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• Addressing Deer Disease: Deer Movement Study in Southern Michigan

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WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 3
 Field Notes...By Tom Campbell
Unbelievable buck on 14 acres
H
ere’s another amazing BIG DEER story, Dan
Rzeppa who can’t believe he took a buck of a
lifetime off his 14 acres of land he bought back
in August of 2014 in southern Sanilac County
strictly for hunting. Here’s Dan’s story in his words:
It was opening day of gun season 2014 at 12 noon, I had
seen this buck for the first time, he walked into my bait pile
25 yards away. I could not believe my eyes, as I shouldered
my gun, I suffered major buck fever and shot low missing
the buck…completely. I sat there and watched my buck run
off slowly disappearing into the woods. I never felt so upset Dan Rzeppa with his Sanilac Co. opening day
with myself and disappointed that I missed my opportunity record book 152 inch class buck. Above with
of a lifetime. Later that year, at the end of muzzleloader
season, I was checking my cameras and I was surprised to
see him back on camera. During 2015-2016, I had him a
few times on camera but only at night. It was usually mid-
November when he would start showing up. Every time I
saw a picture I would get so excited.
This year I saw him the end of October showing up
in the mornings. I never did have an encounter with him
during bow season. So on November 15 at 10:50 in the
morning I hadn’t seen any deer, and was feeling somewhat
disappointed. I was sitting in my ladder stand, I looked up
and saw a monster buck about to enter my 10 foot shooting
lane about 100 yards out. I knew it had to be him.
I attempted to shoulder my shotgun but the sling was
caught on the corner of the shooting rail. By the time I
realized what happened and I reached down to unhook
my sling the deer was already through my shooting lane. I
looked ahead of the deer and saw a small opening between
two trees. I put my scope into the opening, the deer stepped
into my scope. I noticed its head, neck and beginning of
his shoulder and squeezed off a shot and felt confident on
my shot placement. It all happened in less than several
seconds.
I watched the deer pick up a little speed, and I saw it
jump twice with tail down and bound off. I immediately
called my sister and brother-in-law, Lynn and Mike Buc-
cellato who were hunting about 200 yards away and then
called my other hunting buddy, Mike Stefaniak who was
400 yards away. I explained that I just shot a buck and it
was heading their way. They both said the buck never came
through, only a lone doe, which the buck must have been
following. I told them that it was the monster buck we had
on camera and they immediately started walking over to my
stand.
SEASONS
Open All Year – Pike and walleye season on Lower Peninsula
Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair & St. Clair & Detroit Rivers
Open All Year – Salmon and trout season on Great Lakes, St.
Marys River, Lake St. Clair & St. Clair & Detroit Rivers
Open All Year – Catch-and-immediate-release bass season on
all Michigan waters open to fishing
Now-March 15 – Pike, walleye seasons on L.P. inland waters,
U.P. Great Lakes, inland waters and St. Marys.
Now-Mar. 31 – Cottontail rabbit/snowshoe hare season
Now-Mar. 1 – Squirrel season, fox and gray (black)
Now-March 31 – Crow season
March 1-Dec. 31 – Pure Michigan Hunt Application Period
March 12 – Leftover spring wild turkey licenses go on sale to
applicants only
March 19 – Leftover spring wild turkey licenses go on sale
over-the-counter
May 1-June 1 – Elk Hunt Application Period
May 1-June 1 – Bear Hunt Application Period
*Consult the Michigan Hunting and Trapping Digest, Fishing Digest, or
other species-specific hunting digests for a more complete list of dates
and regulations regarding each season or hunt period.
MJC MJC
ARCHERY ARCHERY
MACOMB OAKLAND
19744 15 Mile Rd 3001 Rochester Rd
Clinton Twp. 48035 Royal Oak, MI 48073
248-589-2480
586-791-4600
4 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
Lynn and Mike Buccellato and Mike Stefaniak.
I ran out to the area where I shot at the deer
and found some blood and white hair. I was
scared with the white hair thinking it might
have been a belly shot because the deer was
moving. Mike followed the blood trail along
with my sister. My brother-in-law and I
stayed back in case the deer jumped up again.
Mike followed the trail for about 25 yards
and yelled, “I think I see the deer over on the
hump.”
I answered, “Dude don’t mess with me! Are you sure
you see the buck?”
At this point my sister joined Mike and immediately
started crying....and I’ll always remember her turning
around and saying, “Brother you did it! You got the deer of
your lifetime!”
