APRIL 2019 $4.

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Woods-n-Water News
Michigan’s Premier Outdoor Publication

EYESIGHT:
A Turkey's
Best Defense

BIG FISH TACTICS

• Trout Opener Tricks • An 'Ideal Beagle' • 2019 'Yak Tourneys
• Whitetails and Winter • Early Development of Our State Parks
• Youth State Record Bear • Tomfoolery • DIY...Bass Poppers
www.woods-n-waternews.com • Like us on facebook Follow us on
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WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 3
 Field Notes...By Tom Campbell
Supplemental deer feeding
Spring Turkey Season permits issued in southern UP
If you haven’t tried spring Except within its CWD
turkey hunting in Michigan, I think surveillance areas, the
you’re missing out on a great op- MDNR has agreed to issue
portunity; it really is ‘fan’-tastic! supplemental deer feeding
Do some scouting, understand permits in the southern part
turkey habitats, learn a few calls of the Upper Peninsula.
(today’s turkey call manufacturers The action comes with
have made it easier than ever), brush average U.P. snow depths
up on your woodsmanship, and get measured across the region
outside! nearly double that of a 15-
You have plenty of hunting year average for late Febru-
methods and weapons; shotgun, bow ary and March.
or crossbow. You can set up and Feeding deer large
call, you can move and call, roost quantities of food to supplement natural winter food resources – termed
birds the night before, ambush, use “supplemental feeding” – is allowed by permit in the northern U.P. coun-
decoys, outmaneuver; just remem- ties beginning in January each year.
ber – safety first. it’s interactive and the weather can This type of feeding differs from “recreational feeding,” which is lim-
And spring turkey season offers be excellent. The DNR’s Apprentice ited daily to two gallons of feed, placed within sight of a home or camp.
plenty of hunting seasons and hunt Hunting License program is perfect Recreational feeding is allowed year-round across the U.P.
units. You can purchase a Hunt way to invite a non-hunting friend In southern U.P. counties – which typically exhibit milder winter
0234 license anytime throughout the or co-worker on a spring turkey weather conditions – free permits are issued for supplemental feeding
entire spring turkey season, through hunt. It allows a person who does dependent on weather conditions.
May 31. Hunt 0234 is a statewide li- not have a hunter safety certificate “The DNR uses total accumulated snow as an index of the severity
cense valid for all open areas except and is 10 years of age or older to of the winter,” said Terry Minzey, DNR U.P. regional wildlife supervisor.
public lands in Unit ZZ (southern purchase a base apprentice hunting “In typical winters, impacts to the deer herd in the southern part of the
Lower Peninsula), May 6-31. license. An apprentice hunter may region, based on snow accumulation measurements, can be forecasted by
Turkey hunters also have the purchase this license for two license mid-January.”
option to purchase a leftover li- years before he or she must suc- Minzey said when conditions suggest the potential exists for signifi-
cense for units where licenses are cessfully complete a hunter safety cant winter deer mortality, regulated supplemental feeding is authorized
still available. Leftover licenses go course. The base apprentice hunting by the DNR. This winter, the early part of the winter was fairly moderate,
on sale at 10 a.m. March 18. Any license is available to residents and but conditions deteriorated in February. Therefore, supplemental feed-
hunter may purchase one license nonresidents. ing permits are being issued in the southern U.P., except within chronic
until quotas are met, including hunt- There’s also the DNR’s mentor- wasting disease core and expanded surveillance zones set up last October,
ers who did not apply for a spring ing a Mentored Youth Hunting Pro- after a doe tested positive for the disease in Dickinson County’s Wauce-
turkey license. gram, which allows youth hunters dah Township.
Hunt 0301 in Unit ZZ is another nine-years-old and younger to hunt As of March 4, there have been 56 days this winter with greater than a
great option, with many leftover deer, turkey, small game, trap fur- foot of snow accumulated on the ground in the U.P.
licenses that can be purchased over- bearers and fish for all species with “We are monitoring deer in select areas,” said Chad Stewart, DNR
the-counter. The private-land-only a licensed mentor who is at least 21 deer, elk and moose management specialist. “At this time, most of the
license, Hunt 0301 (Unit ZZ), April years old and hunter-safety certi- deer across the U.P. seem to be in fair shape.”
22 – May 5 is not valid on county, fied. The mentored youth license is More snow is forecast for the region this weekend as temperatures
state, or federal lands. Hunters a “package” license that entitles the warm, with the potential for rain and snow next week. Weather forecast-
should have permission to hunt youth to hunt, trap and fish for the ers are predicting the snow pack to last on the ground into April, with
private lands before purchasing this species listed above during all open temperatures trending in long-term forecasts to remain below average.
license. seasons for the species. Additional Stewart said peak winter mortality typically happens from late March
To hunt Michigan’s spring tur- restrictions apply; complete program through early May, and the factor most often attributed to high winter
key season you must purchase your details can be found in the Michigan deer mortality is the length of the season.
base license, which are available Hunting and Trapping Digest, or “Though the intensity of a winter can play an important role in deer
now at $11, seniors $5 and juniors online at www.michigan.gov/men- survival, the length of winter before spring green-up is often the most
(10-16) $6, plus your turkey license toredhunting. critical factor,” Stewart said. “At this point, it is too soon to know whether
cost $15 or only $6 for seniors. Be sure to share your successful this winter will have a high negative impact on the deer herd.”
Spring turkey season is a great turkey hunt photos and stories with The DNR will continue to monitor the situation.
time to recruit new hunters because us...email wnw@pageone-inc.com. “Some deer have already succumbed to the winter; this is not uncom-
mon and occurs every year,” Stewart said. “The DNR has more than 250
animals collared presently in the U.P., so if a large deer mortality event
SEASONS does occur, we will have an understanding of the magnitude.”
Stewart said it is important to remember the deer herd in the U.P. can
Open All Year – Pike and walleye season on Lower Peninsula Great Lakes, Lake St.
Clair & St. Clair & Detroit Rivers
suffer losses naturally with extreme winter conditions. Difficult winters
Open All Year – Salmon and trout season on Great Lakes, St. Marys River, Lake St. have negatively impacted herd numbers previously – notably during the
Clair & St. Clair & Detroit Rivers mid-1990s – and are expected to impact herd numbers in the future.
Open All Year – Catch-and-immediate-release bass season on all Michigan waters A lack of available high-quality deer wintering habitat remains a fac-
open to fishing tor limiting the deer herd in the U.P.
Now - March 31 – Squirrel season- fox and gray (black phase included) “Extreme winter conditions can highlight just exactly how impor-
Now - March 31 – Cottontail and snowshoe hare season tant our deer wintering complexes are in aiding survival of the U.P. deer
Now - March 31 – Raccoon trapping season open statewide.
Now - March 31 – Crow hunting statewide
herd,” Minzey said. “The department has recognized the importance
Now - December 31 – 2019 Pure Michigan Hunt application period of this habitat and is working collaboratively with sportsmen’s groups,
March 18 – Over-the-Counter Leftover spring turkey licenses go on sale at 10 a.m. private landowners and others on identifying, creating and managing this
March 23-24 – Mitchell State Park - Steelhead Fishing Clinic, contact Edward Shaw habitat to help mitigate the impacts of severe winters.”
at 231-779-1321 or shawe@michigan.gov. Supplemental deer feeding permits are available by contacting DNR
March 31 – 2018 Fishing Licenses expire offices located in Baraga, Marquette, Crystal Falls, Escanaba, Newberry,
May 1 - June 1 – Michigan elk and bear application period
April 22 - May 31 – Spring turkey hunting with various hunt units and dates.
Sault Ste. Marie and Shingleton (Cusino).
*Consult the Michigan Hunting and Trapping Digests, Fishing Digest, or other spe- For more information on chronic wasting disease in Michigan, visit
cies-specific hunting digests for a more complete list of dates and regulations regard- Michigan.gov/CWD. Find out more about white-tailed deer and deer
ing each season or hunt period. hunting at Michigan.gov/Deer.
4 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 5

HUNTING
Hunting small tracts
of land for gobblers
Darin Potter page 18
Elk Update: Hunting seasons
and population surveys
page 24
A slingshot for hunting can be
fun, challenging and effective
Tom Lounsbury page 36
TOMFOOLERY
Jerry Lambert page 37
Youth state record bear
Richard P. Smith...page 25
EYESIGHT
A gobblers best defense
Kenny Darwin page 44
What makes an ideal beagle for
hunting cottontail and snowshoe
Millard Holton page 60
FISHING
TROUT OPENER TRICKS
Kenny Darwin page 8
Trophy Fish Tactics
Mark Romanack page 12
There’s more to readying your
rig than prepping gear
Mark Martin page 14
Next Bite...
Springtime Cranking
Gary Parsons/Keith Kavajecz
page 15
COVER PHOTO
By Thomas Kirkland
Story...page 44
6 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
Michigan’s white bass
Kenny Darwin page 26
PLASTICS
Trolling Tricks for
Spring Walleyes RULE ON
Mark Sak page 30
OUR RIVERS
DIY...Bass Poppers
George Rowe page 34
BIG ’EYES OF SPRING
Mike Veine page 40
2019 ’Yak Tournaments
Dave Mull page 50
Spring options for great fishing
John Bergsma page 52 Mark Romanack...page 28
Steelheading... Master Angler program Michigan’s early
Lessons on the South Shore has new rules for 2019 State Parks development
Calvin McShane page 72 page 51 Casey Warner MDNR
page 68
The American Woodcock:
FEATURE “The Rational and Irrational”
Michigan Meanders...
Tom Carney page 63
HOT TOPICS
The Minister goes ice fishing
Tom Huggler page 22 Dear Fish Diary...
PERSPECTIVE Scenic River alcohol
ban lasts...a week?
Traditional root cellars still work
Darryl Quidort page 32 Staying dry when wading Ron St. Germain page 56
Jim Bedford page 48
Dog Training...Pointing Rep. Howell introduces
By Len Jenkins page 62 proposal to expand
Which way did the rabbit go?
Jonathan Schechter page 66
pheasant hunting
page 57
Over 200 hunting, fishing
A Michigan success story... conservation groups support
Salmon in the Classroom plan to stop Asian Carp
Brandy Dixon page 70 page 57
Sporting Collectibles...
It’s still out there! President request $1.3 billion
Terry McBurney page 74 for U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service in 2020
page 58
NEWS Historical log drives still
BATTLING OAK affect trout streams GUNS/AMMO
WILT DISEASE
Kathleen Lavey-MDNR Bill Ziegler...page 20 TRADITIONAL BLACK
page 16 POWDER HUNTING...
MDNR COs have A common and
Early winter onset can busy deer season ordinary occurrence
devastate northern deer herds Jeff Pendergraff page 64 Dennis Neely page 42
John Ozoga page 38
APRIL 2019
Woods-n-Water News
Michigan’s Premier Outdoor Publication
$4.00
DEPARTMENTS...
Trophy Pages. . . . . . 54 Classifieds . . . . 76-77
News/Op-Ed. . . . 56-58 Real Estate . . . . 77-85
EYESIGHT:
A Turkey's
Best Defense
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BIG FISH TACTICS
• Trout Opener Tricks • An 'Ideal Beagle' • 2019 'Yak Tourneys
P.O. Box 278, Imlay City, MI 48444
• Whitetails and Winter • Early Development of Our State Parks
• Youth State Record Bear • Tomfoolery • DIY...Bass Poppers
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WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 7
 TROUT OPENER TRICKS
By Kenny Darwin

I
probed the head of the
deep pool with a black
gnat pattern, searching
for the monster 8-pound
brown I scouted. On the
third sweeping cast my
line suddenly stopped and I set the
hook. A huge fish violently shook
its head in an attempt to throw the
hook, and then turned downstream
using the powerful sweep of his
broad tail in the current attempting
to snap my fluorocarbon leader.
Line ripped off the reel like
I was into a big steelhead as the
brown dove beneath a fallen cedar
tree and tangled the line on roots
hidden deep in the shadowy cavern
and snapped my line like it was a
thread. There I stood calf deep in
the cold spring water with broken
line, broken heart and adrenaline
surging through my veins after
hand-to-hand combat with a mon-
ster brown. But at least I hooked up
with him and my opening day strat-
egy brought exciting results. Truth
is, if you want great trout fishing on
opening day there are some simple
tricks you can use to guarantee suc- The author likes to reveal fishing tactics to help you experience hear t-stopping trout action.
cess.
Begin by scouting. I’m not Some trout like to move down- If possible approach likely trout soon became my most sought after
talking about setting out cameras to stream from deep holes and thick spots from downstream. Cast to species from opening until streams
record wildlife, I’m suggesting you cover and take up feeding position the lower end of the hole first and close in September.
make a trek to your favorite trout where current pushes food into if you hook a fish pull him down- One of my sneaky strategies
stream and learn the river. I mean skinny water. Other trout prefer to river and don’t allow him to swim evolved after decades of chasing
study the flow, identify log jams, move to the head of holding wa- upstream and spook other fish in the trout and discovering how they go
pools, holes, runs and ideal habitat ter and ambush food approaching hole. Don’t make the common mis- bonkers for worms and nightcrawl-
that hold trout. Use polarized sun- holes, runs and deeper water. When take of getting too close to target ers washed into streams following
glasses and a billed cap so you can you are scouting try to locate where fish that detect your movement and rain storms. Not just a quick thun-
cut the reflection of the water and trout are feeding. Now, on opening dive for safety in nearby log jams. dershower but enough rain to cause
actually see into the current. Make day stalk feeding locations, sneak Use rather long distance casts and rivers to rise, water to become
your scouting trips during mid-day silently close, don’t wade where try to make silent casts. Avoid loud slightly discolored and brute brown
when sun is high to help you see fish can see you and slip into cast- splashing from your line and lure trout will abandon watery lairs
into the water and hopefully spot ing position unnoticed. when your presentation enters the during broad daylight and gorge
trout. Rivers and streams change On many Michigan streams you water. Remember trout by nature themselves on worms. My tactic is
drastically in just one year and can expect plenty of competition are wary fish and the slightest slap simple, hit the stream while water
constant flow can wash out shallow from other anglers on opening day. from a fly, plop from split shot or is still discolored and trout are in
water and make deep trout holding One trick is to hit the water long splash from a spinner can cause a feeding frenzy. My target is big
holes, move fallen trees, logs, boul- before sunrise using a headlight then to spook. browns, monsters that hide under
ders and create new trout habitat. flashlight to navigate the bank and I learned sneaky tactics for log jams and avoid fishermen like
Most northern Michigan trout walk to secret trout spots far from catching trout from people who a coyote running from a rifle shot.
streams sweep under cedar trees lin- the road or other parked vehicles. really fish. My father, Ray Darwin, I’m talking big adult fish in excess
ing the bank which provide shade, Come daylight start working holes was a trout fishing nut that intro- of five pounds that gulp your hook,
undercut banks and ideal trout hid- and cover as much water as possible duced me as a kid to the Tobacco strip line off the reel like a runaway
ing locations. Walk upstream and before other fishermen show up. Rivers, Cedar, AuSable, Pere Mar- salmon and give you a heavyweight
stalk likely trout hideouts in an at- Sure, some holes you want to camp quette, Pine River, East Branch of tug of war better than any other
tempt to sneak up on wary fish and on because you know they produce the AuGres and more. He loved trout.
locate hiding locations. Move rather impressive catches but using a run eating trout and seldom released It goes without saying timing
quickly where there is shallow wa- ‘n’gun strategy and covering as fish and was best known for his can be key to success for fantastic
ter but when you reach deeper water much water as possible can increase endless quest of big brown trout. To Michigan trout fishing. If opener
slow your pace, pause often, hide your chances of hooking up with him browns were the king of trout, is cold you can expect fewer bites
behind trees, brush and in the shade fish that have not yet seen a hook. the best of the best, and he soon from fish seeking warming trends.
of cedars while you scrutinize the At times you need to keep mov- introduced me to their down and Forget dry flies if the weather is
watery lairs. Try to identify trout ing to stay ahead of approaching dirty bulldog fighting abilities like
holding lies and feeding lanes. anglers. no other trout. German brown trout Trout Opener page 10
8 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 9
 Trout Opener Tricks:
from page 8
cold and water temperatures are
dropping. You’re better off fish-
ing nymph flies or live bait. But if
the day is warm, sun shining and
insects are hatching you can expect
better catches.
The trick to catching big trophy
browns on crawlers hinges on your
ability to rush to rivers and streams
exactly when the bite is going big
guns. A lot depends on the kind
of rain that falls, if it is a cold rain
expect an average bite. Heavy rain
can cause water conditions to get
too discolored and flood.
However, if the rain increases
flow, gives the stream a jolt of oxy-
genized warm water and slightly
discolored water and enough rain to
wash worms into the trout stream,
fishing can suddenly become unbe-
lievable. I’m talking about suddenly
hooking the biggest browns in the
system and catching limits is no big
shake.
One sure fire method of deter-
mining if the bite is fantastic is to
look down the throat of fish you
catch. If worms are sticking out of
the gullet you can bet the bite is
top notch. If you land a beer belly
brown and inspect stomach con-
tents and find handfuls of worms
the bite is peak. I’ve caught huge
browns with so many crawlers in
their mouth they are sticking out the
gills. The trick to monster catches
is timing your fishing trips to match
ideal weather and water conditions.
While many anglers prefer a sunny
opener I always pray for a nice
warm thunderstorm to get the trout
crankin’ big time.
Modern cell phones can help
identify weather conditions, view
exact detail about rain and deter-
mine when storms will be dumping
Smar t trout fishermen practice selective har vest and keep some
fish to fry and release quality big fish to continue spawning and
sustain the valuable resource.
10 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
oxygen enriched water into local
streams. Sometimes the best bite
occurs shortly following a down-
pour, depending how quickly the
watershed funnels water down-
stream, increases flow and dimin-
ishes clarity. In most cases fishing
the day following rain is a good bet
for increased catches. Keep in mind
the bite will only last until trout are
fully gorged with food, which often
occurs in just a few hours. My fa-
ther always had a saying regarding
trout, “The more water, the more
fish you catch.” Meaning good
water flow is needed for good trout
fishing and low clear water means
fewer fish. He was an ace at recog-
nizing when trout are on the bite.
When trout are slamming offerings,
chasing lures or flies and hitting
hard on the first cast, that’s when
he would fish hard, take no breaks,
cover a lot of water constantly cast-
ing.
There are a million trout catch-
ing tricks I’d like to share but gran-
diose catches often begin with your
approach. I’m talking about respect-
ing fish, easing into casting position
using caution, avoiding spooking
trout and using a stealthy approach.
Fantastic trout fishing begins with
wearing the right clothing. Sure you
gotta keep a low profile along the
river banks but if you are fishing
a traditional Michigan stream you
gotta worry about fish seeing you.
The trick to increasing your catch
could hinge on the clothing you
wear. I’m talking about using pat-
terns that match the environment,
natural greens, browns, military
camouflage, hunting clothing and
more. Next avoid wading when
possible on small streams and when
you are in the water avoid splash-
One challenge of trout fishing is learning what tactics trigger
strikes and how to maximize your success. Author photos
ing or wading too close to trout that
spot you and spook. Always wear
clothing that conceals your outline
and approach each fishing location
with care. Hefty catches often hinge
on your ability to sneak kissin’
close to your target, slowly, quiet as
a black bear sneaking up on a donut
bait pile and making precise, silent
casts.
Savvy trout fishermen position
on the upstream end of a hole, cast
from the shallow side to the deep
hole and allow the offering to quar-
ter drift downstream and probe the
deepest part of the hole. The idea
is to let your offering sweep below
sunken logs, under submerged tree
roots and sweeping fallen trees
where trout live. If you want more
fish learn how to penetrate trout
holdouts and get your bait so close
to hiding fish they only need to
move a few inches to snap the food.
This means getting down and dirty,
casting into jams, sweeping under
fallen trees, drifting through shaded
locations, around rocks, logs, brush,
debris and more. Don’t overlook
any trout hiding location and expect
big fish to occupy prime locations
offering the most cover. If you find
a good looking spot make several
casts, spend more time waiting for
the take and make certain to work
diligently at getting the hook into
the strike zone.
If water conditions are low and
clear on opener plan on scaling
back on presentations. Rather than
using whole night crawlers use the
tail end and pinch off the head at
the sex ring. Better yet make the
switch to garden hackle. I’m talking
about earth worms, but if I had one
favorite it would be a large leaf or
earth worm; you know the kind
you find in your garden or around
grandma’s chicken coop. The trick
is to single hook a large worm
and let it drift deep into pockets,
hideouts, trout sanctuaries and twist
and turn. The action of the moving
worm drives trout bonkers and you
can expect the telltale tap, tap of
a strike. Lively worms will catch
more fish than worms not kept in
proper soil or crawler bedding.
If opener is highlighted by warm
weather you need to keep worms
and crawlers in a cool container out
of the sun.
Looking for the hottest trout
bait going? Try salmon eggs in
cluster. I like to keep king salmon
roe in the skein--roll it in 20 Mule
Team Borax, Foodsaver in a plastic
bag and freeze. The day before trout
opener open the bag, thaw, cut skein
into quarter-size chunks and cover
with Borax hand soap. Stir the skein
by rolling in a Ziploc bag until the
eggs are covered with Borax and
semi hard or cured. Fish the skein
on a single hook below a bobber,
float or bouncing bottom using
split shot. When salmon roe in
skein hits the water, its milk sends
a strong chemical message to
trout waiting downstream. They
cannot resist the smell, swim
upriver in search of the source and
smash the offering with a fierce
feeding bite. Cut spawn draws trout
like candy and there is simply no
better live bait for native brook
trout.
If opening day brings cold
weather, sleet or snow you want to
fish during the warmest part of the
day. If weather is ideal and wader
clad legions invade your favorite
trout stream you might want to hit
the water super early, hike to the
middle of the section and have as
much water as possible available to
share only with undisturbed native
trout.n
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 11
 TROPHY
FISH
TACTICS
M
ost trophy
class fish are
caught by
accident. Case
in point, the
Ohio State
record for walleye was caught on a
perch rig. There is little doubt that
particular walleye was a surprise
catch.
Most trophy class fish are caught
by accident because it’s tough to
predict the whereabouts or seasonal
movements of adult fish. It’s tough,
but not impossible to make these
predictions with walleye and a host
of other popular species found here
in the Great Lakes region.
TROPHY WALLEYE
For the angler who is looking
to put a double digit sized walleye
on the wall, there are no shortage
of places in the Great Lakes region
to shoot for that goal. Hands down,
Lake Erie produces the largest num-
ber of trophy class fish in any given
year. March and early April before
the spawn is the absolute best time
to target these fish. It is at this time
of year that trophy class females
will be full of eggs and at their peak
weights.
Jigging and also slow trolling
crankbaits are the two presentations
that produce the most trophy class
fish in early spring. Late fall is the
second window when trophy wall-
12 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
eye are most vulnerable to fishing
pressure.
In the fall, trolling with crank-
baits is hands down the most pro-
ductive way to cover water and also
to target big walleye. In the years
when lack of ice allows anglers to
troll throughout the month of De-
cember, lots of double digit walleye
will be caught.
Many of these fish will be
caught in deep water and also near
bottom. Because most crankbaits
will not dive deep enough to reach
these fish, a growing number of
trophy seekers use the two ounce
size Off Shore Tackle Snap/Guppie
Weight to double the diving depth
of popular crankbaits including the
Reef Runner 800 Series, Bandit 5/8
Ounce Walleye, Smithwick Perfect
10, Rapala Husky Jerk 14, Deep
Diving Husky Jerk 12 and the Tail-
dancer TDD 11.
The Bay of Quinte located at
the eastern end of Lake Ontario
is another popular destination for Top: Monster walleye like the author’s Lake Erie giant are best tar-
anglers seeking trophy class wall-
eye. Every year in the fall and also
geted in late fall and also in early spring before these fish become
winter months when good ice forms, spawned out. Above: King salmon pushing that 30 pound threshold have
been turning up with increasing frequency in recent years. Reduced stock-
walleye that push the upper teens ing effor ts have enabled fish like this chinook to grow to larger sizes than
are taken from the Bay of Quinte. A witnessed in years past. The best time to target these huge fish is just
steady diet of alewife is responsible before they spawn when salmon stage near river mouths. Plugs are hands
for growing walleye to these mas- down one of the best ways to tangle with a brute like this.
sive sizes.
Many believe the lake record, this large are a completely different In the fall, catching Bay of
a 22 pounder, will soon fall in the animal. The anglers who target these Quinte walleye is a crankbait troll-
Bay of Quinte. Walleye that grow fish are also a different breed. ing gig. Many anglers use the largest
crankbait sizes they can lay their
hands on including saltwater grade
lures.
Once ice forms, oversized lip-
less crankbaits, glide baits and jigs
tipped with jumbo sized swim bait
bodies produce the biggest fish.
TROPHY
SMALLMOUTH BASS
Because most anglers who
target smallmouth bass practice
catch and release, true trophy class
smallmouth bass can be found in
hundreds of different lakes, rivers
and Great Lakes basins. Catching
one of these mega giants is not so
much knowing the whereabouts, but
rather knowing when and how best
to catch these fish.
Once again the early spring
pre-spawn period is the ideal time
to target trophy bass. Modern day
catch and release seasons open the
door for anglers to target bass when
these fish are at their maximum
size and weight. When a big fish is
caught, make sure you have measur-
ing tape, digital scale and camera
close at hand. Weigh, measure and
photograph the fish quickly before
releasing it. This information will
be invaluable when it’s time to visit
the taxidermist and have a replica
mount made.
During the pre-spawn, small-
mouth generally stage near the hard
bottom areas where they will spawn.
Jerkbaits and jigs with paddle tail
style swim baits are some of the
most productive lures.
TROPHY PIKE
With the exception of fly-in
wilderness fishing destinations,
trophy class northern pike are one
of the most difficult fishing goals to
achieve. Great Lakes waters where
pike have plenty of forage and
places to get lost to fishing pressure
are the best places to zero in on big
pike.
Pike are most vulnerable on last
ice and again in the early spring
when they are actively spawning in
shallow water marshy areas. On the
ice, pike stage at river mouths weeks
before the ice melts. Minnows
fished on tip-ups and dead bait rigs
laying on the bottom are the most
productive ways to catch trophy
class pike late in the winter.
Once the ice breaks up, low land
and marshy rivers and streams that
drain directly into the Great Lakes
are the best places to find these fish.
Typically when these fish are
actually in the rivers, they are pro-
tected under closed seasons. Once
these fish have spawned and start
Outside of fly-in wilderness trips, monster nor thern pike are hard to come by. Black bottom bays that have plenty of
vegetation and the ability to warm quickly in the spring sunshine have proven to be the best places to find super tanker
nor thern pike. Jake Romanack caught this impressive specimen swimming a dead sucker minnow on a 1/4 ounce jighead.
dropping back to the Great Lakes,
they are fair game as pike fishing is
open year around in the Great Lakes
and Great Lakes Connecting Waters.
Big post-spawn pike seek out
dark bottom bays where the sun
warms the water quickly. Two pre-
sentations tend to produce the best
on these super tanker fish.
Casting a jig tipped with an
oversized sucker minnow is lights
out on big pike. The best approach
is a fairly small jig like a 1/4 ounce
with an oversize hook. Saltwater
jigs made for targeting red drum are
often the best jigs for this style of
fishing.
The other presentation that is
deadly effective on post-spawn
pike are oversize soft plastics fished
weightless. Split tail minnows,
paddle tail grubs and also twister
tails in the seven, eight and 10 inch
range are essential when targeting
lethargic pike.
These oversize plastics will sink
slowly and can be worked enticingly
to keep the bait in close proximity to
the fish. Traditional baits like spoons
and spinnerbaits are moving too
fast to get much attention from pike
that are beat up from the rigors of
spawning.
BROOK TROUT
The only way to catch trophy
brook trout is to frequent the areas
where these fish are found. For my
money the best brook trout desti-
nation in North America is Lake
Nipigon in Northwest Ontario. This
body of water is so large it was
once considered to be named a sixth
Great Lake.
Late May and early June are
prime times to target trophy brook
trout on Lake Nipigon. At this time
of year the fish will be on the shore-
lines as this will be the warmest
available water in the lake. Moving
fast and pitching small spoons and
in-line spinners is the best way to
cover water.
Brook trout tend to be found in
pods or small schools. When one
fish is caught, it’s almost a certainty
that others are nearby. Once a school
if fish has been located, it often pays
to circle back on that spot later in
the day and fish it more slowly and
thoroughly using lead head jigs and
soft plastic grubs or a small jerk
bait.
TROPHY SALMON
If catching a king salmon over
30 pounds is a life goal, the chances
of making that happen are better
now than they have been in over 40
years. Because there are fewer king
salmon in the Great Lakes these
days, the fish are growing larger
on a steady diet of alewife, gizzard
shad and smelt.
The absolutely best time to tar-
get these fish is just before they ma-
ture and move upstream to spawn.
When king salmon stage near river
mouths they can be caught on a host
of presentations, but high action
plugs tend to be exceptionally effec-
tive.
Old school plugs such as the
Luhr Jensen J-Plug or Silver Horde
Ace-Hi are good choices for tar-
geting adult salmon in August and
September. These plugs have a very
erratic action that seems to produce
strikes when other baits fail.
The other plug salmon fisher-
men must embrace is the Mag Lip
produced by Yakima Bait. This bait
is like a FlatFish on steroids as it has
that same wide action, but can toler-
ate much faster trolling speeds and
river current speeds.
The most popular Mag Lip sizes
for salmon include the 3.5, 4.0 and
4.5. These baits are even more pro-
ductive when slathered with natural
scent products such as Pro Cure
Super Gel. Some anglers go the
extra step to wrap a strip of herring
around these plugs using stretchy
thread. Plug wrapping is a common
tactic on the west coast, but not a lot
of Great Lakes anglers have learned
to master this art form.
The Mag Lip features grooves
cut into the sides of the bait that are
designed to hold the thread in place
so small strips of baitfish can be at-
tached to the plug easily.
SUMMING IT UP
Anglers who are motivated by
catching trophy class fish are well
aware that when targeting big fish
they may not catch lots of fish. Big
fish are hard to come by and catch-
ing them requires putting in more
time for less reward.
For anglers who are motivated
more by size than numbers,
becoming a trophy specialist
often manifests into a lifelong
goal. Many of these anglers become
so fixated on catching trophy class
fish that when the moment of truth
finally arrives, they opt to release
their catch so it can fight another
day.
When you’re motivated by tro-
phy fish, a picture really is worth a
thousand words!n
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 13
 There’s more to readying
your rig than prepping gear
Make sure your paperwork is part
of spring your spring planning...
E
arly spring’s one of the
few times of year there
can be a lull in lake fish-
ing. The gap starts when
ice is no longer safe
to walk upon,
which can last a few weeks
until the boat launches are
free of shelf ice and vessels
can be safely launched.
Although it’s frustrating
not to be able to wet a line,
this quiet period’s a needed
reprieve from being on the
By Mark Martin
ice with my ice-
fishing schools so I
can prepare for the
upcoming open-water season. And
you can bet I’ll go through every
square inch of my boat, making sure
everything’s rigged and ready to
go. But it won’t be just equipment
I’m working on. I’ll also make sure
all the insurance paperwork’s done
prior to hooking the trailer to my
hitch.
Before The Voyage
There’s no doubting the year’s
maiden voyage—more a shakedown
mission to make sure I have every-
thing in its place so future tourna-
ment trips to flow flawlessly—is
greatly anticipated. But as an angler
I have a responsibility to make sure
I have the proper coverage well
before that first trip.
And having the appropriate wa-
tercraft insurance goes well beyond
just covering the boat, motor and
trailer. It needs to envelop all my
fishing gear, electronics and trailer’s
accessories, as well. The company
I insure with is Worldwide Marine
Underwriters Inc. (worldwidemari-
neins.com), which specializes in in-
suring watercraft, even more so the
unique vessels and gear of anglers.
Why the fuss to use an insurance
company such as Worldwide Ma-
rine? Because most anglers, whether
professionals or weekend warriors,
are grossly underinsured and don’t
even realize it.
If you were to purchase a classic
car or motorcycle, for example, I’m
sure you would seek out the best in-
surance for the unique vehicle, and,
more than likely from a company
that focuses their policies on that
14 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
particular type of means of transpor-
tation and its accessories. The same
should hold true to your fishing ves-
sel and equipment, as well.
My fishing boat and equipment
are tools of my fishing trade
that are not always under-
stood and covered properly
by insurance companies
that don’t have marine
specialty agents, such as
Worldwide. It’s not that any
of my past insurers were
trying to pull a fast one
over on me, it’s just
the basic cover-
age they are able
to offer was not enough to cover all
damages in case of a loss.
Let’s say I was pulling my
boat from my home to Matteson
Marine, in Gun Lake, (matteson-
marine.com) to have my Mercury
outboards tuned up for spring, and
I was in an accident. More than
likely, there would be damage to
my boat, motors and trailer. What’s
not understood by most anglers in
a situation like this is if they were
underinsured, the damage would be
more costly than ever expected until
it was too late.
And then there could be damage
to all my boat, motors, and trailer’s
accessories, which are the most
overlooked in policies and will cost
the underinsured more than they can
afford to replace. Sometimes the The open water season is about to commence; is your rig covered
out-of-pocket costs are so great that in case of catastrophe?
it’s impossible to reinstate it all, and
a replacement boat is no longer an any more personal expense than my
deductible.
Breathe Deep
option. For the average angler, this The purpose of this article is not
could mean fishing from shore from And then there’s the obvious to stress you out about the “what
here on out. It might even mean the equipment, such as my Lowrance ifs” in case of a loss or damage to
end of a fishing career for a profes- electronics with Navionics chips in your boat, motor, trailer and equip-
sional angler. them, Fenwick rods, ABU Garcia ment, but to make sure you realize
My boat’s accessorized with reels, Flambeau tackle totes packed the insurance coverage you have on
specialized tools specifically made with Rapalas, Northland spinners it all may not be what you think it is.
for the boats of avid anglers. For and jigs, Daiichi and Tru-Turn Check into it, contact an insur-
example, my Cisco Fishing Systems hooks, as well Berkley terminal ance company that specializes in
rod holders (ciscofishingsystemsltd. tackle and tools. The list is longer marine coverage and make sure your
com)—machined to tough standards yet, and the cost of replacing it all is rig’s properly covered. Once you do,
to withstand a lifetime of abuse— staggering. like me, you’ll take a deep breath
and my Smooth Moves Seat Mounts Not so sure about all this? Just of relief and enjoy your days on the
(smoothmoveseats.com)—which add up what it would cost you to water even more.
protect my back from injuries when replace the lures in just one tray of Mark Martin (markmartins.net)
rough seas suddenly build—are just your tackle box and it won’t take but is a touring walleye tournament pro
a few of the components that may a few minutes to realize you could and an instructor with the Fishing
need to be replaced with the exact not afford to re-purchase them all at Vacation/Schools (fishingvacation-
brands and models, and without one time. school.com).n
 Next Bite…Springtime Cranking
By Gary Parsons and Keith Kavajecz
S
pring means warming
waters and shallow
baitfish. The north
shorelines, larger
flats, shallow rocks,
and longer bays warm
faster than the main lake. Somehow,
shad, shiners, small bluegills, and
other bait know exactly how to find
comfortable water. Well, the wall-
eyes follow.
Post-spawn fish are spread out
so moving fast is key and crankbaits
facilitate speed. Jigs are often just
too slow covering water. Cast-
ing cranks is a fun way to work a
shallow water area. For equipment,
look at a seven-foot medium light
Cabela’s Prodigy Walleye Spin-
ning rod because the extra length
helps with casting distance and the
slightly softer tip gives some initial
shock absorption before the hook.
These fish are not leader shy so tie
a Number-one Berkley Cross-Lok
snap directly to 10-pound Berkley
Fireline Ultra 8-Carrier braided
line. This line allows you to feel the
lure vibrating as well as when the
crankbait ticks bottom. This new
Ultra 8 is also smooth and thin to
help lengthen each cast and allow
the lure to dive a bit deeper.
Shorelines are never consistent
when it comes to depth and steep-
ness, so having different crankbaits
that dive to different depths gives an
angler the tools to effectively keep a
bait in the strike zone. The standard
Flicker Shad in the seven-cm size
is a workhorse. It dives quickly and
can be worked on a cast up to seven
to eight feet deep. The smaller five-
cm size is a little less aggressive
and will hit about six feet on a long
cast. Most people do not realize that
the six-cm size dives similar to a
number-seven, but it is weighted to
suspend and in colder water, if you
pause the retrieve, that feature can
produce more fish.
If you get up even shallower,
this is where the new Berkley
Shallow Flicker Shad shines. The
five-cm and seven-cm sizes dive to
about three and five feet respective-
ly. Using a standard Flicker Shad in
this situation would dig bottom. The
larger seven Shallow Flicker Shad
has a proven action very similar to
the “standard” seven Flicker Shad.
The five Shallow Flicker Shad has a
subtle action and is great for wall-
eyes in a finicky mood.
In all cases, align the retrieve
speed with the water temperature.
If the water is still chilly, crank a
bit slower. As the water warms,
move faster and crank faster. Use a
steady retrieve unless the no-stretch
Fireline indicates that a fish swiped When star ting out buy a selection of sizes to cover the depths you
at the bait (feels like the bait vibra- will be fishing – be sure to get both five-cm and seven-cm sizes so
tion pauses). In that case, pause and you have different actions to handle the different moods of the fish.
twitch a few times to get them to
come back and strike again. First, when up this shallow, con- Bass Pro Shops a bit intimidating.
For larger flats and long tapering sider trolling with your electric troll- When starting out buy a selection of
shorelines, walleyes can chase bait ing motor. Our quiet Motorguide sizes to cover the depths you will be
all the way up into a few feet of wa- Xi5 is great for this because we can fishing – be sure to get both five-cm
ter, but also could be hanging in six use the Heading Lock to point the and seven-cm sizes so you have dif-
or 12-foot depths. In these large ar- engine the direction we want to troll ferent actions to handle the different
eas trolling becomes the best option. and the motor will automatically moods of the fish. For colors, start
Line counters spooled up with 10 keep us on course. Second, you with lures that have contrast - colors
pound Fireline is our first choice for will want to spread the lures like Chartreuse Pearl, Uncle Rico,
trolling, but even spinning rods (the away from the boat either with and Fire Tiger. But never leave the
same rods I cast with) with Fireline a long rod or preferably with store without some “Mouse” colored
can be cast out quickly and adjusted planer boards. lures (Pearl White). Once you start
so the lure stays in the strike zone. We use the Off Shore Tackle to have success, pick similar pat-
At the deeper end of the spectrum, OR12 Side Planer Boards for terns of baits but with different
you might even consider a lead core walleye because they track through colors to really fine tune your lure
setup (18 pound Bass Pro Magibraid waves and handle all of the standard collection.
with a 15 foot leader of 10 pound crankbaits with ease. These boards By the way, standard springtime
Fireline) to get shallow running are easy to see and the tattle flag trolling speeds are as low as 1.2
baits down close to the bottom. system indicates if a lure has picked mph - go faster as the water warms
Especially during the shad up debris or a smaller fish. Running – up into the 1.8 mph range. Ac-
spawn or on windy days, walleyes a lure 10 feet behind a planer board tive spring walleyes do not need a
will move into less than four feet of is a common presentation and the slow jig to bite. A crankbait moving
water. Trolling a seven-cm flicker shallow fish never notice the boat. through their space is often more
shad would only be 10 feet behind Each lure in the Berkley Flicker effective at triggering a strike. Go
the boat! Here are a couple of op- family comes in over 20 colors shallow, cast or troll cranks and get
tions for a better presentation. making the aisle of crankbaits at The Next Bite.n
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 15
 BATTLING
OAK WILT
DISEASE
n state forests and on
urban streets, the oak is
a mighty tree. Towering
nearly 100 feet tall, it can
live up to 150 years and
offers plenty of shade
under its heavily-leafed, spreading
branches. But oaks – especially trees
in the red oak family – face a threat
from a disease known as oak wilt,
caused by a fungus with micro-
scopic spores that can infect and kill
a red oak within weeks.
“The leaves begin to turn brown,
with parts of them still green,” said
James Wieferich, a forest health
specialist with the Michigan Depart-
ment of Natural Resources. “When
the leaves start dropping in the
middle of summer, that’s when we
An aerial photo shows
oak trees infected with
oak wilt disease in Benzie
County. MDNR photos
16 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
By Kathleen Lavey - MDNR
get a lot of oak wilt calls.”
Wieferich said there’s good
news and bad news about oak wilt.
The bad news: you cannot save
a red oak that is already showing
symptoms.
The good news: simple actions,
such as refraining from pruning
oak trees between April 15 and July
15 and covering accidental bark
wounds with paint, can help keep
healthy trees from being infected.
On city streets, those steps help
keep tree loss to a minimum. In state
forests, plows and selective cutting
help keep the disease at bay.
People who spot a tree with
symptoms of oak wilt – in the city
or the forest – are encouraged to
check the DNR’s interactive oak
wilt map at Michigan.gov/Fores-
tHealth to report it.
So, what is this infection that
can take down a towering oak?
Oak wilt is caused by the fungus
Bretziella fagacearum. It spreads
from tree to tree by underground
root contact, through tiny, sap-feed-
ing beetles that carry spores from
fungal pads on infected trees into
wounds on healthy oaks.
Spores also can be found on
recently cut firewood from trees
that died of oak wilt. This is one of
the reasons why the DNR and other
agencies advise against moving
firewood.
Oaks in the red oak family,
including black oak, northern red
oak and northern pin oak, are most
susceptible to the disease, which
kills trees by interrupting the flow
of sap.
Trees in the white oak group are
less susceptible because they have a
different internal cell structure that
prevents rapid spread of the infec-
tion through the tree. Trees in the
white oak group have rounded leaf
edges and include white oak and
swamp white oak.
The highest risk of infection
occurs from April 15 through July
15, but it is prudent to avoid pruning
or injuring oak trees until they have
lost leaves for the winter.
If pruning or removing oaks can-
not be avoided during the high-risk
period, or a tree gets damaged, im-
mediately cover wounds with tree-
Pressure pads, shown here,
are a symptom of oak wilt.
wound paint or latex-based paint.
Treating tree wounds with paint is
not usually recommended; doing so
to combat oak wilt is the exception.
Infected trees will usually begin
to display symptoms beginning in
June through September. The symp-
toms include the leaves showing
two colors during these months and
rapid leaf drop from the tree’s upper
crown.
Those trees are usually easy to
spot in a backyard. DNR staffers
also are keeping an eye out for oak
wilt in state forests and taking mea-
sures to stop its spread.
“We prioritize our treatment
efforts in new areas where there
is not a lot of oak wilt,” said Scott
Lint, a forest health specialist with
the DNR.
Those areas include Otsego and
Cheboygan counties in northern
Michigan. In the Upper Penin-
sula, control efforts are focused on
Menominee, Iron and Dickinson
counties.
Other priority spots include state
campgrounds and trail access sites
where people come to enjoy the
woods.
“For the rest of the state forest,
we prioritize by the quality of the
oak,” Lint said. “We tend to priori-
tize high-quality northern red oak
rather than pin oak.”
Once an infection is spotted in a
priority area, DNR staffers bring in
a piece of heavy equipment known
as a vibratory plow. It creates a deep
trench to separate the roots of the
infected tree from trees outside the
perimeter.
“All of the trees within that circle
 Michigan Depar t-
ment of Natural
Resources forest
health special-
ist Scott Lint
runs a vibratory
plow treatment
around an oak
wilt-infected tree
have the potential to become in- in the Manistee
fected and die,” Lint said. National Forest
Other oak trees within the circle near Wellston.
are cut down. Sometimes they are MDNR photo
salvaged for timber; other times they
are left in place.
Within a treated area, new
trees that sprout from stumps are
likely to die from oak wilt because
they are connected to the infected
underground root system, where the
disease can linger for a few years.
The roots of new oaks that generate
from seeds aren’t deep enough to
become infected.
“Once we do the plowing, we
have removed the risk of oak wilt
spreading,” Lint said. “New seed-
lings that originate from seed will
grow in that same area uninfected.”
Tips to avoid oak wilt:
• Don’t prune oaks from mid-
April through the summer.
• If oak trees must be pruned or
removed during the risk period, or
a tree gets damaged, immediately
cover wounds with tree-wound paint
or latex-based paint.
• Don’t move firewood, especial-
ly if it comes from oak wilt-killed
trees, as it can harbor the fungus.
• If firewood is suspected of
being tainted by oak wilt, cover it
with a plastic tarp all the way to the

