most times
you want to have the lure enter the
water quietly to avoid spooking
edgy bass in the shallows. Casting
up onto the bank, when snags arent
a problem, and then gently pulling
the lure into the water can result in
explosive strikes. Its not uncommon
to see wakes on a beeline to your
bait after executing a stealthy cast.
Fishing the shallows requires little if
any weight on the lure, particularly
when using plastics.
Clear monofilament or fluo-
rocarbons are good choices when
targeting small ponds and lakes.
Youre not likely to find giant bass
in a small body of water, but more
than one angler has been surprised
and thrilled by a brute of a bass that
most thought werent possible from
such a small body of water. Even
when using 8- or 10-pound test
line, you can easily land big bass
if youre patient. Light lines work
best on spinning tackle. It can pay
to have two spinning rods rigged
with slightly different lures so if a
bass shows interest, but doesnt eat,
you can quickly show them another
option.
Many bass anglers are diehard
catch and release advocates, but
small ponds and lakes can quickly
over-populate and eat themselves
out of house and home. If you dont
see many small bluegills, it may be
a sign that the lake has reached its
carrying capacity. If a lake you fish
regularly produces tons of 12- to 14-
inch bass, dont be afraid to keep a
few. Smaller bass are actually pretty
good eating. Its probably the best
thing you could do for that particu-
lar body of water.
With portable watercraft, its
easy to hit several small ponds
or lakes during a days fishing.
Chances are, if one isnt producing
another will be. That, and the fact
that youre not likely to have much
competition, is the beauty of fishing
small lakes and ponds.n
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 81
 Trout Opener 2017...
Paint Creek: natural beauty,
growing potential and fragility

T
o dedicated trout busy and dont think I can get up for Its right here and very accessible
anglers, the last Satur- the opener, he told me. Go on up and fishable with a beautiful little
day in April is almost and fish. Park at the property if you park.
considered a religious like. He normally can be found fish-
holiday. Similar to the Instead, I stayed home to get ing the South branch of the AuSable
firearms deer opener on caught up on some much neglected River and really likes his time on
November 15 each year, trout camp chores, help my wife and on the that rivers Holy Waters. This cold,
is a must for piscatorial pursuits Saturday of the opener, sat in the rainy, overcast day would find him
with the long rod and enough flies to cold afternoon air to watch Roches- throwing nymphs and streamers
stock a fly shop. ter College Warriors and my upstream. If they made this flies
This was the first year grandson Josh Chekal play only from Lake Orion to the Clinton
our annual trout camp a double header. River it wouldnt bother me a bit,
wasnt held. Over the past Later, I headed for he said.
few years, several of our downtown Rochester and Local area resident Keith Kip
group has passed away. the Paint Creek to check out Lowrie is very knowledgeable
Now the sons and grand- the action. Usually there are about the Paint Creek, its seasons,
sons are finding their place. quite a few worm dunkers fish, and what it takes to maintain
Work sometimes interferes around the park, probably a healthy fishery. Lowrie is quite
as it did this because its so protective of the Paint Creek waters Grosse Pointe resident Mike Bam-
ford trying for some Paint Creek ac-
year. Rob Ward
of S. Wards By Roger Beukema handy to the
creek. This year
because its a small fishery and
very sensitive. Despite the fragility
tion during this years trout opener.
Roger Beukema photo
Well Drilling was to be the host at I didnt see any. In fact the down- of the creek, Lowrie fishes it but is
the Ward cabin along the Manistee town section in Rochester was de- careful about how he uses the river important to respect this fishery
River. His dad Bob held forth with void of fishermen except for Grosse and certain practices he feels are and its habitat, walk and wade
lively chatter, great meals, and Pointe resident, Mike Bamford. It important for anglers to use. gracefully and handle captured
enthusiasm for the weekend until his was Bamfords first time fishing The 16.8 miles of water are fish carefully due to the sensitive
death two years ago. Paint Creek. stocked annually, mainly with nature of the creek. Catch and re-
Now Rob is the host. Im really This area is fabulous, he said. brown trout. Lowrie points to lease is sometimes the best way
groups such as Trout Unlimited to appreciate the fragility and awe-
chapters that include Paul Young, someness of the fishery and to give
Deer Tracks Clinton Valley and Vanguard Chap- the trout a future for reproduction
Ranch ters along with the City of Roches-
ter Hills as being active in stream
and growth in a beautiful aquatic
environment.
restoration, preservation and careful When handling trout or land-
Located only 30 minutes management. With the semi-recent ing without a net, always wet your
from Traverse City completion of $750,000 spent on hands before handling as fish have a
and 2 hours from Lansing rehabilitation and careful manage- protective slime coating that is used
ment, trout have acclimated with to fend off infection and disease.
Deer Tracks Ranch is nestled in the remote
wilds of Northern Michigan. Bounded
many areas provided for holding, Its also a barrier to prevent loss of
by the acclaimed trout waters of The Big shelter and feeding areas. internal electrolytes and body fluids.
Manistee River, Deer Tracks remains one These groups have been Removing even a small portion of
of the most pristine and unbroken tracks
in the lower peninsula. responsible to help educate and the slime coat may cause fish to
Deer Tracks Ranch, Michigans largest single promote careful and active fishing bleed those electrolytes into the sur-
hunting enclosure, offers you the whitetail hunt as well as ecological succession. rounding water. To make it easier on
of a lifetime filled with world class bucks. Paint Creek is certainly a local gem fish, use a catch and release style net
and should be treated as such, with soft nylon or rubber.
5-Star lodging that accomodates up to 25 hunters. Lowrie said. It takes a keen sense Nomad Anglers in Rochester
of observation to realize its natural Hills, (248) 608-4875, is your local
We also offer a 5,000 sq. ft. conference center to
accomodate your corporate hunting group.
beauty, growing potential and fragil- source for the Paint Creek. Lowrie
ity. These trout do not have an active works Wednesdays and Thursdays,
voice but are much appreciated for 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The shop does half-
their beauty and skill to catch. day guided instruction fly fishing
He continued, We can all be trips, and one-on-one, hour-long
a voice of these magnificent crea- casting lessons.
tures by practicing sportsmanlike Lowrie also stresses the impor-
methods such as catch and release, tance of using stream etiquette such
fishing with barbless hooks, treading as allowing enough room between
lightly through the stream substrate anglers and asking for permission to
and habitat, educating others on the pass someone working a particular
local fishery, understanding their stretch of water.
biology, and keeping litter and other If you see litter, please pick it
**Offering world class elk and bison hunts** pollutants out of the watershed and
or water.
up. I carry an old onion sack with
a corner tied to my waders. Its a
Elk hunts sell fast so book first. Lowrie writes that The creek handy place to put refuse you find
NE W Und
Manager NEW
Under ement Contact Us Today!
has come a long way from its and doesnt weigh much. Holes in
g ement
Mana
historical drains to control certain the sack allow water to run in and
989.550.3114 810.210.3275 unwanted organisms and has devel-
oped into a sustainable fishery with
out.
Email the author Roger Beuke-
8400 N Sharon Road Fife Lake, MI 49633 much natural reproduction. Its very ma at dutchbeuk12@gmail.comn
82 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
 Bass boats
beat kayaks:
What a surprise!
I
love fishing out of a kayak,
especially for bass on lakes
where I feel like I have a lot
of stealth and control and am
able to cover water thorough-
ly. Im certainly not alone in
this passionthe Michigan Kayak
Trails first tournament of the season
in April had 123 anglers on Gull Lake.
But kayaks have their limitations,
which any kayak angler is willing to
admit. Theyre not fast, and
when the wind comes up,
it makes fishing effectively
difficult.
Bass boats work bet-
ter., and again, most kayak
anglers are willing to admit
that.
But earlier this year,
the Bad Boys thought it
would be cool to have
an invitational bass By Dave Mull
fishing tournament
pitting 15 bass boat guys against 15
kayak anglers.
It was on Pontiac Lake near Wa-
terford on April 15, dubbed War on
the Water. I was invited to be one of
the 15 kayak anglers against 15 guys
behind, I might get mad at my inabil-
ity to perform and get discouraged.
Fishing is supposed to be fun, right?
The Slaughter started at 7:30 a.m.
with the day cool, cloudy and a bit
rainy. By noon, though, the sun was
fully out, the water was fairly calm
and Id submitted six bass, starting
with a 9.25 incher (the length limit for
submissions was 8 inches) and adding
five more fish from 8.5 to 14 inches.
First fish was on a square-
bill crankbait and the
others were on the down-
sized soft plastic Ned
Rig. I figured I had about
69 inches. Since I hadnt
seen anybody else catch a
single fish either in a bass
boat or a kayak, I thought
I might as well check the
leaderboardI might
be doing OK. As I
was logging onto the
iAngler site, I promised myself that
whatever I saw wouldnt affect my
game plan or my enjoyment of the
day. If by some miracle I was close
to the top, I wouldnt think about
the $1000 first prize or get nervous,
In the Major League Fishing format followed by the Bad Boys tournament
organization, anglers in the War on the Water contest measured, pho-
tographed and submitted pictures of as many bass as possible during the
8-hour tournament. Any bass 8 inches or longer qualified.
a huge area with depths of 4 to 5 a Missile 3/8-ounce jig.
feet, scattered clumps of weeds and The highest-finishing kayaker was
apparently ample fish. I added six Robert Taylor of Plainwell, Michigan
more bass and at least that many pike. with 13 fish for 176.75 inches. Yours
Although I finished about 650 inches truly finished 11th with 12 fish for
behind Ratliff with his 50 fish totaling 143.5 inches.
790.5 inches, I really had a good time. At the post-tournament awards
The final tally showed the 15 boaters ceremony at The Bait Shop sporting
totaled 267 fish for 5,531.5 inches goods store in Waterford, the kayak
while the kayakers caught 94 fish for guys munched their submarine sand-
1,220.25 inches. wiches while licking their wounds.
We had a general feeling of We had had a more difficult time
confidence that we were going to pull with the wind, but spirits were
it out, Ratliff told me when I inter- good. The bass boat guys didnt
viewed him after the tournament. I celebrate too loudly with their
think he kind of suppressed a laugh. stomping of the kayaks. They
A veteran of the lake, he fished a spot slaughtered us with dignity. Next
where fish stage in spring, getting time the Bad Boys put together a
there before his bass boat brothers, bass boat-kayak contest, theyll
and not moving more than 40 feet the
whole day. All of his fish came on a
likely pair a kayaker with a bass
boater and combine their scores.
Rat-L-Trap in the Ghost pattern or on That will be fun, too.n

in bass boats. After it was over, the
War on the Water was much more a
Slaughter on the Water.
The Bad Boys Fishing organiza-
tion operates online tournaments that
have a Major League Fishing format.
If youve seen that popular fishing
show, you know pro bass anglers try
to catch as many pounds of fish as
possible within a certain time period.
For the Bad Boys events, instead of
pounds, you accumulate total inches.
Catch a bass, put it on the official
Hawg Trough ruler and take its pic-
ture with your smart phone. Let the
fish go, send your picture along with
the fishs length to the iAngler.com
website.
The website totals the lengths of
each anglers fish, and anyone can see
the real-time leaderboard onlinein-
cluding all the anglers in the tourna-
ment. Its kind of fun to see how
everyone else is doing, and how you
measure up by logging onto iAngler,
but I usually resist the temptation. Ac-
complished tournament anglers have
told me that youre not fishing against
other anglers in tournaments, you fish
against the fish. So I rarely check the
leaderboard while on the water. You
cant do anything about whatever you
see anyway. If I see that Im in first
(this actually happened once), then I
might stop enjoying fishing and get
all uptight and think about the money
Im on the verge of losing. If Im way
Were Hiring!
Id just keep doing what I was doing
and hope to catch some more fish. If
I was pretty far behind, no biggie. It
was truly a wonderful spring day and
fishing was goodId caught a few
northern pike, too.
The bright sun, obscured the smart
phone screen somewhat, but the first
thing I saw on the leaderboard was a
guy named Kyle Ratliff appeared to
be leading with 69 inches.
Wow! I thought. I AM close
Feyen Zylstra is looking for
to the lead! This is great! I might just
win a thousand bucks!
experienced Journeyman Electricians
So I scrolled down to see how
close the lead I was. But as I scrolled,
for our Detroit, Traverse City, and
it looked like third place belonged to Grand Rapids, MI branches.
someone who had 34 inches, which
didnt make sense.
Then I saw the extra 0.
Third place had 340 inches.
The leader didnt have 69 inches.
He had 690 inches10 TIMES Email your resume directly to
MORE than I had. I was more than
600 inches behind. From the wa- amandar@fzcorp.com to apply!
ter, I could see the launch ramp and
my SUV and trailer, and I seriously
thought for a moment about packing
up and heading home.
But I didnt. Mother Nature pun-
ished that decision by whipping the
light breeze into a white-cap churn-
ing tempest that lasted the next 3 1/2
hours.
Yours truly stuck it out, hurling
a Strike King KVD 1.5 Squarebill
crankbait in a bluegill pattern around
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 83
 PUPPY LOVE...
If you have been considering it, early
summer is the perfect time to get a dog