In shock I replied “Are you serious? I did it!”
I didn’t even want to approach the deer at first, I
watched my hunting partners walk up and their expressions
on their faces said it all. As I approached the deer and saw
how massive he was I dropped to my knees in tears of pure
joy. I was blown away with excitement, I felt blessed that
I was able to experience the recovery of this deer with my
2018 Black Lake sturgeon
season harvest results
A
ccording to the MDNR the 2018 sturgeon har-
vest season on Black Lake (in the northern tip
of the Lower Peninsula) ended after two and a
half hours Saturday, Feb. 3, with seven fish
being harvested. The fishing season, which included
spearing or hook-and-line fishing, was scheduled to run
Feb. 3-7, or until the harvest quota had been reached. The
allocation of sturgeon for Black Lake this year was seven
fish, although DNR officials set a harvest quota of six
fish.
There were 426 registered anglers on the ice
Saturday, up from 332 the year before. Most anglers reg-
istered at the pre-registration held Friday, Feb. 2, which
continues to allow for a much more streamlined process.
Anglers of all ages and genders participated, including a
good number of supervised youth.
According to the DNR, the first four sturgeon were
harvested before 8:30 a.m. after an 8 a.m. start. The first
fish was a 58-inch female that weighed 45 pounds, while
fish number two was a 41-inch female that weighed 16
pounds. Fish three was the largest fish of the season, a
72-inch female that weighed 99 pounds. Fish four was a
56-inch male that weighed 36 pounds. The fifth fish was
a 69-inch female that weighed 73 pounds. The sixth fish
was a 53-inch male that weighed 31 pounds, and the final
fish was a 64-inch female that weighed 66 pounds.
Four of the seven fish taken had been captured
before by Michigan State University and DNR sturgeon
researchers during spring spawning runs in the Black
River. For example, the 69-inch female originally was
captured and tagged in the Black River during the 2003
spawning run. She was recaptured during spawning runs
in 2006, 2010 and 2013. The largest fish captured this
year also was captured in the 2008, 2012 and 2016
spawning runs, essentially spawning every four years.
The sturgeon fishing hotline indicating the season
was closed was updated at 10:23 a.m., which officially
closed the season. In addition, signal cannons, mortar
sister and friends. We all sat there for a least 10 minutes just
staring at him and his pure beauty. I realized God answered
my prayers and gave me my second chance at this buck of
a lifetime. I named the deer Chance, hoping this day would
come again and it did. This time I was happier with the
result.
The deer was aged at six-years-old so he must have
been three when I missed him back in 2014. Probably a 140
class at that time. One lesson that I learned from this hunt is
that it only takes seconds to change your life. You go from
being discouraged, not seeing much activity, to seeing the
deer of your dreams. Patience is the key, combined with a
little luck. Thinking back I can’t believe the buck survived
so many years without being shot and only on 14 acres.n
rounds, fireworks and sirens were used to indicate the
season’s end within minutes of the final fish being har-
vested. DNR law enforcement officials and other depart-
ment personnel were embedded in the on-ice fishing
communities and were able to quickly report harvested
fish this year, as well as to quickly contact all lake stur-
geon anglers on the ice and close the season.
“The unlimited entry fishery paired with a signifi-
cant on-ice presence of DNR personnel allows for greater
participation by anglers while protecting the population
of lake sturgeon in Black Lake from overharvest,” said
DNR fisheries biologist Tim Cwalinski. “It was deemed
another successful season for angler participation, fish
harvest, quick response times, and from a safety perspec-
tive.”
In addition, the Black Lake Sturgeon Shivaree event,
sponsored by many local groups, was held on the ice and
offered a festive environment for the public.
Rehabilitation of lake sturgeon in the Cheboygan
River watershed is a cooperative effort involving the
DNR, the Black Lake Chapter of Sturgeon For
Tomorrow, Michigan State University, Tower-Kleber
Limited Partnership, the Bay Mills Indian Community,
the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa
Indians, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, the
Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians and the
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
For more information on sturgeon in Michigan,
visit michigan.gov/sturgeon.
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 5

HUNTING
COVER STORY...
Coyote Hunting
Kenny Darwin page 12
A definitive look at rifles for
Michigan’s Limited Firearms
Deer Hunting Zone
Tom Lounsbury page 26
Results of 2017 elk hunt
page 31
Spring deer hunting?