Find your escape.

ground, leaving no openings. This
keeps beetles away so they can’t
move spores onto healthy trees.
Leave wood covered until the fall of
the year following tree death to keep
the disease from spreading.
If the presence of oak wilt is No matter where your passion for the outdoors takes you,
suspected: GreenStone can help you get there. We’re experts in
• Learn more from the U.S. For- financing homes off the beaten path and properties
est Service site or Michigan State
University Cooperative Extension of any size.
Service. Contact your local branch office to learn more,
• Report infections at Michigan.
or visit us online to apply today.
gov/ForestHealth using an interac-
tive map.
• Contact a local DNR forest 800-444-3276
health specialist for more informa-
tion at DNR-FRD-Forest-Health@
Michigan.gov or 517-284-5895.
• Michigan State University’s
Diagnostic Clinic can verify infec-
tion. Find instructions at PestID.
msu.edu or call 517-355-4536.
• Get help from an oak-wilt
qualified specialist. Visit Michi-
ganOakWilt.org for a listing and
more information.
Whether in the forest or in urban
areas, land managers and prop- www.greenstonefcs.com
erty owners taking a few relatively
simple steps can prevent oak wilt
infection and keep oaks towering
over our backyards, city streets and
forests for decades into the future.n
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 17
 Hunting small
tracts of land
for gobblers
I
n Mecosta County
where my family owns
approximately eighty
acres, decent numbers
of turkeys can be found
throughout the surround-
ing area. However, even though we
have several small clover
plots, numerous water
sources and an abundance
of turkey habitat it can be
tough holding them on
our property. Oftentimes
turkeys will roost on neigh-
boring properties and spend
a very brief period of their
day feeding, strutting, and
traveling through the
area. By Darin Potter
I can recall two
different longbeards that I intercept-
ed while they were traveling across
our property from the roost to a
The author’s nephew, Brock, with his first longbeard he shot on a
ten acre chunk of private proper ty last spring.
18 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
neighbor’s corn field. This required
a more aggressive tactic. I refer to
these types of turkeys as transient
turkeys. Not only does this occur on
this piece of property, but in other
areas I’ve had permission to hunt
turkeys on in the past. This can also
include large tracts of pub-
lic land that occasionally
limit you to hunt turkeys in
small areas due to hunting
pressure from other turkey
hunters along with other
outdoor enthusiasts.
As for private property
throughout the state, land is
continuing to become more
fragmented and
sold off as smaller
parcels. Just look
at some of the counties’ plat books
and you will quickly see what I’m
talking about. This trend will in-
On small hunting lands effective calling techniques are essential in
order to pull birds into shooting range. Author photos
crease your chances of knocking on
a landowner’s door who owns one
of these small pieces of property.
You can either pass up the chance to
hunt on one of these small parcels or
seize the opportunity and make the
most of it.
With that being said here are
some tips that will help you fill your
spring turkey tag when hunting
small tracts of land for gobblers.
Scout and Setup
When hunting small tracts of
land it is especially important that
you be aware of the surrounding
natural features that could pres-
ent turkeys with an obstacle when
responding to your calls. These
could include barbwire fences,
creeks, thick brush, and fallen trees.
Scouting the area ahead of time for
potential locations to setup will help
alleviate this problem. Not only
will it help you avoid these types
of obstacles, but it will allow you
to find areas where turkeys have
been roosting and feeding. Pin-
pointing these locations is essential
when trying to put a gobbler on the
ground. Put in some leg work well
in advance of the season search-
ing the area for turkey sign such as
tracks, dusting locations, droppings,
and feathers.
If you find large quantities of the
latter two then chances are you’ve
just found a roost, which is the
jackpot for setting up prior to open-
ing day. Placing a trail camera(s) in
areas where you’ve spotted turkey
activity in the past will also give you
an idea of where they’re spending
time. Driving on the roads around
the area and glassing adjacent prop-
erties from afar is also a great way
to determine their travel patterns
and areas where gobblers like to
strut. This will avoid putting extra
hunting pressure on the birds. While
driving around you may find out
that the turkeys aren’t roosting on
your property at all, but have chosen
to roost on the property next door.
Gathering this information will help
you determine where you will setup
on your property and the direction
you should face.
Tent blinds are an excellent way
to remain concealed in open areas
such as fields and meadows where
longbeards frequently spend their
time strutting and feeding. A tent
blind is just the ticket when hunting
in smaller areas due to the fact that
you won’t be cutting and running
near as often. On one piece of prop-
erty near my home that consists of
sixty acres where I have permission
to hunt I typically will place two
tent blinds in areas where turkeys
are the most active. This helps in-
crease my chance of filling my tag.
Other options besides tent blinds
are half blinds. These types of blinds
are excellent when a gobbler is
fast approaching and you are in the
open and don’t have time to lean up
against a tree or find other available
cover. However, oftentimes I will
sit at the base of a tree when I’m
on larger tracts of land where they
have more room to roam and go
about their daily turkey business.
If anything, it has caused me to be-
come a better turkey hunter paying
attention to detail on my approach,
setup, calling, and knowing when
to stay put versus cutting and run-
ning.
Absorbing information from all
experiences from past turkey sea-
sons, books, videos, seminars, and
talking to other experienced hunters
who have spent countless hours in
the turkey woods have all contrib-
uted to my success and wouldn’t be
possible without them. Stay positive
when hunting these areas because
sooner or later a longbeard will pass
by offering you a shot. After all,
gobblers travel several miles a day
so your chances are good of hearing
or seeing one on the property you’re
hunting. Don’t think for a second
that the “grass is greener on the
other side,” but instead be confident
in your setup and your turkey hunt-
ing skills.n

31s� An�u � Sp�i�g APRIL 19-20

cutting and running and hear a gob-
bler nearby.

Calling
If you discover that turkeys are
roosting off of the tract of land you
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Oftentimes, many turkey hunters
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31s� An�u � Sp�i�g APRIL 19-20

the hen, which is you calling, isn’t
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always been limited to turkey hunt-
ing on smaller properties whether
it’s been on my family’s property or
on the property of those who have
generously given me permission to
hunt. However, I don’t feel that this
has negatively affected my success.
It just makes the window of oppor-
tunity a little smaller than hunting
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 19
 Historical log driving activities still affect trout
habitat on northern Michigan trout streams
Historical photo of newly constructed log driving dam on the
I
Brule River. Harbour House Museum of Crystal Falls photo
f you spend some time ca-
noeing/kayaking or explor-
ing, and know how to iden-
tify log driving remnants,
you can observe consider-
able stream features that
were constructed to transport pine
logs that are still present along many
rivers in Northern Michi-
gan. Log drivers’ activities
of more than a century ago,
impacted the trout stream
habitat both fish and anglers
use today. An angler ex-
perience will be enhanced
by knowing the historical
significance of prominent
fish habitat features you
encounter on your
favorite trout stream. By Bill Ziegler
This can be the case
on any river in Northern Michigan
where pine logging occurred (ap-
proximately 1870s to early 1900s).
As a prime example, this article
will focus on the Brule River in the
Menominee River Watershed (Iron
County).
The Brule River was established
by the US Congress as a border
between Michigan and the Wiscon-
sin Territory in 1840. The river was
used by Captain Thomas Cram of
the US Army Topographical Ser-
vice to lay out an interstate border
Brule Dam wood framework and scour pool (trout hole) just downstream.
This is a good example of significant log driving dam remnant on the Up-
per Brule River.
20 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
survey. Captain Cram described
the Brule as having dense growths
of cedar along the river, making
navigation difficult. Cedar is still
common on the river banks. The
Brule means burnt, a French word
for a large fire that charred the
woods near the confluence with the
Brule and Michigamme
River forming the Menomi-
nee. When Captain Cram
first surveyed the Brule, he
noted considerable evidence
of the Indians use of this
river as a trade route.
Pine log drives down
the Brule River were pre-
ceded by the considerable
construction of log-
ging dams. By using
the county plat book,
State of Michigan DNR county
maps, US Forest Service maps, and
US Geological Survey Quad Maps
you can find some of the historical
dam sites marked to aid your explo-
rations. Significant remnants of fea-
tures like logging dams, and drive
logs can still be observed today
since some of them involved major
alterations that remain durable on
the rivers or landscape. Typical log
dam remnants are large timbers,
large steel spikes, rock cribs, angled
wood piling, scour pools, earth
and rock dam berms along with
noticeable nearby burrow pits. In a
few rare cases workers conducting
regular maintenance on the dams
carved or stamped their initials or
names and dates in rocks near the
dam sites.
The Menominee River Wa-
tershed was a major log transport
system of pine logs in the late
1800s into the very early 1900s.
10,608,229,506 board feet of lumber
were driven down the Menominee
Watershed between 1868 to 1917.
Reportedly, the watershed drives
supported over 30 saw mills near
the mouth of the Menominee River.
This volume could be supported
since the Menominee is the fourth
largest watershed in the State of
Michigan.
As railroads were built in the
area, lumber companies calculated a
comparison of the costs of log trans-
portation to Menominee. Initially,
river log drives were the only way
to move logs to the mills. Eventu-
ally, railroads and supply roads were
constructed although river transport
of pine logs was still the most eco-
nomical method to move large num-
bers of logs down to the mills. The
log drives on the tributaries of the
Menominee, like the Brule River,
were timed to catch the spring run-
off high water period. The harvested
pine logs were decked along the
streams during the winter so they
could be rolled in to start the log
drive at spring breakup.
The Menominee River log drive
was operated by a cooperative com-
pany called the Menominee River
Boom Company. The Brule was
a major river for log drives from
the upper western portion of the
Menominee Watershed. The Brule
River received logs from smaller
drives on the tributaries – Pendel-
ton Creek, Brule and Elvoy Creeks
(WI), Iron River, and Armstrong
Creek. Logging dams were con-
structed on the tributaries and main-
stream of the Brule River. Two types
of dams were used by log drivers.
Reservoir dams were sometimes
constructed on tributaries although
often they were constructed at the
outlets of some lakes to provide
additional water to flush into the
system in a coordinated effort to
keep log drives going. Log driving
dams were often constructed above
extremely shallow stream stretches
or rapids that would cause large log
jams. Log driving dams had sluice-
ways where logs could be driven
though them on a large head of
water released abruptly in the spring
flushing the logs downstream.
Paddling the Brule River is
the most practical and enjoyable
way to view many of the remote
log drive remnants. During the
late 1800s, crews employed by the
log driving outfits cleared a path
through some major obstruction
like boulder “fields” and natural log
jams on many rivers that still aid
paddlers today. Most of the Brule
River is adequate for navigation
and is about 40 miles from Brule
Lake down to the Brule Island/Paint
Pond Impoundment. If you are not
pressed for time you could also
trout fish on the upper Brule River
or fish for smallmouth, muskie and
walleye on the lower Brule River.
There is a number of good access
points mentioned in this article (or
the maps listed above) if you only
want to take a day trip. If extensive
exploring the historical remnants or
considerable time allotted to angling
is your goal, you should not try to
paddle too far in a day, my rule of
thumb is no more than about ten
river miles a day.
Above this most navigable
stretch, Pendelton Creek (MI) and
Elvoy Creeks could be floated at
higher water. Both streams are good
trout streams, especially Elvoy
Creek. Elvoy supports both brook
and brown trout fishery. Pendelton
Creek is a brook trout stream. Log-
ging dam remnants can be found on
all these tributaries.
The upper most logging dam
site on the Brule River is the Brule
Lake Outlet Dam. This dam site can
be reached by paddling downstream
from Brule Lake which is at the
headwaters of the Brule River. This
particular dam is also easily reached
by driving west from Nelma, Wis-
consin on County Road A, 1.5 miles
to a dirt access road running north to
a public access site at the old dam.
If you launch at that access site,
Elvoy Creek enters the Brule River
just over a half-mile downstream
from the old dam. However, most
paddlers start their Brule River trips
at the road crossing of M-73 about
3.9 miles downstream from the old
Brule Lake Outlet Dam site.
Paddling downstream from the
put in at Michigan Highway 73 at
about 6.8 miles you first encounter
Wheeler Dam. This historical log-
ging dam is mostly gone although a
large former plunge pool can still be
found along with a few timbers and
large steel spikes. This section from
M-73 has poor road access, although
is one of the better sections to trout
fish year around on the Brule River.
The Upper Brule is one of the few
trout rivers in the U.P. that supports
a self-sustaining brown trout fishery.
Brown trout are not as abundant
as brook trout although some nice
browns can be caught.
From Wheeler Dam it is a
6.9-mile paddle down to Michigan
Highway 189. There is a small park-
ing area and landing on the Wiscon-
sin side of the river at the bridge.
The Brule River would have to be
floated in a couple of overnights or
as day trips. If you launch at M-189,
the next easy take out is the Scott
Lake Road coming to an old for-
mer bridge site and access site on
A pine drive log found on the Pine
River by the Pine, Popple and Pike
Wild Rivers Group. This number 8
surrounded by a diamond repre-
sented a logging company owner-
ship so the log could be sor ted
out and directed to the proper saw
mill as it eventually reached the
Menominee saw mills located down
at the mouth of the river and the
Bay of Green Bay.
the Michigan side. The Scott Lake
access is just below the Iron River
confluence, about 7.1 miles down-
stream of Highway M-189.
The Iron River is a high-quality
brook trout stream with a watershed
completely in Michigan. The Iron
River had at least four historical log-
ging dams. The uppermost sites are
a reservoir dam at the Ottawa Lake
outlet and a driving dam at Hazel on
the North Branch of the Iron River.
As you go downstream, driving
dams at the Wild River Road and
Iron River Township Hall both have
popular trout fishing holes below
them that were dam plunge pools.
It is only 0.9 miles down to the
Saunders Log Driving Dam site
from the Scott Lake Access Site
on the Brule mainstream. Saunders
Dam still has considerable old tim-
bers, spikes and other remnants of
the old dam structure. The Wiscon-
sin side of the dam is tied into a tall
rock outcrop. Below Saunders dam
the river runs along an old railroad
grade on the Michigan bank. There
is a series of riffles and class one
rapids first being Fisherman’s Eddy
Rapids, Twin Rapids and Railroad
Rapids which are all readily canoe-
able by paddlers with basic skills.
The Pentoga Log Driving Dam
is about 4.7 miles downstream
from the Scott Lake access site.
The Pentoga dam still has a readily
identifiable earthen dam berm and a
large (plunge) pool. A small amount
of timbers can be found. This is a
popular fishing hole although trout
fishing is only productive in the ear-
ly season. Below Pentoga the Brule
has converted over the years to more
of a warm water stream. Our DNR
long term recording thermometers
confirm that water temperatures rise
above levels trout can tolerate on
most summers below the Scott Lake
river access site. Just below the
Pentoga dam the Pentoga Trail Road
crosses the Brule River and there
is a small site a couple of vehicles
can park and access the river. The
tiny village of Pentoga was named
for the wife of the Ojibwa Chief
Edwards from the nearby Chicagon
Lake Indian Village.
Two miles downstream of
Pentoga is Two Foot Falls which is
rated as a class two rapids. Calling
it a rapids overstates this rock shelf
drop falls, which if taken at normal
water conditions properly can be ran
by canoeists with basic river run-
ning skills. 4.6 miles downstream
of Pentoga there is a large clearing
on the Michigan bank that has often
been mistaken for an old logging
camp. Foundation and other past
development marks make it clear it
was a large developed area histori-
cally. This was the site of a large
Historical photo of log drivers working with peaveys below a nor thern
Michigan log driving dam. The peavey and pike pole were the primary tool
to move the logs along used by log drivers who often rode the logs with
calked boots. Marcia Bernhardt - Iron County Historical Museum photo
encampment used for construction
of the Chicago Northwestern Rail
Road workers as the railroads first
were constructed following mine
development in the late 1800s. The
former railroad grade runs close to
the Brule River at this point and is
now a state recreation trail.
Downstream, 5.5 miles from the
tiny village of Pentoga, the Arm-
strong Creek enters the Brule River.
Logs were run down the Armstrong
from Dam Lake on the West Branch
of the Armstrong. The West Branch
is much colder than the East branch
of the Armstrong that flows out of
Armstrong Lake. There is consider-
able groundwater (spring) input into
the West Branch and that acts as a
critical cold water refuge for Brule
River brook trout in the warm water
summer period as well as spawning
in the fall.
Downstream, 7.4 miles from
Pentoga, is Carney Dam. Carney
Dam was a log driving dam and the
most downstream logging dam on
the Brule River. Much of the dam
was obliterated when the site was
excavated for a Michigan State Ca-
noe Access Site. A large pool is still
there that is a very popular fishing
hole for walleye and smallmouth
bass. There is a quite a bit of the old
dam timber cribbing on the Wiscon-
sin bank and a large burrow pit on
the Michigan bank.
If you wanted to paddle further
you could paddle down to the Brule
Island Impoundment. Highway US
2 is 6.8 miles downstream from the
Carney Dam Access site. There is
a small parking spot and access to
the river on the Michigan bank of
the Brule at the road crossing. La
Chapelle Rapids is located about
1.7 miles downstream from the US
2 Access Site. La Chapelle is rated
a Class 1 to 2 rapids and at normal
water conditions is about as much
as an experienced paddler can take
a recreational (non-whitewater)
kayak through. A WE Energies
Public Access Site is located about
3.7 miles downstream from US 2 on
the Wisconsin bank just before the
confluence with the Paint River in
the upper portion of the Brule Island
Impoundment.
The log drives were major river
operations. A historical example
from Menominee Boom Company
records for 1896 showed that the
Kirby Carpenter Logging Company
conducted the log drives on the
North, South, and main Paint Riv-
ers. Eventually, the logs were driven
down to the mainstream, in this case
Brule Falls (inundated by Brule
Island Dam). Reportedly, the tribu-
tary drives were to have the logs
to the main drive by May 1 for the
Menominee River Boom Company
drive. This combination of logs in
the river is why the logs had to be
marked with symbols represent-
ing the various logging companies.
They were to be sorted out by the
owners at the mill. The log drives
were extremely hard work and very
dangerous. A number of men were
killed or drowned on the log drives
and reportedly some were buried in
unmarked graves at some of the log-
ging dam sites.
Log drives were conducted on
most Northern Michigan rivers
during the major white and red pine
logging period in the late 1800s.
On your next trip canoeing
down Northern Michigan rivers,
keep on the lookout for remnants of
the logging days. If you look on the
bottom of some of our area rivers
you will see deadhead (sunken logs
from about 12 to 16 feet in length)
logs that became waterlogged, sank,
and were left behind. Some Michi-
gan streams have a number of these
sunken drive logs.n
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 21
 The Minister goes ice fishing
I
took my friend, who hap-
pens to be a Protestant
minister, ice fishing the
other day. In his fifties, Pat holes. Darrius handed Pat a pole and
had never drilled a hard-
water hole although he
used to own an auger and plenty of
ice-fishing gear. “Picked up every-
thing I would need at a rummage
sale,” he admitted, “but all that stuff squeeze the bait to milk it. Darrius
is gone now. I never got around to
using any of it.”
That needed to change. I had
been catching bluegills on area
lakes with another friend, and we
decided to invite Pat the next time
we ventured out. It was already
early March, but the ice was still
solid with a crust of snow atop,
which precluded the need
for ice creepers. I loaned
Pat a pair of insulated boots
and brought along an extra
5-gallon pail; Darrius, my
other pal, had rigged a rod
for him.
When Pat and I arrived
at the 40-acre lake, Dar-
rius was
already MICHIGAN MEANDERS the hole
there with
a half-doz- By Tom Huggler
en holes drilled and ready for bait.
A promising sign were two keeper
bluegills flopping next to one of the
reel with 4-pound test and told him
to have some fun.
First, though, I showed our
friend how to thread a waxworm
on the tiny teardrop lure and then
dropped a sonar probe into the hole
before Pat while he got comfortable
on his bucket seat.
“Watch the screen on the Vexi-
lar,” Darrius advised, “and you’ll
see your bait going down. Stop it
just above those red flashes. Those
are fish.”
In less time than I can write this
sentence, Pat iced his first
bluegill, a “whopping”
5-incher. Noticing the boy-
like grin spreading across
Pat’s face, I said something
about never throwing back Pastor Pat and the author’s friend Darrius bagging their day’s catch.
a kid’s first fish, but Pat
decided it was too small said, “I want a bigger one.” Meanwhile, Darrius and I were skit-
to clean. Guiding the ’gill I had the feeling this newest tering our share of bluegills across
back into convert to the joys of ice fishing the ice, too.
was going to make up for years of The fish were not huge—the big-
with his deprivation. The evidence increased gest was maybe 7 inches—but they
boot, Pat as the pile of fish at Pat’s feet grew. were plentiful. While Pat stayed

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glued to his honey hole, Darrius and
I moved often and tried to locate
fish that kept moving off whenever
the sun broke through cloud cover.
The Vexilar was a big aid; by simply
dropping the probe into any one of
a dozen pre-drilled holes, we knew
immediately if fish were present.
Most of the time they showed up on
the screen as red stabs suspended at
6 to 8 feet over the 12- to 15-foot
depth.
Modern electronics have certain-
ly taken the mystery out of ice fish-
ing. I thought back over the years
to the many times I returned home
with few fish or no fish because
finding them proved so elusive.
When we speak of ice fishing, we
really mean hunting.
Between nibbles I also thought
about the many good friends, most
of whom are now gone, that took me
ice fishing. There was Ice Flow Joe,
who worked third shift in the auto
factory so he could ice fish Lake
St. Clair nearly every winter morn-
ing. There was Fay, whose Thermos
coffee was so hot I fancied it could
melt Saginaw Bay if spilled. There
was Dave and his brother George
who shared pike-fishing secrets
on Manistee Lake, and Kevin who
taught me how to catch ciscoes on
Crystal Lake near Beulah. And then
there was Dar, who introduced my
grandson from Florida to the sport.
So many days on the ice. So
many others, like Darrius—and
now—Pat.
Ice-fishing tackle and gear have
greatly changed over those years.
We have evolved from heavy mono-
filament to wispy line so thin it’s
hard to see, from clumsy plastic and
foam bobbers to sensitive, hair-trig-
ger strike indicators, from noisy ice
spuds and motorized augers to quiet
razor-like drills that go through ice
like knives through butter.
What hasn’t changed are the
rewards from spending a few hours
lost in thought while hunched over
a six-inch hole waiting for a nibble.
Ice fishing affords as much solitude
as you want. If too much competi-
tion shows up, simply move off to a
more secluded spot. When the chat-
ter in your spearing shanty grows
annoyingly political, take a walk
and replace the hot air with fresh air.
Like deer hunting from a blind,
ice fishing is a solitary, sedentary
sport with plenty of time to think, to
plan, to organize or reorganize a life
without the prospect of interruption.
It helps, though, to leave the cell-
phone in the car as Pat found out.
Without warning, he suddenly The author, Tom Huggler spending a morning on the ice.
stood up and grew animated while
talking to someone on his phone. news: The fish quit biting and we hours of effort. I know because Dar-
“Oh no!” I heard him say. “An- decided to pack up and go. rius counted while cleaning the fish
other funeral? So soon?” The good news is that we had that night. Come to think of it, that
That sad news brought bad caught 42 bluegills for only two was good news, too.n
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WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 23
 ELK UPDATE:
Hunting season and
population survey results

T
he 2018 elk hunting
season stats are in,
and the 2019 win-
ter elk survey just
wrapped up, provid-
ing a clear picture of
where Michigan’s elk population
currently stands.
Hunt period 1, which targets elk
outside of their traditional range,
was 12 days long. From Aug. 28-31,
Sept. 14-17 and Sept. 28 - Oct. 1, 99
state hunters harvested 68 elk (28
bulls and 40 antlerless elk.) In addi-
tion, all three Pure Michigan Hunt
winners were successful during the
first hunt period.
During hunt period 2, Dec.
15-23, another 100 state hunters
harvested 78 elk (30 bulls and 48
antlerless elk). All locations in the
northern tip of the state are open to
hunting for this later hunt.
In order for regulated hunting to
assist in managing elk, Michigan’s
elk population first must be evalu-
ated.
“Our population goal for elk is
between 500 and 900 animals. This
has been determined as the best bal-
ance for the forests, area agriculture
and residents,” Michigan Depart-
ment of Natural Resources elk spe- The DNR estimates Michigan’s population of elk and where they are
cialist Chad Stewart said. “Besides found in the nor thern Lower Peninsula through an aerial sur vey.
having an estimated population, how many are present and determine ed elk population of approximately
knowing where they are located is the number of males and females in 1,196 elk, with a confidence interval
also very important.” the group. Most of the elk popula- of plus or minus 266.
An aerial survey occurs in Janu- tion can be found within or adjacent “The survey tells us there
ary, with a DNR airplane flying pre- to the elk range in the northeast are between 930 and 1,462 elk in
determined routes, or transects, to Lower Peninsula. The Pigeon River Michigan,” DNR Wildlife Field
locate elk. Once elk are found, the Country State Forest makes up a Operations Manager Brian Masten-
plane circles, and observers count large area of the elk range, and brook said. “Based on this survey,
fields are planted and mowed to past surveys, damage concerns and

Oakland-Macomb
attract elk from the surrounding disease issues, we will continue to
private land. reduce the elk population slowly

Friends of NRA
“We try to lure elk away over the coming years with our
from agriculture using different regulated hunting seasons.”

Dinner Banquet
techniques to modify the forest,” The Natural Resources Com-
Stewart said. “We try to encourage mission has exclusive authority to
elk to hang out in those modified regulate the taking of game.

April 16th • 5:00PM

locations.”
More than 8,700 miles of
transects were flown in nine days
Palazzo Grande during the 2019 survey, with 834
elk sighted. No wildlife survey can
54660 Van Dyke • Shelby Twp. count 100 percent of the animals be-
cause they move and are often under
Join our efforts to support cover like trees, so a formula is used
The aerial elk survey takes place
in January, when there is snow on
the ground and leaves are off the
trees, both conditions that allow
the best view of elk from above. It
is also after the elk hunting season
is complete and before young elk
are born, therefore the lowest point

the shooting sports:

to establish a population estimate. in the population during the year.
Other states use similar formulas Additional information about elk
during wildlife surveys. The 2019 and elk hunting in Michigan can be
Women on Target, High School aerial survey determined an estimat- found at Michigan.gov/Elk.n