T
he definition of puppy
love relates to a short
term youthful infatua-
tion, but I also believe
it truly relates directly
to puppies. No matter
the breed, purebred or mixed, all
puppies are cute and cuddly. Due to
their natural canine nature, they will
quickly bond to new owners and
readily fit into the family pack
(in the pups eyes). That short term
youthful infatuation is reality when
you consider a dogs lifetime, which
on the average is only a little over
a decade long. In a relatively short
time span, a puppy is suddenly an
adolescent and before you know it,
an adult dog then all too soon, an
old dog.
A prime example is my Lab-
rador Retriever Ebony, who was a
little black ball of fur at 8-weeks-
old when she joined our household.
Her favorite place from the start
of course, is in my lap whenever
Im in my easy chair. In six short
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Tom Lounsbury and his Labrador Retriever Ebony relaxing after
a days hunt. Anyone who thinks lap-dogs make poor hunters,
doesnt know very much about dogs
months, she took up all the lap-
space, and 11 years later, beset with
arthritis now, she still approaches
my chair, gives me her typical wan-
ton look, and fully appreciates my
assistance in climbing aboard (ac-
cording to my wife Ginny, Ebony
and I are connected with an umbili-
cal cord).
Ebony is a prime example of
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how quickly it seems a puppy not
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all that long ago is suddenly an old
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dog, but for a fact dogs have the
Scoring on Nocturnal Bears Reading Bear Sign
ability to pack a lot of fine memo-
ries, due to their natural loyalty and
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devotion, into that relatively short
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lifetime of experiences shared with
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shared as pack-mates (people of-
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most important and longest human/
animal relationship that goes back
eons through time. The important
role dogs play in our lives today is
an endless list.
Being a farm kid, my first
experiences were with farm collies
being used to herd our dairy cows.
For my third birthday, my grandpar-
ents gave me a terrier pup, which
was my constant companion all the
way until I was high school age (I
have ever since had a soft spot for
terriers, one is lying beside my lap
as I write this). I also feel blessed
to have been a farm kid during the
Thumbs pheasant heyday of the
1950s and witnessing the annual
pilgrimage of visiting pheasant
hunters bringing their bird dogs of
just about any hunting breed you
can think of (the only exception
being some Old World breeds turn-
ing up these days, which I think is
great). I got to see firsthand how the
different breeds performed in the
field (our farm collies werent bad
either, in pursuing roosters in fact
one pheasant hunter tried to buy
our farm dog, but we werent into
selling family).
My first true hunting breed
experience was with an English
Pointer pup that was given to us
when I was 9 years old, and I
named him Ajax because he was
nearly solid white, except for some
red freckles on his ears. This would
be the beginning of my training a
learned a whole lot about proper ge-
netics per a pure hunting breed be-
ing a very distinct asset. When the
proper genetics are there, the train-
ing, well folks, it is actually not all
that difficult and Ive never looked
upon myself as being an expert dog
trainer. I do believe in training dogs
my way, whether or not that floats
the boat of anyone else.
A case in point is when I was

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humans in purely canine terms recommend for his six month old
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something which should be realized Brittany. I asked if he took the dog
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from the start). for regular walks and if it stayed
Name relatively close, and he responded
I truly dislike the term dumb
Address animals, because it certainly an affirmative. I then asked if the
City State Zip doesnt apply to dogs which are dog came to him whenever he
truly intelligent, possess a keen called, and he responded another af-
Phone # sense of humor (I truly believe firmative. I then told him to simply
Circle card type:
Please remit by MasterCard, Visa, Check or Money Order.
dogs have their own unique way take the dog hunting, and I recom-
MC/Visa # of smiling, and even laughing) and mended a hunting preserve to get
Expiration Date Signature display a whole range of emotions things rolling in a more controlled
Make checks payable to: SMITH PUBLICATIONS
which are easily recognizable. It is manner (it is good to be sure when
814 Clark St. Marquette, MI 49855 this intelligence and devoted loyalty gunfire is involved, to have a bird
www.RichardPSmith.com factor which makes the dog the tumbling down for an excited dog
84 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS

the first time and it is what I refer
to as being a made dog). The
person got back to me a year later,
and let me know he appreciated my
advice, as he had a great hunting
dog.
Like I said, Im no expert dog
trainer, but I know what works for
me in doing it my way. For those
with little time or inclination to
train a hunting dog, I do highly
recommend having an expert dog
trainer getting the ball rolling, at
least in the early stages. It is not
wise simply to count on good genet-
ics, and expect miracles without
any effort in regards to training,
and especially the ability to literally
communicate with a hunting dog.
An old wives tale which really
annoys me is that turning a hunting
dog into a family pet and having it
become a house dog will ruin it
for hunting in the field, I guess due
to the dog becoming some sort of
pansy. Nothing could be further
from the truth, because the fam-
ily house dog has a continual
association with its human pack-
mates, and therefore a strong bond
and communication level is very
naturally well established. Ive seen
horrific examples in the field where
the dogs only attention other than
hunting season was obviously be-
ing fed and watered, and basically
isolated from any interaction.
Something not a wives tale is
the Alpha factor, something dogs
readily recognize in their terms and
respect. This means the human is
the pack leader, and not the other
way around. The Dog Whisperer
TV show is a prime example of
this fact, and clearly describes the
problems created when humans
start assuming dogs think in human
terms, which is truly confusing for
the dog.
For those of you possibly con-
sidering getting a dog, especially a
hunting breed, I highly recommend
early summer as being a great time-
frame for picking out a puppy. If
matters are properly handled during
typical warmer weather, that pup
could readily be taking its first steps
as a hunting dog when the fall sea-
son arrives (I will always remember
my Brittany Beau at 5 months
old, retrieving his first wild rooster
pheasant he had just pointed and the
bird in his mouth seeming nearly as
big as him).
I personally dont wish to sepa-
rate a puppy from its mother and
littermates until it is at least 8 weeks
old. The pack mentality begins at
birth, with a puppy dealing with
its littermates, and establishing a
natural order. There are other wives
tales about the biggest puppy in the
Featured wetland: Crow
Island State Game Area
Explore one of Michigans finest wetlands at the Crow Island State Game
Area in Saginaw. When heading north, have you ever looked to your right
litter as being the hind teat dog,
while driving over the Zilwaukee Bridge to see acres and acres of cattail marsh?
and therefore the strongest and most Youre looking at portions of the Crow Island State Game Area. Crow Island
aggressive, and the runt always straddles the Saginaw and Bay county line and features 3,500 acres of marsh,
being the toughest. forest and crop land.
If I had a choice in the matter, The Crow Island State Game Area is situated along the Saginaw River and
I wouldnt pick out a pup until it is lies on either side of M-13. The marshlands provide important habitat for
three months old to get a true pic- nesting and migrating ducks, geese, herons, terns and other wetland birds. The
ture of character, whether it is the marshes are also home to muskrats, beavers, frogs, turtles, snakes and plenty of
biggest or smallest in the litter, but other wetland critters.
the usual case is picking a puppy Crow Island is intensively managed for waterfowl and other wetland wild-
out a few weeks sooner than that, life. Several habitat projects have been completed in the past few years, includ-
and truthfully Ive never had any ing a drawdown (removing the water) and prescribed burn in the East Marsh
problems doing so especially when to reduce invasive phragmites and to create a 50/50 hemi-marsh of cattail cover
good (proper) training from the start and open water. Ducks love this type of habitat for nesting and feeding. Check
is in the picture. out the Crow Island Annual Report to see other habitat projects completed in
Having sold puppies in the past, 2016.
I have noticed a lot of folks are into These wetlands are open to hiking, canoeing, kayaking, wildlife photog-
the paint-job, in regards to color raphy, fishing and birding. Bring a lunch and make a day of exploring the
and markings for their first choice, wetlands of Crow Island!
which is fine if that is a priority. For Michigans state game and wildlife areas are free to wildlife watchers. Hunt-
me personally, I like to take the time ing license fees pay for habitat management at these areas. Even if you are not a
to watch how a puppy interacts with hunter in the traditional sense, consider purchasing an $11 base license to ben-
its littermates and with the paint-job efit the creatures you hunt with your binoculars, cameras and spotting scopes.
The Crow Island State Game Area has many important partners that make
being the least consideration. Get- its habitat management possible. Annually, Environmental Consulting & Tech-
ting a little history on both parents nology, Inc. (ECT) completes a bio-blitz species survey for the game area. This
of the litter is also quite helpful. years survey will occur on July 19, starting at 8:30 a.m., with July 20 reserved
Certain breeds have what is as a rain date. All you need are sturdy waterproof hiking boots, binoculars and
known as show dog or hunting dog a sack lunch. Department of Natural Resources and ECT staff members will
lines, and I prefer a pup with hunt- meet at the west game area entrance off of East Kochville Road, just to the east
ing lines, as it ups the odds on the of North Westervelt Road. For more information on this event, please contact
end result. However that doesnt Holly Vaughn at 313-396-6863.
mean a show dog cant hunt or a
hunting dog cant be shown by any
means.
Also dont rule out crossbreds (I
dislike the term mongrel a good
look into my heritage would make
me a mongrel) as I have seen some
outstanding hunting dogs which
were crossbreeds, and I have owned
a few. A friend I pheasant hunt with
has a young English Setter/Labra-
dor Retriever crossbred he calls his
Settadore, and it is a natural born
bird dog to the core (in fact I told
my friend I would adopt his dog
into my family in an instant its a
great pooch).
It is also wise to always remem-
ber official paperwork in regards to
a registered hunting breed, while as-
suring good bloodlines and possible
potential, is in reality only paper
if proper training is not involved.
There is a whole lot more to the cre-
ation/development of a true hunting
dog.
I have also learned that if your
present hunting dog is reaching a
point past its prime, it is probably
a good idea to get a puppy to keep
matters going, primarily because
the older dog can be an ideal tutor
in the field for the younger dog
(one of my training secrets).
There is nothing that can quite
duplicate a seasoned old dog
teaching a young dog some new
tricks because it is a natural part
of the canine world.
If you are into getting a dog, the
puppy love time has arrived.n
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 85
 Michigan Hunter Returns to Colorado for Elk Hunt...
Bucket list revisited 10 years later
O
ver a decade ago, Steve Van Dyke
of Howard City crossed one hunt
off his bucket list. Last October, he
revisited Grand Junction, Colo-
rado for his second elk hunt in ten
years.
Van Dyke, a Whitetails Unlimited member
through their Big Rapids Chapter, had met a man,
Charlie Marshall, at a neighbors funeral who had
served as an elk hunting guide working
out of his home in Colorado. Charlie
extended an invitation to elk hunt, and
Steve eagerly accepted. And 10 years
later, another invitation came about when
Charlie asked Steve if he would like to
revisit his bucket list hunt of 2006.
Once again, his answer was a hearty,
yes!
How did the two hunts
differ? That was my first ques-
tion. The main point of interest
By Betty Sodders
with his earlier hunt was the
fact that their guide used goats instead of pack
horses. Actually, goats were far more qualified,
for not only were they sure-footed; there also was
no need to carry feed along as goats could forage
under any circumstances. The outfitter had five
goats that were capable of hauling a quartered
harvested bull elk out of the hunt area...all that
was left behind was the animals skin.
The cantankerous male goat bore the name
Paco and indeed he proved to be rebellious.
Van Dyke advised, Late one day, Paco turned up
missing. I had a feeling that the outfitter would
pick me to go look for him. Yes, that is how it
went. I found him half way up the mountain.
His pannier that was packed with elk meat had
slipped, and I had to take it all off him and repack
fighting against time and upcoming darkness.
The 2016 Colorado elk hunt no longer
employed goats, as now ATVs were capable of
handling the job.
Steve continued his discussion of the 2006 elk
hunt; On that first hunt, I did not harvest an elk,
but you know that was okay. The day before we
set up camp, elk were spotted. Charlie Marshall
killed a bull. We discovered a lot in common on
that outing as both of us served in Vietnam.
Steve Van Dyke, did something on his second
bucket list trip that I have been talking about do-
ing, probably over the last 30 years. That being,
keeping a hunting log, whether it be a deer, elk,
moose or bear hunt or a special fishing trip. You
can buy a blank page book at all the big box
stores or local bookstores to find a fancy hunt/
fish diary. You will relive the thrill of the hunt
10 years later feeling as though it was merely
yesterday.
Following are Steves words taken from his
2016 Bucket List Revisited accounting...
ELK HUNT JOURNAL
To begin with, after Charlies invite to again
hunt with him, the planning began. Moving
myself and equipment from Point A - Michigan
to Point B - Colorado. Plane, bus, truck, rail were
all considered. The final decision was my per-
sonal pickup truck. At the last moment, Charlies
cousins husband, Arlo Knutson, contacted me
86 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
about sharing expenses for the trip west. It was
settled, Arlo and I would leave Saturday morning
in his pickup truck.
Saturday, October 8, 2016: Arlo arrives. We
make our introductions. Load my gear and we
are on our way by 9:00 a.m. Arlo had decided
to drive his pickup because he was transporting
his own ATV. I planned to rent mine once we
got there. Weather was good as were the roads.
We agreed I-80 would be our route. An
AAA TripTik came in handy.
Sunday, October 9, 2016: Up early
and on the road at 6:30 a.m. Rolling
through Kearney. Saw Kearney Arch...
neat. Land in Nebraska very flat. Just
entering Colorado. Hills began now.
Three in all. We are just north of
Limon, Colorado. The largest concen-
tration of wind turbines Ive
ever seen. Hundreds of them.
At this point, a sign now reads:
40 Miles to Colorado Springs.
The Rocky Mountains are visible in the distance.
Monday, October 10, 2016: Beautiful morn-
ing. Sun is shining. Got down to 27 degrees last
night. Going over equipment and making last
minute adjustments.
Richard, Charlies friend and neighbor, as
well as one of the hunting party, drove over after
picking up the final member of the group, Jimmy,
at the airport in Colorado Springs.
Tuesday, October 11, 2016: Up at 7:00 a.m., Steve Van Dyke of Howard City revisited his
cloudy and 34 degrees. Arlo and I went over and bucket list by returning to Colorado for his
picked up my ATV, which I will use this morning. second elk hunt in 10 years.
Began loading ATVs and provisions on trailers. Were up at 7:00 a.m.; its cold and clear; maybe
Arlo and I sighted in our weapons on Charlies 25 degrees. I exit the tent and immediately see
rifle range...200 yards...good enough. Trucks and snowcapped mountains in the distance. Gor-
trailers packed, ready to go. geous!
Wednesday, October 12, 2016: Rise and Its now past 11:00 a.m.. Had a great break-
shine: Time to travel to elk camp. 6:00 a.m. and fast; we grab chainsaws and head out for our
cold. A hearty breakfast and were on our way. nights supply of firewood. Put up our smaller
We start down Highway 24. We enter the Flats tent and began to get to know our fellow hunt-
about 10 minutes out of Lake George. Pronghorn ers that we had never met. With Richard as our
antelope abound in the distance. Now we see guide, because he knows the country, we go on
snowcapped mountains; beautiful as we approach a three to four hour ATV ride exploring. Rough
the Continental Divide. Went up Monarch Moun- ride on these trails. Saw a nice pair of mule does
tain Pass to the Summit. Two inches of snow on and a beautiful 4x4 buck. Noticed a lot of stands I
the landscape here. Passed an Elk Crossing road would like to be on come opening day!
sign. Supper was great...beef stew sent along by
Arrived Gunnison, Colorado, about 11:00 Richards wife. More talk around the campfire.
a.m. to fuel up our equipment before trek to our Time to turn in. Good night!
staging area. Had lunch and back on the road. Friday, October 14, 2016: Up at 5:30 a.m.
About 100 miles to go. Traveling through the Added a little more wood on fire pit. Jumped
Characanti Recreation Area; desolation and back in bed until 7:00 a.m. Up and at em! At
beauty abound as far as the eye can see. The breakfast Arlo says he thinks he heard a couple of
windingest, scariest road, Ive ever seen...It is cow elk calls in the night. May have been dream-
called, Black Canyon. ing. I went on a hike behind the tent for a while.
Arrived in Hotchkiss and picked up last A young hunter, Ryan, arrives at camp hoping
minute supplies, then on to the staging area. Off to fill his cow tag. He spent the night and hunted
loaded our ATVs and equipment then began the first day. He had to leave and get back to Colo-
almost two mile assent to the top of the mountain. rado Springs to address family matters. I packed
At about 9,000 feet, it was a white knuckle ride my gear on my ATV, rifle, pack, etc. for tomor-
to be sure. We arrived at the camp clearing and row...opening day. Jimmy, who was from Alaska,
began setting up tents. While setting up camp, a brought a batch of shrimp hed caught from the
mule deer with a pair of fawns strolled though boat he owns. Supper was pork chops, fried
not 40 yards from us. No fear. potatoes, and onions along with the shrimp. Deli-
Grilled cheese sandwiches and little small cious! Go to bed early. Tomorrow is THE DAY!
talk and off to our cots. Plenty tired. The Hunt. - Day 1...October 15, 2016: It
Thursday, October 13, 2016: Rise and shine! is 5:30 a.m. up and at em. Breakfast is quick
coffee, huge blueberry muffins and we are ready
to go! Last minute check of gear, warm up our
ATVs and ready to head out at 7:00 a.m. Plan is
to hunt until noon, then meet back at camp for
lunch. We exchange information. Not many shots
were heard.
Richard and Ryan had partnered up in an area
called, the Bowl. Arriving back at camp a little
late. They announced that Richard had taken a
5x4 bull elk. Offers were made to help get it out
but were assured they had it covered. Charlie
had seen a couple of cow elk. Jimmy did accom-
pany Ryan and Richard back to get the meat out.
Getting back at camp for a simple supper, they
reported seeing a black bear and coyotes.
The Hunt - Day 2: Sunday, October 16
2016: Up at 6:00 a.m...no time for breakfast. I
bring along some trail food to eat. I start hiking
and reading scripture as I gaze on the beauty that
surrounds me. Inspirational.
Walked a lot. Very windy and warm today.
Getting back at camp we find that Charlie shot a
fine 6x5 bull in the Bowl. Not more than 50 yards
away. His son Chris had been sitting with him
and used a cow call to get the bull in. They pack
out the meat to their ATVs, then come back to
camp. We all meet for supper and share the days
experiences. Another group of hunters arrive
and set up their tents. Charlie knows them from
past years. They come over and shared talk and a
drink. They come from North Carolina. They will
hunt the second season after ours. They also will
mule deer hunt. They are an entertaining bunch.
Their hunting stories could fill a book.
Jimmy is not feeling well and Richard may
take him down the mountain in the morning.
There is a hospital in a nearby town. Jimmy is
dealing with terminal cancer. His doctor told him
not to make this trip but he would rather be here
regardless. Quite a man. We turn in with hope
that he will be feeling better in the morning.
The Hunt - Day 3...Monday, October 17,
2016: Up by 5:30 a.m. Charlie suggested giving a
try where he got his elk at the Bowl. Some verbal
Steve and Charlie with a har vested coyote.
Lt-Rt: Steve Van Dyke, Chris, Charlies son (Colorado), Charlie - host & guide (Colorado),
Jimmy (Alaska), Richard (Colorado) and Arlo, holding elk rack from Michigan.
instructions and off I go. Charlie sneaks on in
about 10:30 to see how I am doing. He begins to
do a little calling for me. No response. He gives
me the call, wishes me luck and leaves me on my
own. After an all-day sit, I think maybe tomor-
row. Nearly back at camp, I approach and see five
mule deer milling around in the fading light of
day. Perhaps, the windy conditions played into
the lack of elk. Arlo reports seeing nothing as
well.
The Hunt - Day 4...Tuesday, October 18,
2016: Up at 5:30, a bite to eat and Im off. I
intend to hunt the Bowl while Arlo likes a stand
called the Castle due to way rocks have natural-
ly piled. Morning, frosty. Went by two mule deer
as I drove out of camp. An all-day sit again and
no elk. On way back, saw two more mulies, both
bucks. Beginning to think I should have hunted
deer. Arlo also saw nothing.
The Hunt - Day 5 (Last Chance)...Wednes-
day, October 19, 2016: We start the day as usual.
This morning Arlo and Chris and I will go to the
Bowl. We sit until 11:30 a.m. then head back to
camp for lunch. Arlo and Chris reported seeing a
young bull at about l,000 feet...too far!
Charlie informs us that he and Richard saw
a sow and two cubs. Great! Eat lunch then head
back out. This is it...now or never! I head back to
the Bowl while Arlo and Chris go to the Cas- have a lite breakfast, say our Good byes and are
tle. Later in the day as I head back to my ATV to
go back to camp, I hear one single shot. I wonder
if Arlo or Chris got off a shot.
Back at camp I learned that Arlo made a shot
on a fine bull in the fading light of the day, out
at 295 yards. Unable to find it immediately, we
let it be until daylight. We have a final supper at
camp and gather around the campfire to toast our
young companions. Chris, for it is his birthday
today...20 years old. A fine young man. We also
discuss our strategy for retrieving Arlos elk.
Jimmy and I will stay back at camp, while others
search.
Thursday, October 20, 2016: Rise and shine.
Very cold night. That bodes well for unspoiled
meat, another concern...predators. We will see if
they find Arlos elk.
The searchers leave for the Castle. Jimmy
and I began to take down tents, cots and other
equipment, all the while hoping it goes well for
Arlos bull. Bingo! They come back all smiles.
They found it. Not far from where Arlo saw it.
Score two for the boys from Michigan...nice 5x6!
We then go about loading our gear on the
trailer and ATVs for the ride back down the
mountain. We reach parking area below, load up,
and were on our way back to Gunnison. Head-
ing back to Charlies place near Lake George, we
arrive around 9:30 p.m.
Friday, October 21, 2016: We have a good
breakfast and begin making preparations for trip
home. First...the meat. It was cold last night...
good for hanging meat outside. Pieces, hung in
game bags we brought with us. Charlie, Arlo
and I went to work boning out the meat. All wild
game must have bones removed before transport-
ing across state lines as required by law to try and
stop spread of CWD contamination. Charlie has a
used small freezer that he gives Arlo and we pack
it full of meat. We plug it in and let it run.
Return ATV to rental place after lunch. Say
our thanks after supper above the clouds and
load gear in back of truck. We leave in the morn-
ing.
Saturday, October 22, 2016: Up at 6 a.m.
on our way. Head down to I-25 then north to I-80,
then east. Entered Nebraska at 11:30 a.m. Decide
to stop for night at an Econo Lodge west of Des
Moines , Iowa.
Sunday, October 23, 2016: Up and at em
its 5:00 a.m. and time for the final push home.
Stop at McDonalds for breakfast sandwich and
coffee. Hit the spot. Crossed mighty Mississippi
about 10:00 a.m. Iowa time. Arlo and I arrive at
Howard City, in the afternoon; say our good byes
and agree it was a wonderful trip.
At the end of our interview, Steve Van Dyke
said, Coming out of the mountains in Colo-
rado, I thought I dont want to do this again...
my Bucket List is filled second time around...but
now, well that I am home, if Im invited back and
God willing Im able, well who knows?n
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 87
 Woods-N-WaterNews Classified Section
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TIMBER: Buying all types of tim-
ber, 5 acres or more, top price paid.
Cash in advance. Improve wildlife
habitat. Patco Forest Products,
989-539-7588 after 6 p.m. W-9-
12/16
WANTED
WANT TO BUY - CHRIS
CRAFT BOAT. The Cobra
model, made in Cadillac, MI in
the 1950's Ivan Weaver 231-
734-0519. W-5-2
FOR SALE
FOR SALE BLACK
POWDER SCHUETZEN
AND SWISS. The Jag
Shop at Grand Valley Cap "n"
Ballers, Hopkins MI. Call (269)
792-4384 or (616) 836-5760 for
pricing. gvcnb.org. FS-6-2
FOR SALE
POND SUPPLIES: Live game-
fish for stocking. Large selection of
lake, pond and watergarden sup-
plies. Free catalog! Stoney Creek,
Inc., Grant, Mi. 800-448-3873,
www.stoneycreekequip.com
FS-5-6
..............................................
AUCTION
CONSIGNMENTS
WANTED!! 5th Annual
Northern Trails Antler & Sporting
Goods Auction. New Location:
Mid MI Auction Center, corner
of M-66 & M-46, 7948 N
Sheridan Rd., Edmore, MI
48829. Saturday August 19th @
9:00, buy it now starts at 8:00.
Consignments wanted; guns,
FISHING
CANADIAN FISHING
TRIP. Want to go fishing? Book
early and save. One of Ontarios
best multiple fish lakes, fish
for Walleye, Northern, Small
Mouth, Lake Trout, Perch and
other fish. Well spaced out log
& framed cabins, all boats have
electric start motors, fish finders
and swivel seats. Upgrade
boats and motors available. 6
days/nights $445.00 U.S. funds
per person with a group of 4 or
more (2 people per boat) www.
northernwalleyelodge.com
or toll free 1-877-434-2440.
F-1/17TFN
HUNTING
HUNTING
BERGLAND UNIT. Guided
bear hunts over bait. State and
federal licensed bear guide. Call
Rich 715-663-0459 or www.upbear-
hunt.com H-5-4
..............................................
ALCONA COUNTY/
HUBBARD LAKE, MI
HUNTING: Bow, Rifle,
Muzzleloader, Bear, Youth,
Late Doe, Grouse, Turkey,
Duck, Goose WITH CAMP!
FISHING: Walleye,
Perch, Bass, Trout, Pike
WITH CAMP! FREE: Hub-
bard Lake House Summer
Vacation with 6 day hunting
minimum. Build your own hunt-
ing/summer vacation combo.
Scout/Hike/Bike camp property
during your FREE SUMMER