George Rowe page 38
Late Bow Season Education
John Eberhart page 40
My favorites from the
2018 Shot Show
Brian Miller page 58
Bear Hunting Family
Richard P. Smith page 64
Hounds, bears and bobcats
Betty Sodders page 88
FISHING
COVER STORY...
Early Spring Steelhead
Jim Bedford page 8
Little Girl...
BIG DEER
Stephen King...page 23
Keweenaw Bay: Quality
diverse salmonid fishery
Bill Ziegler page 14
Reduction therapy for
WALLEYE SNAGS
Mark Romanack page 20
Great Lakes’ Ice-out 'Eyes
Mark Martin page 28
March’s fishing bucket list
Mark Sak page 36
COVER PHOTOS
Spring Browns
Mark Romanack...page 34
Spring Steelhead
Jim Bedford...page 8
Spring Walleyes
Next Bite...page 37
Coyote Hunting
Kenny Darwin...page 12
6 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
Dear Fish Diary... Look no farther than the barn
Beavers and toothless pike? for the perfect ice shanty
OH MY! Sharon Kennedy page 66
Ron St. Germain page 60
Lament for a lynx
The function of Antlers Betty Sodders page 76
John Ozoga page 65
Trapping season reminiscing OPINIONS
John Chagnon page 69
Hunting is a great equalizer
SPORTING COLLECTIBLES Bob Vogel page 78
A Heddon wood
Letter...CWD
baitcasting rod for $1 summary from my research
Terry McBurney page 82
page 79
Trapping Southern Michigan Pink instead of hunter orange
Jeff Pendergraff page 84
Jeff Pendergraff page 79
Will turkeys survive the OUTDOOR NEWS Wild public lands and waters
protected in new ORV Road Plan
WINTER
Arctic Grayling habitat Drew YoungeDyke page 80
better understood
page 17
Kenny Darwin...page 72 Addressing Deer Disease:
Deer movement study in
Next Bite...River Magic south-central Michigan
Gary Parsons/Keith Kavajecz MDNR page 22
page 37
Grants for Deer Habitat
Lake Gogebic: and Invasive Species
A great ‘late ice’ opportunity page 30
John Bergsma page 46 New online form
for reporting fish kills
Michigan’s Amazing Animals: page 67
THE CRAPPIE...
(rhymes with choppy or sloppy) Recovering America’s Wildlife
Patrick Bevier page 63 Act could fund $30 million
Drew YoungeDyke page 87 Spring
Browns
Au Gres’ early spring mixed bag
Michael Veine page 68
PART I PERSPECTIVE Mark Romanack...page 34
How to make a fly rod work Michigan Meanders...
William T. Mangan page 70 Oh, the stories you could tell! Governor proposes Great Lakes
Tom Huggler page 16 Basin Partnership to block
FEATURE Understanding how Asian Carp
Celebrating 100 years of
we’re connected page 81
Randy Jorgensen page 24
MICHIGAN’S WILD ELK
page 18 Lessons from late winter floats GUNS/AMMO
Tom Carney page 44 Traditional Black
Marsupial Invasion? Powder Hunting...Reconciling
Jonathan Schechter page 32 Wildlife Action Plan helps state time, place and life station
make big strides in conservation Dennis Neely page 56
Going it alone Sarah Lapshan-DNR page 53
The wild L.P. in the 1850s Gun Chat...Handgun Hunting
Darryl Quidort page 48 Boat Smart By Lee Arten page 86
By Captain Fred Davis page 62
MARCH 2018
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River Magic
P.O. Box 278, Imlay City, MI 48444
• Addressing Deer Disease: Deer Movement Study in Southern Michigan
• Keweenaw Bay Diverse Salmonid Fishery • Function of Deer Antlers
• Little Girl, BIG DEER • Michigan's Marsupials • Wildlife Action Plan
 www.facebook.com/woodsnwaternews
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WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 7

 EARLY SPRING STEELHEAD
Water temperature seems to play a special role in turning on the fish...
By Jim Bedford

A
s I write this in early
January it has only
been two weeks since
my last steelhead en-
counter, a bright red
double figure male
that I called my Christmas fish. But
after a bunch of single digit and be-
low zero overnight lows, the stream
where I caught my Christmas steelie
is frozen from bank to bank and I
am already pining for spring.