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24 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
 RECORD:
Youth bags monster bear
F
ourteen-year-old Brady
Firman from Hillman
bagged a state record
black bear in the youth
category, according to
state big game record
keeper Commemorative Bucks of
Michigan (CBM), while hunting
over bait with grandfather Steve
Wicks, also of Hillman, last Septem-
ber in Montmorency County.
Brady’s grandmother, Ethyl
Wicks, made it possible for Brady to
go on his first bear hunt last fall by
transferring her success in the draw-
ing for licenses in the Red Oak bear
management unit to her grandson.
And Brady borrowed the scoped
Savage .270 caliber rifle he shot the
bear with from father Rick Fir-
man, so the exceptionally
successful hunt was truly a
family affair.
The bear Brady bagged
had a skull that officially
scored 22 3/16 after being
panel measured by CBM,
tying it for third place
among all bears entered in
By Richard P. Smith
state records.
Jim Henney
shot a bruin
in Menominee County during 2000
that scored the same. The current
all-time state record bear, which
had a skull scoring 23, also came
from Montmorency County. Sharon
Agren tagged that bruin in 1997
while hunting with hounds.
The former state record for black
bears in the youth category was also
set in 1997 when 17-year-old Jackie
Piatt from Powers collected a big
bear in Menominee County that had
a dressed weight of 470 pounds and
a skull measuring 21 7/16. Brady’s
bear had a dressed weight of 520
pounds.
Wicks maintained the bait that
Brady hunted over and he had a
game camera on the bait to monitor
bear activity there.
“I had a nice bear on the bait
that we were hoping to get that was
a good 300-pound plus animal,”
Steve said. “He was on the bait
every day during daylight hours. He
came in as early as 7:00 p.m.”
On opening day of bear season,
Brady and his grandfather were in
a pop up blind about 40 yards from
the bait, anxiously awaiting the ar-
rival of the bruin they were expect-
ing to get, but they didn’t see any
bears.
“Last year was the first year in
four years we had an acorn crop,”
Wicks said. “There was a good
wind the night before opening day
that knocked a lot of acorns down.
I thought the bears were going to
go to the acorns, and I’m sure that’s
what they did. I talked to a lot of
people in the area who were baiting
bears and they all said their baits
went cold on opening day.”
On the second day of the season,
the pair was only in the ground
blind for 15 minutes when a small
bear they estimated would weigh be-
tween 100 and 125 pounds appeared
at the bait. They both agreed it was Brady Firman (r t), 14, of Hillman bagged a state record black bear
too small to shoot, so they watched that weighed 520 pounds hunting with his grandfather Steve Wicks.
it for 10 minutes before it left. Even though Steve didn’t have his first deer, a doe, when he was 8,
It was the third day of the season any photos of the state record bear and he’s shot at least one deer
when the monster bear made an ap- on camera at the bait Brady hunted every year since then. During
pearance late in the day. during 2018, Wicks said a buddy of the 2018 firearms season, Brady
“He came where I his hunted the same bait site during shot a big 9-pointer that was the
wasn’t expecting to see 2017 and he got photos of the bruin biggest buck in the youth category
anything,” Steve said. “He at the bait four or five times. on the Hillman Buck Pole, win-
walked right by the corner Although last fall was Brady’s ning him a rifle. Steve took honors
of the blind. I saw the bear first time bear hunting, he’s an for big bucks among adults with a
coming in. Brady hadn’t experienced deer hunter. He shot 10-pointer.n
seen it yet. The bear walked
out in front of the blind and
stopped broadside at 10 Fishing... Hunting... Or Just Simply
A Getaway Cabin To Enjoy Nature!!
yards. I knew it
was a big bear,
but I didn’t
know it was as big as it turned out Solid Logs with Perma Chink between
to be.
“I had shooting sticks posi-
tioned in the front of the blind,
Cedar or Pine
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ready for Brady to use. He did a • Front Porch or Side Porch Styles Available
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good job shooting that bear. There • Stained & Preserved
was a massive blood trail. The bear • Delivered to Surrounding States
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they reached the dead bear because
it was much bigger than either of
them thought.
“Brady, that’s the biggest bear
I’ve ever seen in my life,” Steve told
his grandson.
Besides being big, the bear has a
distinctive large white patch on his
chest. Its ears, nose and face were
tattered and scarred from previous
battles with other males. They tried
to weigh the bruin on a scale in
Steve’s garage that night that went
up to 440 pounds.
“The scale pegged out when
half of the bear was still on the
Relax In Style!
garage floor,” Steve said. “I tried to
winch the bear a little higher and the 1205 N. SR 5
scale blew apart.”
Until then, everyone had been Shipshewana
underestimating the bear’s weight. 260-768-7511
They brought the bear to the DNR Open:
office in Atlanta the following day Monday-Friday • 8-5
where it tipped the scales at 520 Saturday • 8-3:30
pounds.
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 25
 MICHIGAN’S
WHITE BASS By Kenny Darwin
T
ired of boring fishing
trips that produce
poor catches? Look-
ing for a spectacular
fishery that guaran-
tees limit catches for
family and friends? Then my recom-
mendation is to sample the world
class white bass fishery available on
the Detroit River each spring. More
importantly, the ideal conditions on
Lake Erie are causing populations
to boom and the white bass run is
the best today in the history of the
fishery and appears to be getting
even larger.
Today the sport fishing is simply
insane; fun filled and provides
Michigan anglers with colossal
catches like no other fishery.
Don’t get me wrong I love
catching those Mo Town walleyes
in April and early May but the last
couple years I’ve had a tough time
hooking into those huge 10-pound-
plus hawg walleyes and a day catch-
ing eater size ’eyes can be rather
boring. That’s when I head to warm
water discharges, rocky shorelines,
river outlets and areas attracting
massive schools of great white
bass fresh from Lake Erie ready to
spawn.
Truth is during the spawn the
runs are massive as unbelievable
numbers of fish cram into limited
space and they are so thick you can
hook them on every cast and catch
them on almost anything. I’m talk-
ing about a feeding frenzy like seen
on National Geographic with mas-
sive swarms of silvery beauties with
needle sharp, gnashing teeth beating
the water to frothy foam. I’ve seen
schools so thick they smash your
plastics to bits, eat the feathers off
spinner presentations and whack the
heck out of lures until nothing but
a bare hook remains and they still
strike that.
Get a presentation in front of
these aggressive fish and you will
discover a special brand of fish-
ing excitement rivaling all others.
White bass attack like Great White
sharks and the adrenaline rush you
get when fishing makes you want to
come back for more. I’m tellin’ ya
there isn’t nothin’ like this fishing
excitement in all North America. It’s
a fishing mecca on a grandiose scale
every Michigan fisherman needs
to sample. Want to change a cold
26 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
spring day into the hottest fishing of
the year? Give Detroit’s white bass
a whirl.
It was a cold April morning as
I bounced bottom for walleyes on
the Detroit near Wyandotte. I was
chilled and the bite slow when I
called my son Zach and he quickly
jumped aboard my boat for a white
bass outing. We motored to my fa-
vorite hot spot where a warm water
discharge swirled with the Detroit
River current and we tossed out
the anchor and began fan casting ½
oz. jigs tipped with white Twister
Tails. POW! I was into a big bass
the first cast just as Zach hooked up.
Imagine that. We both hooked up on
the first cast but the action got even
hotter.
Soon in the swirling current
we could see hundreds of minnows
dashing randomly as wolf packs of
white bass smashed into them. We
watched as the feeding frenzy took
place an arm length away as thou-
sands of emerald shiners used my Don’t overlook the fast paced fishing excitement offered by Detroit’s
boat shadow as a refuge from the booming white bass populations. The Detroit River offers never ending
slashing teeth of zillions of hungry fishing oppor tunities for those who ply the depths and cast into the swirl-
white bass. At one point Zach was ing current. Look for top notch white bass action to peak in late April and
simply stripping four feet of line off early May. Shore bound anglers line up along the piers, walkways and city
his reel and dropping the Twister parks providing unlimited access.
into the massive fish frenzy and
wham he was hooking fish. We got ing you straight talk when it comes the fishing gets red hot as April tran-
busy putting fish in the livewell as to the phenomenal fishing action sitions into May. When May flowers
they flew in the boat at lightning the Detroit River offers Michigan are blooming and you are getting the
speed. fishermen. mower out from storage, spring rain
We counted out loud to keep More importantly this splendid causes white bass to become active.
track of the number we landed. sport fishery lasts for several weeks I must admit whites are the ideal
Fish were being hooked, lifted into as massive numbers of beautiful sport species for fishermen who
the boat, unhooked, tossed in the big fat whites are available to those take a more leisurely approach to
livewell and immediately another fishing from shore, along park fishing and prefer mid-day outings.
was flying over the transom. In walkways, next to picnic gazebos, These critters are snapping 24/7 and
a matter of minutes the boat was along piers and jetties, off docks you can fill your boat at lightning
covered with scales, blood, fish all along the river for miles. Boat speed from sun up until sun down.
slime and minnows coughed up by fishermen can find top notch action You better be prepared to deal with
the stuffed white bass pulled aboard. from the mouth of Trenton Chan- a live well choked full of silvery
There was no time to sip hot coffee, nel to Ecorse, past Wyandotte, all prizes. Bring lots of ice to keep fish
no time to snack, no time to visit as along River Rouge, upstream under cool and fresh. I bring my largest
fish pounded presentations. Soon the Ambassador Bridge, past the salmon coolers and fill ’em to the
my Twister Tail was devoured, gone, Ren Cen to the mouth of the Detroit top with fresh white bass and ice.
and I scrambled to grab a backup River upstream from Belle Isle. Keep in mind the Michigan limit is
rod rigged with a pearl jig and white Don’t think the hot fishing is 25 white bass daily. However, if you
Twister Tail but it got gobbled up a flash in the pan and you gotta be have a Canadian fishing license and
at lightning speed too and only the there for peak run that only lasts a you work the Canadian shore of the
body stub remained on the hook. I few days. White bass enter the river Detroit check their regulations prior
lost count of the total catch when system beginning in early April soon to filling your live well to the top.
Zach suddenly announced “we were as the ice floes break up and num- Mature white bass have atti-
done, that’s it, we have our limit” bers explode as stream temperatures tude. They smash lures with reck-
and he looked at me with wide open warm to the 50 degree mark. Just less abandonment and the strike is
mouth and staring eyes like he had as spawning walleyes finish chores easy to detect. Miss ’em on the first
just been through a barroom brawl the main body of Michigan’s largest strike and if you keep the offering
with a zillion biting fish. I’m giv- sport fishing run hits the river and in the zone another fish or the same
fish will return and pound the hook
again. Whites are silvery prizes
from the depths of Lake Erie with
pure silver sides and a maw like an
ancient crappie gone cannibalistic
with rows of gnashing sharp teeth.
When hooked they turn sideways
and use the Detroit’s current to try
and pull the hook. They fight like
gangbusters and are guaranteed to
put a smile on your face especially
when you hook up with a huge pre-
spawn adult pushing the scales to
two-pounds or more.
Do ya eat ’em? You bet. After
I fillet and trim off lateral line dark
flesh, soak in icy water overnight
and fry. I guarantee a mess of white
bass is a fresh fish taste treat that
will bring you back for more. More
importantly you will invite all your
fishing buddies, huntin ’pals, family,
neighbors and girlfriends, anybody
so you can fish extra rods and catch
even more fish.
I first hit on white bass using
jigs baited with minnows decades
ago when drifting for spring wall-
eyes on the mighty Detroit. But
today I prefer to not waste money
on live bait when white bass will
literally grab anything that moves.
My recommendation is to use spin-
ner rigs like the Blakemore Road
Runner or Mepp’s spinner. Worden’s
Rooster Tail spinner called Bleeding
Shad and Chrome Whitetail in 1/2
oz. weight is ideal for this special
fishery.
Although the last few years I’ve
simply used lead head jigs in ¼ - ½
oz. weight tipped with plastics. Any
minnow imitation plastic or turbo
type tail will guarantee strikes but I
prefer a simple white or chartreuse
Twister Tail found in any sporting
goods store. Make certain to bring
plenty of plastics because the sharp
teeth of adult white bass tear your
tackle and plastics get ripped to bits.
Some walleye fishermen simply
stick with the same plastics used for
walleyes and productive plastics in-
clude the Wyandotte Worm in white,
black or brown, Lunker City Shaker
Minnow with paddle tail or Fin-S
Minnow colored sky blue, salt &
pepper, alewife, anchovy or blue ice,
Jackall Clone Fry, Strike King Blade
Minnow, Berkley Flex Rib Shad,
Z-Man Jerk Shad minnows and any
plastic that has a wiggly tail which
vibrates in the current.
In most cases you want to an-
chor near shore and fan cast quarter-
ing downstream and slowly retrieve
the wiggling tail into the current.
The idea is to get the plastic shim-
mering, shaking, twisting in the
current and attract aggressive white
bass. If fish are suspended near the
surface a fast retrieve keeps the lure
in the strike zone. But the Detroit
is a large river with a deep rushing
current and sometimes schools of
whites tend to hug bottom. One tac-
tic for deep fish is to drop your jig to
bottom and simply raise and lower
the rod tip which makes the offering
dance near bottom and attracts sav-
age strikes from territorial whites.
I don’t mess with a net while
landing whites and prefer to just flip
them in the boat. Landing them can
be exciting and a 16-inch trophy
white will make your favorite rod
bend double, no problem. One slick
trick is to have a second rod fully
rigged with jig and plastic and when
the original offering is destroyed by
gnashing white bass sharp teeth you
simply go to the second rod. This
saves time tying on new jigs and
rigging with plastics.
When massive schools of white
bass cram into the Detroit system
and the news hits the streets, thou-
sands of anglers flock to the shore
in search of limit catches. Some
parks are full and parking can be a
problem as anglers carry pails full
of flopping fish back to vehicles.
Elbow to elbow crowded condi-
tions exist along prime locations
and sometimes you have to wait for
fishermen to catch their limit, fill
their pails and leave before you can
wiggle into a shore fishing loca-
tion. The Detroit white bass spring
run provides unbelievable numbers
of fresh fish to thousands of eager
Michigan fishermen.
The locations of warm water dis-
charge sites are highly regarded as
phenomenal sport fishing locations
by those in search of great whites.
Here white bass are thick as sardines
packed in a can as fish cram into the
prime spawning current in 3-30 feet
of water. Find a discharge, anchor
near the flow and work plastics
in the current and you will find
monumental fish striking action un-
matched by any other sport species.
I’ve spent a life time chasing
fishing opportunities in Michigan
from one end of the state to another.
When the Coho salmon choked
Platte Bay I was there, when the
Saginaw River went bonkers with
10-pound walleyes I reported to
readers and I’ve been fortunate to
chase every sport species Michigan
has to offer, but I’ve never seen such
a feeding frenzy like white bass in
the Detroit. Oh sure, I caught Master
Angler whites from the Tittabawas-
see one after another but there is not
a sport fishery in Michigan offering
up sheer numbers of fish like the
Mo Town white bass frenzy. It is
my opinion whites offer an overlook
sport fishing mecca destined to grow
in leaps and bounds as populations
continue to boom.
What about you, are you ready
to sample some sport fishing excite-
ment where the fish are plentiful and
biting 24/7? If you think catching
white bass isn’t a riot you are miss-
ing out on what fishing is really all
about…FUN!n
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 27
 Plastics Rule on Michigan Rivers
C
ome March, April
and May a significant
number of Michigan
anglers spend most
of their time targeting
walleye on flowing
water. The jig bite on the Detroit, St.
Clair and Saginaw Rivers has been
so exceptional in recent years, many
anglers have completely abandoned
“old school” live bait jigging tactics.
These days the guys who are catch-
ing the most fish are the ones who
have learned the best styles, sizes
and colors of soft plastic baits.
The classic “jig and minnow”
bite may not be dead, but now that
anglers realize they can catch just as
many fish using plastics, the rules of
the game have changed.
Understanding Soft Plastics
The soft plastic baits anglers are
using these days are a far cry from
the “twister tails” of yesteryear.
Modern plastic baits have more
lifelike shapes, actions, sizes and
colors. In addition, these baits are
much softer which not only adds
action, but softer baits feel more like
natural food to walleye. The end
result is that walleye are fooled by As soft plastic baits have evolved over the years, a few styles have evolved as the most popular among
soft plastics readily and they also walleye jiggers. Those styles include split tail minnows, paddle tail grubs and finesse worms.
hang onto these baits longer.
The styles of plastic baits most through literally packages of the The Berkley Gulp Alive and sizes and for Michigan rivers the 3/8
popular with river walleye jiggers other stuff. Gulp Minnow is also a popular soft and 5/8 ounce versions are the most
include finesse worms, paddle tail The Scented PaddleZ is also plastic and the three inch and four useful.
grubs and split tail minnows. factory scent impregnated with Pro inch models find the most use with I like the Odd’Ball jig a lot, but
Finesse Worms Cure Super Gel. Super Gel is made walleye anglers. I find that the Gulp the hook is a little smaller than I
Finesse worms are typically four by grinding up natural forage spe- Minnow that comes packaged in a would like to see when fishing some
inches in length and the most popu- cies and mixing with a gel based resealable plastic bag is the easiest styles of soft plastics. A somewhat
lar colors include natural brown and emulsion that creates a long last- way to keep these baits on a fishing larger 3/0 or 4/0 hook works bet-
black. Known and marketed locally ing and natural scent stream in the boat. ter when fishing with the new and
as the “Wyandotte Worm” a host of water. Another outstanding split tail bulky styles of soft plastic baits.
finesse style worms work The PaddleZ baits also minnow is produced by Z-Man In addition to having a larger
well when jigging for wall- feature an articulated body and is known as the Scented Jerk hook, the best river jigs have a
eye on Michigan rivers. that allows the paddle to ShadZ. The five inch model is the barbed collar or other device that
Paddle Tail Grubs have more action at slower most popular size. Like the Scented securely holds plastic baits in
Paddle tail grubs are presentations than other PaddleZ, the Scented Jerk ShadZ position on the hook shank. If the
a much wider category paddle tail grubs. The soft is factory slathered with Pro Cure collar is too large, the soft plastic
as these grubs come in texture, durability, ar- Super Gel that puts a natural scent baits can be damaged and become
a wide variety of sizes, ticulated body and natural stream in the water for about 30 useless.
paddle shapes and colors. scent stream provided by minutes. After 30 minutes anglers Stinger Hooks
For years the the PaddleZ can recharge these baits by adding Stinger hooks used to be primar-
Berkley three-
inch Power Bait
By Mark Romanack makes these
soft plastics
more Pro Cure.
River Jigs
ily used by anglers who fish min-
nows, but these days stinger hooks
Ripple Shad was overwhelming the second to none. The best jig styles for vertical are routinely employed when fishing
most popular paddle tail on the mar- Even better, these baits are avail- jigging with plastics are those that soft plastic baits. Most stinger hooks
ket. Berkley now offers these soft able in both four-inch and five-inch hang horizontal in the water and on the market are made from overly
plastics in a three and a half inch sizes and in dozens of popular color feature a long shank wire hook. stiff monofilament and even wire
and also four inch version. options. Ordinary ball jigs work well, but a that makes them next to useless for
A new comer to the walleye Split Tail Minnows growing number of anglers are seek- walleye jigging. A couple exceptions
jigging market, the Z-Man Scented The third important category of ing out “premium jigs” that feature to the rule are made right here in
PaddleZ is making a big splash soft plastic for river jigging include unique head shapes, better hooks Michigan including the Quick Slip
among river jiggers. The PaddleZ the split tail minnows. Some of the and also larger hooks. Stinger made by Ready 2 Tackle
uses a special stretchy plastic known most popular split tails include those For decades I’ve used the and also the EZ Cinch Stinger
as ElaZtech that is very soft, but produced by Lunker City known as Odd’Ball Jig by Bait Rigs Tackle for produced by Golden Gator
way more durable than other plastic the Fin-S Fish. The size three-and- river jigging. This stand-up style jig Tackle.
baits. As a result a fisherman can a-half inch, four inch and five inch features a premium hook and readily Both of these stinger hook
fish literally all day with the same models are the most popular with accepts all styles of soft plastics. designs work well with all sorts of
plastic bait compared to going river jiggers. The Odd’Ball only comes in limited walleye jigs and soft plastics.
28 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
Lines for Vertical Jigging
The majority of anglers who
jig fish in rivers have abandoned
monofilament and fluorocarbon
lines in favor of low stretch and
super thin fused and braided lines.
The low stretch characteristics of
these ‘super lines’ makes them the
ideal choice for river jigging. Super
lines are very sensitive but there is a
down side to using these low stretch
lines. Tying the jig directly to the
super line creates problems. Because
super lines are super tough, it can
be very hard to break off a jig that
becomes snagged on the bottom.
The solution to this problem
is to add a 24 inch leader of 10-12
pound test fluorocarbon line as a
shock leader. A double uni knot is
the best knot to connect super braid
to fluorocarbon line. The final step
is to tie the jig onto the fluorocarbon
using an ordinary clinch knot. If the
jig becomes snagged on bottom,
this problem, many anglers load half
of their reel with monofilament line
to act as a backing line and top dress
the reel with 50 to 75 yards of four
carrier braid or fused line.
This process of using a back-
ing line eliminates the bunching
problem and cuts down on the cost
of loading reels with expensive low
stretch lines.
While super braids and fused
lines are much more expensive than
monofilament line, they last longer
and can be used for two or three
seasons without having to replace
them. In the end, the low stretch
and super sensitive characteristics
THE POSSIBILITIES ARE
of super lines makes them the ideal
choice for river jigging regardless of
the price.
Stiff Rods
One of the final pieces of the
river jigging puzzle is the need for
using stiffer than normal rod ac-
tions. Because river jigging is a
contact sport, a somewhat stiffer
rod does a better job of telegraphing
light strikes. The problem manifests
even more when anglers start using
larger 3/4 and 1 ounce jigs.
Because it is tough to find fac-
tory rods that feature actions stiff
enough for vertical jigging, a grow-
ing number of anglers create their
own “jig sticks” by cutting a few
inches off the tip of a medium action
rod and putting a new tip top on the
rod. The ideal vertical jigging rod
features a medium/heavy action and
is about six feet in length.
Wrapping It Up
Thanks to soft plastic baits that
look, move and smell more natu-
ral than ever, jig fishing with live
minnows is becoming a thing of the
past. Equipped with the right gear,
river walleye anglers are not handi-
capped when they fish soft plastics.
In fact, these anglers are on the cut-
ting edge of modern walleye jigging
strategies.n

Rob Jones is a master jig fisherman

who has been using soft plastics to
target walleye on the Detroit and
Saginaw River for many years.
the clinch knot will fail before the
double uni knot, allowing the angler
to break off the jig and not lose his
leader in the process.
Most anglers who have bought
into using super lines for river jig-
ging are also using high visibility
super lines. The advantage of high-
vis lines becomes quickly apparent

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WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 29
Trolling Tricks
for

Spring Walleye
By Mark Sak

I
recently had someone
tell me they didn’t like to
troll and that they would
rather have a rod in their
hand when fishing. I took
that remark as trolling
was a bit boring for this angler.
Trolling, if done correctly, is any-
thing but boring. It can be the most
active way to fish as anglers must
control and present multiple baits to
fish instead of just one. Trolling can
be highly complex. I fished against
the top trollers in the country on the
national walleye trail and learned
a lot from them, and most of those
tools remain in my toolbox to this
day. Being an active troller will
consistently put more fish in the box
every trip.
We all know walleyes can be
picky on some days. Rather it be a
bad barometer, muddy water, or a
full moon that allowed fish to feed
all night, some days we need to
pull out some tricks to trigger a bite
when fish are in a negative mood.
No question trolling can be boring
if anglers are just along for the ride
trolling in a straight line and not
working hard to fine tune the bite.
Being an “active troller” means
constantly implementing changes
in order to figure out a consistent
bite. Once the fish are found the real
work begins. Here are a few tricks

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30 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
to try this spring.
If the sonar is showing good
hooks and confidence is high they
are walleyes, the next thing to
determine is are these fish catch-
able. Don’t waste a lot of time in
super muddy water even if you are
marking the biggest walleyes ever
to show up on the sonar. These fish
are not there to feed. They are there
because the water is warmer. Find
the stained water closest to this
school of fish and set up. Make sure
the boat doesn’t venture into the
gin-clear water as most times in the
spring this water will be a couple
degrees colder and will be void of
fish. Walleyes love to feed in stained
water.
The next thing is finding the right
depth and speed in which to run
the baits. In colder water the troll-
ing speed is usually always slower.
Make sure the boat can achieve slow
speeds anywhere from 1 to 1.4 mph.
Some anglers utilize the bow mount
electric while many may be troll-
ing with an inboard outboard motor
and the motor won’t troll down that
slow, so these anglers utilize drift
socks or even five-gallon buckets
to slow the boat down. Make sure
the drift sock or bucket can not get
tangled in the prop.
Now that the right water has
been identified and the speed is
close to where it should be, baits
can be set in that order. Never set
baits first then adjust speed unless
of course you are speeding up to
determine if the fish want the bait
presented faster. More on that in a
minute.
Determine the target depth. This
may sound crazy but sometimes
walleyes don’t want the bait directly
on their nose. Sometimes they may
want it two to four feet above them.
Let’s say the sonar is indicating fish
consistently hanging around 16 feet
in 30 feet of water, concentrate on
targeting several different depths
around 16 foot. Run baits at ten,
twelve, fourteen and sixteen foot.
Obviously state fishing regulations
will determine how many baits
anglers can run so getting as many
legal baits in front of fish is impor-
tant in helping unlock their secret.
There is nothing worse than return-
ing to the launch only to find most
fish were coming a couple of feet
shallower than where you fished all
day.
Once a fish is landed it is impor-
tant that speed, depth, lure color is
all noted as well as location. Then
other rods can be adjusted to run in
that same pattern to determine if the
bite will continue. Always mark that
catch even if the school runs for a
quarter-mile as there may be a small
active pod of fish where the last one
bit.
Marking the bite immediately
after hooking up on the GPS will
allow running back to that spot.
We’ve all heard it time and time
again how someone has just picked
up a fish and they are spinning
around to run back through the
waypoint again. It is often very
productive.
Speed is also a very important
factor in early spring. Utilizing ‘S-
curves’ while trolling will greatly
help identify the speed the fish
prefer. When turning and an outside
planer board fades back with a fish
on, it indicates that fish preferred a
faster speed. An inside board hook-
ing up means that fish preferred
that bait a lot slower or even almost
stalled. It is important to note what
they want as it relates to not only
speed but the wobble of the crank-
bait and depth in the water column.
We all know current can also
dictate some feeding behavior in
fish and most bodies of water have
current, especially the Great Lakes.
It is often important to try to troll
uphill. Trolling uphill means trolling
into the waves if it is safe. It often
gives the presentation a completely
different look as the baits will have
a much tighter wobble and action
from the waves. Sometimes trolling
uphill can be much more productive
than trolling with the wind.
Finally, scent can be a very im-
portant player in early season suc-
cess. At very slow trolling speeds
walleyes will often bite the lure and
immediately let go as the hard plas-
tic and treble hooks may not feel
right. Adding scent may cause the
fish to hang on for just a bit longer
and allow one of those trebles to
dig in. Take a dozen crawlers out
in the spring and don’t hesitate to
put a half inch piece of crawler on
the front forward facing hook of the
treble. Make sure it is placed on the
hook directly through the end of
the crawler and test the bait on the
side of the boat to ensure the crank
bait is running correctly. This will
increase the number of walleyes in
the live well.
Great walleye fishing has been
an emphasis throughout Michigan
and many other states in the Great
Lakes region and it continues to
improve and be one of the main spe-
cies targeted by anglers. Right now,
all forecasts indicate 2019 is going
to be an incredible year for walleye
anglers in Michigan. Have a safe
spring and try to involve others in
our sport. I’ll see you on the
water.n
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 31
 Traditional root cellars still work
I
n the past most people
didn’t have the luxury of
shipments of fresh fruits
and vegetables arriving
in the local grocery stores
every day. Preservation
of garden produce at home was a
necessity. Most home food storage
systems included a root cellar that
took advantage of the moist, cool
atmosphere a few feet underground.
Traditional root cellars still work
great but most homes today don’t
have an underground root cellar as
in days gone by.
Here in Michigan, a more mod-
months is a cool, dark, well venti-
lated space. Most modern basements
are too warm to act as a root cellar,
but you can create the conditions
needed by enclosing an area in the
basement against an outside wall.
A north wall is best because the
outside wall will be cooler.
A corner is even better be-
cause it will have two out-
side walls. You will need
to choose an area with an
existing basement window.
The existing window will
be used for access to cold,
fresh, outside air to adjust
will suffice. Shelves and bins can be
added as needed. In some cases the
enclosure may need to be insulated
to stay cool enough. The amount of
insulation needed will depend on
the individual situation considering
outside and inside temperatures.
Rigid insulation will work
better than fiberglass matts.
Styrofoam tolerates mois-
ture better than fiberglass
and is non-irritating as well.
If excess dampness
is present on the floor
consider using a compos-
ite deck material for the
around will provide the cool tem-
perature as well as the ventilation
which is important for food storage.
The window can be closed off, or
replaced, with an insulated panel,
which shuts out light, and can be
vented enough to maintain the inside
temperature between 33 degrees and
40 degrees.
A PVC vent can be placed in the
covered window and piped down to
near the floor. Cold air will naturally
flow down the pipe and then rise
to vent out the gap at the top of the
wall as it warms. If necessary, cover
the outside of the vent with screen

ern option is to build a root cellar
in your basement. A basement root
cellar is simple, convenient, uses no
energy, and takes very little main-
tenance. Our family raises a garden
in summer and our basement root
cellar allows us to enjoy our own
potatoes, onions, beets, and carrots
all winter long. A basement root
cellar is a great way to extend the
storage life of your garden produce.
Location
All you really need to store
most garden vegetables for several
By Darryl Quidort
the temperature in
the enclosure. The
basement floor,
whether concrete
or dirt, will provide moisture as well
as coolness.
Construction structure will also be easier to set up
There are four things to consider
when building your new basement
root cellar: temperature, humidity,
ventilation, and darkness.
There is no need for fancy or
expensive construction. A simple,
wooden frame with a plywood door
bottom plate to
avoid rotting or
molding. When
building the en-
closure leave a ¼ inch space at the
top of the wall and a ¼ inch open-
ing under the door for air flow. The
if it is built less than ceiling height.
Size of the root cellar can vary from
cupboard size to walk-in room size,
depending on the individual situa-
tion.
The existing basement win-
dow that you build your root cellar
to keep insects out. The insulated
window panel can also be louvered
open if needed to adjust the tem-
perature. Enough cold, outside air
needs to be available to keep the
temperature just above freezing,
where most vegetables will store
best.
Storage
Considerations
The perfect root cellar for
storing vegetables would stay at a
constant, cool temperature with high
humidity all winter. You will need to

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experiment with the vents to regu-
late the temperature for the produce
you are storing in your basement
root cellar. A thermometer is almost
a necessity.
Most fruits and vegetables store
best with fairly high humidity. Natu-
ral floor and exterior block walls
will help with humidity but you may
need to wet the floor or mist a little
water on things once in a while if
you notice your produce is begin-
ning to shrivel up. A hygrometer,
which measures humidity, is useful.
Some types of produce shouldn’t
be stored together because of the
release of a harmless amount of a
gas called ethylene. Ethylene gas
causes ripening in vegetables and
will cause early sprouting or rotting
of vegetables like potatoes and car-
rots. Citrus fruits and tomatoes are
ethylene producers and should be
stored on higher shelves than other
produce and near vents if possible.
Storing them separately may be
even better because of the ethylene
gas they produce during storage.
Exposure to light also causes
early sprouting of potatoes and
early rotting of other fruits and
vegetables. Keep the door closed
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as much as possible. A loose cover-
ing of burlap will allow ventilation
to occur while also blocking light
from the produce. The burlap can be
moistened if additional humidity is
needed.
We have been very pleased with
our basement root cellar. It takes up
very little space in the storage room
and preserves our garden vegetables
throughout the winter. Our home
garden produce fits easily into an
enclosure that is three-feet wide, 16
inches deep, and seven-feet tall. It is
located against the outside wall in a
storage room of the basement. Dur-
ing winter, our plywood enclosure
runs between 36 and 40 degrees
even without insulation.n
The author’s basement root
cellar is a simple, uninsulated
plywood enclosure built against
an exterior wall. The basement
window is covered with two-
inch thick foam insulation which
can be louvered open to allow
more cold air to enter. The PVC
vent pipe allows a natural flow
of cold, outside air from the
window to the bottom of the
enclosure.
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WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 33
 great indoor activity that will
pay off when the weather
finally warms is tying your
own bass poppers.
Catching bass on
surface lures is great
fun – and catching them on a light
fly rod is even more fun – about as
much fun as you can have, on the
water. Even that level of enjoyment
can be enhanced if you are fishing
with lures of your own manufacture.
As trout anglers know all too well,
the art of fooling fish is most
enjoyable when fishing with
lures of your own creation.
By George Rowe
Even if you have never tied flies, you can
easily begin tying your own bass poppers.
While this is a similar enterprise, it requires
much less skill and much simpler materi-
als and tools. The product will probably be
better than the store-bought variety and they
are sure to be more attractive to you, if not
to the fish.
The list of materials is fairly short; you
• Special “hump-shanked” popper hooks.
The hump makes for a solid lure, when it is
glued into the cork body.
• Cork popper bodies. You can buy them
just shaped or shaped, slotted and
dished, ready to glue.
• A good two-part epoxy with
more than a fifteen-minute working
life. That quick-setting stuff doesn’t
give you enough time to glue up a
number of poppers.
• A variety of feathers and hair.
You can use deer hair but dyed calf
tail is finer and easier to
use. You can buy second-
rate and large hackle
feathers in packets that will serve well. You
don’t need to spend big bucks for fine hackle
necks.
• Stout fly-tying thread.
• Head cement.
• Vinyl, enamel or lacquer for finishing
the bodies. You can use fingernail polish and
it is available in about any color.
• Waterproof marking pens in black and/
or red for finishing touches.
• Rubber hackle.
The best source I have found for materi-
als is the Hook and Hackle company at 7
Kaycee Loop Road, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
or on the web at www.mailordercentral.
com/hookhack.
While you won’t need all the fancy tools
required for tying good trout flies, you do
need a few essentials:
• A fly-tying vise. You could get by with
a bench vise to hold a pair of vise-grip pli-
ers, which, in turn, will hold the hook.
• Hackle pliers.
• A small pair of sharp scissors, like
those used for fly-tying or manicuring.
• A couple of straight pins or hat pins.
• A drying rack of some sort – you can
fashion one out of a wire coat hanger.
• A drill motor and a very small drill.
• A large needle from a sewing kit.
The actual manufacture consists of
several simple steps. Before you start or
buy any materials, you need to think about
what size poppers you want to use. If you
go big, you can fish for the largest bass in
the lake but you may not catch any blue-

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A finished popper rests in the vise with others on the drying rack in the background. Author photo
gills. Bluegills, especially in the spring, are
great fun and they bend a light fly rod like
crazy. If you tie your poppers on number six
hooks and popper bodies, you can dress the
hook big, to appeal to about any bass and
dress some smaller, for the largest bluegills
in the lake. For summer bass fishing and to
appeal to the largest bass, you might want
to tie some poppers on number four hooks.
You can handle the size six poppers easily
on a light-to-medium fly rod – a five or six
weight – but you will need a heavier rod to
handle anything much larger. The lighter rod
and thus the smaller popper is usually pre-
ferred because you can fish with it for hours,
while the heavier rod will wear you out from
constant casting.
The first step is to glue the hooks into the
popper bodies, using the two-part epoxy. Be
sure the eye of the hook is centered nicely
and just protruding from the cork. Also,
avoid sinking the shaft of the hook too far
into the cork – you need to have some good
hook clearance if you want to hook most of
the fish that strike. The glue should fill in
the slot made for attaching the hook,
making for a smooth surface underneath
the lure.
Painting is next. At one time, I thought
that all poppers had to be yellow and black,
like a bumblebee. Now, I paint most of them
pearl white with a few yellow ones as well,
really relying on the hair and feathers to give
the popper some lively color. I use two coats
of white vinyl paint with a finish coat of
pearl white fingernail polish.
Add a few streaks and dots of color to
the painted popper body with waterproof
marking pens, in red and black. These marks
are to suggest fish features like eyes and
gills.
Tie on feathers and hair for color and
3 1/4”, 1/3 oz
11 colours
4 1/4”, 3/5 oz
11 colours
body. Hair is more durable but feathers pro-
vide more action and flutter on the water. A
combination is great, using tufts of hair tied
on the hook and projecting back and adding
a wound-around hackle feather. The hackle
feather is the feature that determines the ap-
parent size of the finished popper. If you use Cajun Orange
a feather with long projections, it becomes CJOR
quite an apparent mouthful but it really
doesn’t add much to the real size or even the Genuine silver
wind-resistance of the finished popper. & 24k gold.
Put a few drops of head cement on
the thread windings to secure the hair and
feather dressing. Nothing matches
Using a tiny drill, make a hole in the the visibility.
popper body about half way back and above
the line of the hook shank and, using a stout
needle, pass a double strand of rubber hackle
through the popper body until it projects
about an inch and a quarter through. Cut
the hackle and secure with a drop of head MATCH THE BAITFISH
cement at the holes. The rubber hackle is
an important element of the popper, giving
PROFILE!
some wiggle and life to the lure even as it Night Vision Blue Zone Black Hole
rests on the water. NGVS BLZN BKHL
As you use the poppers, you will find
that they will deteriorate with all that biting
that they experience. Generally, the most
fragile parts are the rubber hackle and the
feathers. Just put them aside or store them
in a special partition or box in your tackle,
planning to restore them next winter. The
used poppers can generally be restored to
new condition in a few minutes and be ready
for another season of fun fishing.
You can produce nicely-finished poppers
for about a fifth of the cost in tackle stores
and you will take more pleasure in using
lures of your own design and manufacture.
This is also a wonderful way to fill those /williamslures
long winter evenings that are a burden at this
time of the year.n www.williams.ca
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 35
A slingshot for hunting can be fun,
challenging and very effective
W
hen Charles I’ll always remember walking
Goodyear pat- out to our barn with a visiting city
ented vulcanized cousin and I spotted a pigeon look-
natural rubber out resting on top of the silo and
in 1844 it would I readied my slingshot just as the
pave the way for a whole line of entire flock exploded out and flew
products. Of course some inventive directly overhead. I had tried on nu-
souls would come up with a great merous occasions before to shoot a
idea for using strips cut from scrap flying pigeon out of the air with my
rubber sources, and the slingshot slingshot, and although I had come
was born and by 1860 it was becom- real close to doing it, I had yet to do
ing quite a popular item in America, so successfully. I instinctively fo-
with kids especially. However, cused on the lead bird and released
adults enjoyed it too and the sling- a pebble, and much to our surprise,
shot was readily known to be very a headshot pigeon came twirling
capable of killing small down from the center of the
game such as rabbits and fast flying flock.
squirrels. My amazed cousin gave
The early slingshots me all sorts of praise for
were typically constructed my skill with a slingshot,
using a “Y” cut from a tree and needless to say folks, I
branch and the two rubber never told him the unlucky The Pocket Hammer with a longer pouch fitted with a Whisker Bis-
strips with a leather pouch bird I had “beaned” with a cuit and a string release loop for firing arrows.
for holding stones in the lucky shot wasn’t the bird
center, would I was aiming of the off-hand. The Pocket Hammer Pocket Shot and Pocket Hammer is
be attached
to the Y-tips. By Tom Lounsbury at. My cousin
then got right
features a handgrip and a collapsible
arm brace. As their name implies,
the screw-on lid which covers the
mouth, and the pouch can be used
Power depend- into trying to hit both models can be readily carried to carry all the ammo in the field
ed upon the strength of the rubber matters with my slingshot. He also in a pocket. I was quite enthralled until it is needed. The pouch can
strips and some avid slingshot hunt- enjoyed eating pigeon as a side dish with this new concept and just also be used with multiple small
ers could accurately cast projectiles at suppertime. recently obtained both models for pellets such as steel BB’s for firing
as large and heavy as lead musket Up until the 20th century, sling- field testing. a shotgun effect, and I tried this and
balls, and to great effect. shots were always of the homemade I also double-checked the it sure does work, but I’ll stick to
I have a very long association persuasion. The first attempt for a MDNR rules governing slingshots individual projectiles for small game
to slingshots, with my first being commercial version was the cast for hunting (which are true hunting hunting. I’ve found the Pocket Shot
made for me by my father using iron “Zip-Zip” which came out in tools) in Michigan and slingshots or Pocket Hammer to be the perfect
a “Y” from an apple tree branch 1918. It wasn’t until post World fall under the same rules as archery companion to my bow for small
and rubber from a tire inner tube . War II that commercially made equipment and must be encased or game encounters of interest when
That slingshot became my constant slingshots were being produced locked in a trunk when transported I’m hunting deer. I’m also looking
companion on our farm and when on a larger scale and became quite in a motor vehicle. Since my Jeep forward using the Pocket Hammer
not in use, it was riding in a hip- popular with kids and adults alike. lacks a trunk, I carry my slingshots as my key hunting arm when rabbit
pocket and some select pebbles were Wham-O brought out its ash wood in sealed Ziploc plastic bags, which hunting this winter.
stashed in a front pocket for ready constructed slingshot with some certainly qualify, as well as allow- The Pocket Hammer can also
use, and I got pretty accurate with it powerful models which feature a ing anyone to visibly see what the have a larger and stronger pouch de-
too. Barn pigeons and starlings were 45 pound draw weight. The Wrist- contents are. signed for shooting arrows, thanks
my favorite targets and my mother Rocket (now called Trumark) came The Pocket Shot and the Pocket to the threaded mouth which allows
always cooked up the pigeons which out in the mid-1950s and uses Hammer are identically constructed a Whisker-Biscuit to be screwed on.
fell dead, thanks to my trusty sling- surgical rubber tubing attached to an with the only exception being the The back end of the rubber pouch
shot (and yes folks, pigeons are very aluminum alloy “Y”, and features a handgrip and collapsible arm brace has a loop attachment which allows
tender and tasty). handy arm brace for more stabilized on the “Hammer.” Both use the a typical bowstring release to be
and thus accurate shooting. I pur- same rubber pouches which come in used for more effectiveness. I’ve
chased one of these during the early a variety of power levels. I’m pres- read it can cast a normal-sized arrow
1960s by saving my allowance, and ently using the black pouches which at 175 fps which is actually quite
when using steel balls, it proved to feature a 24 pound draw weight and impressive in this instance. What
be quite deadly on squirrels. Daisy cast 5/16 steel balls at an amazing really interests me is that a fishing
also offers a similar version and velocity, and will certainly settle all reel is also available which attaches
Licensed Shooting steel ball slingshot ammo of varying accounts with a squirrel or rabbit. to the bottom of the handgrip, and
Preserve sizes is readily available today (as I also tried .440 lead round balls, it looks like a real handy system
Mayville, MI well as glass, rubber and even paint which although noticeably slower, for what is usually termed as being
(989) 843-6576 balls). Pebbles of course still work still hit with authority. There is no bowfishing (I just found out about
fine, but I’ve had my most consis- question in my mind that a single the fishing aspect and I’m presently
• Dogs with Guides Available • Clubhouse tent accuracy with steel balls. lead (.33 caliber) double-aught checking to see if this is legal in
• Open 7 Days A Week • Bird Cleaning A new and definitely modern buckshot pellet might do quite well Michigan, as I’ve seen nothing in
• Fields With Excellent Cover & • Morning And Afternoon slingshot is the Pocket Shot and its in this environment, and I plan on print – and it pays to never make
Safety Fields In Between Hunts counterpart, the Pocket Hammer, checking it out. I haven’t tried the assumptions).
• Birds Released After You Arrive • Extra Birds Shot are Free which features a very unique con- blue pouches I also have on hand as To obtain more information
• No Gun Or Membership Fees • Gift Certificates Available struction involving a rubber pouch yet, which feature a 28 pound draw about this very unique slingshot,
Located 17 Miles North of Lapeer attached to a large plastic ring. The weight and will no doubt further go to thepocketshot.com and it is
Pocket Shot is fired by gripping the impress me. available (along with ammo for it)
www.jankspheasantfarm.com ring with the forefinger and thumb A very unique feature to the on Amazon.n
36 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
 TOMFOOLERY
Turkeys don’t follow the playbook...By Jerry Lambert
T
he following tale is
not a work of fiction
or tomfoolery (see
what I did there?) I
have not ever heard
of this happening to
anyone else but it in fact happened
to me. What I am about to convey
to you happened on a spring turkey
hunt in southern Michigan.
I was set up; meaning hidden
in cover with a jake and hen decoy
placed ten yards in front of me, sit-
ting on the south edge of a cut corn
field that had a thick swamp border-
ing the northern edge of said field.
As planned, roosted turkeys flew
down from trees lining the swamp
and set their cumbersome wings in
the field in front of me. Once they
were on the ground, I saw that there
were four hens accompanied by
a strutting tom and a subordinate
juvenile jake.
I lightly called using a slate
striker call. The hens responded
as I hoped they would and started
feeding towards me. The four lady
birds advanced in a straight line four
abreast with the jake flanking their
left maintaining the same alignment.
The wise old tom kept ten to fifteen
yards behind, strutting his awesome-
ness back and forth as if pushing
them towards me.
When the line of hens and the
single jake got fifty yards away my
trigger finger got itchy and I was
eagerly anticipating a shot at the big
ol’ tom. Unfortunately for me, he
didn’t have any intention of dying
that day and started walking in the
opposite direction and gobbling his
fool head off. My trophy tom turkey
turned into a literal pied piper. It
was as if he sensed an ambush and
decided to retreat but wanted his
harem to do the same.
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He must have been quite the stud and once again they headed off with
because the hens dutifully followed a thieving hen. As they walked off
his command and slowly turned and a chorus of gobbles erupted behind
followed their strutting suitor. The me. I instantly thought, “The jakes
lone jake actually left the flock and are back” and this time I was going
walked to within five yards of me, to shoot one. I would call and the
but by this time I had no interest in boys choir would dutifully hol-
shooting the junior bird. I wanted ler back. They were in thick cover
the crafty tom, now my nemesis. but kept getting closer. Eventually,
Undaunted, I decided to return I could see parts of them a mere
to the same area and arrive even ten yards behind me but due to the
earlier in the dark and set myself on thickness of the vegetation I had no
the opposite tree-line anticipating a shot. I needed them to come into the hundred yards in the distance. They
shot once the old bird landed in the clover field. no longer had any interest in me or
field. A couple mornings later, I fol- They kept answering my calls but my decoys.
lowed my plan and found Mr. Tom would not come into the clearing. It is my opinion; that if you
all alone on the roost. Perfect, he no Several times, they would retreat query Google for a definition of tur-
longer has his harem and would be back into the swamp and then come key hunting it will respond with the
interested in my decoys and calls. roaring back. They would get so word ‘frustration.’ These crazy pre-
Instead of pitching down into close but never offer a good ethical historic looking creatures seem to
my decoys, the wise one flew into shot. I would literally see just pieces have minds of their own, and more
a slight depression in the field and of the birds. After about a half hour than often fail to follow the turkey
was out of my sight. I called to him of this cat and mouse game, they hunter’s playbook. Just when you
and he once again did something retreated back into the swamp and think you have them all figured out
that I had never seen before. He went quiet. I figured they were long they use their inherent tomfoolery to
literally flew straight up into the air gone but about ten minutes later I survive another day… and that my
like a hovering helicopter and visu- saw all seven of them as they quietly friend is why it is called hunting and
ally surveyed my set-up and would crossed the clover fields over one not shooting.n
then return safely to the ground. He
did this three times before walk-
ing away in the opposite direction,
all the while taunting me with his
raucous gobbling which I’m sure
translated into a full out turkey belly
Randy’s Hunting Center
laugh.
That hunt occurred several years
ago and I never did kill that wise
EXCLUSIVE
old bird. In more recent times, I
returned to the same property and 77 Hawkeye 450 Bushmaster
found a freshly planted clover field
that I just knew would attract the at-
tention of hungry spring birds. I was
“STAINLESS” Walnut
smack dab in the middle of roosting
turkeys and heard loud gobbling
from more than one direction. Short-
ly after the birds hit the ground, I
heard and then saw two huge toms
walking the edge of a neighboring
field coming in my direction. They Three position safety, controlled round feed,
were very eager and would answer full length extractor, what an elegant rifle!
my every call.
In the meantime, seven jakes
$
beat them to my setup. The two big-
gest jakes were in the clear within
shooting range. They were big birds
for jakes but the two toms were two
899.99
Over 190 different exclusive
of the biggest bodied turkeys that I
had ever laid eyes on so once again I Ruger models in 450 Bushmaster
passed on the younger birds.
As fate would have it, having the
big toms respond to my calls wasn’t
3,000 ON HAND
a good thing. A live hen intercepted
them and led them the opposite way. Randy’s Hunting Center
Once again, I was duped by birds 721 E. Huron Ave.
that I am told have a brain the size Bad Axe, MI 48413
of a green pea.
(989) 269-GUNS (4867)
On my last hunt of the year, I
once again saw the two big toms www.randyhuntingcenter.com
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 37
 Early winter onset can
devastate northern deer herds
L
ike it or not, winter
weather severity and
quality of deer winter-
ing habitat still dictate
deer population trends in
the Upper Great Lakes
region and in the Northeast. Harsh,
prolonged winters, and resultant
malnutrition, inevitably contribute
to heavy winter-kill and excessive
newborn fawn mortality. On the
other hand, a series of mild winters
leads to good overwinter survival,
high herd productivity and deer
population growth.
Northern whitetails are well
adapted to survive tough mid-winter
conditions. It’s the winter that starts
too early – sometimes in early No-
vember – and ends too late that can
produce devastating consequences. The young, old and unborn suffer the most during prolonged winters, and it’s not unusual to lose 30
I’ve seen too many tough win- percent or more of the wintering deer herd.
ters in Michigan’s Upper Penin-
sula to be able to rank them, from considered severe – most of them the time, the U.S. Weather Bureau poses, the rut was over by the end of
memory, relative to their absolute started especially early. Whitetail described it as the “severest winter November.
severity or resultant consequences. populations throughout the Upper on record east of the Rockies.” Likely due to the fact that many
Off hand, however, I do remem- Great Lakes region plummeted to Starved fawns began to appear does did not breed during the 1991
ber a few special ones that started a disturbing low by 1972, and they during January in Northern Lower rut, in addition to subsequent high
especially early. did not recover much until the early Michigan’s famed “Club Country,” newborn fawn mortality, in 1992,
1980s. a hint of more to come. Spring biologists recorded the lowest fawn
The Bitter Cold of 1959 surveys revealed a loss of more than
In 1959, rifle deer season started Son John’s First Hunt index on record for Northern Wis-
In 1977, a nasty blizzard in early 53,000 deer in this northern region consin.
on November 15, as it normally
November triggered deer migration alone, and poor fawn survival was Although the Wisconsin DNR
does here in Michigan. Dad and I
spent the night before in a 10 foot to winter cover prior to the Novem- predicted to impact the 1978 and predicted a 1992 rifle season kill of
ber 15th rifle season opener. That 1979 deer harvests. between 330,000 deer and 370,000
by 12 foot tar paper covered shack
was the year my oldest son As it turned out, U.P. buck deer, the actual kill dropped to
in southern Iron County,
John III hunted deer for harvests remained relatively stable, 288,906 deer – still respectable, but
just north and east of the
the first time with my wife but low, for the next few years. 12 percent to 21 percent lower than
Horserace Rapids on the
Janice and I near the Petrel However, the 1979 Northern Lower expected. Low fawn recruitment in
Paint River.
Grade deeryard, located in Michigan buck harvest dropped 1992 impacted the 1993 deer kill
Man it was cold. Only 4
Upper Michigan’s Alger about 30 percent below 1977 levels, even more so, when hunters took
or 5 inches of snow cover,
County. due largely to high newborn fawn only 217,584 deer.
but about 20 below zero
As in 1959, the opener mortality in 1978. Clearly, Wisconsin biologists
as the sun rose on opening
day. That morning, I saw was fiercely cold. In ad- The Halloween Storm of 1991 grossly underestimated the effects
20 deer, Dad saw dition, nearly two The famous Halloween snow- of the 1991-92 winter on their deer
24. All were does
and fawns coming
By John Ozoga feet of snow cover
made it tough going
storm swept across Northern Wis-
consin in 1991, blanketing the re-
herd.
Different Scenarios
off the jackpine plains and headed for deer and hunters gion with nearly 30 inches of snow The above mentioned winters
into wintering cover. A long winter alike. about 3 weeks before the state’s were especially hard on \whitetails
followed, and many of them failed As I recall, we didn’t see any traditional rifle deer season opened. because they started early and ended
to survive. deer that morning. However, John To make matters worse, another 18 late, confining deer to browsed-
Deer hunting season weather claimed he heard two bucks fighting inches of snow fell during the first out winter habitat for 5 months or
was so cold in 1959 that Michigan in heavy cover close by. weekend of the season. more. There have been many such
DNR biologists complained that When we gathered for lunch, As a result, deer entered tradi- prolonged winters in the Upper
many frozen deer jaws could not be John commented on all the shooting tional winter yarding areas much Great Lakes region during the past 5
pried opened for aging purposes. he had heard just north of us, along earlier than normal – and they decades.
The winter of 1959-60 was a some hardwood ridges not far from stayed there until spring breakup. The young, old and unborn
prolonged and brutal one for North- where I took a stand. It was another one of those pro- suffer the most during prolonged
ern Michigan whitetails, resulting “John, that wasn’t shooting,” I longed winters resulting in heavy winters, and it’s not unusual to lose
in heavy winter deer-kill and low explained, “it was the sugar maples winter-kill and poor newborn fawn 30 percent or more of the wintering
newborn fawn survival in 1960. snapping and cracking, as they froze survival. deer herd. In fact, studies conducted
As a result, the buck harvest in the in the cold, crisp morning air.” According to Wisconsin DNR in Canada revealed that between
Upper Peninsula (U.P.) of Michigan According to the Michigan Wildlife Biologist Keith McKaf- 17 percent and 47 percent of the
dropped 36 percent in 1960. DNR preliminary 1978 deer harvest fery, many bucks were in such poor deer died annually in some Quebec
Equally tough winters in the report, the winter of 1977-78 was physical condition they cast their deer wintering areas during the late
late 1960s and early 1970s set the “extremely harsh with prolonged antlers by the end of November. The 1970s.
stage for low deer populations in sub-zero temperatures and early- antlers of some reportedly came off Heavy winter-kill coupled with
the North Country. In fact, 5 out of arriving and late leaving snows” while bucks were being dragged out high newborn mortality rates literal-
8 winters during that period were – the classic prolonged winter. At of the woods. For all practical pur- ly decimates two age classes of deer,
38 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
thereby reducing hunter success for
at least two consecutive seasons.
Although each severe winter
starts early, not all early starting
winters may have the same devastat-
ing effects on the deer population.
For example, a winter that starts
early, and ends early may kill many
fawns, but probably won’t result in
excessive newborn fawn mortality.
Keep in mind, however, every
early starting winter will produce
certain consequences for whitetails,
even if the winter is not prolonged
into spring. Invariably, whitetails
will demonstrate certain behavioral,
physical, and reproductive responses
to early winter onset, and some
winter-kill can be expected.
The Behavioral Shift
In the Upper Great Lakes region,
many deer travel long distances
between summer and winter range.
Although they normally migrate to
winter range during the post-rut,
harsh weather can trigger migration
in November – during the peak of
the rut and time of maximum deer
harvest. This means some areas
(wintering range) may have unusu-
ally high deer densities during the
hunting season, whereas other areas
(summer range) will have fewer
deer than expected.
Cold temperatures and increas-
ing snow depth are considered the
primary stimuli prompting deer to
migrate and seek protective cover.
In Northern Minnesota, researchers
found that migration usually started
when temperatures remained below
19 degrees for five days or more.
But in New Brunswick, deer migra-
tion seems to be driven primarily by
snow depth.
As was the case during the 1991
Halloween storm, early winter onset
in the Upper Great Lakes region
generally involves extreme cold as
well as heavy snowfall – blizzard
conditions.
When that is the case, deer are
driven into traditional wintering
cover where food sources are lim-
ited and/or of poor quality -- hence
deer burn fat and lose weight.
If weather conditions should
moderate, and snow depths de-
crease, deer that travel relatively
short distances from summer to
winter range (conditional migrators)
may return to their summer range.
However, those traveling long dis-
tances (obligate migrators) are more
likely to stay on winter range.
So even if weather conditions
should moderate during mid-winter,
early migration can still stress deer
and impact their well-being.
The Nutritional Shift
Even a few inches of snow cover
can cause deer to switch from eating
highly nutritious herbaceous plants
to consuming woody browse. This
forces deer onto a negative energy
balance, meaning that more calories
are burned for basic body needs than
are consumed in the food they eat.
Given an adequate diet, North-
ern fawns generally complete their
skeletal growth by mid-November.
However, they do not achieve their
maximum fatness until mid-Decem-
ber. Therefore, in the absence of
nutritious food, such as oak mast or
agricultural crops, even scant snow
cover can curtail fawn growth and
contribute to lean, stunted fawns
that are less likely to survive the
winter season.
Prospects for survival are es-
pecially precarious for fawns that
are nutritionally stressed during the
autumn/early winter period, due to
their small stature and limited fat
reserves. According to noted deer
researcher, Aaron Moen, the critical
body weight for Northern fawns is
between 77 and 88 pounds. Animals
weighing less than this lose much
more body heat from cold exposure
and are more likely to die from
malnutrition.
Also, male fawns likely suffer
more so from nutritional shortage
during this period than do females,
because young males have higher
nutritional requirements for growth.
While most winter-kill occurs
during March and April, early win-
ter onset can lead to fawn starva-
tion in January or February, as was
reported from certain areas in Upper
Michigan and Northern Wisconsin
during 2009.
Early snow cover can also lead
to other more subtle effects. For
example, nutritional stress during
autumn can impair pedicle develop-
ment among buck fawns. If they sur-
vive winter, stunted buck fawns are
more likely to become small-bodied
yearlings with small spike-antlers
possibly less than three inches long.
In some cases, stunted yearlings
may not make up body growth in
later years, and are destined to be
undersized at maturity, apt to suf-
fer greater than normal rut-related
stress, and more are likely to die
from natural causes during post-rut.
Reproductive Effects
Early winter onset can also dis-
rupt the breeding schedule of does,
especially young does breeding for
the first time.
To achieve puberty and breed
at six to eight months of age, doe
fawns must reach a certain criti-
cal body size and level of fatness.
In the North, that size is about 80
to 90 pounds. That doesn’t mean
all animals reaching or exceeding
these weights breed and reproduce.
Protein is required for body growth,
and energy-rich foods appear espe-
cially important in producing female
hormones.
Since they normally don’t
breed until December or January,
early winter onset can practically
eliminate the chances of doe fawn
breeding, even in the upper Midwest
where highest fawn pregnancy rates
generally occur.
Even under optimal nutrition,
between five-percent and 10 percent
of the adult does (1.5 years and
older) normally do not breed until
December in the Upper Great Lakes
region. While yearling does (1.5
years old) typically breed about a
week later than older does, they may
breed as much as two or three weeks
later in areas of high deer density.
Therefore, yearlings does are
particularly sensitive to nutritional
shortage and may not conceive if
subjected to harsh late autumn/early
winter weather – but so are some
adults, as was documented in 1985.
The Blizzard of 1985
On December 1st, 1985, another
early blizzard raged across Upper
Michigan. This two-day storm, ac-
companied by sub-zero temperatures
and high winds, dumped more than
20 inches of snow on the region. (I
drove the 60 miles from Escanaba to
Munising in that storm, so I remem-
ber it well.)
According to Michigan biolo-
gists, Lou Verme and Robert Doep-
ker, “Acute physiological stress
following this storm apparently
inhibited estrus among some adult
white-tailed deer in Upper Michigan
during the 1985 rut” – hence elimi-
nating most late breeding.
From 1950 until the late 1980s,
Upper Michigan biologists routinely
necropsied as many road-killed does
as possible during spring to assess
their physical condition, inutero
productivity, and fetus growth sta-
tus. More than 3000 adult does were
examined from 1950 to 1981. Over-
all, 95 percent were pregnant, and
carried an average of 1.65 fetuses
per doe.
Based upon the examination
of 63 adult road-killed does in
spring 1986, Verme and Doepker
determined that nearly 18 percent
of them were not pregnant – about
four-times greater than normal.
Very few conceived in December.
Nearly equal numbers of yearlings
and older does were non-pregnant.
Average productivity dropped to an
all-time low of only 1.44 fetuses per
doe.
Although the 1985-86 winter
broke in late March, averting a
catastrophic die-off of dear, surveys
revealed a loss of 77,000 deer – 82
percent of them being fawns – in
Upper Michigan alone.
A Canadian Experience
While published literature
pertaining to the adverse effects
of severe late autumn/early win-
ter weather are scant, Verme and
Doepker found one report from Sas-
katchewan, Canada that described a
similar situation wherein early onset
of winter weather disrupted the
whitetail rut.
Autumn weather in Saskatch-
ewan in 1984 was abnormally cold,
with heavy snowfall. Some areas
had received more than 30 inches
of snow by the end of November.
Thick, crusted snow cover prevented
deer from feeding on waste grain.
And despite a supplemental feeding
program, considerable winter-kill
occurred during the 1984-85
winter.
Ordinarily, most whitetails in
that province breed and are ex-
tremely productive, averaging more
than two fetuses per doe. However,
necropsy of adult does in spring
1985 revealed only an average of
1.42 fetuses per doe, because over
16 percent of them were not preg-
nant – a cause-and-effect relation-
ship similar to that observed in
Michigan.
One can only guess that North-
ern Wisconsin’s Halloween storm
had even greater impact on the 1991
rut, and may have prevented 20 per-
cent or more of the adult does from
breeding – a situation that could
have been documented had biolo-
gists necropsied deer during spring
1992.
This reproductive response to
early winter onset probably occurs
more frequently than suspected on
the whitetail’s Northern range, since
biologists now rarely necropsy deer
to make these determinations.
Conclusions
I’ve referenced only a few
years when early winter weather
adversely impacted white-tailed
deer behavior, health, reproductive
success and ultimately survival.
It was possible to document such
things back then, because biologists
routinely examined every dead deer
they could get their hands on during
spring break-up. Biologists don’t do
such things today; apparently the
computer tells them all they need to
know.
Early onset of winter weather
can lead to catastrophic winter deer
mortality and subsequent high new-
born fawn mortality rates, if spring
break-up is delayed. However, if the
winter breaks early heavy deer loses
may be averted.
Nonetheless, if you hunt north-
ern whitetails, be alert to the early
starting winter – the one that starts
in October or November. It’s bound
to change your fair weather hunting
strategies and likely impact your
current as well as future deer hunt-
ing prospects.n
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 39
 ~Lake Erie
~Saginaw Bay well at times too. My favorites are
Deep Husky Jerks and Rattling
~Detroit River Rouges in both natural and flashy
colors depending on the mood of the
fish.
Another hot bite for bigger
walleyes on the bay is during early
May. It seems like the first males to
leave the rivers are the bigger, older
ones. For many years in a row I
have exploited a red-hot bite during
the first week of May where I focus
on shallow gravel areas on the bay.
The fish we catch are all milting