Woods-N-Water News Classified

bows, mounts, moose, deer, MICHIGAN BEAR VACATION. Only 6 Hunting/
elk & caribou antlers, hunting HUNTING. Call for avail- Summer vacation slots avail-
and fishing related items, cabin able openings and questions. able. Couples/Families wel-
Classified ad rates: $30 for the first 20 words & camping items, rustic dcor, Bergund unit. 231-740-5266 come. Summer Lake House
Every word over 20 is .25 per word -- Box your classified, $5 additional charge snowshoes, canoes, kays, www.turtlecreekoutdoors.com available without hunting.
This effective advertising is simple to do, place your ad by . . . hunting shacks, four-wheelers, jeff@turtlecreekoutdoors.com Details 586-260-0719. H-5-7
Calling 810-724-0254 Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm foot plot equipment, anything H-5-2
Email your ad to wnw@pageone-inc.com for the outdoor enthusiast!
Faxing your ad 810-724-8552 Last year we sold 50 guns! 1-2 BUCK HUNTING CLUB
Turn your antlers into cash HUNT WITH BEAR MEMBERSHIPS IN
Complete your Classified online at www.woods-n-waternews.com
list your consignments early MOUNTAIN LLC this fall for N O R T H E A S T E R N
Mailing your ad to Woods-N-Water News, P.O. Box 278, Imlay City, MI48444
with us for free advertisements your 2017 Bear Hunt. We only have MICHIGAN Quality club, camp
Classifieds MUST be paid in advance of publishing; MasterCard, Visa accepted. Make Consignments accepted @ a few spots remaining for the 1st and facilities (also turkey, small
check/money orders payable to Woods-N-Water News. Classified ads can not be sale site August 18th 8:00 and 3rd hunt periods. We look for- game) West Branch - Hale area.
billed and once a classified is processed no refunds can be made. Limit of 75 words. am 8:00 p.m. Please contact ward to hunting on an expanded Tremendous value and opportunity.
Larry @ 989-291-5556 with any area of private property this fall that Stag. $1,375 per year. See: dynami-
All classifieds posted to our website FREE! questions. Auctioneers, Willis is in the heart of prime bear territory. cra.com or phone
Use one of these useful classified categories... Yoder, Shipshewana, IN. Bill Baraga BMU, Private land only Dan 989-893-5819. H-4-3
Marin, Sheridan, MI. AUC-6-1 hunts, check out our website www. ..............................................
A = Archery FW = Firewood RR = Resorts/Rent
ATV = ATVs G = Guns RVC = RVs/Campers mibearhunt.com. References upon
B = Boats H = Hunting SM = Snowmobiles request. Give us a call at 800-676- 2017 MICHIGAN BLACK
9821 or call Lead Guide Derek at
D = Dogs
F = Fishing
HL = Hunting Leases
HW = Help Wanted
T = Taxidermy
TK = Trucks TAXIDERMY 906-458-3754. H-6-1
BEAR HUNTS. Newberry/
F = Free M = Miscellanous TR = Trailers
Gwinn B.M.U. 1st, 2nd, 3rd
.............................................. seasons. Seven day hunt/lodg-
FP = Food Plots RE = Real Estate W = Wanted FOR SALE: Extra-large Utah
mountain lion rug 8ft. by 5ft. $3,300 ing/stands/skinning/tag/sealing
JULY 2017 CLASSIFIED DEADLINE MAY 29, 2017 call 517-543-6260. T-6-3 2017 MICHIGAN BEAR bear. Year around lodge. Great
.............................................. HUNTS: Newberry/Gwinn. area for fishing, grouse hunt-
CLIP AND MAIL Just outside of Seney Wildlife ing and 4-wheeling. 40th An-

Woods-N-Water News Classified Advertising BOATS

(Please print clearly. We are not responsible for unreadable orders.)
Make sure phone number is included in your ad!
18 FT. OLD TOWN
NAME CANOE 1911 #17373 Original
sales receipt, reconditioned,
ADDRESS perfect condition. $2,000. Call
586-219-1594. B-6-1
CITYSTATEZIP www.buckspportinglodge.com. KENTUCKY TENNESSEE
DAYTIME PHONE NO. 1987 20 FT. STARCRAFT
BOAT. Inboard. Boat in excellent
VISA/MASTERCARD#EXP: shape, needs a little floor work. ALBERTS BEAR GUIDE
Complete and ready to go fishing.
CLASSIFICATION OF ADMONTHS TO RUN
Totally equipped - too much to men-
tion. $7,500. Call 810-417-1829.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
B-4-4
..............................................
(7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12)
(13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18)
FISHING
(19) (20) $30.00 $30.25 $30.50 $30.75
ALL INCLUSIVE house-
$31.00 $31.25 $31.50 $31.75 $32.00 $32.25 keeping packages and cabin
rentals on remote Algoma
$32.50 $32.75 $33.00 $33.25 $33.50 $33.75 Lake. Train-in or Boat-in only -
Canadian Funds -519-636-3697
$34.00 $34.25 $34.50 $34.75 $35.00 $35.25 www.foxsdenlodge.ca F-4/17-
TFN
$35.50 $35.75 $36.00 $36.25 $36.50 $36.75
Enclosed is $for
Subscribe Today!
words to runmonths. BOX MY CLASSIFIED - $5 Extra 1461. H-6-2
(810) 724-0254
Refuge. High success rate.
33 years. State and Federal li-
niversary, Convenience store,
State and Federally licensed.
censed and experienced. Guar- Contact Tom Losiewski, North
anteed active baits. 6 nights, 5 Country Hunting Adventures.
day hunt includes lodging and 1-269-330-0480. Like us on
meals. Start at $750. Bow and Facebook. H-5-3
rifle deer hunts. $125 per day.
906-439-5242.
H-5-6 BUCKS. Hunt trophy bucks fair
chase on one of my many thou-
sands of acres of private farms.
Gun only no bow hunters. Hunters
SERVICE. Bergland and Baraga
are welcome to visit me and my
units. Federal license, 25 years
farms. Call or text for free brochure.
experience. Cell 906-231-9136,
270-348-4281. H-4-4
Home 906-827-3731. H-5-5
..............................................
..............................................
WEST MICHIGAN DEER
HUNTING AT ITS FINEST. BEAR HUNTS: Mead
Archery hunts available for Fall Creek guide service. We hunt
over bait in Newberry Unit only.
2017 at reasonable prices. Call
First season is a five day hunt,
today at 231-690-2830. Foleys
second season is a seven day
West Michigan Outfitters. H-5-3
hunt. This includes room and
..............................................
board. We hunt from ladder
stands and box blinds. Most
HUNT NORTHERN
blinds are on private property.
LOWER MICHIGAN (Al-
Everybody had a shot oppor-
cona County) over food plots,
tunity last year. Give us a shot,
$125 per day/per person. 5
well give you one!
Day minimum. Quality mature
Call John 906-586-3047 or
bucks. Call Louis 586-242-
look us up on facebook at
yooperoutdoors#906. H-6-2