A real key to early season steel-
head success is picking rivers that
already have steelies laying in their
runs and holes. Anglers looking for
fresh, spring run steelies often get to
the river before the fish make their
way upstream. Warm weather may
heat up the river a bit inland, but if
this water must pass through a lot
of ice in the lower river or a frozen
river mouth lake it will still be at
32 degrees when it hits the Great
Lakes. Obviously then, a critical
time for the beginning of the main
spring run is the melting of the last
of the ice at the river mouth.
In the meantime it will pay to
fish the lower reaches of the streams
with good numbers of summer, fall
and winter run steelhead. Be pre-
pared to cover lots of water until
you find fish. At times the steelhead The author, Jim Bedford, believes there is no need to wait for spawning to begin in order to get tied up
will be very scattered and at others to a spirited steelhead.
they will be concentrated in a few
deep holes. Many anglers opt for lures can find them quicker using lures. you to sweep the lure in front of a
Many different baits and lures which don’t resemble food since I prefer weighted spinners and log jam, boulder or sweeper. Re-
will elicit the desired response from steelhead rarely actively feed on minnow imitating plugs but spoons, member to let the lure sink a mo-
a migratory rainbow. The most their spawning run. These offerings compact high action plugs and gau- ment so it will get deep enough.
popular bait is spawn in the form can be drifted like bait, cast and dy streamers also work well. Pick In larger rivers, back trolling
of single eggs, cut skein and spawn retrieved, or dropped back and held spinners and plugs in the one quarter plugs is a premier way to find and
bags. Wigglers and wax worms also against the current. to half ounce size. Silver is the best catch early season steelhead. This
account for lots of spring steelhead. Once you have found a concen- finish on dark days and when the is usually accomplished from a drift
In addition to the real thing there are tration of fish, spawn and wigglers water is turbid because it reflects the boat but you can also use a small
many imitations of these food items are probably the most effective bait most light. On bright days, switch to conventional boat and an electric
with beads being the current hot you can use for steelies. But, when gold or copper lures. Regardless of motor. Your goal is to cause the boat
choice. the fish are scattered I believe you the water conditions I always want to move slower than the current thus
some fluorescent color also adorning causing the diving plugs you’ve let
my lures. Placing fluorescent tape out downstream to dive and wiggle
on the back of blade and using fluo- in front of the steelies.
rescent tubing on the hook is a good Once a concentration of steel-
plan for spinners. My favorite plugs head is found the boat may be an-
have metallic sides and fluorescent chored and lures cast or bait drifted.
bellies. There are also often places where
Wading in an upstream direction the plugs cannot be maneuvered
you should cast up and quartering with the boat into the holding water.
upstream. Retrieve your lure just The savvy angler anchors and casts
fast enough so that the spinner spins to these spots before continuing
or the spoon wobbles. Try to keep downstream.
it close to the bottom and as close Drift anglers can increase their
to fish holding cover as possible. chances for scattered early spring
Sneaking up for a cross or quarter- fish by adding some bright yarn or
ing downstream cast is also very
The author’s “Christmas steelhead.” effective, especially when it allows Spring Steelhead page 10
8 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
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WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 9

Early Spring Steelhead:
from page 8
a small drift lure such as a Little
Corkie to their offering. Using fluo-
rescent netting will make the spawn
bag more visible. You can also add
fluorescent Egg Sac Floaters to the
bag.
Even though food items will
rarely be found in the stomachs of
spring steelies, bait still works well.
I believe this is because the fish
remain opportunistic and when the
eggs or nymphs grab their attention
both by sight and smell, they take
them in their mouths. Then since the
bait tastes and feels right they hold
on to it long enough for you to set
the hook even though they probably
had no plans to swallow it.
Because the fish are using all
their senses when taking drifted bait
it is important that it be fresh. The
eggs should have good color and
mayfly nymphs or night crawlers be
alive and wiggling.
Winter stoneflies hatch in March
and on those days when they are
seen fluttering above the water or
crawling on the snow, wigglers are
an excellent bait choice. This is es-
pecially true when the water is low
and clear.
Water temperature seems to play
a special role in turning on the steel-
head at this time of year. A rise of
less than a degree may be all that is
The author encourages anglers to release most of your catch,
especially the females, so they can spawn and perhaps be caught
by another angler. Jim Bedford photos
10 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
needed to activate the anadromous
rainbows.