BIG ’EYES OF SPRING

males with few, if any small fish in
the mix. Those fish are relating to
bottom, so we troll bottom bouncers
and crawler harnesses and as long as
there is a decent chop on the water,
it’s game on. If it’s calm or rough

M
though, then forget it.

ichigan is blessed
with some phe-
nomenal spring
walleye fish-
ing for trophy
class walleyes.
Without question, three of the best
options for that fish of a lifetime
are Saginaw Bay, Lake Erie and the
Detroit River, all of which are open
for fishing year round. Those waters
actually produce hundreds, if not
thousands of trophy class walleyes
every year and 2019 will
be no exception. The spring
fishing period produces
the lion’s share of trophy
walleyes compared to the
rest of the year and early
spring certainly outshines
late spring too. Anglers
that seek trophy class fish
should focus on
By Michael Veine
the time frame of
ice-out until early
May. Early spring is when the water
is frigid and conditions are often
challenging to say the least, but the
rewards are often worth the sacri-
fice.
Saginaw Bay
Last year we experienced a very
cold April complete with snow and
a refreeze of parts of Saginaw Bay
that delayed my charter season start
until the third week of April. The
year before though and I was troll-
ing and catching lunkers on the bay
during March. It certainly does vary
from year to year. The south end of
the bay typically gets going earlier.
During years of early to normal
springs, anglers can often get their
boats on the water there during
late March when pre-spawn female
walleyes are still staging in the
bay, mostly near the river
mouths. The waters near
the mouth of the Saginaw
River provide a consistent
bite then. Slow trolling
tactics are most productive
with trolling speeds near
1.0 mile per hour needed
to entice those lethargic
fish into biting.
They simply
won’t chase a fast
moving presentation at that time of
the year, so going slow is essential.
Deep Husky Jerk Baits are the most
popular lures on the bay during
the early spring, with other similar
baits also producing well too. Deep
diving baits with a slow, side to side
wobble action are best. Patterns are
as varied as the anglers with purples
and pinks probably leading the
charge.
Walleyes mostly spawn in the
tributaries of the Bay with just about
all the rivers there getting a good
run of walleyes these days. The
bay has had incredible, consistent,
natural reproduction for 16 years so
there are tons of fish in about every
age class including older specimens
too. After the larger females spawn,
which occurs mostly during the first
two weeks of April, most of them
migrate north. Radio telemetry
studies have proven that most of
them head up the west side of the
bay stopping to feed along the way.
One of the biggest pit stops is near
Au Gres, which is where smelt runs
occur and also where rocky areas
host huge populations of gobies,
both of which are favorite walleye
chow. During the last two weeks
of April last year we caught trophy
class walleyes on just about every
April charter I ran there. Au Gres
Bay and the shoreline areas to the
north up to Alabaster are areas to
check out then. Slow trolling tactics
prevail there too with both deep div-
ing body baits and weighted short
lipped, shallow divers performing
Lake Erie
Lake Erie can potentially serve
up the best trophy walleye fisheries
in the state during the early spring.
There are more lunker walleyes
swimming in Erie that likely any-
where else in the world. I ran char-
ters there during the early spring
for decades. In recent years though,
things have gotten a lot tougher
there. Experts say modern farming
practices have changed the lake big
time. These days most farmers till in
the fall leaving bare dirt all winter
and spring. This results in silt laden
runoff after even just moderate rains
and when it rains hard, the tributar-
ies of Lake Erie are load up with
so much silt that it muddies up the
entire Western Basin sometimes for
several weeks at a time. It’s worst
in the spring because it rains a lot
during that period and the frigid
water is denser then too, suspending
the silt longer than normal. Often
windy, spring conditions also stir
up the increased bottom silt load
more too, exacerbating the problem.
The fish are still there and in recent
years natural reproduction has been
good, if not great, but getting them
to bite in extremely muddy water
is not easy. Jigging on the reefs is
often a better option, but the fish

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40 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
 Early spring fishing conditions are often tough,
but the rewards are often worth the sacrifice...
caught there are almost all small also when the river really loads up fishing there at times. The water with some outstanding spring, tro-
males. If conditions are decent on with fishermen too, but at least then clarity is the key to success on the phy walleye fisheries. If you want to
the lake though, then the fishing the good fishing spreads out more Big-D during the spring. If it’s get a jump on the traditional walleye
can be off-the-chart good. In recent over the rest of the river making windy on Lake St. Clair and the opener, which is on the last Saturday
springs though there have only been the crowding more tolerable. The water turns muddy there then the in April in the Lower Peninsula and
a handful of days each year where internet is a great thing, but it also Detroit River water muddies up as May 15 in the U.P., then opportuni-
that good trolling bite developed, so spreads the word about good fishing a result. It really pays to look at the ties still abound. Hopefully we’ll
when it’s right, you need to be there conditions like wildfire. If condi- Coastwatch-MODIS internet site, have good fishing conditions this
then. Waiting until it’s convenient to tions are good then, plan on getting which shows daily satellite photos spring for all locations. See you on
go is typically not an option. to the launch at O-Dark-30 or pos- of the Great Lakes. After a clear day, the water.
The best locations to fish right sibly face a long wait in line at the those images are invaluable in deter- The author offers fishing charters
after ice out are the Michigan waters ramps (for hours). mining if fishing will be productive specializing in Saginaw Bay walleyes.
from Stony Point (Brest Bay) south I used to guide on the Detroit and also where it may be best. Contact Mike Veine at www.trophy-
to the Wood Tic Peninsula and the River and enjoyed some amazing Michigan is certainly blessed specialists.com or 734-475-9146.n
Ohio waters from Little Cedar Point

THE ULTIMATE WOOD HEAT

(Maumee River Mouth) east to the
Camp Perry firing range. After the
spawn those same areas can also
be good, but a lot of big walleyes
migrate east as April drags on and Models available
for any size home or
the areas north and east of the Camp
application.
Perry Range all the way to the is-
More comfort for your entire home
lands load up with jumbos then.
Like on Saginaw Bay, slow troll-
ing tactics with subtle action body
baits rule on Erie too. My favor-
ites are Shallow Thundersticks in
March, then Rouges, Reef Runners,
Husky Jerks and Shad Raps as the
spring wears on. Keep the fire and mess outside - EPA-Certified
The current conditions on Lake long burn times (24 hours or more)
Classic Edge™
Erie have forced me to abandon of- Titanium HD Series
fering charters there for the foresee- Outdoor Wood Furnaces
able future. In recent years I had Features a Titanium-Enhanced
to cancel the vast majority of my Stainless Steel Firebox

scheduled trips there forcing that

unpleasant business decision. It has
gotten so bad that Ohio just passed a
law to grant Lake Erie special legal
rights allowing for lawsuits to go
after polluters in an attempt to stop
the damage to the Lake. Toledo has
had to turn off their water supply
on multiple occasions due to toxic
water on Erie, so this is an issue
that goes well beyond just fisheries.
Farming interests though have al-
ready sued to overturn the new law
in Federal court, so it’s not looking
good for any improvement in the
near future.
Detroit River
The Detroit River gets a mas-
sive run of walleyes from Lake Erie
during the spring and if anglers time
it right, it can be a prime opportu-
nity to catch trophy walleyes. It’s a
small-boat fishery that begins typi-
cally during late March. The number
of walleyes caught in March is not
great compared to the peak time
in mid-to-late-April, but it’s prime
time then to catch a Master Angler
Qualifier. Jigging is the ticket then
with the lower river from Elizabeth
Park downstream probably being
best. Most experts use a heavy jig in
the 1/2 to 5/8 oz. range tipped with
a minnow.
The first two weeks of April still
serve up some big walleyes, but
as the month wears on the average
size of the fish diminishes, however
the catch rate increases. This is
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WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 41
Traditional Black Powder Hunting
A common and ordinary occurrence...
T
wo steps…a pause,
two steps…a pause…
Buffalo-hide moc-
casins whispered over
the ridge crest. Tree-
to-tree the afternoon
still-hunt progressed down the
eastern slope, across the thin strip of
land that separated the nasty thick-
et’s two lobes, then up the rise to the
twin oaks.
Sunlight warmed the hardwoods.
Forty paces to the south, two fox
squirrels chased about, then spiraled
up a monarch red oak at the thick-
et’s cut bank. The air smelled cool
but spring-like with a hint of rotting
leaves. Calm marked that Novem-
ber day, in the Year of our
Lord, 1796.
Two footfalls…a pause,
two footfalls…a pause…
The returned captive’s moc-
casins meandered down the
rise, around the mysterious
sink hole, then over the
fallen hulk of a modest oak.
Blue jays flitted about, as
did a lone crimson
cardinal—all in By Dennis Neely
42 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
silence.
The cautious sojourn passed
near a large red cedar tree that grew
partway up a knob. Years before,
tomahawk whacks cleaved the
dead, lower branches from the tree’s
trunk, hollowing out a man-size
lair. Subsequent growth swallowed
most of the scars. A second thought
turned the woodsman about; that
fortification had not been used since
the pruning.
The left moccasin brushed back
layered oak leaves and cedar duff.
The aroma of disturbed earth filled
the air. A wool trade blanket, rolled,
then bound with a leather carry-
ing strap, eased into the forest nest.
The hunter tutored by his
adoptive Ojibwe parents sat
cross-legged on the bedroll.
The Northwest trade
gun rested on blue wool
leggins, adorned with
trail-worn silk ribbons.
Only eyes moved. A dainty
breath from the southwest
seemed to stop at the tree’s
trunk, then rose
straight up, not
Without conscious thought, the carrying strap and rolled blanket melt into
the overall impression of a time-traveling excursion to 1796.
passing on. That tree’s location was
scent neutral.
The fox squirrels returned to the
ground. Distinctive hoof-falls mixed
with rustling leaves. Two summer
fawns plodded over the knob, then
walked down to the sink hole. They
tested the air, but did not scent dan-
ger. In time, an older doe followed
the same path. She sniffed, too. A
gray squirrel descended a young
oak, ten paces distant.
Three more antlerless deer
approached from the west, having
crossed the narrow strip between
the thickets. They walked single
file, keeping to the earthen path.
The newcomers stopped ten paces
from the first three deer. Shiny
black noses bobbed up-and-down,
then side-to-side. Ears twitched and
flexed. As if orchestrated, all six
spread out and pawed for acorns or
nibbled on scrub-oak buds.
The browsing continued be-
yond sunset. Two more deer, one a
fair-sized button buck, wandered in.
With ten minutes of daylight left,
the eight trickled off to the north-
east, skirting the nasty thicket. A
fine, antlered buck never ventured
by. A penetrating chill accompa-
nied darkness. Yet, despite the cold,
despite the frustration, a pleasant
warmth surrounded the hike back to
the returned captive’s wigwam...
Mention of the leather carrying
strap that bound the bedroll never
found its way into the journal entry
for that 18th-century adventure. In
retelling the tale, the leather strap’s
existence is assumed by common
practice and confirmed by faint rec-
ollection. The carrying strap blends
within the overall historical impres-
sion and passes unnoticed.
Most traditional black powder
hunters strive to maintain a high lev-
el of authenticity in their portrayals.
An astute re-enactor once noted that
the true test of any living historian’s
clothing, accoutrements and skills
would be to travel back to a cho-
sen year and geographical location
and arrive unnoticed among one’s
peers. Thus all aspects of the living
historian’s being must fit together in
a manner that deems that individual
common and ordinary with respect
to time, place and social standing.
My first 1790-era persona was
that of a French voyageur, retired
from the fur trade, surviving in
backcountry solitude, hunting for
daily subsistence near the headwa-
ters of the River Raisin in the Old
Northwest Territory. Forty years
ago, first-hand historical accounts
of these hired canoe men of the
Great Lakes were limited. However,
several sources noted that voyageurs
received a new wool trade blanket
upon engagement. They also told
of wearing “capotes,” calf-length,
hooded blanket coats.
I invested in a Whitney point
blanket, but lacked the courage to
hack it apart. Wilderness classroom
sessions during Michigan’s harsh-
est weather provided trial and error
experience. But on warmer days,
lugging a folded or rolled wool
blanket through fen and forest
proved unworkable.
The early writings of Mark
Baker in Muzzleloader Magazine
introduced many living historians to
the “tumpline,” a three-foot leather
strap with a section of hemp rope
attached at one end. To create a
bedroll, Baker demonstrated roll-
ing the blanket with the rope in the
center, tying the rolled blanket with
three leather strips and then attach-
ing the rope to the other end of the
leather tumpline, creating a sling to
carry the blanket through the woods.
I used a tumpline for two hunting
seasons.
Matching historical research to
a character’s specific station in life
was a recurring theme in Baker’s
articles. Following his advice, I
concentrated my research on 18th-
century sources describing the voya-
geurs and their meager possessions.
All accounts speak of the
voyageurs packing the trade goods
around dangerous rapids or obstruc-
tions in the rivers that formed their
highways to the backcountry trading
posts. The bales and crates, called
“pieces,” all weighed 90 pounds.
Various observers detailed the por-
tage operation in their own words.
Voyageurs attached “carrying
belts,” “carrying straps,” “portage
straps,” or “portage collars” to
a piece, hefted the cumbersome
freight on their back and placed the
wide “brow band” over their fore-
head. A second piece was added to
the load and rested against the back
of the voyageur’s head, steadied
by one hand. With this burden, the
voyageur loped around the rapids on
an earthen trail, stamped out by his
predecessors.
Different regions and peoples
used varying names for the carry-
ing strap: “hoppis,” “hoppus strap,”
“hoppis string,” “collar” and “tump”
all show up in period writings.
Region, time period and use dictate
actual construction methods, correct
materials and final appearance.
The first-hand accounts describe
a “brow band” or “middle section”
from eighteen inches to four feet
in length that tapered to the ends.
Tapered “tails” of eight to ten feet in
length were sewn to the brow band,
creating an eighteen to twenty foot
utility strap.
My 1790-era trading post hunter
persona uses a “portage collar” or
“portage strap.” Msko-waagosh,
also set in the same time period,
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A hired hunter for a backcountry trading post uses his leather por tage collar to drag a fine buck back
to camp. Journal entries of long-dead hunter heroes often outline valuable lesson plans for the wilder-
ness classroom. Wild River tree photos
uses a leather “carrying strap,”
because that is how John Tanner,
upon whom the character is based,
described his burden strap. Both are
leather and feature a two-foot brow
band and about eight-foot tails.
The most recent character, Mi-ki-
naak, from 1763, will use a yet-to-
be-made woven-hemp “carrying
string,” as described in the journal
of James Smith.
Burden straps appear in histori-
cal accounts up through the end of
World War I. The primary use was
to move heavy items, from fur
trade pieces to wigwam covers to
ammunition crates. But as with all
living history accoutrements, each
item serves multiple purposes, some
unique due to specific circumstance.
James Smith tells of Native
hunters using their carrying strings
to drag deer over the snow. He
describes how the string was tied
about the deer’s forefeet and nose
and the need to drag with the grain
of the hair. John Tanner relates how
the single blanket was tied about the
body with a “belt,” which some his-
torians believe was a utilitarian way
to transport the carrying strap.
Wilderness classroom experi-
ence taught that sitting on the wool
bedroll added cushion for rheumatic
hips, warmth on frozen or snow-
covered ground, and better mobility
for awkward turning when a critter
approaches from behind.
Modern hunters can reap the
same benefits by carrying a wool
blanket bound with a carrying strap. ing exploit is as it should be. The
My daughter is sensitive to cold, “arrive unnoticed” principle defines
and includes a bedroll for most cool- such a happening as a success, a
weather hunts. She laughs when she common and ordinary occurrence.
tells about a guide making fun of Give traditional black powder
her “blankie.” She told him to “sit hunting a try, be safe and may God
on it and try it.” He did, and was bless you.
amazed how comfortable it was and Dennis Neely maintains a web
how his own body heat returned to site devoted to traditional hunting at
his hips after only a few minutes— www.traditionalblackpowderhunt-
21st century meets 18th century! ing.com. The “How to” category
For a traditional black powder includes instructions for making a
hunter, a carrying strap disappearing leather carrying strap and binding a
within the context of a time travel- blanket roll.n
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480 Cleveland
Flint, MI 48503 46100 Grand River 131 & 13th St.
Monroe County Alpena (New Location) Kalamazoo County Grand Rapids Harrison
Fairgrounds
MBT Expo Center
751 Woodward Ave.
Alpena, MI 49207
Expo Center
2900 Lake St.
4 Mile Rd Showplace
1025 Four Mile Rd. N.W. Grand Rapids
Clare County Fairgrounds
418 Fairlane
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 43
 EYESIGHT
A GOBBLER’S BEST DEFENSE
COVER STORY: The ultimate rush of hunting wild turkeys has nothing to do with the kill but every-
thing to do with getting kissin’ close, feeling the power of this elusive bird, hearing him drum and
spit and witnessing a kaleidoscope of impressive feather colors up close....By Kenny Darwin
W
hile
savvy
hunters
under-
stand the
impor-
tance of
hunting
with full fan gobbler decoys and the
need to use calls to entice gobblers
into shotgun or archery range, many
overlook the most important element
in successful turkey hunting, which
is fooling a turkey’s eyesight. If you
want to increase your odds for a big
tom this spring listen up, I’ve got
some hot tactics that work.
First and foremost, it goes without
saying you need to be fully camou-
flaged before you hit the woods this
spring. Keep in mind wild turkeys
have super keen eyesight and if you
want to score you have to pay atten-
tion to every detail. One trick is to
get fully dressed long before season
and look at your reflection in a full
length mirror. The idea is to look for
the details that could give up your
position. Are your hands covered?
Do you need a camo belt rather than
the black one around your waist? Are
your boots fully camouflaged? Many
hunters make the mistake of wearing
the same dark brown bottomland cam-
ouflage in spring when the environ-
ment is greenish. Sure you can get
away with poor camouflage if you are
hiding in a ground blind but if you
are like me, sitting out in the open,
you need to refine your camouflage to
match the environment where you are
hunting.
I’m a camouflage junkie and go
hog wild to make my hunting gear
look like the spring terrain. Sure I
use plenty of green spray paint on
clothing, hat, crossbow and all my
gear. Ever look at the bottom of your
44 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
boots? Often boots are dark black
and your feet stand out like a black
stop sign. You got it, mine are spray
painted. Further my 500 mm tele-
photo lens is fully camo painted too!
I know you think I’m nuts but in order
to get quality pictures I’m often stalk-
ing wary adult gobblers and I need
to be completely camouflaged head
to toe, including expensive camera
gear. When it comes to shotguns and
archery gear mine are fully spray
painted. Gotta admit it kind of broke
my heart to spray paint my new
$2,500 Ravin crossbow but when I
was finished the result was an easy
shot kissin’ close to a trophy gobbler.
The following anecdote best describes
my point.
It was a beautiful spring day with
geese honking and robins singing as
I made my way along the open field.
I spotted a monster gobbler from the
paved road, ditched my van, grabbed
my Ravin, hunkered down and began
a long stalk. I was crawling along a
railroad track rather than setting up
decoys and calling. My goal was to
use the bank bordering the tracks to
conceal my approach. Last thing I
wanted was a sore butt sitting over de-
coys making turkey sounds. I wanted
to stalk my prey; use aggressive hunt-
ing skills and advanced hunting tac-
tics to slip into easy crossbow range.
The first hundred yards was a cake
walk because I was hidden by the
bank but when I got 70 yards from
the gobbler the terrain became flat
with less brush to cover my approach.
Soon I was belly crawling through
the bright green grass with crossbow
strapped to my back and green face
mask concealing my entire face. I
could feel my pulse quicken as I
slithered into range like a fox stalk-
ing a mouse. I moved directly at the
big bird preoccupied with a little hen.
He was doing a courtship dance in
the open field far from any cover and
each time he would turn his back and
go into full fan I would move quickly.
But the little hen peeked around
his huge fanned tail feathers, caught
my motion and gave a soft alarm putt.
The big gobbler responded immedi-
ately and lowered his fan, stood tip
toed, extended his long neck and all
of a sudden I was staring into the eyes
of an alert wild gobbler less than 20
yards away. I slowly lowered my pro-
file, laid flat on the ground, rested my
chin in the dirt, closed my eyes and
tried to relax and forget I was at point
blank range with an alert trophy gob-
bler eyeballing me. I’ve been in this
same position many times with cam-
era gear and often the standoff ends
with an alarm putt, turkeys quickly
turning away and soon they are sprint-
ing like crazed roadrunners for cover.
Minutes slowly passed, I moved noth-
ing and soon the hen wiggled her tail
feathers in front of the old gob and he
went bonkers and responded by going
full fan.
When his huge fan blocked his
view I slid the Ravin off my back and
got into a prone shooting position.
After a couple minutes I yelled at the
mating pair and the big tom dropped
his tail feathers, stood alert with head
high as I centered the crosshair on his
upper neck and touched the trigger.
Twack! He hit the dirt like a ton of
bricks and the 11-inch trophy beard
and 26 pound gobbler was mine.
Sure I used advanced stalking
skills to get kissin’ close to the trophy
bird but my biggest advantage was
wearing the proper camouflage from
head to toe. But keep in mind most of
this stalk was easy because I was hid-
ing behind the track bank. If you want
to increase your odds at harvesting
adult gobblers you need to concen-
trate on staying behind cover. This
holds true in the majority of hunting
situations: those in blinds need to
wear a face mask and hide behind cur-
tains and ground hunters are wise to
use terrain, trees, and brush, anything
to hide their human outline.
However don’t make the mistake
of setting up in thick cover where you
cannot get a clear shot through the
brush. Some hunters set up behind
large trees and use the trunk to con-
ceal their movement and outline.
Wild turkeys have super instincts
and they have excellent hearing and
off the hook crazy sharp vision. They
can spot movement ten times better
than the biggest buck in Michigan.
Sometimes you simply can’t fool
their eyesight and your hunt is blown
before you begin. Wild birds found
in areas with a high coyote popula-
tion, which is fast becoming most
of Michigan, are difficult to scout
and vanish from sight at the slightest
glimpse of a human, automobile or
off-road machine.
I learned decades ago that it is
difficult to blindside a wild gobbler
because their eye placement is located
high on their narrow skull. I believe
they can see 320 degrees which makes
them a challenge to approach. When
on stand it is a good idea to raise your
weapon when the bird’s vision is
blocked by trees, brush, decoy, tail fan
or other object. Keep in mind when
wild birds slip kissin’ close inside 15
yards they are less likely to spot you
because you are inside their comfort
zone. Also, if a big gob finally sees
you he is not likely to flush and fly
like a rooster pheasant. Instead he will
sound an alarm putt, turn his back to
you immediately, hold his head high
and look to sprint in the opposite
direction which offers you a shot.
Wise hunters have learned a wild
turkey not only has keen eyesight
but their ability to detect movement
is legendary. All too often incoming
birds are spooked when they see a
hunter move his weapon into shoot-
ing position, spot the movement of a
hand sweeping across a slate call or
box call. Keep this in mind the next
time you drop the call and reach for
your weapon. Any quick movement,
whether camouflaged or not, quickly
gets the attention of wise gobblers.
Savvy hunters have learned to move
slowly as molasses in winter when
setting down calls, shouldering a
weapon and taking the safety off. One
trick is to watch the target bird and
when he is distracted, blocked by a
tree or not looking at you, make your
move. Hopefully the gobbler does not
detect you and the shooting is simple.
However, some birds simply spot
you hiding, covered head to toe with When a wild turkey sees a
camouflage and they still pick you up
and run for safety. hunter he keeps his head
While many hunters prefer camo
face paint I like my custom made ¾ extended while he turns
style face mask complete with Velcro
straps in back for easy on/off use. on the afterburners and
My model only has eye holes and my
complete head is covered. Don’t make quickly runs out of shooting
the common mistake of using a mask
that doesn’t cover your neck and back range. This defensive
of your head. I use a Russian military
sniper balaclava and North Mountain maneuver is highlighted
has a 3D leafy ghillie head net that is
tops. In a pinch I use the H.S Special- by an ear piercing high
ties camo leafy face mask. The trick is
to cover your entire face when chas-
pitched alarm putt every
ing turkeys.
A strong wind moving branches,
hunter hates to hear.
grasses and leaves can be a big ad-
vantage concealing hunters from the
Thomas Kirkland photo
sharp eyesight of wild turkeys. While
the wind can make calling a challenge
it serves to distract birds coming into
Gobbler’s eyesight page 46
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 45
 EYESIGHT
A GOBBLER’S BEST DEFENSE
COVER STORY: The ultimate rush of hunting wild turkeys has nothing to do with the kill but every-
thing to do with getting kissin’ close, feeling the power of this elusive bird, hearing him drum and
spit and witnessing a kaleidoscope of impressive feather colors up close....By Kenny Darwin
W
hile
savvy
hunters
under-
stand the
impor-
tance of
hunting
with full fan gobbler decoys and the
need to use calls to entice gobblers
into shotgun or archery range, many
overlook the most important element
in successful turkey hunting, which
is fooling a turkey’s eyesight. If you
want to increase your odds for a big
tom this spring listen up, I’ve got
some hot tactics that work.
First and foremost, it goes without
saying you need to be fully camou-
flaged before you hit the woods this
spring. Keep in mind wild turkeys
have super keen eyesight and if you
want to score you have to pay atten-
tion to every detail. One trick is to
get fully dressed long before season
and look at your reflection in a full
length mirror. The idea is to look for
the details that could give up your
position. Are your hands covered?
Do you need a camo belt rather than
the black one around your waist? Are
your boots fully camouflaged? Many
hunters make the mistake of wearing
the same dark brown bottomland cam-
ouflage in spring when the environ-
ment is greenish. Sure you can get
away with poor camouflage if you are
hiding in a ground blind but if you
are like me, sitting out in the open,
you need to refine your camouflage to
match the environment where you are
hunting.
I’m a camouflage junkie and go
hog wild to make my hunting gear
look like the spring terrain. Sure I
use plenty of green spray paint on
clothing, hat, crossbow and all my
gear. Ever look at the bottom of your
44 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
boots? Often boots are dark black
and your feet stand out like a black
stop sign. You got it, mine are spray
painted. Further my 500 mm tele-
photo lens is fully camo painted too!
I know you think I’m nuts but in order
to get quality pictures I’m often stalk-
ing wary adult gobblers and I need
to be completely camouflaged head
to toe, including expensive camera
gear. When it comes to shotguns and
archery gear mine are fully spray
painted. Gotta admit it kind of broke
my heart to spray paint my new
$2,500 Ravin crossbow but when I
was finished the result was an easy
shot kissin’ close to a trophy gobbler.
The following anecdote best describes
my point.
It was a beautiful spring day with
geese honking and robins singing as
I made my way along the open field.
I spotted a monster gobbler from the
paved road, ditched my van, grabbed
my Ravin, hunkered down and began
a long stalk. I was crawling along a
railroad track rather than setting up
decoys and calling. My goal was to
use the bank bordering the tracks to
conceal my approach. Last thing I
wanted was a sore butt sitting over de-
coys making turkey sounds. I wanted
to stalk my prey; use aggressive hunt-
ing skills and advanced hunting tac-
tics to slip into easy crossbow range.
The first hundred yards was a cake
walk because I was hidden by the
bank but when I got 70 yards from
the gobbler the terrain became flat
with less brush to cover my approach.
Soon I was belly crawling through
the bright green grass with crossbow
strapped to my back and green face
mask concealing my entire face. I
could feel my pulse quicken as I
slithered into range like a fox stalk-
ing a mouse. I moved directly at the
big bird preoccupied with a little hen.
He was doing a courtship dance in
the open field far from any cover and
each time he would turn his back and
go into full fan I would move quickly.
But the little hen peeked around
his huge fanned tail feathers, caught
my motion and gave a soft alarm putt.
The big gobbler responded immedi-
ately and lowered his fan, stood tip
toed, extended his long neck and all
of a sudden I was staring into the eyes
of an alert wild gobbler less than 20
yards away. I slowly lowered my pro-
file, laid flat on the ground, rested my
chin in the dirt, closed my eyes and
tried to relax and forget I was at point
blank range with an alert trophy gob-
bler eyeballing me. I’ve been in this
same position many times with cam-
era gear and often the standoff ends
with an alarm putt, turkeys quickly
turning away and soon they are sprint-
ing like crazed roadrunners for cover.
Minutes slowly passed, I moved noth-
ing and soon the hen wiggled her tail
feathers in front of the old gob and he
went bonkers and responded by going
full fan.
When his huge fan blocked his
view I slid the Ravin off my back and
got into a prone shooting position.
After a couple minutes I yelled at the
mating pair and the big tom dropped
his tail feathers, stood alert with head
high as I centered the crosshair on his
upper neck and touched the trigger.
Twack! He hit the dirt like a ton of
bricks and the 11-inch trophy beard
and 26 pound gobbler was mine.
Sure I used advanced stalking
skills to get kissin’ close to the trophy
bird but my biggest advantage was
wearing the proper camouflage from
head to toe. But keep in mind most of
this stalk was easy because I was hid-
ing behind the track bank. If you want
to increase your odds at harvesting
adult gobblers you need to concen-
trate on staying behind cover. This
holds true in the majority of hunting
situations: those in blinds need to
wear a face mask and hide behind cur-
tains and ground hunters are wise to
use terrain, trees, and brush, anything
to hide their human outline.
However don’t make the mistake
of setting up in thick cover where you
cannot get a clear shot through the
brush. Some hunters set up behind
large trees and use the trunk to con-
ceal their movement and outline.
Wild turkeys have super instincts
and they have excellent hearing and
off the hook crazy sharp vision. They
can spot movement ten times better
than the biggest buck in Michigan.
Sometimes you simply can’t fool
their eyesight and your hunt is blown
before you begin. Wild birds found
in areas with a high coyote popula-
tion, which is fast becoming most
of Michigan, are difficult to scout
and vanish from sight at the slightest
glimpse of a human, automobile or
off-road machine.
I learned decades ago that it is
difficult to blindside a wild gobbler
because their eye placement is located
high on their narrow skull. I believe
they can see 320 degrees which makes
them a challenge to approach. When
on stand it is a good idea to raise your
weapon when the bird’s vision is
blocked by trees, brush, decoy, tail fan
or other object. Keep in mind when
wild birds slip kissin’ close inside 15
yards they are less likely to spot you
because you are inside their comfort
zone. Also, if a big gob finally sees
you he is not likely to flush and fly
like a rooster pheasant. Instead he will
sound an alarm putt, turn his back to
you immediately, hold his head high
and look to sprint in the opposite
direction which offers you a shot.
Wise hunters have learned a wild
turkey not only has keen eyesight
but their ability to detect movement
is legendary. All too often incoming
birds are spooked when they see a
hunter move his weapon into shoot-
ing position, spot the movement of a
hand sweeping across a slate call or
box call. Keep this in mind the next
time you drop the call and reach for
your weapon. Any quick movement,
whether camouflaged or not, quickly
gets the attention of wise gobblers.
Savvy hunters have learned to move
slowly as molasses in winter when
setting down calls, shouldering a
weapon and taking the safety off. One
trick is to watch the target bird and
when he is distracted, blocked by a
tree or not looking at you, make your
move. Hopefully the gobbler does not
detect you and the shooting is simple.
However, some birds simply spot
you hiding, covered head to toe with When a wild turkey sees a
camouflage and they still pick you up
and run for safety. hunter he keeps his head
While many hunters prefer camo
face paint I like my custom made ¾ extended while he turns
style face mask complete with Velcro
straps in back for easy on/off use. on the afterburners and
My model only has eye holes and my
complete head is covered. Don’t make quickly runs out of shooting
the common mistake of using a mask
that doesn’t cover your neck and back range. This defensive
of your head. I use a Russian military
sniper balaclava and North Mountain maneuver is highlighted
has a 3D leafy ghillie head net that is
tops. In a pinch I use the H.S Special- by an ear piercing high
ties camo leafy face mask. The trick is
to cover your entire face when chas-
pitched alarm putt every
ing turkeys.
A strong wind moving branches,
hunter hates to hear.
grasses and leaves can be a big ad-
vantage concealing hunters from the
Thomas Kirkland photo
sharp eyesight of wild turkeys. While
the wind can make calling a challenge
it serves to distract birds coming into
Gobbler’s eyesight page 46
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 45
Gobbler’s eyesight:
from page 45
your set up. Breezy weather requires
aggressive calling that can bring
birds running but some hunt-smart
gobblers will hang up slightly out of
shotgun range, eyeball your set up
and scan the area for movement or
anything resembling hunters. If they
see anything abnormal they simply
turn tail and melt into the forest.
I’ll never forget the trophy long
beard I harvested on Doonsbury
property near Beal City on a wind-
swept cow pasture. A morning sit
brought no birds because the wind
was blowing 40 mph and they could
not hear my calls. On the way back
to the farm house I noticed two gob-
blers in a cow pasture. I hunkered
behind a hill and watched how live
cattle walked around the wild birds
and they didn’t pay any attention.
That’s when I got the bright idea to
use a cow to block my approach.
I slipped next to an old milk cow,
followed her mane toward the wild
turkeys. When I got close I could
see the thick massive beard of one
bird dragging on the ground. I was
laughing inside as the cow mean-
dered past the wild turkeys and I
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46 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
let go of the beast, raised my 12
ga. shotgun to my shoulder and
when the cow cleared I dumped the
biggest tom. His beard was almost
12-inches long and he had no idea a
human with a gun was coming kis-
sin ’close by hiding behind a cow.
There’s more than one way to fool
a wild turkey’s eyesight and appar-
ently wild gobblers have no fear of
six-legged cows.
My point is turkeys can be tough
critters to fool because their eyesight
is super sharp. Most are constantly
standing upright looking for danger.
Many have been harassed by coyote
and they know the way to avoid
attacks is to spot brown preda-
tors slipping through the grass and
underbrush. Adult gobblers have
encounters with hunters and some
become so paranoid they refuse to
approach calls until they thoroughly
scrutinize the area in search of hunt-
ers hiding in the shadows. Some
old toms are simply un-callable
because they have been shot at
and avoid lifeless decoys and men
wearing camouflage sitting against
trees. Some savvy hunters report The author is pleased with his 26 pound gobbler with an 11-inch
beard taken with crossbow using stalking strategies. Note his
custom spray painted clothing and he uses a custom face mask to
cover his entire face, cheeks, upper chest and back of neck.
the biggest gobblers they harvest
come in silent. These wary birds are
ever vigilant and in order to score
you must wear fancy camouflage
and use advanced hunting skills. Oh
sure, some birds simply come in on
a string and you gotta loudly yelp
to get them heads up for the shot.
However, many more peek through
the timber or over hilltops unnoticed
and they catch hunter outlines or
movement and they slink away go-
ing in the opposite direction.
While a whitetail deer’s best
defense is his sense of smell, a wild
turkey depends on keen eyesight. It
is your challenge to master the skills
needed to fool the eyesight of wary
adult birds. Put simply, it’s time to
camo up turkey hunters and learn
how to develop hunting skills that
Available will hide you from the outstand-
ing eyesight of monster longbeards
Disc Brakes, Galvanized
looking for danger 24/7. When it all
Axles, Greasable Hubs, comes together and a huge long-
LEDs Rear, Torsion Axles beard moves into easy range the
encounter is fulfilling because you
have outsmarted a worthy adversary
with far superior eyesight.n
Big ‘olé paintbrush bearded
gobbler is looking for preda-
tors, danger and hunters
non-stop. When an adult wild
turkey stands erect, tip toed,
head held high it is difficult to
avoid detection by his super-
keen eyesight. Author photos
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 47
 Staying dry
when wading
T
he stream tries to make
wading difficult by hid-
ing obstacles like sub-
merged logs, boulders,
clay and rock ledges,
and an uneven or slippery
substrate. Deep water and
fast current can also keep
you from getting to where
you want to be or cause you
to get wet trying. Paying
attention to what is ahead
and always making sure
you have one foot planted
securely before
you move the other
will keep you dry
By Jim Bedford
and safely moving
upstream.
When wading in strong current
try to keep sideways to the flow to
minimize water resistance. Move
with shuffle steps so that your legs
never become crossed. Keep in
mind that your center of gravity is
between your waist and hips. Take
care that the current does not cause
you to lose your balance and tip you
over when wading in deeper wa-
ter. When crossing a swift
stream try to pick a path
that allows you to go both
across and down so you
don’t have to fight the cur-
rent as much as you wade
to the other side.
In addition to helping
you read water and find fish
holding cover, your
polarized sunglasses
will help you spot
underwater wad-
ing obstacles. Also pay attention
to breaks in the surface current.
They will often indicate big rocks
or submerged logs. When the water
is off color it is important to slow
down and wade more deliberately.