email: wnw@pageone-inc.com website: www.woods-n-waternews.com

88 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
 Woods-N-WaterNews Classified Section
HUNTING
CAMERON'S LITTLE
TWO HEART BEAR
GUIDE SERVICE We pro-
vide both bait and hound hunts
in the Newberry area only and
we guarantee you an active bait
site. We have provided guide
services in excess of 45 years
and have hunted the same area
that entire time. References
given upon request. Call Kip
at 906-293-5650 leave a mes-
sage and we will return your
call in the order it was received.
H-6-3
GONZO BEAR CAMP - Bear
Specialist - We had 80% success.
Baraga, Gwen and Amasa Units -
Modular hunts start at $995. 7 days
lodging included. Write for more
information on how to apply for bear
permits on May 1st - 2730 S. Dort
Hwy., Flint, MI 48507 or call Dale at
(810) 814-8936 days 9-4 or eve-
nings John at (989) 257-2725 for
more information www.gonzo-
bearcamp.com. Like us on
Facebook. H-4-4
..............................................
HUNT MATURE WHITE-
TAILS IN SOUTH CENTRAL
OHIO! We offer a bow hunting
membership allowing you to hunt
for more than four weeks as well
as 6.5 day hunting trips. You will
have access to over 8,000 acres,
100 plus tree stands and a full time
guide staff. Our properties have
been strictly managed for 10 years,
offering great opportunities for suc-
cess. The hunting pressure is low,
with only a limited number of spots
available. Anthony 810-223-4587
H-3-4
..............................................
LAKE GOGEBIC BEAR
HUNT BERGLAND
HUNT ZONE. Bait only, 20
plus years experience, federal
guide license. For more info
call Shawn Montie at 906-364-
1678 or email snoxer910@
yahoo.com. H-6-2
RAYS U.P. HUNTING Over
25 years experience guiding for
deer and bear. Baited stands in
Amasa, Baraga, and Bergland
Units. Lodging Available. Call Ray
at 906-265-9420 or cell (906) 284-
2216. Licensed and Insured. H-1-
12/17
..............................................
NORTHERN ONTARIO
BEAR HUNTS: Booking now for
Spring and Fall of 2017. Includes
comfortable cabin, boat and motor,
baited stands. Very experienced
guides. High success rate. 3 hours
from the Soo. References on
request. $960 U.S. 705-869-3272
www.texasandsons.com H-10-
12-16
..............................................
Classifieds
Work!
(810) 724-0254
email: wnw@pageone-inc.com website: www.woods-n-waternews.com
HUNTING
BLUE PLAGUE GUIDE
SERVICE booking guided
hound hunts for bear in 2017.
Hunting Newberry and Gwinn
areas. Reasonable rates with
top results. Contact Chris at
(989) 560-6936 or email at
christophergsellers@yahoo.
com H-5-3
BARAGA BEAR UNIT:
Northwoods Guide Services
Inc. 37 plus years experience
100% opportunity in 1st sea-
son. Private land only. Hunting
only 1st season limited number
of hunters. Contact Tim 517-
627-3465 or Dan 906-231-2885
H-6-1
RESORTS/RENT
MUNISING AREA: Lake
Stella - Lakefront cottage w/a
boat. Furnished. Sleeps 8.
Great fishing - walleye, bass,
bluegill, perch, pike and crap-
pies. 989-382-5491 or 989-382-
7722 or 989-285-2888. Ask for
Lonnie. R/R-5-3
50 ACRES totally private lake in
Western Lake County near Branch
on 2000 acre family preserve. 3
bedroom cottage with boats, beach,
large dock, swim raft, swings, fire
pit, etc. Excellent fishing for bass,
pike, trout and panfish. Miles of
streams and hiking trails. Caretaker
lives on property 1 mile away. $950
week. 248-559-7744.
RR-5-2
..............................................
BUCKWALLOW LODGE
in beautiful U.P. Great hunting,
fishing, snowmobile, 4 wheeler
headquarters, snowmobile from
front door all the way to Yellow
Stone or Alaska on mostley
groomed trails. Electricity-LP,
woodburning stove. Sleep 9,
inside - outside facilities. Fur-
nished, ready to go. $29,500.
For details 260-665-6829.
RR-6-2
PICKEREL LAKESIDE
CAMPGROUND AND
COTTAGES Baldwin area
1,425 all sport lake frontage, 45
semi-rustic sites, four clean modern
cottages. www.lakecamp-cottages.
com 231-745-7268.
RR-4-6
..............................................
S E A S O N A L - O N LY
CAMPING Private, gated
paradise on Big Manistee River
offers large, wooded sites, full
hook-ups, easy access to Lake
Michigan beaches. Long sea-
son. Quiet and peaceful.
COHO BEND - 231-723-
7321
R/R-3-8
www.cohobend.com.
HUNTING LEASE
GOOD HUNTING/FISH-
ING! 200+ gated acres avail-
able for yearly lease. Boat
docks with power and offsite
boat ramp. mile canal with 2
dredged channels to the
Saginaw Bay, casino within 4
miles. Perfect for hunt clubs!
References needed. Email
DJRMVP@gmail.com by
appointment only. Please see
our ad on page 90 of this issue
of the Woods-N-Water News.
HL-5-3
JACKSON 104 ACRES sur-
rounded by 3500 acres unhunted
state prison land. Big bucks taken.
Corn and beans surround. Call 248-
978-7673. HL-4-6
..............................................
KALKASKA COUNTY: 5
acres on Pierson Creek area.
Heavy wooded with mature
trees, small openings, good
deer hunting, fantastic partridge
hunting, bear, beavers and trout
fishing. Remote yet 5 miles to
country store, same owner 55
years. $17,900 Terms maybe
616-862-3456. HL-6-1
BUSINESS FOR SALE
HUNTING LAND LEASE
BUSINESS. Match land owners
with hunters. Started in 2010 - this
years leases ready for renewal.
Revenue generating, profitable and
recurring income stream.
Serious inquiries only. Email
wayne@Trophylandlease.com. 6-2
..............................................
REAL ESTATE
35 ACRES: Osceola Co. Good
hunting - wooded thick cover - small
creek, paved road, electric avail-
able. Deer birds $59,500. Call 231-
920-3652. RE-6-2
..............................................
195 ACRES: 30x40 Pole Barn,
2014 32 Coachman 50th anni-
280 AC WESTERN ONTO-
versary travel trailer, power pole,
gravel drive, 3/8 mile paved road
frontage, borders CFR land, near
river, main road and ATV and Snow-
mobile trails. Located in the western
U.P. of Michigan, Ontonagon, MI.
$190,000.00 or best offer. 906-475-
6766. RE-6-1
..............................................
35 ACRES just SE of Adrian in
Madison School District. Sandy
soil. 40 x 60 pole barn, Paved road
and priced at only $4,000 per acre.
Possible land contract. A rare find!
Call quick! Call Larry at Faust Real
Estate, LLC 517-270-3645. F-664.
RE-6-1
..............................................
80 ACRES - LAKE COUNTY
3 buildings, food plots, forest plan 6
mill ag property. Deer, bear, turkey,
small pond, 5 miles west of 131, exit
162, Luter $120,000. Call 231-937-
4609. RE-6-2
..............................................
REAL ESTATE
HILLSDALE COUNTY, MI.
10 acres of gorgeous, wooded
land with the St. Joe River run-
ning through the property. Three
bedroom, 1.5 story home, 30 x
40 detached 6 car pole building.
$109,900. Call Diana at Faust Real
Estate, LLC 517-270-3646. RE-6-1
..............................................
180 ACRES CHIPPEWA
COUNTY: Hunt, fish, hike or
snowmobile. 180 acres with
trails, blinds, and food plots.
Adjoins thousands of acres of
public land, 13 miles south of
Sault Ste. Marie, less than 2
miles to boat launch and the St.
Mary's River. E.U.P. hunting
and fishing camp, the 1100 sq.
ft. home and 32x42 garage will
satisfy most as a year round
residence. A great buy at
$250,000. Call 989-390-0362.
Details Craigslist and Zillow.
RE-5-3
80 ACRES - CLARE COUN-
TY. 1100 sq ft. cabin, 40x30 pole
barn, food plots, shadow blind,
many large bucks taken, must be
seen. Asking $250K. Call 989-621-
3402 or 989-772-9295. RE-5-2
..............................................
LAKEFRONT HOME 3 br., 2
ba., 2350 sq ft. 115 frontage. Budd
Lake Harrison, MI. For details visit
www.FSBO.com Listing 24040499
or call 734-626-0091. RE-5-2
..............................................
CABIN FOR SALE BY
OWNER. Montnorency Co.,
500 sq. ft. acre, electric, well,
septic, can walk to state land,
hunt and trails access to US
forrest land. Asking $12,000
OBO CASH. Call 734-755-6858
or 810-844-3286. RE-6-1
10 ACRES, excellent walk-out
build site, beautiful rolling land.
square parcel. M-72, 3 miles east of
Kalkaska. Select cut. $14,990. Call
248-345-5389. RE-5-2
..............................................
NAGON CO, all wooded, not
clear cut, food plots, great hunting.
Land contract option, $185,000. Bill
616-799-0530 RE-5-3
..............................................
20 BEAUTIFUL ACRES
IN ROSE TWP. Small spring
fed lake. Stocked with fish.
Deer on the property. This acre-
age is across the road from
Rose Oaks Park which is 640
beautiful acres. There are 7
lakes in the park, riding and
hiking trails. Nature lovers
delight. $229,000 is negotiable.
Call Mike 248-252-2194.
RE-6-1
MODERN CABIN FOR
RENT ON BEAR CREEK - a
trout, salmon and steelhead stream.
Sleeps 5, private access available.
Call 231-590-1136. RE-4-6
REAL ESTATE DOGS
FOR SALE - Approximately 95 GERMAN SHORTHAIR
wooded acres with half mile front- POINTER PUPS: Males
age on premiere trout, salmon and females available. Excel-
and steelhead stream in Manistee lent hunting dogs and superb
County. $4,000 per acre. Call 231- family pets. Close working
590-1136. RE-4-6 dogs with strong point and
.............................................. retrieve instincts. Reasonably
HUNTING PROPERTY: 160 priced for the sporting family.
ACRES Rolling hills 80% wooded Money back guarantee. Eulen-
with markeable hardwoods, pine, hof Kennels, Gladwin, MI.
birch and cedar. Excellent hunting; http://www.eulenhof.com
artesian streams with brook trout, a 989-426-4884 D-6-2
3.5 acre lake for fish and waterfowl,
established blinds and food plots.
Access by paved road with electric.
AKC GERMAN SHORT-
A wide choice of building sites. Rose
HAIR POINTER PUP-
City area, Rose Township, SEC 21.
PIES, ready by Memorial
Owner 989-820-5858. RE-4-3
weekend. Taking deposits. First
..............................................
shot, wormed, dew clawed
and tails docked. Outstanding
DOGS bloodlines. No Fold Gamble
and Shooting Star. Leave a
message at 734-770-6109.
ENGLISH SETTER PUP-
PIES. Can be seen at Jays in D-6-1
Clare. May 20th and 21st or by
appointment. Call 810-280-8597.
GUNDOG TRAINING AT
D-6-1
ITS BEST! by Paul
..............................................
Rheaume. Over 30 years
BIRD DOG TRAINING BY
experience with pointing and
THE ONLY TRAINER in Michi-
flushing breeds. All inclusive 4
gan, in the National bird dog hall
week class that is customized
offame. The only trainer to win na-
to meet your dog's needs.
tional gun dog championship on five
gamebirds (and did it twice) with his Excellent for young dogs start-
ing out, for experienced dogs
expertise. Let us train your dog to
be the best. Only $450 per month tuning up, or for dogs with
issues. $600. Find us on
(includes everything) We train all
breeds. English Pointer and English Facebook or online http://gun-
dogtraining.webs.com.
Setter Stud Service. David Grubb,
248-860-1009. D-5-3 Rheaume's Kennel. (989) 864-
8606. D-5-2
..............................................
AKC REG. GERMAN
Subscribe
SHORTHAIR PUPPIES -
Exc. hunting bloodlines-1st shots-
Today!
wormed-parents on site-20 years
exp. raising & training these excep-
tional dogs - $400.00 Call 260-668-
6711 or 260-668-6709. D-5-2
..............................................
(810) 724-0254
Classifieds
Work!
(810) 724-0254
Monday-Friday
9am-5pm
or try our website
woods-n-waternews.com
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 89


90-97

Good hunting and fishing!

Sunny Cove
100 Hunting
Preserve
* Subdivision
East of canal

Acres,
Saginaw Bay
*
Dyked &
Farm

Isolated *
Dredge

Wetland
200+ gated acres available for yearly lease. Planned boat docks with power and
offsite boat ramp. mile canal with 2 dredged channels to the Saginaw Bay, casino
within 4 miles. Camp sites with power. Perfect for hunt clubs! References needed.
EMAIL DJRMVP@GMAIL.COM BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

REAL ESTATE AUCTION Martiny Lake Waterfront

Great fishing, Bird Watching
Excellent Hunting area with Near
State Land N & S within mile Marlette
62 Acres Hunting Property * Montcalm County Mature Landscape, Fruit, Flowers in Sanilac
Undersigned, Wayne Scramlin Trust, will offer for sale the following real estate at public auction on site at the
property. From Alma, west of US127 on M-46/Monroe Rd 9 miles to Lumberjack Rd. Turn north 4 miles to
County
County Line Rd. Turn west mile to the property. OR 10 miles east of Edmore, Mi. on M-46 to Lumberjack Rd.
Turn north 4 miles, then west mile on County Line Rd. Montcalm County.