A number of years ago I was
fishing the upper Betsie without suc-
cess. The early March day seemed
perfect, overcast and the air tem-
perature was above freezing. I knew
there were fish present because I had
good luck in the same stretch both
in the late fall and during a winter
thaw.
I checked the water temperature
at 10 a.m. and found it to be the
same 35 degrees that I started with
at daybreak. The clouds began to
thin a bit and I could sense the air
warming. A half an hour later I re-
ceived an arm wrenching strike and
I had my hands full with a rampag-
ing hen steelhead. I had to chase the
double figure fish several hundred
yards downstream before I could
corral and release her.
Rather than quickly wading
back up to where I hooked the first
fish I cast into the run where I had
just landed the feisty female. In two
casts I was in business again. After
landing a smaller but acrobatic
female I checked the water tempera-
ture as I moved to the next holding
area. Sure enough, the water tem-
perature had risen to 36 degrees.
For the next two hours I thought
I had died and gone to steelhead
The author’s daughter, Terri Bedford with spring steelhead.
heaven. Eight more steelies pounded
my spinner and I managed to get six
of them landed.
As spring approaches, steelhead
will almost always be found associ-
ated with the main flow of the river.
This is especially true of the ac-
tive fish and these are the ones you
are likely to fool into taking your
offering. Moderate to fast current
over a firm gravelly or rocky bottom
and a depth of four to eight feet is
ideal holding water for migrating
steelhead. Slack water, back ed-
dies, and other slow moving water
will seldom hold active early spring
steelhead.
Good cover and something to
break the current are essential to a
good steelhead lie. Steelies want
to be close to the current but can’t
spend a lot of energy maintaining
themselves in the strong flow. They
also want to feel protected.
You can think of cover as any-
thing that keeps the fish hidden from
view. The simplest cover is water
depth. The clearer the water, the
deeper the hole must be to provide
protection. A riffled surface helps
hide the fish and allows them to lie
in shallower water.
Logs, rocks, clay shelves, brush,
and other debris can provide both
cover and serve to break the current
for the migrating steelies. Steelhead
will usually lie quite close to these
obstacles and so it is important that
you are able to cast accurately and
be able to see the cover. Thus even
though you can rarely see the fish
during early spring, polarized sun-
glasses are essential for success.
Deep, fairly fast current inter-
secting highly visible or protruding
logs or boulders or flowing under
sweeper trees or brush is easy to
read and it should be fairly obvious
where you should cast to get your
drift or retrieve close to the fish. At
other times you must study surface
currents and guess where the fish are
likely to be found.
Sometimes the cover will be
provided by the stream bank itself.
The interface of the main current
with the shore eddies is called the
slot and is an excellent spot to find a
steelhead.
Once you catch that first steel-
head on an outing look for similar
holding water and you are likely to
score again. Take your time when
you are hitting fish but move right
along if you are coming up empty.
As the snow melts and spring
begins to arrive in earnest you may
want to concentrate your fishing
more toward the good spawning
areas. Even though the fish may
not be ready to spawn yet they will
start filling the holes and runs near
the gravel riffles. At the same time,
as fresh run fish begin to enter the
stream, you may be able to intercept
them in the first holes upstream.
The key is to be flexible during
this early spring time of transition.
Don’t get locked into a particular
pattern until you are sure the fish are
there.
Early spring weather can some-
times be quite balmy but the water
is almost always very cold. You
can stay comfortable by dressing
in layers on top and always dress-
ing warmly from the waist down to
ward off the chill of the frigid water.
At times you must be prepared as
if it is still winter because, after all,
spring doesn’t begin until vernal
equinox in late March.
Plan on hitting your favorite
stream early this year. There is no
need to wait for spawning to begin
in order to get tied up to a spirited
steelhead. And, remember to release
most of your catch, especially the
females, so they can spawn and per-
haps be caught by another angler.n
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 11
 Electronic Callers and

Coyote
Hunting
By Kenny Darwin

A
winter coyote hunt is guaran-
teed adventure, especially when
I looked up and a massive ’yote
charged in my direction. At first he
looked big as a German shepherd
dog but this was an alpha male
charging for the kill. He came through the brush
and tall grass so fast I couldn’t find him in the
rifle scope so I reached down, grabbed my 12 ga.
Winchester SX3 loaded with Hevi-Shot Dead
Coyote, gave him a one foot lead and pulled
the trigger. The first shot rolled him but he was
quickly on his feet and the next shot put him
down for good.