Joe Burcar with bright steelhead with wading staff and Aquaseal on
a crotch seam leak.
When you find a big rock with one
foot and then the other boot finds
the other side of the rock when you
try to catch your balance it is time
to get out the placards to score your
dive.
Except for very small creeks, a
wading staff is an essential piece of
equipment for the wading angler. It
acts as both the third leg of a tripod
for stability and as a probe to find
out what is ahead. It can also let
your arm do some of the work when
wading through relatively shallow,
non productive water—sort of like
ski poles for the cross country skier
except you are just using one arm to
give your body a little boost against
the current.
When you wade with a staff
you will always have two points of
contact with the stream bottom. You
anchor the staff when you move a
foot and make sure your feet are
set when you move the staff. When
crossing an area with swift current
keep the staff on your upstream side
and lean into it. If the staff is below
you, the current can easily lift it up
off the bottom and cause you to lose
your balance. For turbid or deep
water the staff can also serve as a
48 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
searching tool. Having your staff
about as long as your waders are
tall will let a wet hand indicate that
you are getting close to using up all
of your freeboard. Using a wading
staff in advance of your movement
through turbid or unfamiliar water is
especially important when moving
downstream. If you step into deep
water you won’t be able to save
yourself because the current will be
against you.
Attach a cord to the very end of
your wading staff so that it can float
behind you when not in use. Avoid
making the attachment a hand grips
distance away from the end. Do-
ing this creates a “notch” or catch
point for vines and brush to catch
on the tether when you are on the
bank walking to the next run. You
can purchase a wading staff or make
one from a sturdy broom handle or
hardwood sapling. Ski poles without
the “skirt” and hockey stick handles
without the blade also work well.
Hockey sticks are my favorite and
they are free, just visit your local
rink to retrieve broken ones before
they go to the landfill. If you find
another angler fishing your favor-
ite spot you can take your hockey
stick and cross check them out of
the way. As long as you don’t draw
blood you only have to wait two
minutes in the penalty box before
casting. Okay, just kidding about the
cross check, but the hockey stick
is very sturdy and won’t wobble in
strong current when you need it the
most. And, in addition to facilitating
your wading, the staff can also help
you get in and out of the river when
the bank is steep or slippery.
Wader Repair and Care:
If you are or become an active
wader like myself, you will soon be
in the hole or leak repair business.
This could be the result of a bad en-
counter with barbed wire, multiflora
rose thorns, or a beaver sharpened
sapling stub. If you have dodged
all of these enemies of your waders
you will still be fixing a wear spot
in the crotch or inseam areas of your
waders.
For a long time now a urethane
based product called Aquaseal has
been my permanent solution to any
kind of wader damage including
major tears. This material is a very
tough and flexible compound. Its
special feature is that it also has
excellent adhesive qualities.
No patch is needed for tears and
holes in your waders. Simply back
the damaged area with a removable
tape such as masking tape. Take
special care to tape the back of the
damaged area so that the wader
material is in its original position
with no puckers. Make sure the
area is clean and dry and laying on
a flat surface. Liberally apply some
Aquaseal to the damaged area and
spread it with a flat stick. (Note:
Ice cream bar sticks are perfect
for this so wash and save some for
future use.)
This urethane compound will
level itself and spread or run a bit so
it is important to keep the repaired
area flat during the curing process.
The repair will be cured enough for
use in eight to twelve hours but I
like to give the repair 24 hours for
a complete cure. This is part of the
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989-727-2341
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reason why I keep several pairs of
waders going all the time. If the
damaged area is quite large, a six
inch tear for example, you may want
to reinforce the patch by applying
the urethane to the other side after
removing the tape.
An accelerator called Cotol can
be combined with the Aquaseal and
used if a quicker cure is needed.
This combination still takes about
two hours so on stream repair is
better left to the ultra violet light ray
activated products. These products
harden in minutes when exposed to
daylight. They are especially quick
when the sun is shining but they
still set up in short order when it
is cloudy. The UV activated adhe-
sives will adhere to wet waders, but
it is still best to get the area to be
patched as dry as possible before
applying the material. The UV
adhesives work best on neoprene
and fabric. They don’t adhere well
to rubber boots. Even on fabric the
makers of the Aquaseal UV product,
which hardens very quickly, recom-
mend letting the adhesive soak in
for a minute in a dark (as you can
get it) environment before exposing
to the sun for better adhesion. Prior
to the relatively recent availability
of the UV activated adhesives I
used hot melt patch for a temporary
on stream repair. With any of these
quick fixes it is a good idea to make
a permanent repair with Aquaseal
when you get home. You may have
to peel some of the temporary repair
material off for best result but this is
not necessary with the Aquaseal UV
repair adhesive.
If you are getting damp and
clammy because your waders are
seeping, usually in seams in neo-
prene waders and seams and pin
holes in breathable models, the best
way to find the spots is with water.
A trouble light lowered into breath-
able waders in a darkened room may
show pinholes but the sure way is to
fill the waders one leg a time with
water and mark the wet spots that
form. If you have boot foot wad-
ers where the boots are hard to dry
because the insulation is not closed
cell then you will want to perform
this operation with the boots inside
out. A thin layer of Aquaseal over
the small leak spots will keep you
dry on your next outing. Spread
the sealant well out from the hole
or seam leak on neoprene waders
because sometimes water will creep
between the nylon and the neoprene.
You can also use Aquaseal proac-
tively by coating wear spots before
they become leaks.
After a fishing outing it is very
important to thoroughly dry your
waders. This is especially important
for the inside of boot foot models.
If you don’t, the fabric may start
to rot and weaken the boot not to
mention how bad the mildew will
smell. For us old-timers a key piece
of equipment for drying boot foot
waders is the archaic bonnet type
hair dryer. The bonnet is discarded
and the hose is inserted into the boot
for a quick drying. If you don’t have
one I bet a relative does, stuck away
back in the closet. You can also
reverse a vacuum cleaner to blow
warm air into the boot.
A real important fact to remem-
ber is that water vapor is lighter
than air. If you hang boots upside
down that are wet, they will stay wet
and likely turn a pretty green with
mildew inside. For some reason,
most modern boot dryers are set up
for you to set your boots on them
upside down. These dryers just
warm the boots with no fan for air
movement so you can see they are
very inefficient and depend on dif-
fusion of the water vapor molecules.
There are some boot dryers where
the warming device is lowered into
the upright boot and that makes a
lot more sense. From the late
spring to early fall I let Mother
Nature dry my boot foot breathable
waders. I hang them upright in the
late day sun with the boots just
resting on the ground. The sun
warms up the boots and the water
vents out the top.
So, never hang your waders up-
side down unless they are complete-
ly dry. It is best to store boot foot
neoprene waders upright, anyway,
with the boots resting on the ground.
Obviously your never want to store
waders with tight creases, especially
neoprene and those with rubber
boots. You also want to keep your
boots out of the sun and away from
ozone generating electric motors
when not in use. Waders are a really
important part of a stream anglers
tackle and you want to keep them
in good shape. You also want your
waders to last.n
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 49
 2019 ’YAK
TOURNAMENTS
I
f you’re into kayak bass
fishing and want to see
how well you measure
up to other enthusiasts,
you can fish a tournament
somewhere in Michigan
nearly every weekend starting later
in April.
Michigan is blessed with at least
six state-wide kayak
groups, and four of them
have tournament circuits.
Plus, the state’s grand-
daddy kayak organiza-
tion has a popular kayak
contest that has raised
thousands of dollars for
Michigan’s Make-A-
Wish Foundation.
By Dave Mull
What the circuits
all have in common
is a standard catch-
photo-release format. Anglers catch
a fish, take its picture with a cell
phone and then submit the photo
to a tournament website that keeps
track of competitors’ total inches.
The fish is quickly released.
Let’s take a look at these organi-
zations alphabetically and see what
they have in store for 2019.
KATS
The Kayak Anglers Tournament
Series is going into its fourth year.
Richard Ofner, himself a competi-
tive angler who has fished the Hobie
Worlds in Australia, runs the show
for kayak retailer Summit Sports,
which is the chief sponsor. As tour-
nament director, he doesn’t fish the
KATS contests.
KATS offers two divisions. The
Competitive Division has a $75
entry fee and pays all of the money
back to the most successful anglers.
The Recreation Division costs $50
to enter and anglers compete for gift
cards. Its tournaments take place
primarily in the southeast portion of
the state.
The circuit features three regular
season events, with an end-of-
season Blind Lake Fish Off. This
will be a competition among the top
three finishers from each of the first
three tournaments. The Blind Lake
Fish Off has no entry fees for the
participants and the prize is yet to be
determined.
“It will be at a location where
nine anglers show up on Friday
night and are told which lake they
will fish on Saturday morning,”
Ofner said. “It was always the same
few anglers competing in the last
50 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
event for Angler of the Year and
King of Fish. The new format is
to try and spread things out. We’re
hoping to increase the attendance at
the last event with the new format.”
KFGL
Chris LeMessurier started the
Kayak Fish the Great Lakes Region
more than a decade ago,
and 2019 will see the
KFGL’s 10th No-Mo
Charity Kayak Fishing
Festival. This has been
based at Kent Lake but
allows anglers to fish
any water in Michigan.
Successful anglers catch
bass, panfish and pike,
knowing they will
win no money back.
They fish for prizes,
ranging from new kayaks to gift
cards. All entry fees and proceeds
from a raffle go to Make-A-Wish for
granting wishes to kids with poten-
tially terminal diseases. Last year’s
event hosted 123 anglers who paid
$75 apiece and, with raffles, raised
$10,016.
While electric motors have
recently become popular on some
tournament circuits (both the MKT
and MI-OH allow them), the No-Mo
has steadfastly remained “No Mo-
tors.”
This year, Wilderness Systems
has again donated a kayak as part of
the first-place prize. Other sponsors
donating prizes have included Sum-
mit Sports, Jackson Kayak, local
business The Bait Shop, Bass Pro
Shops, Cabela’s, RAM Mounts and
many others.
This year’s contest is June 2. For
more information, check out kayak-
fishthegreatlakes.com or the group’s
Facebook page.
MI-OH
Many call this the “My-Oh.”
After competing in their first tour-
nament with new kayaks in 2017,
Todd Patrick and Rich Peterson both
were taken immediately with kayak
competition and decided to start the
MI-OH Kayak Anglers as a club
with tournaments in 2018. They ran
five successful events, averaging 50
anglers each.
This year they have four inde-
pendent MI-OH events with $50
entry fees, along with two tourna-
ments affiliated with the national
Kayak Bass Fishing organization
that feature $75 entry fees. As their
All kayak bass tournaments covered in this story follow a “catch-photo-
release” format. The angler takes a mobile phone picture of his fish on
an approved measuring device. An identifier unique to that tournament
must also be in the frame. The angler uploads the photo to a tournament
website that keeps track of each contestant’s total catch in real time.
name implies, tournaments are of the group’s Facebook page nomi-
scheduled for waters in Michigan as nate and vote on many of the waters
well as in Ohio. the group fishes.
The tournaments are 100 percent The MI-OH contests also feature
payback, and one unique feature is lots of door prizes at the awards cer-
a lower entry fee for young anglers. emonies. For more info, check out
Instead of the $50 fee (plus optional the group’s Facebook page.
$5 for big bass) anglers 17 and
younger pay just $35. MKT
“We’re trying to get young folks Starting as tournaments for
into the sport,” Patrick says. Central Michigan Kayak Fishing
Patrick prides the organization and evolving two years ago into the
for being more of a club. Members Michigan Kayak Trail, this series
Michigan Kayak Tournaments 2019
April 20 - MI-OH Kiser Lake, St. Paris, OH
April 27 - MKT, Gull Lake, Richland, MI
May 4 - NMKT, Lake St. Helen, St. Helen, MI
May 4 - KATS, Ford & Belleville Lakes, Ypsilanti, MI
May 11 - MKT, White Lake, Whitehall, MI
May 25 - MI-OH/KBF, Lake St. Clair
June 1 - KATS, Lake St. Clair
June 2 - KFGL, No-Mo Charity Fishing Festival,
Kensington Metropark, MI
June 8 - NMKT Duck & Green Lakes, Interlochen, MI
June 15 - MI-OH-Mogodore Reservoir, Mogodore, OH
June 15 - MKT-Grand River, Coopersville, MI
June 29-30 - HBOS, Lake St. Clair
July 6 - MI-OH, Fletcher Pond, Hillman, MI
July 14-15 - NMKT, Saginaw Bay, Bay Port, MI
July 27 - MKT, Muskegon Lake, Muskegon, MI
July 27 - MI-OH/KBF, East-West Harbor, Catawba Island, OH
August 17 - NMKT, Elk & Skegmog Lakes, Whitewater, MI
August 17 - MKT Championship (lake TBA)
August 24 - MI-OH Ford & Belleville Lakes, Ypsilanti, MI
September 7 - KATS Heron, Wildwood, and Valley lakes, Holly, MI
September 21 - NMTS Burt and Mullet Lakes, Indian River, MI
September 28 - KATS Blind Fish-off (lake TBA)
Key: MI-OH Michigan-Ohio Kayak Anglers, MKT-Michigan Kay-
ak Trail, KATS-Kayak Angler Tournament Series, KFGL-Kayak Fish
the Great Lakes Region, NMKT-Northern Michigan Kayak Trail
KBF-Kayak Bass Fishing, HBOS-Hobie Bass Open Series
has become known for paying back
100 percent of entry fees—and
giving a new kayak to each tourna-
ment’s winner.
Tom Mullins gets the credit
for lining up the great prizes, with
kayak retailers such as Gull Lake
Marine, Waterdog Outfitters, Main-
stream Tackle & Outdoors and D&R
Sports Center donating kayaks. Last
year, tournament attendance was as
high as 126 anglers and averaged 89
for the four regular season events.
The MKT season culminates with
its MKT Championship, open to
anglers who fished regular season
events.
Most of the MKT’s tournaments
are in the southwest portion of the
state. This year, the MKT plans to
charge $75 entry fees and cap the
number of contestants at 100.
For more information, check out
the Michigan Kayak Trail Facebook
page.
NMKT
The newcomer Northern Michi-
gan Kayak Trail started by Tyler
Kreiner as a Facebook group is
taking anglers to perhaps the most
exotic lakes that are largely unpres-
sured by bass boat tournaments.
Lake venues include Skegmog,
Burt, Saginaw Bay, St. Helen and
Duck and Green lakes near Interlo-
chen.
Entry fee for the tournaments
Most kayak tournaments in Michi-
gan offer a plethora of door prizes
donated by sponsors. Here, Dustin
Murguia of Chicago poses with dog
Louis and the Vibe Stand-Up Pad-
dleboard he won after the Michigan
Kayak Trail’s Championship at lakes
Cadillac and Mitchell. Mainstream
Tackle & Outdoors of Galesburg
donated the SUP.
has been set at $65, plus $5 to cover
insurance. The number of anglers
will vary by venue, according to
Kreiner, but the least number will
be 50.
For more information, check out
the Northern Michigan Kayak Trail
Facebook page.n
Master Angler program has
some new rules for 2019
Anyone hoping to submit a catch to the
DNR’s Master Angler program – which
each year recognizes the largest fish of
several dozen species – will want to pay
close attention to the 2019 application.
A few new rules have been added to the
program for 2019, including:
• No more than one entry for fish of the
exact same size will be accepted for each
species. (For example, if you catch two
10-inch bluegills, submit just one.)
• Each entry must include at least one
photo showing the fish being measured.
Color photos of the entire fish are required,
too; entries received without color photos
will not be accepted.
“The DNR’s Master Angler program
has more than tripled in popularity in the Brandonn Kramer of
last five years,” said Lynne Thoma, the Muskegon with new state
record black buffalo.
program’s administrator. “We want to
recognize as many anglers as possible for
their fishing accomplishments, while retaining the integrity of this pro-
gram. We feel these new rules will help us do that.”
The Master Angler program runs on the calendar year (Jan. 1 through
Dec. 31), rather than the fishing license year (April 1 through March 31).
The program includes more than 50 species of fish in both catch-and-keep
and catch-and-release categories. All fish entered must be taken by legal
Michigan sportfishing methods, during the open season, and in Michigan
waters open to the public.
Download the 2019 Master Angler application at Michigan.gov/Mas-
terAngler. People are encouraged to review the application every year for
program changes. Applications can be submitted via mail or email; the
current year’s form is due Jan. 10, 2020.

Tom Carney
Among the Aspens
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.
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

WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 51
Springforoptions
GREAT FISHING
Saginaw Bay
With warmer weather around the
corner the ice on Saginaw Bay will
be on its way out. Saginaw Bay in
the spring is a great fishery start-
ing at ice out. By the first of April
we will be fishing the inner bay
in depths of six to 30 feet. Com-
mon baits are larger crankbaits like
Rapala’s deep diving husky Jerks,
deep diving Bandits and Smithwick
P-10s and 20s. With the
water temperatures in the
30s, these baits work best at
slow speeds of 1.0-1.5 mph.
This time of year, limit
catches are common, with a
mix of both pre- and post-
spawn walleye as large as
10 pounds.
By late
April early May, By John Bergsma
as the water temperatures get into
the 40s and 50s the larger fish in
the bay start to make their way to
deeper water of Saginaw Bay. At the
same time the huge population of
smaller males that were up the tribu-
taries start to dump out of the Sagi-
naw River and into the inner bay.
These fish are hungry and are very
willing to eat. Limit catches of these
13 to 20 inch walleye are very com-
mon. We target these fish
using Rapala Husky Jerks,
Berkeley Flicker Shads and
Reef Runners. With the
warmer water temperatures,
we run at higher speeds like
1.5-2.5 mph.
In short, take advan-
tage of this great fishery the
Saginaw Bay has to offer.
Dress warm and
get rid of the Take advantage of the great fishery the Saginaw Bay has to offer.

with your host

n B e r g sm a
Jo h Now on...
CBSSN: Saturday’s at 7:30 a.m January-March
Fox Sports Detroit: Sunday’s at 7:00 a.m January-June
Online viewing at: www.fishermansdigest.com
Visit our website and find out about . . .
• Destinations • Fishing Reports •
• Our Show • Cooks Corner •

52 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS

cabin fever! If you’re looking for
a great charter experience, get in
contact with Captain Jay @The Fish
Fly Charters (810)-280-9655.
Manistee River
Spring is around the corner
and I’m thinking steelhead! With
the temperatures getting into the
comfortable range, it is time to get
out on the water. I like to consider
this as the starting point of my fish-
ing season, the wonderful spring
steelhead run. After winter releases
her hold on Northern Michigan,
and the river lets loose, in migrates

Chef Grant’s Country Smokehouse “Recipe of the Month”

2 Pounds Country Smoke House venison dogs or venison kielbasa
sliced or cubed
1 large sweet onion-medium dice
1 green bell pepper-medium dice
1 red bell pepper-medium dice
1 yellow bell pepper-medium dice
1 T. Minced garlic
1 T. Salt
1 tsp. Pepper
2 tsp. Oregano
2 tsp. Basil Great days of steelhead fishing are found throughout the spring.
1 tsp. Rosemary
4 T. Butter or coconut oil a major run of rainbow trout from will bottom bouncing gravel with
48 oz. diced tomatoes Lake Michigan. spawn. Both water levels have the
Melt butter / oil in a large skillet or wok on high then add garlic and Never knowing what weather pros and cons, weather temps, traffic
spices immediately followed by “sliced venison” and “large chopped” March will hold, high water or win- on the river, dirty water. No matter
veggies. Sauté on high for 10 minutes, tossing or stirring often, remem- ter water can be present. Most years, what the date is, great days of fish-
ber that color adds flavor. Then add tomatoes, reduce heat to simmer. winter water (before the spring ing are found throughout the spring.
Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. This is a hearty dish and works well flood) find steelhead in the slower As a school teacher, Michael
over rice or penne pasta. Serves 4-6. pools and ready to feast as they de- guides the weekends during this
velop their eggs. We will either run time as well as spring break (last
This recipe was provided by Chef Grant Bergsma at Fisherman’s Digest TV. spawn or beads under floats or pull week in March), Capt. Michael D.
For more recipes and excellent video fishing reports check out plugs. Once the spring flood comes, Tilmann II. Tilmann Outfitters &
www.fishermansdigest.com or on Facebook@Great Lakes Fishermans Digest. the water warms up, and the spring Charter Service LLC, 231-510-
spawn will start. At this time, we 9345, mtilmann2@gmail.comn

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WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 53



TROPHY PAGE

Joe Fraley caught this 38 inch muskie on 6 lb.

test while fishing for perch. It took about an hour Terry Jones, a first time
Rob Brodock caught this monster pike to land and they had to drill a second hole to get ever ice angler, shows
that measured 44.25 inches in length and the fish through. Joe and his father were fishing what can come about at
weighed 25.5 pounds. on Lake St. Clair near Anchor Bay. an ice fishing school.

Above, Left-Right:
Walleye anglers
Michael Nye, Andy
Vichunas, Joe Vic-
hunas, Scott Ditch, Henry, 8, from Washington Twp. fishing with
Tyler Manneback, his dad Todd, reeled in this 13.4 lb. steelhead Brace Castonia, Connor, 6, with a
James Cox, caught on a chilly February morning while fishing St. 3, holds his first 11.5 inch perch
these Saginaw Bay Joseph River with Sea Hawk charters. Henry’s pike caught on caught ice fishing
walleyes in mid-Feb- first (of many) steelhead trips! a tip up. in Wayne Co.
ruary. Right, Left-Right: Chad Simmons, Peyton
Simmons, Joe Vichunas, Andy Vichunas, jig
fishing Saginaw Bay. Joe caught an 8 pounder
and Andy a 6 pounder.

Ice fishing on
Houghton Lake
with his papa,
Riley Roberts, Brooke Janisch, 8, took
11, caught this her first deer hunting
38 inches, 13 lb. This nice 9-pt. was taken with her dad, Don, in
pike and a 25 by Jeff Saums of St. Clair Sanilac Co. during the
inch, 4 lb. walleye in early March. Co. on Oct. 5th. youth hunt.

In Memory of Tim Coughlin of Shepherd, his family’s successful deer hunts: Top Lt to Rt; Wife Jean with a dandy 12-pt. taken
Nov. 11 with her compound and Nov. 15 a dandy 9-pt. Bottom Lt to Rt; Daughter Trixie Onstott 6-pt. Oct. 31, crossbow and
7-pt. Nov. 15; Son-in-law Steve Onstott a unique 12-pt. on Oct. 2, crossbow; nephew Cody Pifer 9-pt. Nov. 3 compound and an
8-pt. Dec. 20 muzzleloader; Niece Katelyn Pifer a doe taken during the youth hunt; and Dick Onstott a 5-pt. taken Nov. 16.
54 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
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WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 55

Scenic River alcohol ban lasts… a week?
Dear Fish Diary:
S
ections of the AuS-
able, Manistee and Pine
rivers can end their
suffering from alcohol
withdrawal. The Federal
government voted to put
an alcohol ban on certain stretches
of designated Wild and Scenic River
sections but it didn’t last long. Soon,
the public launched a paddling of
that decision and started an online
petition. Within a week the alcohol
ban was off the board, under wa-
ter and hopelessly floating down
stream.
I understand why the forest
service felt the need to create the
ban, but please, just be honest. The
Feds want to paint this as some
huge safety issue that needs to be
addressed and controlled. They
continue to say they want to “re-
store” public safety to the rivers.
“Restore?” When did three of our
laziest, slow moving rivers suddenly
become dangerous? The real danger
is the fact that paddle sports are the
fastest rising outdoor activity in our
state, and like many other
activities, there are those
who shouldn’t be anywhere
near a kayak, canoe, raft or
river for that matter.
Most stretches of these
rivers move so slow you’d
think you were going back-
wards, which is why they
are so popular for drinkers.
Any water can be danger-
Ron St. Germain
ous but let’s just
keep it in perspec-
tive. If you’re go-
ing to go out sober to grab a suntan
and watch wildlife on one of these
remote rivers for the afternoon, your
danger factor is going to be pretty
low. However, if you’re going to
go out and get slobbery drunk, that
danger factor increases…a lot.
Let’s also get some insight on the
average canoe/kayak tandem. You
know, the left doesn’t know what
the right is doing or the back doesn’t
communicate with the front until it’s
too late. You’ve seen them spinning
downstream like a helicopter blade,
screaming at each other, running
into things, like trees, bug infested
shorelines or just eventually roll-
ing over and dumping everything
on board in the river. Food, clothes,
cameras, phones all floating to a wet
demise, and that’s all before 10 a.m.
Then the really stupid stuff starts to
happen.
56 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
Hot Topic In The Outdoors...
This ban is simply a conflict
between river party cruisers and
those who expect to go on a scenic
river and experience it as quiet and
remote. I can attest first hand that it
can be a bit frustrating coming upon
a large flotilla of floating intoxicated
testosterone and just want-
ing to get past it without
incident. Sometimes that’s
just not possible. I can
admit that I’ve been on both
sides of this controversy.
I’ve been on the party side
where I’ve linked up with
20 or more friends and
spent a day floating the
river and drinking. I’ve also
been on the natu-
ralist’s side where
I just wanted a
quiet, uninterrupted day of fishing
and not have it spoiled by loud and
obnoxious drunks. I just wanted to
possibly see an eagle, watch deer
and experience other pieces of
nature only to have it ruined. Over
time I’ve learned I like the quiet na-
ture side much better. Call it aging,
but I guess I just like my quiet.
Another thing the party flotil-
las bring is trash and litter to mix
among the chaos. Noise, trash, litter,
broken bottles and chaos does not
mix well with naturalists just look-
ing for peace, quiet and nature. On
the other hand, it doesn’t sound like
the quiet naturalists are bringing in
the revenue to help the areas eco-
nomically.
The petition quickly gained over
15,000 signatures and the support
of local businesses. Those aren’t
numbers that can be taken lightly,
and probably exactly why the
Feds backed off the alcohol ban so
quickly.
I’m glad the Forest service and
local merchants are going to try and
work together to possibly solve the
Scenic River issue. However, it’s
going to have to be done through the
ones using the river and mainly that
is done through the ones supplying
the floating devices and the trans-
portation. Perhaps quiet times can
be established. The river can have a
quiet time between sunrise and 11
a.m. – and again between 7 p.m. and
dusk. That gives the party flotillas
a good 8-hours to go get it out of
their system while giving the nature
lovers the morning and evening
without disturbance. The businesses
still have the extra traffic and the
naturalists quiet seekers a bit less
conflict. The forests service should
really crack down on the trash issues
as well as up the fines for reckless
behavior on the rivers. Try this for a
year or so and see if it doesn’t some-
how work itself out.
The main thing here we should
be concerned with is the fact that the
increasing amount of paddle enthu-
siasts is getting more people outside
to experience the great Michigan
outdoors. That is a win for all of us
moving forward. But if we can’t find
a way to respect the wild rivers, our
wild lands, and each other, then we
face the wrath of losing the piece
of serenity we’re all trying to save.
Have fun, be smart, be respect-
ful, and clean up after yourself and
maybe we can keep the law off the
rivers and stop more rules from be-
ing implemented.
Funny fish stories wanted:
Strangest thing
you’ve ever caught...
Send a short description of your
“best or worst” fishing day, or worst
fishing-related adventure, or strang-
est thing you’ve caught to me. You
don’t have to write the entire story,
just a brief outline of what hap-
pened. If it has some humor to it
I’ll be getting in touch with you and
we’ll work on the completed story
together.
Contact - Woods-N-Water News
columnist Ron St. Germain by
calling (517) 626-2814, emailing
DaPhotoDude@aol.com. Visit the
author’s Facebook page www.Face-
book.com/BearwaveBooksn
My Thoughts,
My Views, My Opinions
Share your thoughts, views, opinions or short
stories with Woods-N-Water News readers by
emailing: wnw@pageone-inc.com or mail to:
Woods-N-Water News,
PO Box 278, Imlay City, MI 48444
Questions regarding Woods-N-Water News sub-
scriptions, newsstand sales, Outdoor Weekend,
stories, trophy page, contact our office
Mon.-Fri. 9 am-5 pm 810-724-0254
www.woods-n-waternews.com

Rep. Howell introduces proposal to
expand pheasant hunting in Michigan
S
tate Rep. Gary Howell
has introduced legisla-
tion that would boost
conservation efforts to
help restore Michigan’s
pheasant population.
“Programs like this one will
facilitate the revitalization of Michi-
gan wildlife. This initiative has the
potential to improve small game
hunting opportunities, increase
wildlife populations, encourage
youth hunting and help Michi-
gan’s economy,” Howell, of North
Branch, said.
House Bill 4313 would create a
stamp for bird hunter’s licenses spe-
cifically for pheasant hunting. Fees
collected from stamp sales would go
into a fund dedicated to enhancing
pheasant hunting opportunities and
improving pheasant habitat.
Howell noted that hunting and
fishing play an important role in the
Over 200 hunting, fishing, conservation
groups support plan to stop Asian Carp
O
ver 200 hunting,
angling, conservation
and outdoor industry
organizations submit-
ted public comments
in mid-February in
support of the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers’ (Corps) final plan to im-
prove defenses at the Brandon Road
Lock and Dam to keep Asian carp
out of the Great Lakes. The Brandon
Road Lock and Dam, near Joliet, IL,
and below the Chicago Area Water-
way System, is a chokepoint in the
waterway system; the construction of
new technology at the dam can help
stop the advance of invasive Asian
carp and reduce the risk of the fish
entering Lake Michigan. The plan
proposes a gauntlet of technologies
including an electric barrier, a bubble
barrier, acoustic deterrent, and a
flushing lock to reduce the risk that
Asian carp get through while still
allowing navigation through the lock.
The comment period closes today.
“Hundreds of groups represent-
ing millions of hunters and anglers
in the Great Lakes region and across
the country recognize that invasive
species like Asian carp represent a
clear and present danger to our na-
tion’s fish, wildlife, water, economy,
and way of life,” said Marc Smith,
director of conservation partnerships
Hot Topic In The Outdoors...
overall protection of Michigan’s
natural resources. Last year, hunt-
ing and fishing license sales paid
for $83.5 million of game and fish
protection activity carried out by the
Michigan Department of Natural
Resources (DNR).
“Pheasant hunting is an excel-
lent entry-level opportunity for
young people just getting into
hunting,” Howell said. “Sharing this
hunting heritage with the next gen-
eration plays an important role in
future conservation and helps pass
on a love of the outdoors.”
In proposing HB 4313, Howell
has been working with the vol-
unteers of the Michigan Pheasant
Hunting Initiative and the members
of the Michigan United Conserva-
tion Clubs. Ken Dalton of Lapeer
County has been leading the ef-
fort for expanded pheasant hunting
opportunities.n
‘Without firm and swift action to stop the further
movement of Asian carp and other invasive species, the
future of hunting, fishing and our outdoor heritage in the
Great Lakes and Mississippi River region is at risk...’
for the National Wildlife Federation.
“This plan is the best opportunity
we’ll have to keep them out of the
Great Lakes and their connected
inland waters. This is a significant
part of the national response needed
to prevent Asian carp from invading
new waters, while working to eradi-
cate and suppress populations of the
invasive fish from waters in which
they currently reside.”
The organizations warn that Asian
carp jeopardize the region’s outdoor
recreation economy: a $7 billion
Representative Howell introducing House Bill 4313 with the President of
the Michigan Pheasant Hunting Initiative, Ken Dalton of Arcadia Township.
fishery; a $16 billion tourism indus-
try; waterfowl production areas that
support a hunting economy of $2.6
billion per year; and hunting, fishing,
and wildlife observation that gener-
ates approximately $18 billion per
year. They also emphasize that the
cost estimate of $778 million to bol-
ster defenses at Brandon Road Lock
and Dam is an investment worth
making to protect the multi-billion-
dollar outdoor recreation industry.
And given the estimated time for
construction, they urge an expedited
schedule without any delay by Con-
gress in approving and funding the
project:
“We encourage you to consider
our comments and move as fast and
efficiently as possible to finalize
this plan and submit to Congress on
schedule,” the groups write. “We
need stronger controls in place now
in order to prevent Asian carp and
other invasive species from continu-
ing to swim closer to - and eventually
into - the Great Lakes. Without firm
and swift action to stop the further
movement of Asian carp and other
invasive species, the future of hunt-
ing, fishing and our outdoor heritage
in the Great Lakes and Mississippi
River region is at risk.”
Early in February, a coalition of
hunting, fishing, and conservation or-
ganizations in the Great Lakes region
announced a united effort to support
the plan to keep Asian carp out of the
Great Lakes. Ducks Unlimited, the
Indiana Wildlife Federation, the Izaak
Watlton League of America, Michi-
gan United Conservation Clubs, the
Minnesota Conservation Federation,
the National Wildlife Federation,
Ohio Conservation Federation, Trout
Unlimited and the Wisconsin Wildlife
Federation formed the Great Lakes
Conservation Coalition to unite sup-
port for efforts to stop Asian carp.n
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 57