FRIDAY, JUNE 23 *12:00 NOON* $

3,200 per acre
(Sale held on site at the property)

*62 Acres Vacant Property 2 Bed, 2 Bath, Open Living Area

*Approx. 75% wooded property
*Big hardwoods, thickets, swales
Auctioneer on site: Attached 2+ Car Finished Garage
New Siding & Roof 2014

*Rolling terrain throughout Wednesday, June 14 *11am-1pm*

*Approx. 10 acres being farmed
*Brushy & overgrown grass areas
*Food plot areas
*Frontage on 2 roads
*Nice high building site
*Area is nice mix of woods & farmland
*Notorious Big Buck Country
Wayne Scramlin Trust, Owner
Feel free to walk & inspect
the property at your convenience
*See www.PavlikLLC.com for all info,
aerials & maps
46X32 Pole Barn W Workshop
New Metal Roof
Priced to Sell!

$123,000
Contact Christine
231.348.7333
Christine.Parker@halo.com
www.PavlikLLC.com
90 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS

WE NEED LISTINGS 40+ ACRES AND LARGER
5 Bedroom, 6 Bath Custom
Home, 3,000 ft. Dake Lake.
4 Car Attached 2 Story
Garage, Horse Barn with
Stables, Fenced Pasture, $
Great Hunting and Fishing!
Alcona County, 240 Acres,
House, Barns, Pond, Stream, Food Plots
$499,000
IN
G
ND
PE
Iosco County, 783+/- Acres,
1 Mile Frontage Tawas Lake, Kunze River Crosses Property, Big Bucks, Wildlife Pond, 1/2
5 Bedroom Log Lodge, 3 Miles from East Tawas
$1,250,000
Newaygo County, 40 Acres
32x48 Pole Barn with Water &
Electric, 20 Ac Old Apple Orchard,
20 Ac Hardwoods, Great Hunting
$215,000
Newaygo County, 125 Acres, Three
spring fed lakes, Excellent Deer, Frontage on 9 Mile Rd & Cottonwood Rd, Remote Property, Nice Forest,
Turkey and Waterfowl hunting
$375,000
www.
231-652-7000
- or -
231-250-8200
80 ACRES, 359+/- ACRES,
TUSCOLA &
BARRY GENESEE
COUNTY COUNTIES
30 Acre Private Lake, 3,400
sq ft Custom Lodge,
$
1,950,000
70x70 Pole Barn, 60x120
Pole Barn, 2 Rental
1,650,000
Houses, 26 Ladder Stands,
5 Elevated Box Blinds
L D
SO
Antrim County, 52+/- Acres Calhoun County, 67+/- Acres
Alpena County, 316+/- Acres, Good Trails Rolling Hardwoods, Pole Barn Branch County, 43+/- Acres, Big Bucks, Calhoun Co, 61 Acres 300 ft. All Sports Prairie Lake, Calhoun County, 70+/- Acres Calhoun Co, 86+/- Acres
Lodge sleeps 10, Professionally Managed Forest with Living Quarters, Excellent Hunting Cold Creek Crosses Property, Nice Woods 2,500 ft. St. Joseph River, Excellent Hunting 1/2 Tillable, 1/2 Wooded House, Pole Barn, Pond, River, Elevated Blind 750 ft. Frontage on Prairie Lake,
Big Buck Hunting, Outbuildings
$439,000 $129,000 $136,500 $139,900 $275,000 $289,000 $349,000
I NG
END
P
Missaukee County, 80 Acres Newaygo County, 36+/- Acres Newaygo County, 40+/- Acres
Jackson County, 51+/- Acres Kalkaska County, 40 Acres, Mecosta County, 40 Acres Excellent Midland County, 80 Acres Pond, Professionally Managed Farm Land, M-37 Frontage, 1000s of Adjacent to Federal Land, Remote
Cabin, Barn, Trout Pond, Deer, Turkey & Small Game 12 Miles to Mount Pleasant, acres Public Land 1/2 mile Away
Forest, Food Plots Location, Small Lake
Tillable Leased, Warming Shed Excellent Hunting Hunting, Good Trail System Excellent Hunting $129,500 $50,400 $80,000
$169,000 $115,000 $88,000 $176,000
NG
LD DI
S
O
P EN
Newaygo County, 40 Acres Newaygo County, 60 Acres Newaygo Co, 80 Acres Newaygo County, 80 Acres Newaygo County, 80 Acres Newaygo County, 80 Acres Newaygo Co, 99 Acres,
Heavily Wooded, Excellent QDM, Trophy Bucks Rolling Hardwoods, Great Rustic Cabin, Pond, Nice 4,600 ft. White River Frontage, Planted Pines, Great Cover,
Close to Federal Land, Pole Barn,
Hunting, Building Sites Harvested, Great Parcel Great Hunting Hunting, 2 Bedroom Mobile Woods, Good Trail System Great Hunting and Fishing County Road Frontage
$60,000 $90,000 $140,000 $150,000 $129,000 $189,000 $198,000
LD
O
S
Saginaw County, 460+/- Acres,
Newaygo County, 160 Acres Oceana County, 100+/- Acres Osceola Co, 54+/- Acres Osceola County, 167 Acres Presque Isle County, 47+/- Presque Isle County, 80 Ac 8 Bedroom Log Lodge, 40x114
650 ft. Frontage Nice Cabin, Good Trail Acres, 2 Bedroom House, Pole Creek Frontage, 24x24 Garage, Pole Barn, Care Taker Residence,
Adjacent to National Forest Good Deer Population All Sports Grass Lake System, Excellent Hunting Barn, Excellent Hunting Excellent Hunting 275 Quality Deer
$400,000 $150,000 $225,000 $389,000 $99,000 $90,000 $3,200,000
WildLifeRealty.com
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 91
 Luxury
Luxury Recreational
Recreational Property
Property
184 acres in Gaylord, Michigan
184 acres in Gaylord, Michigan
184
184 acres
acres in
in Gaylord,
Gaylord, Michigan
Michigan
HuntHunting
FishLake
Hunting
Hunting Golf
Lake
Lake
Frontage
Guest
Frontage
Frontage
Golf
House
Golf
Golf
Guest House Pole Barn Heated Blinds
Pole
GuestBarn
Guest HouseSnowmobile
House Pole
Pole Barn Skiing
Barn Heated
Heated Blinds
Blinds

Cor
por Great
ate
Ret
reat
!

Visit www.tedschweitzer.com
Visit www.tedschweitzer.com to learn
learn more.
Visit www.tedschweitzer.com to
to learn more.
more.
Ted www.tedschweitzer.com
Ted
Visit Schweitzer
Schweitzer to learn more.
Ted Schweitzer
Call or Text: (231) 645-5656
Call
Call or
or Text:
Text: (231)
(231) 645-5656
645-5656
Ted Schweitzer
E-mail:
E-mail: ted@tedschweitzer.com
ted@tedschweitzer.com
E-mail: ted@tedschweitzer.com
Call or Text: (231) 645-5656
E-mail: ted@tedschweitzer.com

115 Reed Lake 50 Big L Lake 84 Little Twin Lake 233 Loon Lake
2 Bed 2 Bath 2 Bed 1 Bath 3 Bed 2 Bath 2 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 17013049 $149,900 MLS 17017916 $116,000 MLS 17014727 $72,500 MLS 17019280 $144,900

80 Acres 10 Acres Big Star Lake Access Vacation Cabin

2 Room Cabin 2 Bed 1 Bath 2 Bed 1 Bath 2 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 17016750 $180,000 MLS 17019355 $79,900 MLS 16028086 $39,900 MLS 17018267 $22,900

2000 Sauble River 864 M. Branch Pere Marquette River 1050 S. Branch Pere Marquette River 1000 Sanborn Creek
80 Acres 2 Bed 1 Bath 2 Bed 1 Bath 2 Bed 2 Bath
MLS 17002654 $99,500 MLS 15061722 $87,900 MLS 16057863 $165,000 MLS 17007632 $169,900

Looking for Affordable Vacation Property? LAND CONTRACTS ARE AVAILABLE

Call us today & get started on the path to owning your own little piece of Northern Michigan!
92 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
 Recreational Property Leaders 19 Acres High Producing
Blueberry Property
List and Buy with the Experts 28x38 building provides
excellent dry storage.

www.TrophyClassRealEstate.com Freshwater well, pond ,

diesel water pump, overhead

877-843-0910
irrigation, local management
available. Land Contract
possible.

VAN BUREN COUNTY

#17013511
$159,000

81 Acre Luxury Estate with Two Lakes 40 Acre Hunting Camp

Main house, guest lodge, over 8,200 SF Off the grid with generator,
of living space. Gated, very private rolling LP systems, well and septic, 2
property with sledding hill, lighted tennis wood burning stoves. Sleeps
14 and adjoins state land for
court and pool. Excellent turkey and plenty of hunting, grouse, deer
whitetail deer hunting. Explore, enjoy and and bear. Shed workshop. Near
relax on hiking trails or fish the lakes. 20 ATV snow trails and Fox River.
acre open & tillable land is ready for food
plots, annual crops or horses. SCHOOLCRAFT COUNTY
#1818121
BERRIEN COUNTY $89,500
#17005234
$3,970,000

10 Acres with Stunning 30 Acre Estate with View of

Log Home Lake Michigan
Allegan County Forest Near Arcadia Dunes, Mott Nature
on 3 sides, 2 bedroom/3
Preserve and adjoins Grand Traverse
baths, 3-car garage, stone
fireplace, rec room, hobby Regional Land Conservancy.
room, energy efficient and Immaculate & entertainment friendly
supremely built. Hunt the home has 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths,
grounds for turkey and great room, w/o lower level, gas
whitetail deer and come home fireplace, wet bar, pole barn.
to a grand style of living!
MANISTEE COUNTY
ALLEGAN COUNTY #1828038
#17008210
$390,000 $389,000

10 Acres, Strawberry Lake Stony Lake Access Cottage

Frontage, Large Home or Year Round Home
Solid home with 5 bed/3 baths, 2 bed/2 bath, loft, field-stone
453 of lake frontage, wooded fireplace, cathedral ceilings,
acreage surrounded by the upscale kitchen with granite
Pere Marquette Forest. Possible counter tops, full basement,
use as vacation rental or B&B. 28x40 garage (insulated,
Hunt, fish, mushrooming and water, electric). Walking
everything in between! distance to Lake Michigan.
OSCEOLA COUNTY OCEANA COUNTY
#16039164 #17016032
$399,000 $229,900

21.64 acres & 655 of private Lake First Lake Frontage with
Huron Frontage!! Comfy Home
You will relax in this peaceful and 2 Bed/1 Bath immaculate
quiet bay setting. Let the rolling home, stunning views, access
waves of Lake Huron lull you to sleep. to 4 other lakes, beautiful
The cedar and pine trees provide property, spacious deck, w/o
a pleasant UP North aroma and LL. Make it turn-key as most
offer much privacy. Near marina and furnishings are available to
historic lighthouse. purchase.
PRESQUE ISLE COUNTY MONTCALM COUNTY
#1831541 $124,900
$335,000
GRAND HAVEN TRAVERSE CITY
233 WASHINGTON, SUITE 202 4249 US 31 S
GRAND HAVEN, MI 49417 TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49685
(877) 843-0910 (231) 233-3575
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 93
 CANADIAN PROPERTY 4 SALE
Offices Serving Lower & 35% DISCOUNT
Upper Michigan
SPRING CLEARANCE OF HUNTING
AND FISHING PROPERTY!