When the gun smoke cleared I still had my
Tru-Glo bead on the massive dog, my heart was
pounding and I could feel my pulse pounding in
my fingertips. Wild coyotes in your face have a
way of accelerating your heart rate, but the sight
of a wolf-size ’yote less than 30 yards away will
send your pulse rate into the ionosphere and
provide memories that last a lifetime. This dog
was the biggest I’ve ever taken, huge, tall with a
long, bushy tail. A trophy in the purest sense of
the word and a classic example of the fast paced
shooting excitement hunting predators can pro- Author poses with monster coyote he har vested using 12 ga. 3 ½-inch shotgun inside 30
vide. When coyotes are the target they can serve yards as it danced toward his motion decoy. Modern electronics make predator hunting
up fantastic surprises explained by the following easier than you think and realistic calling makes ’yotes frantic. Author photos
anecdote.
There was a slight breeze in my face as I set get me wrong night hunting is still very deadly, graphic LCD screens and a long list of calls you
up the electronic caller, pulled up my camou- especially if you use modern bright lights or night can use, a battery level indicator and are backed
flage face mask and rested my Panther .223 on vision. There is something powerfully addictive by 5-year warranty. I suggest you check out the
the sticks. At first I thought the brown blur was about wading in deep snow wearing full white E-calls available on www.gofoxpro.com, www.
a rabbit, and then I could make out long, pointed camo and setting up in a snow drift. A few calls primos, www.icotec.com, www.hunterspec.com
ears as a coyote danced in my direction in the can bring them running and at lightning speed and www.gsmoutdoors.com.
January grass. I quickly got the crosshairs on the a bitter cold winter night becomes impressively My recommendation is to use an electronic
bouncing target as the ’yote came to the distress warm and the shooting can be more fun than call along with a motion decoy. It makes little
call. That’s when out of nowhere came a second lighting firecrackers on the 4th of July. But if I difference if the decoy is a woodpecker, mouse,
coyote that dashed from left to right across the had to do it all over again I recommend you use fawn, rabbit or piece of moving fleece. Some-
scope. Now two ’yotes pranced in my scope but electronics and hunt the day shift. times calling isn’t enough and if coyotes are
both were covered by tall grass and I didn’t have Truth is with modern electronic callers you hung up, decoys give them the extra incentive to
a clean shot. call and critters fall. Most importantly, you can be charge your set up. You simply need something
I gave the duo a loud bark and they both came very effective while hunting during broad day- moving that will capture the attention of ap-
to a screaming halt. I settled the crosshairs on the light and sometimes the shooting excitement re- proaching predators. If a critter has his attention
dog sitting upright and dumped him on his back. sembles opening day of duck season with empty zeroed-in on a decoy that is whipping back and
The second scrambled for cover as I yelled a bark shells flying and critters hitting the dirt. This is forth it gives the shooter a better opportunity to
to get his attention. For some reason he fell for attractor hunting in the purest form. Your goal is get on target without being spotted. The idea is
the loud yelps, stopped for a second and the .223 to get the attention of wild animals with authentic to get them charging your set up, get their at-
dumped him like a rock. Two coyotes in a single sounds and loud volume that reaches farther, at- tention with movement, and keep them coming
set and you can experience similar hunting if you tracts more attention and bring predators running. close. The most effective coyote set up is the loud
use some sneaky predator hunting tactics. No matter what kind of E-caller you use most sound of a dying rabbit coupled with the visual
There was a time when I used traditional make loud, quality sounds. Get one with handles, confirmation of a dying bunny.
mouth calls, howlers, distress calls and danced made of high impact plastic rugged construction, I hope you have seen the videos of dogs so
with predators under the pale moonlight. Don’t remote control and quality speakers. Some have convinced by an e-caller/decoy combo they try
12 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
to eat it. I like the MOJO Super Critter, which in-
cludes magnetically attached “Critter” topper and
built in retractable tripod legs for more visibility
on any Michigan terrain. The unit has a tough
ABS housing and a three way switch so you can
play a cottontail call with motion or motion only.
They are cheap, easy to operate, run on batteries
and use realistic fur to attract and hold predator’s
attention. The intermittent action of the decoy
sucks them in close while diverting attention
away from you. One word of advice is to buy ex-
tra Super Critters because hawks will swoop from
the sky, grab the moving fur object and fly away
with your decoy. Check out the latest decoys on
www.mojooutdoors.com, www.luckyduck.com
and www.hunterspec.com.