President requests $1.3 billion for
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2020
P
resident Donald Trump
has proposed a bud-
get of $1.3 billion in
Fiscal Year 2020 to
fund the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service’s
principal resource management and
conservation programs. The budget
includes an additional $1.5 billion
in permanent funding that is admin-
istered to states through grants that
support state wildlife and sport fish
conservation, recreational boating
and other related programs. The Ser-
vice’s Budget in Brief is available
online at https://www.doi.gov/cj .
The President’s Budget prioritiz-
es investments to increase access to
outdoor recreational opportunities,
improve permitting processes, mod-
ernize infrastructure and recover
species listed under the Endangered
Species Act.
“Serving the American people is
our highest priority and this budget
will help us strengthen our commit-
ment to them,” said the Service’s
Principal Deputy Director Margaret
Everson. “From improving the expe-
rience for our refuge visitors to re-
covering the nation’s most imperiled
species to making our regulations as
transparent and streamlined as pos-
sible, we are focused on building the
modern, public focused organization
that America expects and deserves.”
The FY 2020 budget includes
the President’s continued focus on
the following priorities:
Conserving our
Lands and Waters
Operation and maintenance of
the National Wildlife Refuge Sys-
tem (NWRS), the world’s premier
network of lands managed explicitly
for wildlife conservation, is support-
ed at $509.5 million. Of this, $239.4
million is for wildlife and habitat
management through activities such
as forestry and combating invasive
species.
The President requests $240
million to conserve, protect and
enhance endangered, threatened
and at-risk wildlife and their habi-
tats. The budget prioritizes $107.5
million in funding for planning
and consultation and $95 million
for species recovery activities. The
request also includes $26.4 million
for conservation and restoration
activities that can help keep at-risk
species off the threatened and en-
dangered species lists.
The budget proposes $73.4 mil-
58 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
Hot Topic In The Outdoors...
lion for aquatic habitat and species
conservation, including $16.1 mil-
lion to block, control and eradicate
aquatic invasive species such as
Asian carp and non-native mussels,
and $14 million for fish passage
improvements that enable fish to
access additional habitat, which also
bolsters fishing opportunities for the
American public.
To further habitat conservation
priorities, the President requests
$54.4 million to support volun-
tary conservation on private lands
through the Partners for Fish and
Wildlife Program, and $13.4 million
to promote coastal habitat conserva-
tion on public and private lands.
The budget also requests $16.6
million for technical and financial
assistance to international partners
for innovative projects that address
wildlife poaching and trafficking
and support international conserva-
tion efforts.
Encapsulated in the Service’s
mission is the mandate to work with
others to achieve shared wildlife
conservation goals. To that end, the
Service promotes collaborative con-
servation through a range of fund-
ing sources for diverse state, tribal,
nongovernmental organization and
private partners. This year, the Presi-
dent is requesting $6 million for the
Multinational Species Conserva-
tion Fund to leverage support from
partners to protect elephants, rhinos,
tigers, great apes and marine turtles;
$40 million for the North American
Wetlands Conservation Fund that
supports cost-shared partnership
projects for wetlands and waterfowl
conservation; $3.9 million for the
Neotropical Migratory Bird Con-
servation Fund to provide matching
grants for neotropical migratory bird
conservation projects throughout
the Western Hemisphere; and $31.3
million for State and Tribal Wildlife
Grants for conservation of non-
game species.
Expanding Outdoor
Recreation and Access
The President is requesting
$80.9 million for NWRS visitor
services and $43.2 million for visi-
tor safety to ensure safe, easy and
diverse access to public lands for
wildlife-dependent recreation.
Migratory bird hunters generate
$2.3 billion in economic activity
each year, much of it in rural Amer-
ica. The FY 2020 budget includes
$49.5 million for migratory bird
management to support population
monitoring, cooperation with states
on migratory bird management, and
environmental reviews required
for development projects. The
budget also includes $13.1 million
for the North American Waterfowl
Management Plan to support joint
ventures, multifaceted regional
partnerships that conserve habitat
for migratory birds across North
America.
The budget request for Fish and
Aquatic Conservation is $155.6
million, which will support access
to recreational fishing and fisheries
conservation.
Modernizing our
Organization and
Infrastructure
Funding for the NWRS includes
$146 million for refuge facility and
equipment maintenance. Addressing
health and human safety deficiencies
at existing facilities is the highest
priority for maintenance funding.
Funding for Fish and Aquatic Con-
servation includes $82.2 million for
the operation and maintenance of
the National Fish Hatchery System.
These resources will help modernize
hatchery infrastructure and facilities
to reduce operating costs and im-
prove research and fish production
capabilities.
The 2020 budget proposes $9.9
million for Service land acquisition.
The budget reflects the Administra-
tion’s priority to support manage-
ment of existing lands and resources
over acquisition of new federal
lands.
In addition to funding available
through the Public Lands Infrastruc-
ture Fund, the FY 2020 budget for
construction is $15.7 million, of
which $9.1 million is for line-item
construction projects.
As part of the Department’s reor-
ganization effort, the Service’s bud-
get includes $5.7 million to support
unified regions, relocate resources
closer to customers, and implement
shared service solutions to better
deliver operational services across
the Department.
Protecting our
People and the Border
Included in the budget request
for the NWRS is $43.2 million for
refuge law enforcement efforts. This
money ensures the safety of the
more than 55 million annual visitors
across the refuge system, prevents
poaching and other illegal activities
that may harm wildlife and their
habitats, and assists U.S. Customs
and Border Protection officers in
their critically important efforts to
secure our borders.
Wildlife crime is a multi-billion-
dollar global business that fuels
international instability and has been
linked to other illicit activities such
as human, arms and drug traffick-
ing. The President’s budget asks for
$77.2 million for law enforcement
activities investigating wildlife
crimes and enforcing wildlife laws.
The budget supports continuing
cooperation with other nations to
protect elephants, rhinos, pangolins
and other species by stopping illicit
trade, ensuring sustainable legal
trade, reducing demand for illegal
products, and providing technical
assistance and grants to other na-
tions to develop local enforcement
capabilities.
Generating Revenue and
and Utilizing our Resources
The President’s FY 2020 budget
proposal supports his commitment
to create jobs, provide outdoor rec-
reation through hunting and fishing,
facilitate energy development, and
support law enforcement needs.
The Department of the Interior
oversees one-fifth of the nation’s
land and the entire Outer-Continen-
tal Shelf. The Department is charged
with overseeing energy development
on federal lands and waters, grazing
allotments and timber sales, water
conservation and delivery, uphold-
ing tribal trust responsibilities, con-
servation of wildlife and habitat, and
maintaining access for recreation
throughout public lands, among
other priorities. With this budget, the
Service is able to effectively fulfill
its mission and address conservation
priorities.
Authored by The USFW. The
mission of the U.S. Fish and Wild-
life Service is working with others
to conserve, protect, and enhance
fish, wildlife, plants, and their
habitats for the continuing benefit of
the American people. We are both a
leader and trusted partner in fish and
wildlife conservation, known for
our scientific excellence, steward-
ship of lands and natural resources,
dedicated professionals, and com-
mitment to public service. For more
information on our work and the
people who make it happen, visit
www.fws.gov.n
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WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 59

 What makes an ideal beagle for
hunting cottontail and snowshoe hare?
By Millard H. Holton
The author has raised, hunted and field trialed hunting
beagles for over 60 years. He has judged field trials in many
states, and Canada. He has bred, handled and finished
A
many field champions in the gun dog formats.
s a young man right out
of high school, I had a
steady job at General
Motors in Flint, but
still had time to help
on the farm near Elsie,
where I had always lived. My older
brothers and I always found time to
hunt the many pheasants, cottontail,
grouse and quail that graced not only
our farm, but most of our neighbor’s
surrounding land as well. Deer were
scarce and we had to journey north
to hunt them. I grew up with small,
mixed breed dogs that loved to hunt
as much as I did. My love for dogs
and hunting evolved from the many
hours I spent following my older
brothers through the fields and brush.
My brother, who lived nearby,
bought two female beagles from
a hunter at General Motors and a
family friend gave me an older, male
beagle he claimed was gun shy. We
renamed him Bozo. The females
were great pheasant dogs but they
didn’t have the patience to stay with
a cottontail and would soon give up
and go look for another one. Well, in
a short time one of the two littermate
females provided us with a litter of
five puppies; three females and two
males.
It was soon determined that this
little female selected me, making the
decision easy. I named her Skippy
and she became a house dog and
followed me most everywhere I went
around the farm. She started early
by herself and we all loved to hunt
pheasants with her.
As Skippy matured in size, it
was apparent that she would never
exceed 13 inches as her littermates
had done. Now the older male, Bozo,
would never run anything but rabbits
and he seemed to run them for hours
without losing the trail. I used my .22
caliber rifle while hunting with Bozo
and this hound soon learned that the
report from my gun didn’t harm him
and there would soon be a dead rabbit
laying on the trail several yards ahead
of him.
As months went by, Skippy
started jumping rabbits around the
buildings, however they would disap-
pear into holes or other places of
refuge nearby. Soon Skippy became
proficient in pursuing cottontail,
much like her father. Now Bozo had
a low, bawl mouth, used right and
60 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
never barked without a rabbit track
between his legs. He learned to air
scent out in front of him and didn’t
raise his head to claim the line. Now
Skippy had a head down, very loud
squall that could be recognized at
long distances.
We enjoyed the beagle music so
much we both added more hounds
to the chase. When friends joined in
our weekend, winter hunts they often
brought some of their own hounds.
I usually left Bozo at home as I
didn’t want him to deal with shotgun
blasts. Then one sunny, 35 degree
day a friend from GM, Bill Harwood,
stopped by to hunt with us on our day
off. Bill had been a long time rabbit
and hare hunter, also participating in
gundog, beagle field trials for several
years. He wanted to see our hounds
run as he had heard so much about
them.
Now Bill and I followed the pack
closely as we watched the pack come
by us. Even I noticed there were
more breakdowns than when I just
ran Bozo and Skippy together. Fur-
ther, adding more hounds to the chase
seemed to slow the progress down,
rather than speed things up.
After a few cottontails were
shot, Bill asked me to follow a chase
with him as he wanted to point out
some things. Bill began to show me
what was happening among the six
hounds. He quickly proved to me
that the hounds that fascinated me by
running much of the front were actu-
ally causing all of the breakdowns.
He pointed out to me that Skippy and
one other young beagle were continu-
ally solving all of the breakdowns by
locating the trail close to where the
loss occurred.
One by one we picked up the
problem causing hounds and each
time the chase speeded up. At the end
of this chase, Skippy and the above
mentioned young hound were the
only dogs left and they progressed
the trail without a breakdown for the
rest of that chase and those runs that
followed.
This was a great learning expe-
rience for me as Bill showed me,
among my own hounds, what quali-
ties in a good beagle would lead to
accomplishment. It became appar-
ent that fast hounds that overrun the
turns, charged to the front at all costs
and were off the line more than they
A 1962 cottontail hunt with the author, Jack Coleman, Skippy and two pups.
were on it were of no asset in circling
the rabbit to the gun. A dog needed
gears to adjust to changing scent con-
ditions. A hound can’t run at the same
speed at all times, but rather must
pursue its quarry as fast as conditions
permit or as slowly as conditions de-
mand. It was easy to see where short
bursts of uncontrolled speed, coupled
with a fight to run the front of the
pack led to overruns at the turns,
as well as hooking and swinging in
order to relocate the trail.
I don’t recall where the above,
faulty hounds ended up, but I do
remember the several great hunting
hounds that were produced by this
above cross! My family and I had the
privilege of hunting with these packs
that consisted of Bozo and his off-
spring both on cottontail in Southern
Michigan, as well as snowshoe hare
in Northern Michigan and the U.P.
We chased snowshoe hare on snow,
nearly every weekend for several
years.
The speed that I had once adored
could now be exercised on hare that
ran in a straight line and left few
problems to be solved other than
the longer distance between tracks.
Skippy and Bozo where the main
anchor hounds during every chase.
These dogs and related hounds set
a bench mark that I have demanded
in beagles that I have owned for the
past 60 years. I required this type of
excellence in the field trial entries
that I judged over the Eastern United
States as well as in Canada. We also
finished many field champions from
our own breedings that could win
field trials one weekend and pursue
snowshoe hare the next. Every beagle
should have the conformation and
intelligence to perform as a hunting
gundog on either cottontail or snow-
shoe hare!
Here’s what the American Kennel
Club Rule Book says how a beagle
should operate. Procedure 5-B Defi-
nitions-Desirable Qualities, describes
12 traits that if possessed by a beagle
would define it as an Ideal Beagle.
The original framers or the AKC
Rules must have been avid hunters as
they were very knowledgeable as to
how a great hound needed to perform
in both the field and at a trial. They
must have owned some hounds like
Bozo and Skippy to write about.
The 12 desirable qualities are as
follows: Searching ability, pursuing
ability, accuracy in trailing, proper
use of voice, endurance, adaptability,
patience, determination, indepen-
dence, cooperation, competitive spirit
and intelligence!
The framers of the rule book sum-
marized these 12 desirable qualities
into the following statement, “The
hound that displays the aforemen-
tioned qualities would be considered
the Ideal Beagle for all purposes
afield, capable of serving as a field
trial hound, a gun dog or a member of
a pack, on either rabbit or snowshoe
hare.”
These above 12 desirable quali-
ties were what Skippy possessed in
order to drive a rough pack of hounds
from the inside displaying her intel-
ligence, as well as continued inde-
pendence. I feel foolish that it took a
seasoned beagler to point this out to
me!
I since have been blessed with
a kennel full of great beagles with
International Field Champions,
Holton’s Lulu and Coverline Lady
performing as two of my favorites
that seemed to be carbon copies
of Bozo and Skippy. Fortunately
these two great hounds, when bred
to selected, field champion, gun-
dog males, were able to instill their
offspring with qualities that prevailed
for several generations!
Over my many years of follow-
ing great hounds they taught me as to
what makes a great rabbit hound:
1) They should be useful for both
hunting and field trial purposes.
2) They should be able to circle
a cottontail or snowshoe hare in an
efficient manor by themselves (solo),
or serve as a member of a brace or
small pack (4 to 6 hounds) on either
cottontail or hare and contribute to
the progress of the chase.
3) A beagle should have an in-
tense enthusiasm for hunting, i.e., it
should recognize good rabbit habitat
and be willing and eager to explore it
in order to jump a cottontail with-
out regard for its own comfort. The
beagle’s purpose is to find game and
pursue it in a decisive manner.
4) They should possess a big
nose that will allow them to run on
all kinds of conditions such as snow,
frozen or bare ground, and in either
cold or hot weather.
5) The hound should have gears,
which means it should be able to
pursue a rabbit as fast as scenting
conditions permit, or as slow as these
conditions demand.
6) An “Ideal Beagle” will run
the entire rabbit trail all of the time
with continuous progress and no
breakdowns. Of course all beagles
make mistakes, therefore losses and
breakdowns will occur. We should
strive to breed and own hounds that
come close to this standard.
7) A beagle should pursue a rabbit
at a pace that will display a desire to
catch it. No dog can be too fast pro-
vided the trail is clearly and accurate-
ly followed. The speed of the hound
should be controlled to the point that
it does not substantially over run the
turns in either the field or a trial.
8) The hound should have the
patience to solve any problem they
may encounter during the chase and
account for every rabbit or hare they
pursue, driving it to the gun.
9) Beagles should have the intel-
ligence to determine the direction of
travel of the rabbit trail and to un-
ravel any tricks the quarry may play
on its pursuer.
10) A good hound should have
the endurance to compete day after
day and never quit a rabbit chase.
This means the beagle should be in
top condition and fed an appropriate,
high performance dog food.
11) A beagle should vocalize on
all forward progress on the line and
be silent when off the line. Some
beagles possess a bawl mouth and
some have a head-down chop mouth.
Both have their advantages. I prefer
the head down chop.
12) Beagles, when losing the
rabbit trail should first look close
to where the loss occurred and then
gradually and thoroughly extend their
search to reclaim the line. A “check
area” is the area where a loss oc-
curred. At a check a hound should
never immediately race off guessing
and gambling as to where it may re-
claim the trail. Neither should checks
be caused by the faulty action of the
dog.
13) After a hound has harked in to
its brace or pack mates, it should run
the trail independently, regardless of
its position in the chase, rather than
just chasing after the hounds ahead
of it. Anytime a beagle does not have
a trail between its legs, it is wasted
motion!
14) The hound shall not be shy
of gunfire. This problem is seldom
caused by heredity but is often
caused by careless training. Most gun
shyness is hunter induced, rather than
a genetic trait. Bozo never produced
even one gun shy pup.
15) A hound that commits an
occasional, mistake but succeeds in
contributing to the performance of
the chase should be preferred to the
stylist that fails to contribute much.
16) The color and markings of a
beagle should never be the reason for
selecting a puppy. I always preferred
a black blanketed
hound like Skippy,
however this bias
almost caused me
to overlook Lulu
as a pup because
of her wide, white
belt, filled with
blue ticks!
17) Do male
beagles outperform In 1998 the author’s beagles won 14 license trials and a
females? This is a total of 49 places in both the U.S. and Canada.
personal choice.
There are advantag- turns and show a lack of indepen-
es to both. I have seen great perform- dence and intelligence!
ers in either sex at field trials as well As a hunter I had faults too, the
as in the field. I have owned a lot of biggest fault was building a bond be-
each sex. tween my hounds and myself, espe-
18) And the most important qual- cially the puppies, by bringing them
ity in a great rabbit hound is their into the house and continually play-
ability to reproduce offspring that ing with them. God blessed us with
will equal or exceed the desirable numerous gundogs, field champions
qualities they, themselves, possesses. that could win at the trials, as well as,
Unfortunately Skippy’s mother was trail a cottontail or pound a snowshoe
not a solid hound, therefore she never hare all day long; day after day.
produced any puppies that were wor- Several of the best spent much
thy of keeping in my kennel. of their lives in the house, sharing a
In addition to the desirable quali- couch with us! Tears flowed heavily
ties, the AKC Rule Book also lists a each time I made that final trip to the
number of faults that can occur in a veterinarian, however the memories
beagle, with quitting, backtracking of the times these little hounds spent
and ghost trailing being the worst! with me in the fields is precious and
Personally I find it hard to deal with will always remain with me. I hope
hounds that leave checks, bark when you too, can find an “Ideal Beagle!”
not on a trail, swing and skirt the The rewards are unspeakable!n
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WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 61
 POINTING
Dog Training...By Len Jenkins
I
f you’ve proceeded systemati-
cally in your training, your
dog has already had some
experience pointing (provided
he is a pointing dog). Now it’s time
to fine-tune the point.
Whenever you work on point-
ing, use the words bird and whoa
frequently. The dog should know
that the word bird or a combination
of words using bird means that birds
are close.
Through repetitive work, your
dog will learn to expect birds if you
say something like “Find the birds!”
In the process of training, the dog
will begin to trust you because there
are indeed birds present when you
say “Bird.” Besides that, he’ll enjoy
the experience of bird contact so
much that he will want to stay near
you because he’s associating your
presence with birds. This in turn will
help you develop a close-working
dog. Now you will need to make
sure birds are present.
We talked about style earlier, but
now we’re going to stress it. You
need to plant birds upwind of your
dog. Use pigeons for this. You can
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place about five of them in front of
your dog in five separate locations.
You’ll be able to tell where they are
because the blaze orange strings
of the bird restraint harness will be
visible to you, but not to the dog
since he is color blind. When you
notice the dog getting birdy as he
approaches the first of your birds,
command him to “whoa,” applying
a little pressure on the spiked force
collar by pulling on the check­cord.
Style up the dog. Improve his stance
by making sure he’s not leaning too
far forward. Make sure his head and
tail are up nice and high. Praise and
soothe him so he knows that this
is what you want. If his tail needs
greater elevation, tap it lightly with
the edge of your fingernail. If that
doesn’t work, use a short saw blade,
tapping the underside of the tail with
the serrated edge. You can then keep
your dog on point by walking in
front of him and extending the flat
of your hand, once again command-
ing “whoa.”
If your dog wants to move, you
can either use your whoa stake or
ask an assistant to help you. Tease
(Lunch Provided)
your dog by moving the bird, sus-
pending it by the string. When you
have done this long enough, snap
the release harness, releasing the
bird to fly away. If the bird’s been
trained to return to your pigeon
loft, he’ll be yours to use again.
As the bird flies away, clap your
hands, make a lot of noise, or fire a
blank gun, in order to get your pup
accustomed to noise. Now it’s on
to the next bird. Repeat the process
until you have used up all five of
your birds. You will notice that your
pup’s intensity and animation will
improve. You’ll also notice an im-
provement in his style on point since
this is the object of your concern. As
you work your dog in this manner,
it’s important that you keep improv-
ing because you’ll want to maximize
the return on all your set-up time.
You’ll notice that your pup will re-
ally like this.
Put your dog up for a while now
and set out another five harnessed
pigeons in a different location.
In every case, make sure that the
pigeon is hidden from the dog’s
view by grass or other vegetation.
Besides working on style, you must
also make sure that the dog is using
his nose, not his eyes. Once again,
work the dog upwind. Make him
wind, seek out, and point each bird,
making sure the points are firm and
stylish and that he proceeds in a
crisp, snappy manner as you work.
Introduce a new element at this
juncture in your training– that is the
call back (one long deliberate whis-
tle blast) after allowing the excited
dog to chase the released, flying bird
a short distance. This is important
because you’ll establish in the dog’s
mind that he is to come back in after
each bird find for you to acknowl-
edge his achievement. If you don’t
establish this habit early on, you
may end up with a dog that wants
to pursue bird after bird, regardless
of your desire. Such a dog would
be in the next county by the time
you catch up with him. Throughout
practice your pup must:
• Seek out birds
• Point with style (about 20 feet
from the bird)
• Remain on point as you tease
• Remain on point (steady to
wing) as the bird flies or pursue the
bird, depending upon your prefer-
ence
• Come back immediately upon
your whistle blast, and
• Go back out to find more birds
when given the two blast signal.
Do you see how all the pieces
are starting to fit? It’s all part of the
overall picture and you’ll be amazed
at the dog’s ability to assimilate
each step and master the ever-in-
creasing complexity of the complete
process. Remember to make the dog
do every little step exactly right.
Be alert and vigilant so you don’t
inadvertently leave out vital signals
or cues.
In case you’re still not satisfied
with your dog’s style, there are a
couple of things you can do. If you
have a training table, walk the dog
up the ramp and allow him to point
a plainly visible bird placed on the
table. While the dog is on the table
he’s a little insecure and closer to
your level. It’s amazing how you
can improve his points like this. Ex-
pect a perfect point. The dog should
be standing proudly with legs se-
curely under him with high head and
tail and obvious interest, animation
and intensity. Another technique that
works nicely is teasing your dog
with a pigeon in a net–such as one
would use in landing salmon. Tease
the dog saying “bird, bird, bird” and
let him pursue the bird visually and
physically (you’ll need an assistant
for this). Periodically command
“whoa.” Style up the points. Do
this several times. It won’t be long
before your dog will do everything
exactly right and do it in high style.
Remember that repetition and
reinforcement are the name of the
game. You can have a close dog that
points, holds, and handles to a tee.
He’ll also do all these things in high
style.
Style is important. Try this lesson
again until you have it all. Why not
have the best? Right?
While this lesson is broken up
in order to explain each of the ele-
ments, you should have developed
your own sense of the training
process by now because you un-
derstand your specific dog and the
rudiments of training. Put it all
together, utilizing your knowledge
and common sense. Each dog,
like each human being, is an indi-
vidual. Work with your dog,
building on each step, adapting
as necessary, and always
simulating what you really
want in the field.n
 The American Woodcock:
“The Rational and Irrational”
F
or anyone enchanted
by and seeking more
information about the
American woodcock,
Greg Hoch provides just
the ticket in Sky Dance
of the Woodcock: The Habits and
Habitats of a Strange Little Bird,
due out this spring.
A man of science, Hoch never-
theless confides in the reader, “Few
species can capture the imagination
as well as the woodcock.” Thus
captivated, Hoch, Prairie Habitat
Team Supervisor for the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources,
shares the duality of the wood-
cock that makes it such a special
bird. “Wildlife conservation can be
boiled down to two basic
elements, the rational and
irrational,” he writes, and
his book delves into both
aspects of the woodcock.
Hoch has three simple
goals for the book: “The
first is to introduce readers
to the world of the wood-
cock and get them outside
some March or April
evening to watch the By Tom Carney
sky dance. If they
wish, they can also grab an old side-
by-side shotgun and follow a good
dog through the October aspen and
birch.
The second is to help readers
understand the decisions that man-
agers make when managing habitat
specifically for woodcock and more
generally all wildlife species.
Last, I hope this book shows ev-
eryone that while deforestation has
an ugly history in some places and
at some times, an axe or saw can
be used carefully, thoughtfully, and
constructively. There are many spe-
cies of wildlife that can benefit from
the same practices that also sustain
rural forestry economies.”
Hoch observes a clear structure
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to realize those goals, moving seam-
lessly from a chapter on “Anatomy
and Habits” to “Sky Dance” and
on through discussion of habitats,
history and hunting, migration and
the need for habitat management.
He adds, “This book relies heav-
ily on the abundant historic and
modern literature on this species …
seasoned mightily with quotes from
dozens of writers …” in addition to
regularly cited “scientific findings.”
Woodcock “seem to bring out
the poet in almost anyone who
writes about them,” says Hoch.
Most of that poetry is presented in
the chapter on the sky dance, the
spring mating ritual of the male
woodcock. And he includes the most
wonderful assortment of
writers’ descriptions of the
actual dance I’ve ever seen
in one place. Anyone who
has never observed the sky Sky Dance of the Woodcock: The Habits and Habitats of a Strange
dance in person, trust me: Little Bird , Greg Hoch, 196 pages, University of Iowa Press, avail-
These descriptions are spot able March 2019; ISBN: 9781609386276
on, the next best thing to way: to see how those two meet to tell a
actually being there. (Full “It’s not enough to just have science more complete story. Without both,
disclosure: Hoch includes a or just have art in our lives. The any story about this little bird would
couple of passages
from my books,
woodcock is one of the best ways only be partially told.”n
plus I was asked to
provide a cover blurb.)
Hoch is concerned with provid-
ing clear exposition, to the point
that he actually cites the sky dance
passages the same way he cites the
more scientific passages.
To be sure, while Hoch does not
shy away from the notion of hunting
woodcock, this is not a book about
woodcock hunting. It’s a book about
woodcock, period. It’s an especially
good book with which to initially THE FRIENDS OF NRA PROGRAM HAS BEEN OPERATING
stock the “Woodcock” shelf of one’s NATIONWIDE SINCE 1992. DURING THE PAST 27 YEARS, OVER
upland hunting library, for it intro- $3,875,632 HAS BEEN SPENT IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN! AS
duces the reader to just about every THE PROGRAM GROWS – SO DOES WHAT WE GIVE BACK!
mainstream book about the bird, in
both the literary and scientific
styles. 2019 BANQUET DATES
Hoch would have it no other DATE EVENT CITY DATE EVENT CITY
3/21/2019 HOWELL 5/11/2019 MUSKEGON
3/30/2019 UNIONVILLE 5/11/2019 SAGINAW
U.S.C.G. Lic 4/5/2019 PORT HURON
4/6/2019 LUDINGTON
5/17/2019 HILLSDALE
5/18/2019 LAWRENCE
4/12/2019 HOUGHTON 6/7/2019 ALPENA
4/13/2019 SALINE 9/5/2019 COMMERCE TWP
4/16/2019 SHELBY TOWNSHIP 9/11/2019 BAD AXE
~ Boca Grande, FL 4/19/2019 ITHACA 9/19/2019 GRAND BLANC
4/25/2019 IRONWOOD 9/21/2019 LANSING
5/3/2019 WESTLAND 10/3/2019 SAULT STE. MARIE
5/3/2019 GRAND RAPIDS 10/5/2019 MONROE
5/10/2019 CHEBOYGAN
Please consider attending an event in your area, or joining a local
FNRA committee to help support this great fundraising program!
Visit www.friendsofnra.org/mi For more information.
941-457-0509 To find a committee near you; to help start a committee; or to request a grant application
and put this money to good work contact your Michigan NRA Field Representative.
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 63
 MDNR COs have busy deer season
• CO Jared Ferguson and Ser-
geant Brian Bacon were working
on Thanksgiving Day in northern
Dickinson Co. near the Marquette Co.
line when they came upon a vehicle
parked in the middle of a Co. road.
CO Ferguson contacted the driver and
found an uncased crossbow lying on
his lap. Further investigation found
he had a suspended driver’s license,
no insurance, and an unregistered ve-
hicle. A quick file check from central
dispatch found the driver had a felony
warrant out of Wisconsin and three
misdemeanor warrants in Michigan.
Enforcement action was taken.
• CO Ferguson was following
up on complaints in Iron Co. when
he located an ORV trail leading to a
tree stand on state land. CO Ferguson
contacted the hunter who stated he
had hunted there for over 50 years
and the same guy keeps driving by
his stand at prime time. CO Ferguson
followed the truck tracks in the snow
to the suspect’s stand and found he
had no name and address on his blind,
operated an ORV in a closed area,
was cutting trees on state land, and
had no hunting license in possession.
Enforcement action was taken.
• Sgt. Jason Wicklund noticed a
photo in an Iron Co. newspaper of a
subject posing with a 10-point buck.
The article was very detailed and
even said when the subject harvested
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64 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
the buck. A check of the subject’s
license history revealed that he did
not purchase a deer license until the
day after the deer was harvested.
Corporal (Cpl.) Dave Painter and
CO Zach Painter followed up on the
deer and tried to locate the subject
that was in the paper. While trying to
locate the subject, the officers located
a 7-point buck hanging without a tag.
Further investigation revealed that it
belonged to the father of the subject
in the paper and he had not purchased
a deer license. The COs then
located the subject from
the paper and after a short
interview, obtained a confes-
sion. Enforcement action was
taken on both deer.
• CO Jeremy Sergey and
Michigan State Police (MSP)
troopers responded to an
incident in which a hunter on
private property
had shot at a
buck with a 30-
PART ONE...
06 and the bul-
let penetrated By Jeff Pendergraff
his neighbor’s
truck door. When the officers arrived
on scene, they discovered the bullet
had gone through the back door of a
truck and became embedded in the
truck’s back seat. The officers also
discovered another bullet had gone
through a very large metal fuel tank
includes
55
shipping
& taxes
next to a barn. There were several
children at the residence when the
shooting occurred. After conducting
several interviews, the hunter con-
fessed to riding on a four-wheeler
with a loaded firearm, shooting from
the four-wheeler several times, hunt-
ing within a safety zone and hunting
without a license. Law enforcement
action was taken.
• COs Stephen Butzin and Mark
Zitnik observed a hunter walking to
his vehicle. The COs asked if he had
gotten a deer yet and the
hunter showed the COs a
6-point buck on his phone
that he had taken that morn-
ing. When asked to see his
hunting license, the hunter
gave CO Zitnik his base
license. The CO advised he
needed to see his deer hunt-
ing license and the hunter
produced a
single deer tag.
Upon further
investigation it
was discovered
the hunter had
shot the 6-point that morning and had
a friend put his tag on it so he could
keep hunting. Enforcement action was
taken.
• CO Chris Lynch received a com-
plaint about an untagged deer hanging
at a camp. COs Lynch and Stephen
Butzin went to the camp and located
the deer hanging. Upon closer inspec-
tion the deer had a 2017 deer tag
attached to it. Contact was made with
a hunter at the camp who stated it was
his buddy’s deer. The COs contacted
the responsible hunter who was walk-
ing back to camp from his hunting
blind. Upon checking the hunter, he
didn’t have a deer license in his pos-
session. After a short investigation it
was discovered the hunter had current
unused 2018 deer licenses. The hunter
received a citation for improperly tag-
ging the deer.
• CO Chris Lynch received a com-
plaint of two subjects who have been
taking multiple illegal deer for several
years. After a three-month long inves-
tigation, three suspects were devel-
oped along with a long list of viola-
tions. The suspects were a father, son
1-800-700-2628
and uncle. CO Lynch and Sgt. Jerry
Fitzgibbon interviewed the father
at his residence. Multiple pictures
of illegally taken deer were located
along with one set of 6-point ant-
lers. The investigation led to another
nearby residence which resulted in the
discovery of three untagged deer (two
8-points and a 7-point.) This led to
additional interviews which ultimately
uncovered multiple instances of
failure to tag, borrowing/ loaning tags,
hunting without a license, taking deer
with firearm out of season, aid and
abet and improperly tagged deer. A
report has been submitted to the Delta
Co. Prosecutor’s office for a review of
10 different charges.
• CO Stephen Butzin received a
complaint that a subject was bragging
about shooting a deer at night. CO
Butzin interviewed several subjects
regarding the matter. One subject was
found to have shot a deer at night
while using an artificial light with a
.22 caliber rifle. A report has been
submitted with the Delta Co. Prosecu-
tor’s office.
• CO Calvin Smith was patrolling
a very secluded two-track when he
came across a vehicle and began to
converse with the driver. CO Smith
observed an uncased firearm in the
passenger seat. When CO Smith
checked the firearm, he found it was
loaded with four rounds of ammu-
nition. CO Smith asked the driver
of the vehicle why he was driving
around with a loaded firearm. The
driver replied, “I didn’t think I would
run into anybody way back here.”
Law enforcement action was taken.
• Sgt. Mark Leadman and Cpl.
Trey Luce patrolled an area south of
Newberry and located a fresh deer gut
pile. Upon further checking, the COs
located the hunting blind where the
deer had been killed. Numerous viola-
tions were encountered including litter
at the site where the deer was cleaned
and an illegal blind with over two gal-
lons of bait. A suspect was identified
and was contacted that evening as he
was returning to the blind with more
bait. The suspect still possessed both
his kill-tags and after a short interview
confessed to having killed a 6-point
buck and not tagging it. The untagged
deer was located in a friend’s garage
and was seized. Enforcement action
was taken, and the litter was cleaned
up.
• CO Calvin Smith was conduct-
ing a commercial deer processor
inspection in Chippewa Co. when
he observed a suspicious deer that
was shot in Mackinac Co. CO Smith
turned over the investigation to
Mackinac Co. CO Colton Gelinas.
CO Gelinas followed up with the
case and interviewed a husband and
wife. After a short conversation the
husband admitted to shooting the deer
and tagging it with his wife’s tag. Law
enforcement action was taken.
• CO Duane Budreau investigated
a complaint of recreational trespass-
ing involving the taking of a deer. CO
Budreau responded to the scene and
met with the property owner. After
following a bloody drag mark from
the shoulder of the road into the sec-
tion of private property, CO Budreau
identified what appeared to be the
area in which that deer had been shot
and field dressed. The suspects were
part of a large deer drive party that
had been observed on the property by
an adjacent neighbor. CO Budreau
interviewed all parties involved and
was able to identify the two subjects
that entered onto the private property
while tracking the injured deer. The
deer was shot on public land but
ran onto private property. The two
individuals tracking the deer failed
to obtain permission from the prop-
erty owner. They entered onto the
property, dispatched the injured deer,
and dragged it out to the nearest road.
Both subjects admitted they knew the
property was private but thought it
was more important to recover the in-
jured deer than to take the time to get
permission. CO Budreau informed the
subjects that charges were going to be
sought through Prosecutor’s office for
recreational trespass and that warrants
for their arrest could be pending.
• Sgt. William Webster received a
complaint of a dead spike horn deer
that was found in Antrim Co.. Sgt.
Webster responded to the location
and met with the caller who explained
how he found the deer. Sgt. Webster
started investigating the scene and
recovered a bullet from the deer. A
bait pile was located a short dis-
tance away that had blood in it. Sgt.
Webster followed footprints through
the snow and right back to where the
caller’s vehicle was parked. After a
short interview the caller admitted to
shooting the spike thinking it was a
doe. Enforcement action was taken.
• COs Tim Rosochacki and Eric
Bottorff conducted a follow-up
investigation of a deer that was shot
prior to the hunter purchasing a deer
license in Cheboygan Co. After sev-
eral interviews, it was confirmed that
the hunter shot an antlerless deer on
the firearm deer opener and purchased
a kill-tag after the fact. During the
investigation, it was also the discov-
ered that the hunter had three warrants
from downstate. The hunter was ar-
rested on the warrants and the illegal
deer.
• COs Eric Bottorff and Tim Roso-
chacki interviewed a subject who had
been advertising as an unregistered
commercial deer processing business
on the internet. While making contact,
it was discovered that another subject,
who lived at the residence, was in
possession of a button buck and had
two warrants out for his arrest. The
subject was arrested on the warrants
and charges are pending through the
Cheboygan Co. Prosecutor’s office.
• CO Kyle Cherry and Sgt. Mark
DePew conducted a traffic stop on
I-75 in Otsego Co. During the stop,
the operator was found to have an
illegally taken 8-point buck, a loaded
rifle in his passenger seat as well as
a handgun concealed in his backpack
that he did not have a license for. The
deer and handgun were seized and
enforcement action was taken.
• CO Rebecca Hubers submit-
ted an extensive report and obtained
approved charges from the Grand
Traverse Co. Prosecutor’s office for
a case that involved a subject who al-
legedly took a 10-point antlered deer
from a business park area in Septem-
ber using a crossbow and artificial
light.
• CO Troy Ludwig responded to
a ‘shots fired’ complaint of a hunter
trespassing and taking a deer on
private property. The CO responded to
the area and located the hunter a short
distance from scene at a friend’s resi-
dence, along with a deer. The hunter
had taken an antlerless deer without
a valid license, admitted to trespass-
ing, failed to tag the deer, and had
two loaded firearms in his vehicle.
Enforcement action was taken.
These are just a few of the dozens
and dozens of cases the COs made
during the two-week firearm deer
season in 2018. It just amazes me that
poachers continue to kill deer and
then buy their license after the fact.
The fines are the same as if you had
shot it at night or when the season is
closed. Poaching an 8-point buck will
cost you $6,000 in restitution for the
deer, up to a $1,000 fine, a mandatory
five days and up to 90 days in jail and
loss of a hunting license for the year
convicted plus the next three. In addi-
tion, you most likely would lose your
right to hunt in almost all our other
states as well as several provinces in
Canada!
It just doesn’t make sense to me.
Next month you can read part two of
this story.
The information on these cases
was provided by the Michigan De-
partment of Natural Resources and is
a matter of public record. Author is
Jeff Pendergraff, retired Captain from
the Law Enforcement Division of the
DNR.n

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 Tracks, trails and confusion in melting snow...
Which way did the rabbit go?
T
hat was perhaps the
wildlife track ques-
tion I enjoyed using
the most when I first
came to Michigan and
worked as a naturalist.
Over three decades later it is still
my favorite trailside introduction to
stir excitement in children and their
parents when rabbit tracks appear in
snow.
I had deer hunting friends back
then, I still do now. And although
some of my deer hunting
friends are incredibility
wise on rubs, scrapes and
the behavioral patterns of
deer in cedar swamps, farm
fields and suburban areas,
when it come to the tracks
and trails of “lesser crea-
tures” such as opossums,
squirrels and even rabbits;
tracks
befuddle By Jonathan Schechter
them.
Consider this ramble a crash course
to enable you to impress your kids,
or your hunting buddies, with new
found knowledge on the ways of
five very common creatures with
tracks that sometimes are ignored or
misidentified. And you never need
to tell your friends a tree-hugger
taught you.
We’ll start with rabbits, yes
rabbits; for somewhere out there I
am certain someone will mumble to
themselves “I never knew that,” and
have confused the tracks and pat-
terns of the stride between rabbits
and squirrels.
Rabbits bound between shrubs
and brush, and when a rabbit bounds
they land with their hind feet side by
side and their front feet behind their
back feet with the front feet land-
ing with one in front of the other.
Confusing? Not for a four-year-old!
This image documents the final travel of a red squirrel that made the fa-
tal mistake of having his entrance hole into an underground snow tunnel
just a few yards from an oak tree, a hawk’s favorite perch. Author photos
66 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
However, if the tracks end at the
base of tree and just disappear, it’s
either a tree climbing rabbit, or more
likely a squirrel.
Squirrel track patterns are
similar to the bounding pattern of
rabbits, but their front feet land side
by side, unlike rabbits whose front
feet land one in front of the other.
But just like a rabbit, the hind feet
of the squirrel, which are larger than
the front feet, land in front of the
front feet. The common squirrels of
Michigan; the gray squirrel,
red squirrel, and fox squir-
rel; as well as the eastern
chipmunk all leave similar
track patterns as they hop
along with the size of their
tracks being the most obvi-
ous difference between the
species.
Behavior may give a
clue too
as to what
species
of squirrel left the tracks. If tracks
end under evergreens, and cones
are chewed, it’s most likely a red
squirrel; gray squirrels favor the
oak trees. Squirrels follow well-
established runways, both above and
below the snow; a rather warm and
safe expressway for travel.
However the predictability of
the squirrels’ travel is often noticed
by red-tailed hawks that perch on
a tree limb with a clear view of
meadows and fields just as surely
as an archer makes notes of the
trails of white-tailed deer. And red-
tailed hawks never need a bait pile,
just patience. This image below
documents the final travel of a red
squirrel that made the fatal mistake
of having his entrance hole into an
underground snow tunnel just a few
yards from an oak tree, that hawk’s
favorite perch. A close look shows a
Top left: When a rabbit bounds
they land with their hind feet
side by side and their front
feet behind their back feet. Top
right: Raccoon tracks almost
resemble a tiny human hand.
Right: Opossum’s rear tracks
resemble those of an infant
child. Bottom right: An empty
bird nest conver ted to a cozy
home for a white-footed mouse.
few specks of blood and a scattering
of squirrel scat as well as the wing
prints.
White-footed mice leave
bounding foot prints in the same pat-
tern as a squirrel, but so very much
smaller. They are unmistakable, and
the occasional drag mark of the tail
is an extra clue nature-detective kids
love. Sometimes the trail ends in a
clump of shrubs where the mouse
scurried up to an empty bird nest it
had converted to a cozy home out
of reach of four legged predators.
A bird nest that was capped with
berries by an industrious mouse
brought an “Oh Wow” comment
from one of my Michigan Outdoor
Writer friends before he continued
on his rabbit hunt.
Opossums, the marvelous mar-
supial of Michigan that is very much the early days of March and con-
at home in much of the Lower Pen- tinue to wander woods and wetland
insula, has tracks that are curious edges searching for mates, and open
appearing and highly recognizable. creeks to hunt for crayfish. Their
Opossums have opposable thumbs tracks almost resemble a tiny human
on their hind feet which are a great hand and if the snow is powdery
asset for grasping and hanging onto and not too deep the five finger-
to branches when exploring trees like toes on each paw are clearly
for fruit, or escaping a terrestrial visible.
predator. Each foot has five toes and As March fades, the thaw-freeze
the rear tracks resemble those of an cycle accelerates and tracks distort
infant child. Their intriguing star- and often grow in size, and that’s
like front track prints are formed when a house cat track morphs into
that way since their ‘thumbs’ stick a cougar and a human print trans-
out an angle differing from the other forms into Sasquatch.
four toes. Opossums are wandering The tracks of writer Jonathan
more now as winter fades, leaving Schechter meander all over, as he
track “stars” in the melting snow. reads stories in the snow. Email:
Raccoons became very active in Oaknature@aol.com.n
 TRAIL CAM/OUTDOOR PHOTOS
Join us in sharing interesting and sometimes rare
trail cam and/or outdoor photos with our readers.
Send your photos to: wnw@pageone-inc.com

Lauren Trainor’s trail cam captured a winter

sunset as the deer searched for food.