Cheap recreational water front
Bringing people and places together since 1945 properties and acreages.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY! Bear hunting starts soon and land

owners can hunt without a guide.
statewiderealestate.net
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE!
CALL WITH YOUR INQUIRIES OR EMAIL
Houghton LAJAMBE
Call 810-724-0254 ENTERPRISES INC.
Marquette

Curtis
Newberry To Place Your 715 Finns Bay Road Echo Bay, Ontario CAN, POS IC0
OFFICE: (705) 248-9663 FAX: (705) 248-1110
Iron Mountain Manistique
Ad Today! MOBILE: (705) 941-8355
Gladstone Email: flajambe@lajambe.com Website: www.lajambe.com
Escanaba Onaway
Powers Hawks
Menominee Hillman
Alpena
Marinette
Atlanta
Mio Harrisville

Skidway Lake

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
ALMONT
844 Van Dyke Road
lafrancesharon@yahoo.com
810-798-8591 Fax: 810-798-8079
CURTIS/NEWBERRY
Main Street, P.O. Box 305, 49820
email: swcurtis@sbcglobal.net
906-586-9606 Fax: 906-586-9607
ESCANABA
2209 Ludington Street, 49829
email: escanaba@statewiderealestate.net
906-786-1308 800-900-0777
Fax: 906-786-1388
GLADSTONE
1401 Delta Ave.,
Gladstone, MI 49837
906-825-9000
email: judy@statewiderealestate.net
HARRISVILLE
430 S. US-23, 48740
email: sold@anjstatewide.com
989-724-5711 800-655-5735
Fax: 989-724-6833
HAWKS
8383 Hwy. 451, 49743
email: rita8383@yahoo.com
989-734-4846
Linden
HILLMAN
14938 State Street, P.O. Box 98, 49746
email: statewidehillman@yahoo.com
989-742-4523 800-228-7856
Fax: 989-742-3931
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
IRON MOUNTAIN
231 East A. St.
Iron Mountain, MI 49807
906-828-2525
Fax: 906-828-2727
email: steve@multistatewide.com
MANISTIQUE
10 N. State Highway M-149
Cooks, MI 49817
906-644-2304
email: dekeysermary@yahoo.com
MARINETTE, WISCONSIN
1460 Marinette Ave., 54143
email: statewidemarinette@yahoo.com
715-735-9964 Fax: 715-732-1107
Almont
Howell
Email: jbaker@greentractors.com
MARQUETTE
856 W. Washington, 49855
email: sw@statewiderealestate.org
906-228-9312 Fax: 906-228-8069
MENOMINEE
3631 10th Street, 49858
email: statewideone@newbc.rr.com
906-863-9905
Fax: 906-863-7935
MIO
102 West 8th St., P.O. Box 395, 48647
email: info@statewidemio.com
989-826-3292
Fax: 989-826-2108
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
St. Louis
Paved road, 5 minutes from town, 3 bedroom, outdoor kitchen,
forced air heat, wood stove in living room, 3 out buildings. 30x40
fenced dog kennel with heated dog house. Laundry room, partial
wrap around front porch, lots of custom features, St. Louis school
district (bus stop in front of the house), 5.6 acres. Appliances
included: dishwasher, stove, fridge, washer, and dryer.
John Baker
Cell: (517) 490-4108 River frontage, bon fire area, paved drive, old growth trees, lots
Home: (989) 307-1060 of wildlife, great deer and turkey hunting, eagles and otters seen
9774 RIVERSIDE DR
on regular basis. Ladder stand and shooting lanes with trails
throughout the woods.
ST. LOUIS MI, 48880 $
142,000 SELLING PRICE
TARGET REAL ESTATE SPECIALIZES IN
WATERFRONT HOMES AND HUNTING PARCELS
WE REPRESENT BUYERS AND SELLERS
GREENBUSH GREENBUSH
Nice square 40 acre parcel joining Federal and State 45 acres of hunting land off the beaten path. This
land. This area has proven to hold quality bucks over rolling parcel is heavily wooded with hardwoods and
the past years, QDM is practiced here. evergreens. Call today.
MLS 1828817 NEW PRICE $44,900 MLS 1799569 NEW PRICE $54,900
TAWAS CITY-$19,900, Several building lots totaling .91 acres. Natural gas, electric, city water and sewer are
available. Just a short distance from town, Tawas Bay and all products and services offered in the area. The lots are well
wooded and front on both North River Street and Jefferson. MLS#1823999
GREENBUSH-$15,900, Fantastic natural setting with 115 of frontage on 1075 acre Cedar Lake. Nice building site
on a well wooded lot. Pine, cedar and birch cover most of the lot. Located just north of Oscoda with the AuSable River
and thousands of acres of State and National forest just minutes from this building site. MLS#1815683
OSCODA-$19,900, Wooded 60x255 lot to build a cottage or home in area of well-maintained properties. Walking
distance to the AuSable River and just a short drive to thousands of acres of National and State Forest. MLS#1828468
EAST TAWAS-$24,900, Wooded building lot in area of newer homes. The 155x371(1.33 acre) lot includes a
cleared site. Natural gas and city water available. MLS#1810535
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
AU GRES-$250,000, 150 of Lake Huron frontage. Build your dream home on this 380 deep wooded lot located on
a paved street with city water, electric, natural gas, and new driveway. Call today! MLS#1746047
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

94 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS

 WEST BRANCH HALE WEST BRANCH
R S ALE R S ALE
M-33/M-55 OFFICE F O OFFICE F O LOOP OFFICE
1953 S. M-33 3160 North M-65 2575 S. I-75 Business Loop,
West Branch, MI 48661 Hale, MI48739 West Branch, MI 48661
10 miles north of I-75 exit 202 Gateway to Huron National Forest 1 mile north of I-75 Exit 212

Local: 989-345-2662 Local: 989-728-2540 Local: 989-345-0315

Toll Free: 800-535-6520 www.CAHANES.com Toll Free: 800-495-2540 www.CAHANES.com Toll Free: 866-345-0315

HOMES AND CABINS

WELL-MAINTAINED!! FANTASTIC VIEWS!! LAKE OGEMAW!! GORGEOUS LAKE VIEWS!! ALL SPORTS FOREST LAKE!!
3 bedroom, ranch modular, appliances, master suite, 2 bedroom, garage, 60 of water frontage on 52 acre 3 bedroom, full walkout basement, 70 of water frontage 2 bedroom, garage, walkout basement, central air, 178 feet of beautiful sandy frontage on 550 acre lake!
most furnishings to stay, front and rear decks for relax- BUSH LAKE, newer metal roof and newer windows, nice on all sports lake, central air, fireplace, garage, seawall, custom blinds, maintenance-free decking with beautiful Open floor plan, appliances, central air, lakeside deck
ing and nice large yard. Comfortable & affordable year lakeside sunroom with beautiful views, FP and more!! two decks with beautiful views and many other updates!! views and other updates like newer carpet and more!! with fantastic views, garage and not far from beautiful
round home or getaway!! Rifle River!!
$34,900 1824677 $95,900 1830299 $199,995 1829879 $119,900 1830098 $160,000 1811285

FOREST LAKE!! GEORGE LAKE!! SOOTHING MULESHOE LAKE!! LAKE OGEMAW!! SPECTACULR VIEWS!!
171 feet of beautiful water frontage with 3 bedroom home Possible 4 bedroom home with 186 feet of SHARED Quaint and cozy 2 bedroom home on no motor lake. 2 bedroom home on rare level lot with 90 feet of frontage 3 bedroom home with 100 feet of sandy frontage on
on full finished walkout basement. Fireplace, garage, WATERFRONT on all sports lake. Deck, most furnish- Some appliances and furnishings included, deck with on all sports lake in beautifully manicured subdivision. all sports 471 acre Loon Lake. Covered deck, beauti-
deck, fantastic views and super nice subdivision with lots ings will stay, some appliances, a boat and a dock and nice views, a shed for storage and located in very nice Sandy beach, boat dock, some furnishings, deck, porch ful views, garage with electric, two level lots and great
of subd amenities!! practically move-in ready!! subdivision!! & 2 garages!! recreational area!!
$119,900 1808082 $59,900 1829802 $60,000 1798881 $169,900 1825235 $179,900 1818975

TRAILS AND DELIGHTFUL VIEWS!!
Well-maintained 3 bedroom on 80 WOODED ACRES!
Open floor plan, wood stove, large windows w/beauti-
ful views, great hunting, full basement and possible 4th
bedroom!!
$219,900
GORGEOUS CAPE COD WATERFRONT HOME!! NEAR LAKES AND BEAUTIFUL RIFLE RIVER!! 1.33 ACRES!! ADJACENT TO STATE LAND!!
3 bedroom home, beautiful hardwood floors, FP, central Cozy one, possibly two, bedroom home on 2 nicely treed Large 4 bedroom home on over an acre of property! Full, partly Excellent hunting property and 18 ACRES with cozy 2 bed-
air, fantastic views, 8.8 ACRES and 1170 feet of water- lots. Newer windows and shingles in 2013, open floor finished basement, wood floors, new roof in 2016, gas log fire- room cabin with appliances, wood heat and propane lights.
front on the Au Gres River for great canoeing/kayaking/ plan, some furnishings, full bath and 12x12 shed with place and more. There is a 2 car garage plus a large shed for This is the perfect place to call your rustic hunt camp or
swimming!! electric for storage!! lots of storage and a nice deck for enjoying the outdoors!! secluded weekend getaway!!
1826379 $285,000 1798150 $34,900 1830854 $154,900 1830864 $64,900 1805656

CHANNEL LAKE!! WALK TO LAKE!! FOREST LAKE!! 70+ ACRES!! SEMI-SECLUDED!!

2 bedroom WATERFRONT home on full walkout base-
ment, with lots of updates including newer furnace, water
heater, kitchen countertops, sink & more! Lakeside deck,
beautiful views, garage, boat dock and 178 of frontage!!
$74,950
You can walk to all sports George Lake for swimming and
fishing from this cute one bedroom getaway. Home sits
on four lots with 3 storage shed, fireplace, loft are and is
mostly furnished. Need a little TLC!!
1830469 $39,900 1830138
3 bedroom home with private lake access to all sports
FOREST LAKE!! Garage for storage, covered porch area
for enjoying the outdoors, and semi-secluded BORDER-
ING STATE LAND AT REAR OF PROPERTY!!
$59,900 1830569
Fantastic hunting property, 1200 square foot modular
home, 30x40 pole barn/garage for all your Up North
toys, a pond, and move-in ready with appliances and
most furnishings to stay!!
$249,900
3 bedroom on ONE ACRE, lots of windows with beautiful
countryside views, fruit trees, garage, covered deck for
enjoying the outdoors, 30x36 garage with carport, fenced
area and 1300+ square feet of living space!!
1816928 $44,900 1830109

VACANT ACREAGE

18+ PARTLY WOODED ACRES 72 ACRES!! 96.61 ACRES!! 5 ACRES ON LAKE OGEMAW!! BEAUTIFUL LAKEFRONT LOT!!
with 1800 feet of water frontage on HOUGHTON Beautiful wooded & rolling property, great hunting, some Excellent prime hunting property with 80 heavily wooded Beautiful waterfront property with a dock for your boat and a Here is the place to build your dream home or getaway with 93 of
CREEK! Also has a 40x48 garage with lean to, porch, low lands, oaks, full cover and trails thru-out and price acres with trails thru-outand a variety and abundance of driveway where you can drive right up to the waterfront! Super waterfront and gorgeous views of all sports Lake Ogemaw plus an
living area, kitchen, pellet stove and bath for your hunt includes 2 lots adjoining acreage with interst in waterfront wildlife in the area!! nice subdivision with lots of great amenities! A rare find and great oversized 32x64 HEATED AND INSULATED POLE BARN w/laundry
camp and a blind for the hunter!! access on ELK LAKE!! potential spot for your new home or smei-secluded getaway!! and bath, well & septic, camper stub-out, dock & gorgeous views!!
$145,000 1829815 $135,000 1763946 $163,200 1823874 $129,900 1830107 $199,900 1829733

FANTASTIC HUNTING WITH 110 ACRES BORDERING BEAUTIFUL ROLLING ACREAGE!! HUNTERS PARADISE!! BEAUTIFUL WOODED LAKE FRONTAGE!!
VIEW OF LOON LAKE!! STATE LAND ON 3 SIDES!! 36.89 wooded acres! Excellent spot for your hunt camp 80 ACRES w/great mix of mature trees, rolling terrain, Over half acre of property with frontage on all sports Lake
45 heavily wooded acres with mature trees, a variety of wildlife in the area, The ultimate hunting property, mostly wooded with creek with trails for ORV/snowmobiling, electric available, variety of wildlife, hunting blinds, trails, blacktop road & Ogemaw with gentle slopw to water. One paved road and
trails thru-out, driveway and 4 hunting blinds! Property is in excellent loca- running thru, trails, matures trees and lots of wildlife in hunting blinds, outhouse and 29-foot Wildwood camper artesian fed pond. All of this BACKING UP TO STATE potential site for your dream home or vacation/weekend
tion and just a short walk to public access to all sports Loon Lake!! the area!! included in selling price!! LAND!! getaway!!
$119,900 1818920 $209,000 1821383 $115,000 1828040 $219,000 1829958 $89,900 1790612

FOR MORE LISTINGS

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.CAHANES.COM
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 95
 PINE LAKE PROPERTY - PRICE REDUCED!!
$70,000.00 DON'T MISS THIS ONE!