Ken and Dawn Grace with a

Coyote on the prowl near Bellevue. Caught by
close up of this curious doe in
Lauren Trainor’s trail camera
Newaygo County.

Two foxes captured by Paul Vogel’s trail cam.

A pair of fighting does establishing

Another monster buck of Oakland Co. captured the pecking order. Trail cam photo
by Larry Piotrowski. sent in by Myron Balzer.

Richie Perry’s trail cam on state land

near Lowell caught this young doe resting
along the trail.

Joe Misiak’s bird feeder wasn’t intended to feed Paul Vogel’s trail cam captured this beautiful photo of a rough-legged
turkeys and squirrels. hawk near Loomis.
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 67
 Michigan’s early state parks development
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of our state parks…By Casey Warner -MDNR
M
ichigan is celebrat-
ing the 100th an-
niversary of its De-
partment of Natural
Resources-managed
state parks system
this year. The celebration is centered
around the formation of the Michi-
gan State Park Commission by the
state Legislature on May 12, 1919.
The commission was given respon-
sibility for overseeing, acquiring
and maintaining public lands and
establishing Michigan’s state parks
system.
One of the state’s earliest park
purchases was acreage in Grand
Traverse County that would become
the site of Interlochen State Park
in 1917. Although the land was
purchased prior to the 1919 forma-
tion of the Michigan State Park
Commission, Interlochen was the
first public park to be transferred
under its auspices in 1920, and is the
first state park in that system, which
today is managed by the DNR.
However, 25 years before leg-
islation established the state park
commission, the federal government
gifted the Mackinac Island property
it owned to the state in 1895. The
island was designated as Michigan’s
first state park under the Mackinac
State Park Commission.
“In 1907, the community of
Mackinaw City donated to the
state a village park, the site of Fort
Michilimackinac,” said Steve Bris-
son, deputy director of the Mackinac
State Park Commission. “Two years
later, it was declared ‘Michilimacki-
nac State Park,’ and placed under
the Mackinac Island State Park
Commission’s care.”
Mackinac Island State Park and
Michilimackinac State Park are both
official state parks, per their autho-
rizing legislation, but they remain
separate from the park system man-
aged by the DNR.
Mackinac Island
State Park
Mackinac Island – historically
a gathering place for Native people
and then French fur traders and
missionaries and later the home of
soldiers stationed at Fort Macki-
nac – had become a popular tourist
destination by the late 19th century.
“By the time of the Civil War,
lake boats were bringing visitors to
Mackinac to enjoy the ‘healthy air’
or explore the island’s natural won-
ders,” David A. Armour, who served
as deputy director of the Mackinac
Island State Park Commission for
many years, wrote in his book “100
68 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
Years at Mackinac: 1895-1995.”
Armour continues:
“Such was the growing reputa-
tion of Mackinac Island that Thomas
W. Ferry, a Mackinac boy who had
grown up to become a U.S. Sena-
tor, spearheaded a move to have
Congress designate the govern-
ment land on Mackinac Island as a
national park. He succeeded, and in
1875, three years after Yellowstone
had become the United States’ first
national park, Mackinac became the
second. Set aside ‘for the benefit and
enjoyment of the people,’ the 911
acres outside the 104-acre military
reservation were to be maintained
by the soldiers who garrisoned Fort
Mackinac.”
Almost 20 years later, the U.S.
Army decided to close Fort Macki-
nac. At the time, the National Park
Service didn’t exist, and all national
parks were under the umbrella of the
War Department.
“While Mackinac was a beauti-
ful and pleasant post enjoyed by
the soldiers stationed there, it had
no remaining military importance,
and its troops were needed in Sault
Ste. Marie to guard the canal there,”
Armour wrote. “Without the troops,
who would care for the national
park?”
In February 1895, Senator James
McMillian – urged on by a group
of Mackinac citizens who wanted
the island’s government lands kept
in public ownership rather than
sold – introduced an appropriation
bill amendment that would turn the
military reservation and the build-
ings and lands of the national park
over to the state of Michigan for use
Above: A historic photo shows
campers at Interlochen State
Park in Grand Traverse County.
Left: The Arch Rock at Mackinac
Island is shown being visited by a
group of sightseers circa 1890.
Below: The Sugarloaf, a 75-foot-
tall limestone stack, on Mackinac
Island is pictured from a day in
1902. Mackinac State Historic
Parks photos
as a state park.
“Congress passed
the bill on March 2, with
the added stipulation that
the land would revert
to the United States if it
ever ceased to be used
for park purposes,” Ar-
mour wrote. “Michigan
had no state park system,
but the state Legislature
acted quickly, and by
joint resolution on May
31, 1895, created the in 1780, as well as several other
Mackinac Island State Park Com- historic structures and about 1,800
mission to manage Michigan’s first acres of land.
state park.” More than 80 percent of Macki-
The lands of the military res- nac Island is state park property,
ervation, Fort Mackinac and the managed by the Mackinac Island
national park were formally trans- State Park Commission.
ferred to the state Sept. 16, 1895. More than 800,000 visitors
“The state had acquired a trea- come to the island each year. The
sure,” Armour wrote. park features a variety of historic
Today, Mackinac Island State and natural resources, including his-
Park includes the 14 original build- toric landmarks, breathtaking vistas,
ings of Fort Mackinac, which were spectacular rock formations, quiet
built by the British military starting forests and inspiring nature trails.
 To learn more about Mackinac
Island State Park, visit Macki-
nacParks.com.
Interlochen
State Park
The Michigan Legislature paid
$60,000 for the land that became In-
terlochen State Park, located south-
west of Traverse City, in 1917.
As recorded in the Biennial Re-
port of the Public Domain Commis-
sion for 1917-1918:
“At the last session of the
Legislature Michigan purchased
one of the few remaining parcels of
virgin pine timber to be found in this
State, the same being Interlochen
State Park, … between two beauti-
ful lakes in Grand Traverse County.
Duck Lake on the east covers some
3 square miles and Green Lake on
the west is of slightly less extent, the
distance separating the two being
but one-half mile. The property has
a shoreline of three-quarter mile
on the former and one-half mile on
the latter, all of which is high and
dry and very desirable for camping
purposes.”
Its location between two well-
known fishing and swimming
lakes, Green Lake and Duck Lake
– Interlochen means “between the
lakes” – is one of the park’s defining
features. Another is its virgin pine
forest.
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“The timber is practically all old
growth white and Norway pine in
which it is said that no cutting has
ever been done except to remove
windfalls and trees that have died,”
according to the Biennial Report.
“Many specimens of the white pine
two and a half and three feet in
diameter, towering 175 feet or more
in height, can be seen here and the
Norway, tall and dense, is as fine as
can be found anywhere.”
Originally known as Pine Park,
Interlochen State Park was created
to preserve the land’s virgin pine
stand for the people of Michigan.
The Biennial report continues:
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Above: Campers checking in at the
desk at Interlochen State Park in
this historic photo. Left: In this im-
age from the 1960s, a state em-
ployee brings in a camping sign at
Interlochen State Park.
tions may go and view the glories
of the pine forest in all its pristine
grandeur. Being always open to the
public it will also provide a delight-
ful summer recreation ground for
those wishing to avail themselves of
its advantages in this respect.”
The Public Domain Commission
transferred the land to the Michigan
State Park Commission in 1920.
Today, the state park system that
“The object of the State in acquiring the commission started 100 years
this tract was first of all to preserve ago has grown to 103 parks that at-
to posterity at least one remnant of tract 28 million visitors each year.
the virgin pine forest with which For more about state parks and
Michigan was so lavishly endowed recreation opportunities available,
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 A Michigan Conservation Success Story
Salmon
in the
Classroom
A By Brandy Dixon
rianna O’Nan
has been caring
for 150 young
Chinook salmon
since Novem-
ber. She, and the
people she works with, must test the
tank water every few days, treat it
should problems arise, feed the fish
according to precise measurements,
and perform water changes for the
tank.
She is working hand-in-hand
with the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources and the Wolf
Lake State Fish Hatchery to edu-
cate the public on the importance
of conserving Michigan’s natural
resources and inspire future genera-
tions to follow in her footsteps.
And she is only 10 years old.
All of this hands-on experience
is thanks to Salmon in the Class-
The author, Brandy Dixon, attended the Salmon in the Classroom teacher training at Wolf Lake State
Fish Hatchery this past November, and she has been participating in the program this year for her first
time with her 5th and 6th grade class.
70 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
room program.
Salmon in
the Classroom is
run by the DNR. Selected Michi-
gan teachers receive 150 Chinook
salmon eggs in the fall of the school
year from a fish hatchery. They then
raise and care for the young salmon
throughout the year, and they finally
release their young smolt into the
wild in the spring in hopes that the
fish will eventually reproduce and
help to populate Michigan’s Great
Lakes and rivers.
Throughout the course of the
school year, students learn in a
hands-on way about Michigan’s
fishing industry and the resources it
provides. They have the opportunity
to watch real Chinook salmon eggs
hatch, grow, and become healthy
young fish. Not only can they watch
them grow, but they are also in-
volved in raising
their salmon by
feeding daily, do-
ing regular water tests, and by help-
ing with tank water changes.
“I enjoy testing the water
because it’s cool how we can feel
like scientists,” said Arianna O’Nan,
fifth grader at Holy Ghost Lutheran
School in Monroe. This is her
school’s first year participating in
the program, and it has proven to be
successful so far.
“I’ve learned that it’s hard for
animals to grow up. They need the
right foods and proper water to live
in,” O’Nan said.
Several other states on the west
coast, including Alaska, Oregon,
and Washington, offer the Salmon
in the Classroom program for their
teachers. Additionally, many states
offer a similar program called Trout
in the Classroom.
Michigan is unique because it is
the only inland state to participate in
Salmon in the Classroom.
The program began in Michi-
gan in 1997 with just a handful of
schools, but it has now grown to
include more than 270 classrooms
across the state.
Kevin Frailey, Education Ser-
vices Manager for the Michigan
DNR, helped grow the program into
what it is now. He was hired when
the program doubled from 35 to 70
schools in March 2006.
“The program’s main mission
is to allow students to raise a live
Michigan resource in the classroom
and learn about the Great Lakes,
fisheries management, invasive
species, and more,” Frailey said.
“Students are not just exposed to an
hour nature lesson but almost an en-
tire year of exposure to Great Lakes
education.”
Frailey told the story of one
special needs student who took a
particular interest in his classroom
salmon.
“Soon that student had become
the ‘salmon expert,’ and all the other
students would go to him with ques-
tions,” he said. “This student blos-
somed and became a salmon ‘rock
star.’ His personality and confidence
grew and grew.”
“The teacher said the program
changed the student’s life.”
Similar success stories have led
to even more growth in the program
over the years.
In 2017, as the program grew,
the DNR hired Tracy Page, Aquatic
Education Coordinator, to run the
entire program.
“It is a big undertaking,” Page
said. “In the past year, I have over-
hauled our Teacher’s Guide and
added new Classroom Activities
(among other things).”
For example, to get eggs to
teachers, she has to help count, set
aside, and transport 270 sets of eggs
(150 each). That’s a total of 40,500
eyed eggs!
The Chinook salmon eggs in
Michigan mostly come from the
Little Manistee Weir egg collection.
Three hatcheries take the eggs after
they are collected: Wolf Lake State
Fish Hatchery (Mattawan), Platte
River State Fish Hatchery (Beulah),
and the Thompson State Fish Hatch-
ery (Thompson in the U.P.).
Once the eggs hit the “eyed” egg
stage (after about a month), they are
ready to be distributed to teachers
around the state. The teachers pick
the eggs up from the nearest fish
hatchery.
New teachers attend a one-day
professional development workshop
on how to care for the salmon and
how to teach their students about
the fish. They are given activities
and lessons that cover Michigan’s
natural resources, aquatic invasive
species, the salmon life cycle, and
the fishing industry, to name a few.
New this year was a weekend
“Salmon Summit” in Higgins Lake.
The summit, which took place in
January, allowed teachers to get
hands-on experience with dissec-
tions, tackle crafting, and gyotaku
(the art of making fish prints).
They also learned from biolo-
gists about the state of salmon in
Michigan, the Arctic Grayling Ini-
tiative, and the impacts of invasive
species. The teachers were then able
to take the skills and new knowl-
edge back to their students, the next
generation of conservationists.
Melissa Jachim, third grade
teacher at Knapp Charter Academy
in Grand Rapids, attended the Sum-
mit this year.
“Our salmon tank is in the hall-
way of our school,” she said. “The
Summit had so many amazing ideas
that next year I am pulling the tank
into my classroom because there is
so much that can impact the kids.”
Jachim has participated in the
program now for six years.
“I love watching how much the
kids enjoy the process,” she said.
“They get so excited when the eggs
show up and in the anticipation of
them hatching. Every kid gets an
opportunity to see the development
of the salmon throughout the year.”
The whole program culminates
in the spring when teachers plan a
special day to release their salmon
into pre-approved DNR release sites
throughout the state. These activities
may include guest speakers, nature
hikes, trash clean-up, and fishing.
“I think our first release was a
success story in the fact that just the
program as a whole was new for us,
but we made it a day-long educa-
tional experience for the kids,” said
Brian Hendricks, Northview High
Arianna O’Nan, 5th grader at Holy Ghost Lutheran School in Monroe, tests her classroom’s salmon
tank water as part of her classroom job as “Zookeeper.” She and the other students in her class are re-
sponsible for daily care of their salmon until the spring when they will release them into the wild. Top
photo page 70: A young salmon swims in its classroom tank. Students are able to watch the salmon
grow from eggs to smolt during the school year through a program called Salmon in the Classroom.
School science teacher in Grand
Rapids. This is his second year be-
ing part of the program.
“We not only did the release but
also invertebrate sampling of the
river, and we had the DNR come
out. It was interesting to see just
how many kids really enjoyed the
outdoor educational experience.”
This year Hendricks plans to
invite the kindergarten through third
grade students from their “Field
School” (outdoor learning school).
He says they will come visit the
salmon in his classroom, learn about
them, and will then be invited to
take part in their release day cel-
ebrations.
After teachers release their
salmon, they will then have to
submit a Stocking Report to let the
DNR know how many salmon were
stocked and where.
The program has been success-
ful so far, and Tracy Page has plans
for it to be successful in the future.
“We plan to add about 25 new
schools each year,” she said. “Grow-
ing the capacity of the program to
reach more students across the state
is a main goal of mine.”
“Getting live resources in
front of students, every day, from
which they can learn such a wide
variety of content is a rare treat in
the education world. The wonder
that is inspired in our Salmon in the
Classroom students is amazing, and
it sticks with them.”
If you are a Michigan teacher in-
terested in applying to be part of the
Salmon in the Classroom program,
visit the Michigan DNR website to
learn more. The application period
for the 2019-2020 school year is Participants at the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery teacher training
open now until April 15, 2019. It is day were able to tour the hatchery’s facilities and were even able to
open to classrooms third grade or touch and feel a tray of Chinook salmon eggs.
higher.n
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 71
Lessons on the South Shore
By Calvin McShane
A
group of six of us, all
anglers, sat around
a campfire and took
turns saying what we
did for a living: a log-
ger, a medical supplies salesman, a
college professor, a postal worker.
Most of the men were retired, and
the others close to it, I was the only
one still in prime working years.
We sat there to share fish stories and
cold drinks on a patch of damp dirt
along a mid-sized Upper Peninsula
stream. We talked about all things
life without the usual social rivalry,
each of us basking in the happiness
that comes from pure exhaustion.
We had all been drawn to the same
place, at the same time, for the same
reason — steelhead.
Before the evening cordials, the
day had been frigid. Snow was melt-
ing fast the week prior but a wind
switch off Lake Superior brought in
some cold air from the north and our
bodies and gear were feeling the full
effects. I spent most of the day jam-
ming my fly reel inside of my jacket
to thaw out the drag system, while
the others with higher end equip-
ment spent less time battling the
conditions and more time battling
fish, only stopping occasionally to
de-ice their guides. Fishermen seem
to relish cold weather. Steve Rinella
calls it “being comfortable with
being uncomfortable” and fisher-
men wear it like a badge. For just as
many fish stories told about big fish,
there are as many told about harsh
conditions — this day was a little of
both.
One of the men around the
campfire, the retired logger, let me
tag along with him in the morning,
an invitation to absorb some of his
wisdom in regards to his 20-plus
years fishing the South Shore. He
often tells me he can’t remember a
year where everything went right.
“I’m sure there was a time or two,
but most of the time you’re working
for fish. I guess that’s why it’s so
damn fun.”
He was right, it sure was damn
fun. If we had been counting the fun,
he had about two times more fun
than I did, but that’s neither here nor
there. He knows the river much bet-
ter than I do, pointing out runs I may
have missed and small depressions
where he knows a fish or two seem
to hang out. For as much as I appre-
ciate his fishing advice, he equally
appreciates my passive demeanor
amid his frequent lectures about
the problem with millennials — an
affectionate unspoken covenant
— something he’d never willingly
72 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
admit to.
March in the U.P. is no slouch,
but surprisingly fish can be found
as soon as the rivers are free of ice.
Even though today this band of
hardened anglers had found plenty
of fish to exercise, just one steel-
head can make a winter’s worth of
struggling seem totally worth it. And
struggled we had. Since deer season
the ground had been white, the only
break in color had been in the form
of high speeding snowmobiles fresh
from a trek across the Mackinac
Bridge.
I counted 13 straight days this
past winter when my thermometer
failed to crest above 10 degrees. But
indeed, as it always does, the weath-
er broke. The snowmobiles headed
south, I tapped the maples trees
behind the house, and even heard the
smelt were running on a few rivers
along Lake Michigan. Finally, some
fresh steelhead started showing up
and, with them, the anglers around
the campfire. The fish had arrived
and a silver bullet induced peace had
been restored.
That day, the cold was as toler-
able as the fish were cooperative.
When I did manage to thaw my
reel, it was only in the lulls between
fighting fish that I would notice how
numb my fingers were becoming.
Snow swales fell gently one second,
and violently sideways the next.
Although beautiful, the romance of
rough weather steelhead fishing can
lose its luster quickly. A few broken
leaders, a couple bad snags, and a
lost fish or two and the snow can
turn from charming to annoying.
A steelhead fisherman frequently
flirts with the line between macho
and deranged or nostalgic and an-
noyed. The fishermen around me
were unbothered by the recent chilly
Fishermen seem to relish being com-
for table with being uncomfor table,
and (left)the author enjoyed the
beauty and the romance of rough
weather steelhead fishing.
weather. They were zeroed in on the
water in a Zen-like fashion that can
only come from years of practice
and a tremendous amount of pa-
tience.
More times than not, I am usu-
ally able to outlast the old timers on
the river. Their mid-day siestas are
something I will leave for old age.
When they leave, I choose to re-fish
all the holes they left behind, hoping
to hook a fish they missed and brag
about it later. Today, I had no such
luck. With each pool and ripple, I
felt the tapping of my split shot, but
none of the anticipatory bliss that
comes from the pause of a steel-
head’s subtle take. I grew frustrated,
something I rarely see from my older
counterparts and I cannot not decide
whether I can force that maturity
upon myself now or if it’s something
that can only come from the accu-
mulation of birthdays.
My solitude ended when the old
timers climbed out of their tents and
reconvened on the river. I parked
my leaky waders on a high bank and
watched all the runs I had just fished
unsuccessfully begin to produce fish.
Tom, the ex-logger, hooked a bright
hen under one of his favorite cedar
sweeps. John, the salesman, coerced
another slightly darker hen to take a
chartreuse bead in a long tail out that
had been aptly dubbed in accor-
dance with his surname. Rods were
bent and reels were singing, as men
dressed in the monotones of rain
jackets and fishing vests began to
seep into the backdrop of otherwise
untouched landscape.
I was the last one to pull up a
fireside seat that evening, just in
time to overhear a discussion I may
have heard a time or two before.
“You know the fishing was better
in the ’80s,” one fisherman said, in
between drags of his tobacco pipe.
Another replied, “There were
less people back then.”
“It depended. Some years were
crowded and others years weren’t.
I’m telling you, there were more
fish!”
“No no no… We just fished
harder back then.”
They had been many things over
their lives: sons, brothers, friends,
fathers, laborers, tradesmen, sales-
men. Now they are mostly retirees
and fishing buddies. Through the
passage of time these labels have
come and gone, but regardless of
circumstance they’ll always be steel-
head fisherman.
To make up a steelhead fisher-
man, you must be a storyteller and
steward, along with many other
things. As I listen to their old fish
tales, I become struck with motiva-
tion; motivation to fish harder and
longer and to listen more quietly and
carefully. The story of South Shore
steelhead is one written on the rods
and reels of grizzled old men and I
look forward every year to learning
the lessons taught along the banks of
steelhead streams.n
 33 rd Annual Woods-N-Water News

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WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 73
 Sporting Collectibles...By Terry McBurney
It’s still out there!
S
everal times a year, I set up my “Show
and Tell” tackle displays at different
Michigan sport shows hoping to find
a treasure - an early Michigan lure
I need to photograph, a color I have
not seen before, or something unusual
that gets my heart pounding. It’s a little like being
a kid on Christmas morning when I am opening
up an old steel tackle box and wondering what
might be inside.
This month’s article features three different
Top to Bottom: Two rare Harris’ Manistee Surface
Baits, circa 1910, were recently found in an old tackle
box, Mark Nyp photo. The bottom example appears to
have a dorsal fin and tail made out of Mica and may
have been a prototype. An underside view showing
the differences between the two baits. One of the
few known examples of the Harris’ Manistee Surface
Bait’s cardboard box, cour tesy of the Manistee County
Historical Museum and Gary Miller.
74 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
hard-to-find to very rare lures from Manistee, to Niles in about 1898 where he continued work-
nearby Kaleva and lastly, from Grayling that will ing for the Michigan Central Railroad as a train
be of interest to my readers. conductor, as well as making and selling his two
fishing lures. In 1900 C.R. and his wife moved
C.R. Harris to Mackinaw City where he managed the Went-
Manistee Surface Baits worth Hotel through 1904 when they moved this
Mark Nyp, from Lowell, had inherited his time to Manistee where he opened his own tackle
grandfather’s old Kennedy metal tackle box, store and started producing the Harris’ Manistee
which contained fairly typical wooden bass and Surface Bait or as most fishing collectors call it,
pike lures plus some vintage metal baits. It also “the Manistee Minnow”.
held two extremely rare wooden baits made by Harris took a job working for a lumbering
C.R. Harris pre-1910 when he was living in Man- company out of Boyne City in 1914 and had
istee and the proprietor of a tackle store located at moved to Williams, Arizona by the time the 1920
449 River Street. The two lures were slightly dif- U.S. Census was taken where he was working for
ferent examples of the “Harris’ Manistee Surface a Manistee lumbering company. Shortly there-
Bait for both day and night fishing” - exception-
ally valuable and extremely rare lures.
The top 2-hook bait pictured in this article has
a blended green back to a white belly with gold
eyes and hand painted red fins and gills. The lure
has a metal dorsal fin along with deep belly and
tail cups with brass wire hook hangers. The sec-
ond Harris Manistee Surface Bait pictured below
it, however, is something entirely different. It has
a single treble hook, and the dorsal fin and the tail
are not made out of metal but what appears to be
fashioned possibly from Mica, a hard transparent
mineral found in rocks. Both the dorsal fin and
the tail are fractured and are missing small pieces,
but they are clearly translucent.
After a close inspection of the lure, I came
away with one question: “Why would Harris use
such an unusual and fragile substance instead of
metal to make the lure’s fin and tail?” I had no
answer to this question except that he had used it
possibly as a “One of a Kind” prototype.
Charles R. Harris was born in Aurora, New
York in 1848, a small village located on Lake
Cayuga, in upstate New York. The Harris family
moved to Berrien County, Michigan by the 1850
U.S. Census and then to White Pigeon before the
1860 census. Ten years later in 1870, C.R., as he
liked to be called, had moved to Niles where it
appears that he joined the successful vaudevillian
act, “The Original Peak Family of Bell Ring-
ers.” C.R. Harris played a horn and apparently
became a member of their troupe! Ten years later
in 1880, Harris, his wife Emma and their seven
year old daughter Zoe were living at 39 Rush
Street on the near north side of Chicago where he
was employed as a “cigar packer.” A Chicago city
directory listed the Harris family living at 260
Ohio Street in 1895, a half mile walk from their
old lodgings on Rush Street. His occupation at
that time was “train conductor,” apparently work-
ing for the Michigan Central Railroad, which
mostly ran passenger trains between Chicago and
Detroit.
Much changed in 1897 when C.R. Harris
patented his first and his most successful fish-
ing lure, the Harris Cork Floating Frog. Patent
#588729 was granted on August 24, 1897 to Top to Bottom: Two Edson’s Fish Foolers in machined
Charles R. Harris of Chicago, and papers found aluminum and in gold, cour tesy of Bill Wazelle. Two
in early Harris Frog lure boxes show 358 Ontario more Fish Foolers in machined aluminum and black
St., Chicago as the company’s address. He was and white, cour tesy of Gary Miller. Three Fish Fool-
also producing a second bait at that time, the ers in machined aluminum, green, and red and white,
“Harris Featherbone Minnow, a Devon-style bait cour tesy of John Wejrowski. A green and red Fish
made out of a turkey quill with a metal head. Fooler with the original 2-pc. cardboard box, cour tesy
Things changed again when the family moved of Greg Woodland.
after he moved back to Manistee where he lived
at the home of his daughter. He passed away in
1922.
Bear Creek Bait Company
Kaleva, Michigan, a small Finnish community
only twenty-two miles northeast of Manistee is
known as the home of two fishing lure manufac-
turers. The first was the Makinen Tackle Compa-
ny, the larger of the two that manufactured fishing
lures during the late 1940s. The second company
was the Bear Creek Bait Company that primarily
produced spearing decoys and only three fish-
ing lures from the late 1940s until 1983 when
they closed their doors. Bear Creek produced the
second lure that will be discussed in this month’s
article, the Bear Creek Sucker Minnow.
John Huczek from Rochester, Michigan
brought a new-in-the box example of the Bear
Creek Sucker Minnow to the Novi Outdoorama
several weeks ago for me to see and photograph.
It came in the early hard-to-find two-piece card-
board box instead of the newer cardboard box
with the plastic lift-off lid. What made it remark-
able was the color. It was a beautifully painted
yellow and green scale, a color I had never seen
before.
First established in 1946 by brothers Walter
and Elmer Wiitala and their friend, Leo Manilla,
the Bear Creek Bait Company began produc-
ing wooden fish decoys and one wood lure, the
Tweedler, during their first year. The Tweedler
was a noisy surface bait and was somewhat simi-
lar to the Arbogast Jitterbug. Walter, at the time
of the founding of new tackle company, had been
working for the Makinen Tackle Company, where
he had gained practical experience working with
wood lure bodies and painting them. Walter
bought out his brother’s share of the business in
1948 and Leo Manilla’s interest in 1950.
Bear Creek later made two additional lures
but made out of plastic with metal diving lips.
The first was their Sucker Minnow, which came
Left: A perfect example of a Bear Creek Sucker Minnow in the older 2-pc, cardboard box and a unique
custom color – green and yellow scale, cour tesy of John Huczek. Right: The two cataloged colors of
the Sucker Minnow – natural and “goldfish” with the earlier cardboard box and the common cardboard
box with the plastic lid, author photo.
working in Benzie County and then later in Ann
Arbor and Washtenaw County. He and his wife,
Inez, moved to Grayling in 1947 where he con-
tinued working as a painter and a decorator. He
also worked for several years at the Bear Archery
Company in Grayling during this time period.
They lived in a log home on Lake Margarethe,
just west of Grayling, and later moved to a home
in Grayling.
Edson applied for a patent on the fish-
shaped Fish Fooler on June 25, 1951, and patent
#2711048 was granted on June 21, 1955. Ac-
cording to his wife, he made the Fish Fooler for
about five years, most likely during the early to
mid-1950s. The 5 ⅝-inch 2-piece aluminum lure
was made from die-cut aluminum sheet stock that
was stamped out by an Ann Arbor machine shop
and then assembled at home by the couple. The
front and rear sections were held together with
two split rings as were the three treble hooks. The
eyes were made from a pinched-on split shot that
were generally painted with red paint. There were
four drilled holes used as line attachments that
would vary the depth of the lure whether used for
casting, trolling, jigging or as a spearing decoy.
Almost all Fish Foolers found were machined
to a shiny textured aluminum finish, which
reflected light as the lure was drawn through the
water. A few were painted, and these are highly
sought after by collectors. I have seen red and
green, black and white, red and white, and gold,
and I am looking for more colors to photograph
and add to my collection.
Matt Edson stated that the “Edson’s Fish
Fooler is believed to be the greatest fish fooler
ever invented,” and he may have been right. I
plan on fishing one of my polished aluminum
Fish Foolers this summer - casting it with a slow
retrieve, drift fishing over weed beds, or deep
trolling after adding some extra weight to the
lure. I look forward to trying it and will report
back on how well I do.
I would like to thank the following people
for bringing in their lures for me to photograph:
Mark Nyp for his Manistee Surface Baits; Greg
Woodland, Bill Wazelle, Gary Miller and John
Wejrowski for their Edson Fish Foolers; and
John Huczek for his Bear Creek Sucker Min-
now. I would also like to recognize fishing lure
historians, Gary Miller for his article entitled
“Unmasking the Manistee Minnow” published
in the National Fishing Lure Collectors Club
Gazette (NFLCC) and Doug Bucha for his two-
part article entitled “Charles R. Harris, the Man
Who Created Classics” published in the NFLCC
Magazine. The late George Richey, longtime
Woods-N-Water News writer wrote an excellent
article on the Edson Fish Fooler in the October
1995 issue of Woods-N-Water News.
Feel free to contact the author at antiquefish-
ing@comcast.net with your questions. Photo-
graphs are important, so please send them. They
help me with identification and give me an idea
of the condition of the item.n

SOMETHING FUN TO DO…

in two sizes: a 2 ¾-inch spinning version and a 3
½-inch casting model. The Sucker Minnows were
also available in two colors; natural sucker and
“goldfish.” Their second plastic lure was called
the Coho King, a 3-treble hook bait designed
to catch salmon on Lake Michigan after Coho
salmon were first introduced in the late 1960s.
The 5 ¼-inch Coho King was available in one
color, a blue sparkle finish, though the author has
seen one example finished in a burgundy sparkle.
The Bear Creek Sucker Minnow that John
Huczek brought in was painted an attractive
green and yellow scale. I have several examples
of the natural sucker color and the “Goldfish”
color in my collection. I have also photographed
a few of a lighter yellow scale version, but never
the green and yellow scale. Was it a special order
custom color for an important dealer or a trial run
to develop a new color for the company to sell?
We will probably never know.
Edson Fish Fooler
The third lure in this month’s article was
made in Grayling by Madison “Matt” Edson,
during the 1950s, his all-aluminum Edson Fish
Fooler. Born on September 23, 1906 in Frankfort,
Matt Edson grew up in an area that was filled
with great fishing and hunting opportunities. For
much of his life, he was a house and barn painter
Michigan Hunting & Fishing Collectors Club
SPORTING COLLECTIBLES SHOW
Saturday, April 6, 2019, 9 AM to 2 PM
At the Eagles Hall
301 Detroit St., Jackson, MI
This is the First annual Michigan Vintage Hunt-
ing, Fishing & Trapping Sporting Collectibles Show.
It will be held Saturday April 6, 2019 at the Eagles
Hall in Jackson, MI running from 9 AM to 2 PM. The
show will feature approximately 100 tables of sport-
ing collectibles including hunting back tags, fishing
& hunting licenses, Michigan game & fish digests,
Michigan license buttons, successful hunter patches,
Bear Archery items, vintage fishing tackle – lures,
reels, rods & accessories, spearing decoys, waterfowl
decoys & game calls. General Public $5 admission &
children under 16 admitted free with an adult. (For
more information contact Greg Woodland at woods@
wowway.com or 517-769-6276).
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 75
 Woods-N-Water News Classified Section
MISC.
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ATV = ATVs FW = Firewood M = Miscellanous T = Taxidermy F-12/17TFN 25 years experience guiding for TIONS. Located below High
B = Boats G = Guns RE = Real Estate TK = Trucks deer and bear. Baited stands in Bridge, your own private dock
D = Dogs H = Hunting RR = Resorts/Rent TR = Trailers Amasa, Baraga, and Bergland
F = Fishing HL = Hunting Leases RVC = RV’s/Campers W = Wanted on the Big Manistee River. Look
Units. Lodging Available. Call Ray us up at Riverview Hideaway,
F = Free
GUNS at 906-265-9420 or cell 906-284- Big Manistee Info/Contact 231-
MAY 2019 CLASSIFIED DEADLINE APRIL 1, 2019 2216. Licensed and Insured. H-1- 690-2855. RR-4-3
BERETTA SHOTGUNS – Ag- 12/19
CLIP AND MAIL
ing hunter must downsize. Beretta
Woods-N-Water News Classified Advertising
..............................................
686 Silver Pigeon I Over-Unders:
(Please print clearly. We are not responsible for unreadable orders.) 20 ga., Good Condition, lightly
Make sure phone number is included in your ad! used, $1,500; 28-ga., Like New,
BEAR PAW
CAMP NORTHERN ON-
TRAIL
HUNTING LEASE
less than two boxes shot through TARIO. Excellent bear hunt-
NAME it, $1700. Grand Rapids area. Cash ing service. Baited stands,
LEASING LAND IN
only, please. Call or text: 248-321- LUTHER, MICHIGAN, 60
ADDRESS preparation meat and hide for
0475. G-3-2 acres on Kings Hwy. - hour and half
you to take home. Average
.............................................. from Grand Rapids, exit 162. Hooks
CITY                                           STATE                      ZIP size bear 200 pounds, we’ve
up to lots of state land. Camp, hunt
taken 500 pound bears before.
and fish! Located right by the
DAYTIME PHONE NO. HUNTING $1200 U.S., $200 deposit, book
now for spring and fall. Over 25
Manistee River. One year lease,
$3,000. Text Kim at 616-340-7368.
VISA/MASTERCARD#                                                       EXP: years of experience, call Willy
HL-4-1
TROPHY RANCH HUNT 705-369-2013, PO BOX 149
CLASSIFICATION OF AD                      MONTHS TO RUN HOGS, Rams Longhorns, Big Opasapika, Ontario Canada
..............................................
Lodge, Butcher Shop. Call for POL-1Z0 H-2-3

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) open dates and free tours. 989- HUNTING LAND FOR
658-8634. www.trophyranch. RENT: 100 plus wooded
(7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) com. H-2-3 NORTHERN ONTARIO acres. Manistee Co. 231-590-
BEAR HUNTS 1136. HL-3-4

(13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18) GUARANTEED TAGS!
GONZO BEAR CAMP - Bear Booking now for September 2019 &
Specialist - We had 80% success. 2020 starting May 10th and May
(19) (20) $30.00 $30.25 $30.50 $30.75 DEER HUNTING LEASE
Baraga, Gwen and Amasa Units - 25th. No fall hunts this year. 2019! 800 acres near West
$31.00 $31.25 $31.50 $31.75 $32.00 $32.25
Modular hunts start at $995. 7 days Includes comfortable cabin, boat Branch. We lease out 80 acre par-
lodging included. Write for more and motor, baited stands. Very cels from Sept 1st to Jan 1st.
$32.50 $32.75 $33.00 $33.25 $33.50 $33.75
information on how to apply for bear experienced guides. High success $2,000.00 For more information
permits on May 1st - 2730 S. Dort rate. 3 hours from the Soo. please send email to: reeltightfish-
$34.00 $34.25 $34.50 $34.75 $35.00 $35.25 Hwy., Flint, MI 48507 or call Dale at References on request. $1,650 U.S. ing1961@gmail.com HL-3-2
(810) 814-8936 days 9-4 or eve- single hunter, including taxes and ..............................................
$35.50 $35.75 $36.00 $36.25 $36.50 $36.75 nings John at (989) 257-2725 for non-resident bear license/tag.
more information www.gonzo-
Enclosed is $                                               for bearcamp.com. Like us on
Cheaper rate for more than one
hunter. $650 deposit required. Call
More Classifieds
Facebook. H-4-5
words to run                     months. BOX MY CLASSIFIED - $5 Extra
..............................................
705-869-3272. www.texasandsons. Next Page
com H-8-12/18
76 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS

Woods-N-Water News
Classified Section
REAL ESTATE
801 ACRES +/-. Frederic, MI.
$980,000.00, Wooded rolling parcel
attractive to investors, developers,
hunting groups or for a private
estate. The “801” has been owned
by the current family for many gen-
erations and has provided great
memories of hunting, camping, hik-
ing and outdoor enjoyment. Call or
text Steve Cavender @ Keller
Williams Realty (231) 631-0319.
RE-4-1
..............................................
FOR SALE: 3 Bdrm Cottage/
Home Xlrg Pole Barn Lachine, Mich
All sports Beaver Lake, Hunting,
Fishing, Snowmobiling, 4 wheeling,
many upgrades, Private Easement
to lake. Asking $72,900 Contact
Tony or Tami. MLS listing 315272
has pics of home. 586-337-0327.
RE-4-1
..............................................
20 ACRES and a cabin for the
hunter or outdoor enthusiast.
Quality deer managed for the past 5
years! Abundant wildlife: deer, tur-
key, bear, coyote, bobcat, grouse.
North and east side of property
borders 1000s of acres of state
land! 15 single/double ladder stands
are hung around property and state
land, and come with purchase. All
the scouting and hard work is done!
Checkout the webpage for more
info/photos. 20acresandacabin.com
RE-4-1
..............................................
LUDINGTON WATER-
FRONT BUILDABLE LOT
ON HAMLIN LAKE GREAT
FISHING, duck hunting, and all-
sports 5000 acre lake, across from
Manistee National Forest,
122’ on water, $52,000,
skretzschmar@previewproperties.com
RE-4-1
..............................................
BUYING OR SELLING!
Farms, Vacant Land or Recreational
Parcels throughout Michigan. Call
Doug Beasley at Faust Real Estate,
LLC 517-260-2939.
RE-4-1
..............................................
email: wnw@pageone-inc.com • www.woods-n-waternews.com
Your Woods-N-Water News is
www.woods-n-waternews.com
“Just a Click Away!”
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It’s Easy . . .
VISIT TODAY!
REAL ESTATE
IRISH HILLS WATERFRONT
ACREAGE parcel on Allen’s
Lake with access to Meadow and
Wolf Lake. Nearly 9 acres wooded.
One of a kind and only $149,000.
Call Lorraine at Faust Real Estate,
LLC 517-605-6950.
RE-4-1
..............................................
80 ACRES IOSCO COUNTY
- Natural beaver pond, great deer,
duck and goose hunting. 16x20
Rustic cabin wired for generator
and propane heat. Asking $120,000.
989-529-7488. RE-4-1
..............................................
CAMPGROUNDS
SALE One in the U.P. with Great
Lake frontage $485K. One in North
Central Michigan $700K. Briggs
Realty www.briggsrealtyonline.com
616-942-1071. RE-4-1
..............................................
SPECTACULAR
SUPERIOR VIEW, beach right
out your front door without the
taxes! Combined corner lots offer
more than a 1/2 acre for building
your dream home in the village lim-
its of Ontonagon, MI. $68,000. Call
906-475-6766. RE-3-2
..............................................
THE BEST BEAR HUNTING
IN MICHIGAN. 9.9 acres with
new footings under cabin, re-rod in
footings, mostly furnished. New
septic tank, septic field and new
well. For more information call 810-
724-8027. RE-3-2
..............................................
160 WOODED ACRES WITH
900’ FURNISHED CABIN IN
IOSCO COUNTY NEAR
EAST TAWAS. Cabin has fur-
nace and wood stove with well
water, cell phone and internet ser-
vice available. Prime hunting, 2
ponds with Kunzy Creek running
through the back of the property.
Lots of deer and other wildlife
including partridge, coyote, bobcat,
coon and more. Also listed on Zillow
with many photos. Asking $289,000.
989-225-0362. RE-2-3
..............................................
DOGS
FOX RED POINTING
LAB PUPS AKC, UKC,
OFA grand master background
out of 2XNC 3XGMPR HRCH
Reno's Black Ice MH. $1,200
Rheaume's Kennel
www.fb.me/rfamilydogs.com
989-864-8606. D-4-1
GUN DOG TRAINING AT
ITS BEST! Over 35 years
experience with pointing and
flushing breeds. All inclusive 4
week class customized to meet
your dog's needs. Excellent for
FOR
young dogs starting out, for
experienced dogs tuning up, or
for dogs with issues. $700.
Rheaume's Kennel
www.fb.me/rfamilydogs.com
(989) 864-8606. D-4-1
LAKE
CHOCOLATE ENGLISH
LAB PUPPIES. AKC OFA
out of excellent hunters.
Rheaume's Kennel
www.fb.me/rfamilydogs.com
(989) 864-8606. D-4-1
GERMAN SHORTHAIR
POINTER PUPS: Males
and females available. Excel-
lent hunting dogs and superb
family pets. Close working dogs
with strong point and retrieve
instincts. Reasonably priced for
the sporting family. Money back
guarantee. Eulenhof Kennels,
Gladwin, MI.
http://www.eulenhof.com
989-426-4884 D-4-2
Classifieds
Work!
(810) 724-0254
REAL ESTATE
33 ACRES OF
NATURES BEAUTY
Pages
111 N Sylt Road
Lake Leelanau, MI
77-85
VACANT LAND – 33 ACRES: Untouched
hardwoods, flowering brush, ferns and
wildflowers. Natural habitat to local
wildlife, including whitetail deer,
bobcat, turkey, rabbit, and grouse.
300 Acre
Excellent hiking and hunting! Beautiful
landscape of hill and valley, lowland
Licensed
and highland, woods and clearing.
Deer
GREAT
POTENTIAL:
Farm
a wonderful
homestead,
Located between Charlevoix hobby farm,
and Traverse City. or ‘up north’
hunters
10 foot x 3 mile fence. paradise!
Mostly wooded, mostly maple.
$279,400
Trout pond, includes
shooting ranges.
Carolyn
$700,000
Telgard
Realtor
231-330-9210 Cell: 231-642-7117
carolyn.telgard@cbgreatlakes.com
120 acre farm with spacious home with 4 bed/1.5 baths, full basement, attached
garage. Numerous outbuildings in various conditions. $235,000 #315022
Beautiful ranch with 3 bed/1.5 baths w/heated attached garage, full basement,
landscaped yard. Close to marina and trails. $198,000 #316501
Affordable 3 bed/full bath home in the country. Close to harbor, snowmobile
trail & state land. Has large yard and attached garage. $47,500 #315891
Updated 3 bed/1.5 bath home on full basement. Improvements include
windows, furnace, floors, baths, etc. Close to marina. $54,900 #314962
Move in ready updated home 2 bed/full bath with attached garage. Has large
yard with fruit trees. Located on quiet dead end road. $55,000 #313271
STATE WIDE REAL Check out our web site for
additional properties of all types.
ESTATE OF HAWKS www.statewideofhawks.com
OF HAWKS FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT ONE OF OUR AGENTS: 989.734.4840
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 77

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY!
statewiderealestate.net
• Houghton
Marquette
Crystal Falls • Manistique •
Escanaba •
• Gladstone
• Powers
Menominee •
Marinette
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
CRYSTAL FALLS
225 Superior Ave
Crystal Falls, MI 49920
PH: 906-874-3500
PH: 906-396-3002
email: steve@statewide.estate
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 1285 S. Michigan Ave., Howell, MI 48843
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
78 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
Offices Serving Lower &
Upper Michigan
Bringing people and places together since 1945
•
•
Newberry
Curtis
•
Linden •
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
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
email: statewid@earthlink.net
517-546-9060 • 800-531-4449
Fax: 517-546-9148
MANISTIQUE
10 N. State Highway M-149
Cooks, MI 49817
906-644-2304
email: dekeysermary@yahoo.com
Atlanta, Michigan 599-19-0003
- 3 bedrooms; 1 1/2 baths; custom
home; 2500 sq ft; Atlanta (rural);
Michigan.
New! New! New! Charming 3
bedroom home sits on 10 beautifully
worded rolling acres that border state land. New porcelain tile. New kitchen with bar
Atlanta, Michigan 599-18-0060 - 1 bedroom; 1 bath; 1 story; 1500 sq ft. This is a unique piece area. New 28 x 40 2 car attached garage with large bonus room above garage that could
of property! 40 acres with state land on 3 sides and an 800 acre hunt club on the north border. be used for extra living area or craft room. Endless options. PLUS 2 additional rooms off
There is a 50 x 100 solid built pole barn with a 1500 sq ft self sufficient home built inside, which the garage that could be used for office or workout room or possibly another bedroom.
is run on solar, and an LP generator and it has a flowing well. There is a well maintained apple All new windows. New well put and water softener as well. There are 1 and 1/2 baths.
orchard that is fenced. Beautifully wooded property with a building site that has an additional The full bath has a jacuzzi bath tub. Fruit trees and many other garden treasures you
1000 gal septic tank that will allow for a lodge looking over the Blue Ribbon Trout Stream, the will need to see for yourself. Lots of wildlife abounds here, including deer, bear, turkey
Gilchrist Creek of which there is over 1000 feet of frontage. The Gilchrist Creek and the Greasy
Creek meet on this property. There are 5 deer blinds set up for your hunting pleasure. This
and elk. There is also a new addition to the pole barn which now totals 50 x 24, 24 x 32
of that has a cement floor with a 12 x 32 heated office with cement floor. There are 3
property has produced numerous Big Bucks. The property also holds ample wildlife such as deer, additional outbuildings. You won’t want to pass this one up! Very clean, new paint and
bear, turkey, partridge, bobcat, rabbits.... Don’t miss out on this one! $239,900 flooring. Only 7 miles from town. Call for your appointment to see this home. $249,500
12631 State St.
PO Box 663
Atlanta, MI 49709
989-785-2600 Office • 989-657-4904 Mobile
Onaway
aerorealestate.usa.mls.com
• • Hawks
Hillman
• •
• Atlanta
Alpena 169 Acres – Home, Barns, 126 Tillable Acres,
Mio • • Harrisville Timber, Woods, Recreational land and Steam
Located at 11893 S. Stoney Creek Road, Carleton, Michigan on:
Thursday Evening, April 18, 2019 – 6:00 P.M.
This excellent property will be offered in 4 parcels, combinations
and as a whole. 1. Brick Victorian Home in need of restoration
with pole barns & two acres +/-, 2. 77 acres of level farm with 74.7
tillable acres fronting on two roads, 3. 60 acres of level land with
• Almont 47.64 tillable acres and an uncut timber stand, and 4. 30 acres
of land with a small amount of tillable ground, recreational land,
Howell • being bordered on the north a creek. This property has not been
offered for sale in 55 years, since it was acquired by the present owners in 1962. A great opportu-
nity. Open Houses – Wednesday Aft., April 10th, 4-5:30 P.M., Sunday, April 14th – 1:00 -2:30 P.M.
Call for additional information, a full information and bidder’s
Dorothy A. Evanski, Owner packet, and watch our website for updates.
Stanton’s Auctioneers & Realtors (517) 726-0181 office
144 S. Main, P.O. Box 146, Vermontville, MI 49096(517) 726-0060 fax
Email: stantonsauctions@sbcglobal.net • Website: www.stantons-auctions.com
MARINETTE, WISCONSIN
1460 Marinette Ave., 54143
email: statewidemarinette@yahoo.com
715-735-9964 • Fax: 715-732-1107
MARQUETTE
856 W. Washington, 49855
email: sw@statewiderealestate.org
906-228-9312 • Fax: 906-228-8069
MENOMINEE
3631 10th Street, 49858
email: statewideone@newbc.rr.com
906-863-9905
Fax: 906-863-7935
MIO
102 West 8th St., P.O. Box 395, 48647
email: info@statewidemio.com
989-826-3292
Fax: 989-826-2108
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
 15+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
& 70+ MILLION IN
MICHIGAN LAND SALES

52+ Acres, Benzie County,

Alcona/Alpeana County,
408+/- Acres, Incredible Retreat,
3 Lodges, Large Pole Barn, Beaver
Creek Frontage, Tons of Wildlife
$1,400,000
Arenac Co, 167+/- Acres, 3,500+/- ft
Lake Huron, 6 Bedroom Lodge, Guest
Cabin, Great Duck & Deer Hunting.
$550,000
Arenac County, Au Gres, 773.42 Acres,
Whitetail Paradise, Road/Trail System,
Large Pond, 10 Gun Shacks,
Awesome Deer Hunting Property.
$1,850/Acre
Near Interlochen and Traverse City,
Great Road Frontage, Beautiful
Build Spots, Great Hunting,
Nation Forest Adjoins Property!
$99,000
Calhoun County, 67+/- Acres Calhoun County, 80 Acres, Big Buck
300 ft. All Sports Prairie Lake, County, Lots of Deer Sign,
Tillable Acreage Oak Ridges, Rolling Hills.
$275,000 $275,000

Gladwin, 142 Acres,
Fully furnished Deer Ranch.
The Rack Ranch
$835,000
Missauke County
320+/- Acres
Jackson County, 432 Acres,
Isabella County, 80+/- Acres, Duck Excellent Duck, Deer & Turkey Hunting. Jackson County, 105+/- Acres, WRP
and Deer Hunter’s Paradise, Over Area of Other Large Property Owners. Program, Mature Hardwoods, Great
a mile of Pony River Frontage. “Man Cave” w/Game Cleaning Station. Deer, Turkey & Waterfowl Hunting
$160,000 $875,000 $199,000

Jackson County, 76 Acres,
50+ Acres of Tillable, Great Crop
Yields, Beautiful Build Spots.
$272,000
LD
SO
Large Brick - 3 Bed & 3 Bath Home, 48’x80’
Pole Barn With Living Quarters, Tillable,
Timber, Swamp, And Loaded With
Jackson County 38.14 Acres, Deer Sign! This Property Truly Has It
Log Home/Cabin, Tillable, Lapeer, 102 Acres, This property offers Lake County, 7 Acres, Little Manistee
Timber Value, and 30 year old All And Is A Must See! room for multiple building sites and is River Frontage, Cozy Cabin,
Walnut Timber Stands! just 3 Miles from the city of Lapeer. Great Hunting and Fishing
$255,000 $1,100,000 $340,000 $125,000

6+ Acres, Mis-
saukee County,
Secluded 34’x16’
Pole Barn - Deer
Camp! This is a
MUST SEE with
an incredible
track record of
harvesting 38 Acres, Newaygo County, 80 Acres, Newaygo County,
40+/- Acres Mecosta, Fenced Midland County, 80 Acres MATURE Newaygo County 4+/- Acres White Cloud Cabin/Home, Five Food Plots, Mature Timber Value,
in pastureland and pond. Perfect for 12 Miles to Mount Pleasant, Whitetails! Muskegon Riverfront, New cabin, Mile Creek Frontage, Deer, Loaded With Deer And Turkey,
equestrians and cattle owners! Excellent Hunting Price Right!! Beautiful landscaping, Secluded woods. Bear, Turkey, and Seclusion! Economically Price!
$97,900 $176,000 $55,000 $220,000 $169,000 $160,000

LD
SO

Newaygo County, 125 Acres, Three
spring fed lakes, Excellent Deer,
Turkey and Waterfowl hunting
$325,000
Oceana County, 67 Acres, Great Deer
and Turkey Hunting, Tillable,
Thick Forest Floor, Food Plots, Pond,
Hunting Shack and Pole Barn.
$159,000
Osceola County, 120 Acres, Trail
System, Near Reed City, Tons of
Deer and Turkey Sign, Food plot areas
$255,000
Osceola County, Evart, 278 Acres,
Major Deer Sign, Multiple Food Plots,
Rolling Terrain,. Thick Bedding Cover,
Near State Land, Great Deer History.
$517,000
Presque Isle County, 1,500 Acres,
High Fence Deer Ranch, 50,000+ sq. ft.
lodge, rolling hills, caretakers
house, and pole barn.
$6,400,000
Roscommon County, 480+/- Acres,
High Fence Deer Ranch, First Class
Lodge and House, 120’x60’ Pole Barn,
Quality Deer Herd.
$2,900,000

SELL YOUR PROPERTY WITH US!

BLAKE VER WOERT: 616-308-3122
JAKE DYKSTRA: 616-916-8354
CURT BRYAN: 616-745-2759
MAX WIERDA: 616-834-2010 WWW.WILDLIFEREALTY.COM
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 79

28 ACRES ADJ. STATE LAND! Remodeled with
BH&G style décor. Over 2100 sf featuring 4 bed-
rooms and 3 full bathrooms. Stone fireplace, all
seasons sun room, stone & stained-glass accents!
Includes a 30x40 pole barn with a sauna and an
28x32 man cave-studio w/an 8’ covered patio.
Great hunting! $218,900 #316334 (Cheboygan)
518’ LAKE NETTIE. Affordable up north get-away on a quiet
all sports lake. 3 bedrooms, 2 bath home with a full-length
deck overlooking the lake, a breezeway, tiered landscaping and
boat dock. Great fishing, swimming and year-round sporting
activities. Snow trails & state land close by. Motivated seller
wants an offer! $129,000 #308591 (Millersburg area)
325’ OCQUEOC RIVER FRONTAGE! 3
ACRE PARCEL ON A PRIVATE ROAD. Gen-
tly rolling land that’s ideal for a walk-out
basement. Great place to camp or build your
up north cottage. Trout fishing or kayak-
ing. Land contract terms possible. Reduced!
$25,700 #295457 (Millersburg area)
Carol Steiger, Associate Broker
GRAYLING LOG HOME ON 17 ACRES!
Nearly 3000 sf of living space, 3 bedrooms,
3 baths, finished walk out basement w/fam-
ily room & 2nd kitchen, wrap around deck,
3-1/2 car garage w/heated workshop, 1 car
storage garage, RV station w all hook-ups.
Excellent hunting! $329,500 #313950
149 SECLUDED ACRES! Trail roads, 11 estab-
lished blinds, small clearings for food plots, trail
roads and a creek. Nicely wooded with a mix
of evergreens & hardwood, mostly high ground.
Abundant game. Close to Hammond Bay Har-
bor. $148,250 #313641 (Millersburg area)
13 ACRES W/PRIVATE LAKE & 380’ ON
THE OCQUEOC RIVER. Beautiful rolling
parcel in a secluded setting. There’s a
small cabin roughed in, a hunting blind
overlooking the lake with its own deck, a
well and electric hook ups for your camp-
er. Land contract available. $99,900
RE/MAX NORTH
(231) 627-9991 Office
(989) 351-0110 Cell
email: carol.steiger@remax.net
846 S. Main, Cheboygan, MI
www.liveupnorth.com
CHAPPLE REALTY INC.
YOUR LAKE AND RECREATIONAL PROPERTY CONNECTION!
www.WESTMICHIGANLAKES.com
(269) 623-4058 269-207-3280
Drew Chapple Associate Broker
118 E Orchard St. Delton MI 49046
76 ACRES - A Nature Lover’s
and Sportsman’s Paradise with
the abundance of deer, turkey,
and other wildlife; along with a
private 7 Acre Pond, Frontage
on Cedar Creek, and 35 tillable
Acres w/the remaining in
hardwoods. Property includes
a 1200 sqft. Ranch home:
2-Bdrm, 1-Ba, Barn, & Storage Shed. Walking distance to Pierce Cedar Creek
Institute, a 742 Acre Nature and Education Center. Convenient to GR, Battle Creek &
Kalamazoo. Priced at $399,900 (19005037) Call Drew Chapple 269-207-3280
WALL LAKE - 67’ of Pristine Wall Lake
Frontage, Sunset view & a Sandy Beach!
Charming Traditional 2-Story Lake Home w/2-
Car Garage. Main Level offers: Master Bdrm,
Full Bath w/Walk-In Closet, Laundry Room,
Office, Living Rm w/Fireplace, Custom Kitchen
w/Center Island, Dining area, 3-Season Porch,
& a 1/2-Bath. Whole House Generator,
Custom Aluminum Dock, & a well-
landscaped yard. Convenient drive to
GR, Battle Creek, & Kalamazoo. Priced
at $424,900 (1900New) Call Drew
Chapple 269-207-3280
WALL LAKE - 1.7 Acres and Wall Lake
Frontage. Charming Bungalow w/covered
Front Porch. Customized Kitchen, Dining
area, Living room w/Fireplace, 3 Bedrooms, 2
Full Baths, Basement w/finished Rec. Room,
2-Car Garage, and Fenced-in backyard w/
Pole Barn. Conveniently located between
Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Battle Creek.
Priced at $339,900 (18048281) Call Drew
Chapple 269-207-3280

2 Bdrm cottage. Sturgeon River frontage, 3 Bdrm, 1 bth camp. Fish and Hunt! 40 Acres.
snowmobile trail access, Hwy 13. Nahma. Good access. Power, well, & septic. Perronville.
$63,900 1105794 $74,900 1106801

THOUSANDS OF
ACRES AVAILABLE
FROM $12,900 TO $325,000. 1 Bdrm Camp. 540 Sq Ft. Blk bath 2 Bdrm 1 Bth Camp 155 Acres, 2 Bdrm, 1 bth, log home. On
house. Out house. Great hunting. Stella Bar, Sheds, Blinds, Food Plots, Cedar River.Large garage.
Escanaba Lk and Sturgeon River. Stella Lk. Orchard. Rapid River. Cedar River.
2209 Ludington Street $39,900 1110374 $260,000 1111078 $199,000 1112404
(906) 786-1308

Powers
W3776 US 2 & 41
(906) 497-4190

Gladstone
1401 Delta Ave.
2 Bdrm, 1 bth camp. Septic 1 Bdrm Camp. 4 Acres. Elec- 1 Bdrm, 1 bth Cabin. Large
(906) 825-9000
and drilled well. 36 acres. tric. Yr round access. Great bdrm with 3.5 acres. Extra
Great hunting. Skandia. location. Cornell. large garage. Rapid River.
$80,000 1112412 $33,000 1112567 $90,000 1107870
80 APRIL 2019 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, MI 48739 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

“UP NORTH” HOMES AND COTTAGES

ACROSS FROM LAKE!! WEST LONDO LAKE!! GREAT COUNTRY SETTING!! 2.36 ACRES!! AMISH REMODELED!!
Well-maintained 2-bdrm home with a beautiful view of Nice 2-bdrm home w/garage & 120’ on 180 3-bdrm home on OVER AN ACRE, fronts Spacious brick and vinyl 2-bdrm home with 1674 square Gorgeous 3-bdrm w/custom cabinets, mobile
all sports RIFLE LAKE and just across the road from 20 all sports lake! Wood floors, 2 full bath, floor paved road near many lakes & thousands of feet of living space, formal dining, some appliances, family kitchen island, Amish built furnishings, FP, 2
foot access spot! Spacious living area, hickory cabinets, to ceiling windows, beautiful views, some fur- acres of hunting lands! Being sold in “as is” room w/its own entrance, huge 72x39 heated 5-car garage covered porches, oversized garage and all NES-
knotty pine interior, carport, deck, covered porch & more!! nishings, AC & much more!! condition. plus 24x32 pole bldg, both wired for electric & much more! TLED ON 20 ACRES w/groomed trails & 4 blinds!!
$79,500 1847245 $314,700 1856419 $31,900 1856854 $134,900 1848848 $249,900 1855393

WEST BRANCH OF RIFLE RIVER!!
Beautiful 4-bdrm, 3 bath home on 10 ACRES!
Over 500’ on the gorgeous Rifle River for excellent
fishing and kayaking! Home has so many fantastic
amenities and there are 2 garages! A must see!!
$339,500 1852070
VICTORIAN WEST BRANCH!! ACROSS FROM NAT’L FOREST!! DEEDED LAKE ACCESS!! SPACIOUS CHALET!!
Spacious 3-bdrm, attached garage, open This 3-bdrm home sits on a deep lot with some shade 2-bdrm, 2 ba home just down the road from Over 2300 square feet of living space, 3-bdrm, 2 full bath
floor plan, AC, master suite, full bsmt, natural trees and has been freshly painted. On almost an acre boat access & near sandy beach! Wood and 4-car garage. Home has beautiful views from multiple
gas heat, blacktop drive, porch, generator & of land and located in great recreational area and not floors, nice kitchen w/lots of cupboards, deck, decks & is located in great subd w/access to 2 all sports
more!! far from lakes. Exterior of home does need some TLC!! 2 story garage & more!! lakes, golf course, tennis courts, trails, camping & more!!
$89,000 1856504 $45,900 1848661 $114,900 1849895 $143,900 1846541

OVER 22 ACRES!! LARGE DOUBLE LOT!! NICE VIEWS OF E TWIN LAKE!! MOSTLY FURNISHED!! 20 ACRES!!
Beautiful home, fantastic views, 2 garages, Cute 3-bedroom, log home in great rec- Updated 2-bdrm home near many all sports Well-maintained 2-bdrm home w/garage 3-bdrm home on full basement with garage!! Some
AC, wood floors, stunning kitchen w/custom reational area not far from lakes and State lakes!! Laminate floors, stainless steel ap- on 10 ACRES. Fenced yard, pond, trails, recent updates include updates to kitchen and
cabinets, stainless steel appli, open floor lands. Wood stove, garage, screened porch pli, attic that could be dbrm #3, garage & screened bldg to enjoy the wildlife and also bath. Outside there is a large covered deck w/
plan and your very own pond!! and mostly furnished!! pole bldg!! near many lakes!! beautiful views and trails for walking or the hunter!!
$139,000 1856423 $49,900 1850311 $84,000 1856575 $70,000 1856192 $154,900 1840412

MISCELLANEOUS LOTS/BUILDING SITES

FOREST LAKE!! NEAR POPULAR CLEAR LAKE!! NEAR BEAUTIFUL RIFLE RIVER!! GREAT AMENITIES INCLUDED!! FIVE WOODED LOTS!!
2 wooded lots with private access to 330 Wooded lot in nice subdivision and potential 3 wooded lots w/private lake access and Open lot in fantastic subdivision w/golf course, Plenty of room to build your dream home or
acre all sports lake. Nice subdivision w/camp- site for your new home or getaway. In great also near acres of State land and Rifle Riv- restaurant/bar, fitness center, activity building, weekend getaway near all sports Skidway
ground, beautiful common areas, park, pavil- recreational area also near acres of State land er! Possible site for you to build your new indoor, heated saltwater pool, trails, tennis Lake as well as other lakes and not too far
ion, security, clubhouse & sandy beaches!! for the hunter or outdoor enthusiast!! home or weekend escape!! courts & more!! from the beautiful Rifle River!!
$5,500 1830030 $7,500 1853434 $7,900 1853856 $7,900 1841576 $10,000 1853050

WATERFRONT LOTS AND WATERFRONT ACREAGE

BEAUTIFUL LAKEFRONT LOTS!! BEAUTIFUL WATERFRONT!! ELBOW LAKE!! 1.9 ACRES!! 2.4 ACRES!!
Over a half acre of waterfront property front- Nice partly wooded lot with vegetation to wa- Nice waterfront lot and a fantastic spot for Beautiful wooded property with frontage on Nice property with frontage on Ogemaw
ing on popular, all sports Lake Ogemaw with ter’s edge and 80” of frontage on private “no building your dream home or vacation get- Turtle Lake, an 8 acre small fishing lake. Creek and in super subdivision with many
gentle slope to water. Located in fantastic motor” Fawn Lake. Also near other lakes and away with 94 feet of frontage on 42 acre all Also not too far from many other all sports nice amenities like natural gas and municipal
subd & potential bldg site!! the beautiful Rifle River!! sports lake. Elec at road!! lakes and near State lands!! well & sewer and great spot for bldg!!
$69,900 1790612 $15,900 1850114 $54,900 1846598 $14,900 1835692 $81,000 1855918

EXCELLENT FISHING!! SUPER SUBDIVISION!! 9.82 ACRES!! RIFLE RIVER!! PLEASANT LAKEFRONT LOT!!
Nice lot with frontage on the beautiful Rifle Almost 3 ACRES, with 250+ feet of water Great hunting acreage with property fronting Mostly cleared lot with some shade trees and Nice property and potential site for building
River and fantastic views or potential site for frontage on Ogemaw Creek. Located in great on Nester Creek and a perfect spot for your gorgeous views of the Rifle River. Great spot your new home or vacation or weekend get-
building your new home or vacation or week- area and in subdivision with many fantastic home or hunt cabin. Electric at road with a for excellent fishing, kayaking and canoeing away in great subdivision and with frontage
end retreat. Adjacent lot also for sale!! amenities!! driveway and shed already at the property!! and potential site for building!! on FLOWAGE LAKE!!
$22,900 1843577 $76,000 1855915 $35,000 1851406 $22,900 1843574 $101,000 1763735

FOR MORE LISTINGS

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.CAHANES.COM
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 81
 Thinking
ng of Buyingof
orBuying or Selling?
Selling?

Brandon Cropsey Sou

26
thern Michigan David Cergnul Mid-Michigan
989.324.9443
9.816.3010

NDON | BROKER,CALL LAND(office)

BRANDON SPECIALIST
| (office) 269.357.7036
269.357.7036
BROKER, LAND •SPECIALIST or (cell) 269.816.3010
MOSSYOAKPROPERTIES.COM
(office) 269.357.7036 or (cell) 269.816.3010
ICAL
AST CED
LY MOSSYOAKPROPERTIES.COM
CT
IVE
MOSSYOAKPROPERTIES.COM
EN
DIN
G
SO
LD ICE ED
PR C
DR EDU A P DU
R RE

Cass County Berrien County

Barry County 67.6 +/- acres 94 +/- acres
99.6 +/- acres List Price $258,400 - An Calhoun County List Price $279,000 - 94 +/- Ontonagon County
List Price $549,000 - exceptional mixed use 67.6+/- 100 acres acres of primarily wooded 80 +/- acres
Beautiful cabin parcel of ground in Cass County, List Price $299,000 - EXCELLENT hunting property List Price $119,000 -
overlooking a spring Michigan with EXCELLENT Recreational Paradise in Berrien County, Michigan Wooded acreage in the
fed fish pond on Hunting, potential building with rolling woods, just South of I94, and directly Western Upper Peninsula
rolling wooded sites, and tillable ground a creek, swamp, and across the road from Point O’ with beautiful turn key
acreage generating farm rent yearly potential building sites Woods Golf Course D-style log cabin

EACH MOSSY OAK PROPERTIES OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

20 Acres, 1 BD, 1 BA, Perfectly located cabin 3 BD, 1 BA mobile on 2 BD, 1 BA mobile home 1 BD, 1 BA clean & com-
block home with great on 15 wooded acres! The 10 acres.. It has been is bright, airy, has wash- fortable cabin nestled in
potential! Attached 2 cabin is one open room used as a deer camp, er, dryer, pellet stove the woods across the
car garage for plenty with a bathroom. It needs yet has all the comforts tied to the ducts and an street from Reed Lake
of storage. Property is some finish work but the of home. The mobile addition for extra stor- public access. Borders
stunning, wooded with location is great for an up has great access on a age. The large garage Federal land and there
Cedar Creek running north getaway. Close to nice private road. Has a has a work room area are riding trails visible
through part of it! trails and federal land! 10x14 shed for storage. and more storage. from the front yard!
MLS 18014254 $79,900 MLS 19001673 $52,000 MLS 18031425 $34,900 MLS 19000585 $46,900 MLS 19005485 $57,000

5 acres m/l just north of Nicely wooded 2+ Acres 10 acres in the Deer
US-10. Enjoy year round close to public lands and Lake Estates Asso- Nearly 4 Acres of nice-
access and the benefits the trails. An excellent ciation. 1/4 mile east of ly wooded vacant land Wooded 5 Acre parcel
of camping in an un- base for camping, hunting, thousands of acres of close to public lands and in Un-Zoned Cherry Val-
zoned township. Low fishing and riding the trails! Federal Land. $150 a the trails. All this AND ley Township. Electric At
down land contract terms Available on a land con- year assoc. fee pays for Available on a land con- Road, Semi-Secluded,
are available. No taxes tract, what could be better? snowplowing and gar- tract! NO Taxes UNTIL Public Lands across the
until 2020! No taxes until 2020! bage. 2020. road.
MLS 19004231 $15,900 MLS 19004424 $11,900 MLS 18048342 $26,900 MLS 19004426 $17,900 MLS 19001464 $18,900
82 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 83
 420 Acres With Private YOOPER SPECIAL!
Lake in Central Michigan

E6809 E SANDENE • IRONWOOD TWP 49911

80 Wooded Hunting Acres Renovated
4 Bdrm, 2 Full Bath, 2200 Sq Ft. Farm House.
PRICE REDUCED $279,900

Near W
N

3,960 ft
Marlette S

420 acres with 100 + acre private lake
with dam for sale in central Michigan
(great investment opportunity). Great
fishing and hunting—Michigan trout
stream, mature bucks harvested every
year. Over two miles of water frontage,
standing timber with enough pine to
make 30 log homes. Seven miles of
trails, rolling hills, paved roads, has
natural gas line on property. Lodge
(brick house) with fireplace. Three
stoarge buildings and workshop.
Includes all boats with pontoon boat.
in Sanilac 121
All maintenance equipment included, County Acres
mowers, tractor, dozer, crane, etc. $
Would make a great church camp,
314,600
40 acres of Hunting Bliss. Ranch home OR
hunting resort or lake development. with a full walk out basement, 3 bedrooms, Will $
Frontage on three county roads. Grave, 2 full baths, gourmet kitchen. All season consider 2,600 per acre
sand deposits on property, also oil Sun room with separate entrance. Attached 1,320 ft
rights. Ann Clark’s Trust. $4,000,000 or all offers.
3 car garage plus a 32’ X 48’ Pole Barn (can
best offer. Special terms for non-profit.
fit 2 semi trucks) 14 ft doors. Deer, rabbit
Call Robert Clark at & turkey are bountiful. There also is a small
pond and swamp area on the property.
810-629-9376 Hunters Paradise is at 2152 Five Lakes Rd,
Email: johnclark1954@hotmail.com Metamora, MI 48455 $459,900

Heritage Exclusive Marketing Agents for Northeast

House
RealtyPC
“Personalized Service is the Difference”
Greenbush Resort
With 300 feet on Lake Huron
this resort is a major
destination for many with 11
cottages for rentals and the
main home for you to enjoy
the area as well. This is a
must seize opportunity as
resorts this nice are rarely
for sale.
Michigan Properties
Located in the Heart of the Huron National Forest, on the
Shores of Lake Huron and the banks of the AuSable River
4625 River St
1248 sf, 2 bed 1 bath with
attached garage and soon
completed new roof. Enjoy
all the wildlife that visit the
area daily while still having
the convenience of being in
town. $89,900

5314 E Black River Rd 4156 River Rd

1200+ sf, 3 bed, 1 bath
Modular home with small
flowing creek in back yard.
This home is in need of
some TLC and sellers are
extremely motivated to sell.
Make this your ideal retreat
up north. NOW $36,900
744 N US 23
1200 sf, 3 bed, 1 bath with
full basement ant attached
garage, easy access to Lake
Huron and Harrisville. Enjoy
the feeling of being away
from it all while still having
easy access to town.
Reduced $110,000
10316 Seventh St
1170 sf, 3 bed, 1.5 bath with
detached garage located in
the Villages of Oscoda with
access to AuSable River for
easy recreation. HOA dues
cover lawn and snow so no
need to worry about those!
Priced to sell $69,900
1200 sf, 3 bed, 1.5 bath with
attached garage. This must
see Move In Ready home
was updated in 2015 with
easy access to town and
Oscoda Schools ideal
4215 N US 23, Oscoda setting with fenced in yard.
Priced to Sell $89,400
Great opportunity in this turn key business.
Well known Antiques and Furniture store
complete with full inventory offering a unique 840 S Stockton Rd
1440 sf, 3 bed, 2 bath with
blend of antiques, new furniture, gently used 61 acres ideal for hunting or
furniture, jewelry, glass ware and collectables. recreating close to trails and
Excellent customer base and ideal location just state land. As a bonus
includes a standalone guest
outside of town providing a fantastic shopping house ideal for visitors.
experience for local customers and seasonal $198,500
visitors. Includes ten residential rental units
with a strong occupancy history. Also includes
several commercial rental units. Seller 109 E Church St
financing is available to qualified purchasers. 1150 sf, 3 bed, 2 bath with
attached garage and to
The property can be purchased as one entire many updates to mention
complex or it can be split with a limited amount here. This is a must see
of commercial and residential units. Located home that will not last long.
Fenced in yard ideal for
just south of the AuSable River with extensive family or pets.
highway frontage. This is truly a rare REDUCED $104,900
opportunity. Call for more details…..

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

84 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS
APPROX.
250 DEER
186 RANDY MINTO 370 ACRES
ACRES Always Working Hard for You!

REALTOR
SANILAC COUNTY APPROX. 100 ELK Direct:
Amazing Applegate Hunting Preserve! 1/2 Million+ 810.449.1286 Drummond Island - Cabin
Dollars Worth Deer/Elk Inventory Included in Sale. - OR -
Ranch Home & Lodge - Several Outbuildings Office: & Cottage on Lake Huron
*DV 810.653.4500
$1,250,000 *DV $949,000
SPECIALIZING IN UNIQUE, LUXURY AND LARGE RECREATIONAL PROPERTIES
DEER & NATURE LOVER’S DREAM PROPERTIES

NE LAPEER COUNTY 66 ACRES

W
TUSCOLA COUNTY 170 ACRES GENESEE COUNTY
10,000 SQ FT Fantastic Development Opportunity. Amazing Ranch Home & Guest House,
Commercial Building Landscape Business Engineered Drawings Available Private Lake
*DV $299,500 $129,500 *DV $419,000 *DV $1,650,000

NEW LDCLUB
PARADICE HUNT NEW 10 ACRES NEW 20 ACRES
LAPEER COUNTY
SO $3,950,000
LAPEER COUNTY CLARE COUNTY
5-8 ACRES Beautiful Brand New 30x48 Pole Barn/
2019 Custom Built Home Great Building 2000 sq ft Ranch Home Built 2010
7.74 Acres Sites from Home Great Hunting
*DV $399,000 $69,900 - $89,900 *DV $299,000 *DV $99,850 Amazing Price

LICENSED DEER RANCH

NEW
LAPEER COUNTY GENESEE COUNTY

Beautiful Setting
34 ACRES 60-80 DEER Chalet Home
192 ACRES GENESEE COUNTY 10-15 TROPHY BUCKS 40 x 80 Pole
Beautifully renovated historic Victorian Bed Barn with
Woodland Deer Ranch in Davison, 6-car garage,
and Breakfast with horse facilities. pond, 5 blinds, 3 lg feeders, Lg polebarn, 4BD, 3BA 6 Horse Stalls.
*DV $1,490,000 *DV REDUCED $835,000 *DV
72 ACRES $595,000

GENESEE COUNTY DAVISON 36 ACRES SANILAC COUNTY

6 ACRES GENESEE COUNTY

Over 4,800 sq ft of Living Space Commercial Properties 2-Story Home 55 acres + 38 Bonus Hunting acres,
Amazing Setting on Private Lake $85,000 to 5 LG Pole Barns Gorgeous Home plus Hunting cabin
*DV $425,000 *DV $595,000 *DV $450,000 *DV $459,000

SANILAC COUNTY 30 ACRES 10 ACRES 289 ACRES

AMAZ
ING P
RICE
40 ACRES SANILAC COUNTY ST. CLAIR COUNTY LUCE COUNTY
Gorgeous 3270 Sq Ft Ranch with Deer Hunters Dream Property 40x30 Pole Barn, Pond. 1,800 SQFT Cabin, Completely Solar
loft, built 2011, 2 Pole Barns. 700 acres of state land 284 ft on Belle River powered, 90% Wooded
*DV $399,000 $119,000 *DV $139,900 *DV $349,000

NEW NEW
1154 ACRES
NEW 76 ACRES 1240 ACRES
Luce County
Schoolcraft Columbus
County GRATIOT COUNTY Township
Seney Great Hunting
Over a 1/2 mile on Pine River Property
Township 24x20 Cabin
Deer Hunters & Nature Lovers Dream Property
$595,000 *DV $795,000
*DV $219,000 *DV

DRONE
*DV VIDEO GO TO: MIDREAMPROPERTIES.com
OR CALL 810-449-1286
WNW NEWS APRIL 2019 85
  
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86 APRIL 2019 WNW NEWS

 FACTORY REBATES ON ALL
IN STOCK PACKAGES!

Angler Qwest Angler Qwest Angler Qwest

824 Pro Troll, 824 Family Fish, 822 Pro Fish,
200 hp four-stroke and Trailer 200 hp four-stroke and Trailer 150 Suzuki and Trailer
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MACOMB CO. MICHIGAN BICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATIVE RIFLE

200 ANNIVERSARY TH

Created in Honor of
Macomb Co. Michigan
and built on a Collector’s Grade Henry .22, this special edition is richly
engraved in artwork inspired by Macomb Co. Michigan history - a fitting
tribute to the people and places that make this County great.

There are 25 of each of

the three rifles available!
The rifles from each model are numbered 1 through 25.
This is a limited edition and the 25 of each is all that will be made.
Also Available in Golden Boy and Big Boy Models

Engravings Include:
• Logo w Old Courthouse 1880 – • Grand Trunk Station 1859
Bicentennial Dates • William Upton House 1867
• Map of County w/Towns and Cities • Halfway Schoolhouse 1872
• General Alexander Macomb • Whitetail Deer
1782-1841 • Walleye
• Washington Octagon House 1860 • Individual Rifle Number

Reservations are accepted in the order which they are received.

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