Lake Property
269 ft. frontage on beautiful Lake St. Helen, Roscommon County, Michi-
gan. 725 ft. South side, 640 ft. North side, has Riparian Rights, 24x36 pole
barn, heat, well, electric hot water, septic, zoned commercial, D.E.Q. ap-
proved for 135 slips, located at 9400 Monroe Rd. Asking $425,000. Land
contract possible.

Parcels C & D on survey are 11.81 wooded acres on a private spring fed lake in Call Denis at 989-387-0504 St. Helen, Michigan
Mecosta County. This is a hunter's and fisherman's paradise complete with 705
feet of lake frontage. The Southwest corner of the property is 80 feet above lake
level and gently slopes downward to an expanding vista of lake frontage. All River Front or Lake Front?
19771 10th 8194 Forest
lake front property surrounding this lake is owned by five individual owners. Ave. Barry- 54 ACRES Park Dr. 1.2 ACRES
ton, Mich. Clare, Mich.
There is privacy galore! But, if you prefer more action, Chippewa Lake, an all Beautiful
Nature Oasis
Exclusive
WATERFRONT
sports lake, is only one mile away. There is a well on the property (condition with 2,340
ft. Premier
property!
All inclusive,
unknown). Motivated seller! SEV is over $65,000.00 This land would make an Chippewa River Frontage. Perfect for a Hunting Lodge,
Exclusive Development or Private home. 5,840 sq. ft.
Amazing Views. 3BD, 2BA located on the south side of
all-sports Stevenson Lake with 187 feet of lake front-
excellent hunter's retreat, fisherman's camp or a campground. It has to be seen Quality Construction w/ 4-5 Bedrooms, 2.5 baths,
Geothermal, Oak Flooring, Modern Upgraded Kitchen.
age. 28ft Aqua Patio Executive Cruiser pontoon in the
boat house, with RV/Trailer storage. 28'x12' Enter-
to be appreciated. Master suite has Hot Tub room. Sundeck Overlooks
River. Options and Amenities are endless! Canoeing,
tainment Deck. CA, Upstairs Loft, Vaulted Ceilings w/
Sky Lights, Artesian Water Well, newer TRANE furnace

For more information call Hunting, Deer Blinds, ORV Trails. Detached 3-car
Garage, Pole Barn and Guest House! $699,900
and roof, extra out-building could be additional living
quarters, and so much more! $169,500

734-325-3103 or 989-463-2975 MATTHEW COZZIE

Realtor/Sales Executive

Thomas B. Camp Alma, MI 48801

402 N Mission, Ste #2
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
989-289-4001 matthewcozzie@gmail.com www.hometowne-realty.com

Heritage Exclusive Marketing Agents for Northeast

House Michigan Properties
RealtyPC Located in the Heart of the Huron National Forest, on the
Personalized Service is the Difference
Shores of Lake Huron and the banks of the AuSable River

334 acres in Doctors Club 217 Acre Hunters Dream 4635 E Clark Rd
area, prime hunting property 1400 sf 3 br 2 ba with Pine 3 br 2 ba Chalet with 6+ acres
awaits you. A portion of land River flowing through the and full finished walk-out
is a cattail swamp with Robb property. Enjoy sitting on basement. Move in ready
Creek. There is 2 beat up the deck watching all the with appliances included.
cabins on property with different wildlife Must see to fully appreciate
electric and flowing well. REDUCED TO $324,000 all this home and area has to
This would be a great group For More Information Text offer. $199,000
investment. Reduced R155061 to 52187 For More Information Text
$475,000 R213435 to 52187

10435 Skyline Dr, Atlanta 1861 Jewel Lake Rd, Kings Corner, Glennie
1380 sf, 3 bed, 1 bath with Barton City 900 sf, 2 bedroom, 1 bath,
100 feet on Avery Lake. 1000 sf, 2 bed, 1 bath with Disability compliant and
Enjoy evenings sitting on 50 gorgeous feet on Jewel easily accessible floorplan.
your patio overlooking the Lake. Fully remodeled with Appliances included with this
water. All appliances Loft bedroom without losing revitalized home across from
included, need updated. the rustic feeling. National Forest with carport
Newly Listed $133,000 Newly Listed $140,000 and large deck.
For More Information Text Newly Listed $49,500
R303406 to 52187

3037 Lake Shore, Glennie 7161 E Trails End 6980 Gary St, Hale
820 sf, 2 bed, 1 bath with 50 3 Bed 1 Bath 1000+ sf with 1180 sf, 2 bed, 1.5 bath with
feet on North Lake. Enjoy 800+ ft on Au Sable River. 2 car garage with extra room
the view from the finished 20+ acres with Guest House to work. House in need of
Sun Room or sit out on the and Detached Garage. So TLC and priced accordingly.
waterside deck. much to enjoy and so much Motivated Seller! Newly
Newly Listed to sell at only more to see. Newly Listed Listed $30,000
$139,900 at only $190,000 For More Information Text
For More Information Text R993353 to 52187
R213446 to 52187

6006 E H4 Rd, Hale N Ridge Rd, Black River 405 E Church, Harrisville
1200 sf, 3 bed, 1 bath Cabin 100+ feet of beautiful 1750 sf, 4 bed, 2 bath
in the Heart of National shoreline on Lake Huron Victorian in downtown
Forest. Detached Garage would make perfect getaway Harrisville. Own a piece of
with several other location. Plenty of room to history with this move in
outbuildings with excellent build to suit. $122,000 ready gem.
access to all the outdoors For More Information Text Newly Listed $129,900
has to offer. R277810 to 52187 For More Information Text
Newly listed at $49,900 R306384 to 52187

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

96 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
 420 Acres With Private
Lake in Central Michigan

Log Lodge Waterfront Log Home

6 Acres fronting two all-sports Remodeled 3 bdrm, 2 bath, fronts on
lakes, Ess Lake and Long Lake North Long Lake Hillman, garage and
of Hillman. 7 bdrm, 4 bath, log pole barn. $185,000
lodge, $547,900

White Cottage
Remodeled 3 bdrm, loft, 1 bath,
50 frontage on all sports Beaver Lake,
Lachine. $114,900
State Wide Real Estate of Hillman, Inc.
989.742.4523
statewidehillman@yahoo.com
420 acres with 100 + acre private lake
with dam for sale in central Michigan
(great investment opportunity). Great
fishing and huntingMichigan trout
Custom Lake Front Home stream, mature bucks harvested every
110 on Lk Avalon Hillman, MI.
year. Over two miles of water frontage,
3 bdrm, 2 ba. $349,900
standing timber with enough pine to
make 30 log homes. Seven miles of
trails, rolling hills, paved roads, has
14938 State Street natural gas line on property. Lodge
Hillman, MI 49746 (brick house) with fireplace. Three
stoarge buildings and workshop.
Includes all boats with pontoon boat.
All maintenance equipment included,
mowers, tractor, dozer, crane, etc.
Would make a great church camp,
hunting resort or lake development.
Frontage on three county roads. Gravel
and sand deposits on property, also oil
rights. Ann Clarks Trust. $4,000,000 or
best offer. Special terms for non-profit.
Call Robert Clark at
810-629-9376
Email: johnclark1954@hotmail.com

3 Bdrm, 1 bth home. 240 Acres. Built 2005. 1 Bdrm, 1 bth Bungalow. Sweet bachelor pad. 2/3 Bdrm, 2 bth home-camp. 120 Acres. 26
1200 Sq. Ft., fireplace, gar, sauna, trails. Rock. Cozy cottage, mega large garage. Stonington. Acre lake with fish. Great home too! Daggett.
$399,000 1090655 $99,000 1099358 $229,000 1095255

THOUSANDS OF 2 Bdrm camp. 80 Acres. 32x64 Bldg. Garage,

well, septic, and electric. Wilson.
2 Bdrm camp. 40 Acres. 24x30 Pole bldg.
Built 2000. Adjoins State land. Rock.
2 Bdrm, 1 bth camp. 18 Acres.
2 Car gar with deer blinds. Ensign.
ACRES AVAILABLE $179,000 1096747 $99,000 1096936 $55,900 1097355
FROM $5200 TO $526,200.
Escanaba
2209 Ludington Street
(906) 786-1308 Gooseneck Lk cabin. Kayak, pontoon, fish out 2 Bdrm, 2 bth home/camp. 240 Acres. Well,
your front door.Sandbar on Lk for swimming. 2 Bdrm, 0.25 bth Camp. 80 Acres, Wilson septic, elec, 24x40 and 28x30 garages. Pond.
ATV trails. Nahma. Creek, well, power, trails, pristine. Powers. Perkins.
Powers $72,500 1100697 $139,900 1100747 $240,000 1098341
W3776 US 2 & 41
(906) 497-4190

Gladstone
1401 Delta Ave.
(906) 825-9000
2 Bdrm, 1 bth log home/camp. Hunters
2 Bdrm, 1 bth, 22 acres. Cabin built in 2010. Hard- dream! 38 Acres. Small field. Loft. Power. Cozy 1 bdrm camp on 4.2 acres. Electricity.
wood Impoundment frtg. Great fishing. Hardwood. Bathroom. Secluded. Cornell. Outbldgs. Furnishings included. Stonington
$89,000 1094330 $108,900 1099356 $41,000 1099277
WNW NEWS JUNE 2017 97
 DAN DAN LOG CABIN
FURNITURE
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WHOLESALE TO THE PUBLIC CHECK
US OUT
ON THE
WEB!

Queen Size Log Headboard $

7500
Queen Log Bed $19999
5 Drawer Chest Only
$
199
4 Drawer Chest
$
189
2 Drawer Night Stand
$
149
MORE SIZES,
SOLID WOOD,
Finished Cedar Log Bed
ONLY
BUNK BEDS Solid Wood Complete with Mattresses $29999 AMERICAN MADE!
299
$ 99

Mini
Rocker -
Recliners

Cabins
From
$
19999
Log starting at

1999
Futons
$ 99
Rustic End Tables
from
$
14999 $
39999

D A N
Mattress

DA N
Not Included

CALL ANYTIME (989)-832-1866

THEMATTRESSMAN.COM 802 ASHMAN ST., MIDLAND
98 JUNE 2017 WNW NEWS
 REBATES
UP TO
$1 ,500

PolarKraft 179 Frontier STARTING AT

$M189
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201 Industrial Way, Fenton, MI 517-202-2949
or available at...
THE KNOWLEDGEABLE BOATERS A BETTER
SPORTS
CENTER
BEST CHOICE MOUSE TRAP
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 Hours: FLINT FREEWAY
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3241 Thompson Rd. Mon.-Fri. 9am - 6pm EXIT 84
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CENTER
Sat. 9am - 5pm
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Fenton, MI 48430
23

w w w. f r e e w a y - s p o r t s . c o m
Closed Sunday's
96
Exit 84 on US-23 ANN ARBOR DETROIT sales@freeway-sports.com
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31516 Harper Avenue

St. Clair Shores, MI 48082 Available at: Layaways Welcome

Michi-GUN
Phone (586) 296-2360
Fax (586) 264-8307

STORE HOURS:
Mon. - Fri: 10am-7pm;
Sat: 10am-4pm; Closed Sunday www.michigunandtackle.com