Some hunters make the mistake of not match-
ing their camouflage to the environment where
they are hunting. The idea is to trick predators
into approaching your set up and the longer you
go unnoticed the better chances you will enjoy
more shooting. Coyotes have extremely good
eyesight and often pick out your human outline
and vacate the scene. Some dogs spot you at long
distance, others catch a glimpse of you when they
are in easy range but the results are the same;
they get out of Dodge pronto! If you want to
score more frequently on coyotes you need to
camo up and wear white camouflage in snow,
brown in the woods, tan in tall grass or corn.
Don’t overlook the ability of coyotes to see you
and get serious about camouflage that not only
blends with the environment but also covers your
hands, head and most importantly your face. I
use a face mask to hide my smiling face when a
dog prances into my sights. Some savvy predator
Michigan hunters interested in killing elusive
song dogs are learning that a 12 ga. shot-
gun loaded with Hevi-Shot Dead Coyote is
a deadly combination for moving targets in
relatively close range.
hunters rely on gille suits to hide from the keen
eyesight of incoming critters. Keep in mind that
there’s no running from what coyotes can’t see.
Savvy hunters set up with a backdrop or
structure that helps to conceal their outline like a
tree, stump, fencepost, hillside, brush, fallen tree.
Don’t make the common mistake of diving too
deep into thick brush that blocks your shot. Just
utilize the surrounding cover to your advantage
and hide your profile. Catching wild critters off
guard is all about the hide.
Most hunters use a gun rest for their rifle. The
idea is to be rock steady for the shot and elimi-
nate moving the gun into shooting position. Try
sitting down and place your gun on a comfortable
rest so you can cover the direction animals will
be coming and get an accurate shot at lightning
speed at any distance with the least amount of
movement. Some hunters use the Caldwell sys-
tem but I prefer the Primos Trigger Stick Gen 3
Tripod. It can be adjusted to any height with one
hand. Any V yoke gun rest will work as long as it
provides a steady trigger pull.
Perhaps the most important variable to coyote
hunting success hinges on a stealthy approach.
Most set ups are blown because hunters fail to
stalk or sneak into calling position. Oh sure, some
rookies make the mistake of hunting too close to
their vehicle or setting up where watchful ’yotes
can see their truck. Bad move! Coyote will not
come into your call and decoy if they see your
vehicle. During calm weather coyote can hear
your approach, especially if you slam car doors or
make loud noises when preparing to hunt. If you
want more shooting action learn how to stealth-
fully approach set up locations. The idea is to go
undetected by predators.
Predator hunting is not like decoying geese
into a spread of decoys where you can have
unlimited hunters. No sir! Your hunting success
will decrease with the number of hunters you use.
This is a lone wolf hunting sport for maximum
kills. Two hunters can get them too but both need
to be cautious about noise and added movement,
etc. Although plenty of hunters prefer a buddy
system using a backup gun, many times one
hunter is armed with a rifle for long shots and his
Predators are
a hunter’s most
thrilling prey.
Michigan’s popula-
tion is booming
and they eat more
than 50 percent
of fawn deer in
spring. Coyotes are
mysterious,
roving carnivores
that provide
intense hunting
experiences
because of their
wariness,
intelligence and
sur vival instincts.
buddy totes a shotgun for close encounters. Most
coyote hunts are foiled before they begin because
hunters make too much commotion setting up.
Don’t expect a coyote to come running to
your call and charge into gun range, stop and sit
stationary for an easy shot. This rarely happens.
Fact is coyotes are always moving, grooving,
dancing and prancing. It is up to you to get them
to pause and offer a stationary target. This is done
by making a loud dog bark. When the rabbit in
distress call is blasting out sound you need to
make an extra loud bark to get the attention of
coyotes and cause them to stop and remain still as
you center the crosshairs.
Plenty of incoming coyotes will not stop
moving. You want to be prepared for a moving
shot, get on those sticks, safety off and have the
critter in the scope. Some coyote will simply
blow through your set up. I’m talking about
predators that dance past in easy gun range,
glancing over their shoulder at your decoy but
keep moving and quickly disappear before you
can find them in the scope and touch off an ac-
curate shot. That’s when savvy hunters switch to
a shotgun loaded with #4 buckshot or Hevi-Shot
Dead Coyote shells. Shotguns will send ’em roll-
ing through thick brush and cover. Shotguns are
ideal for moving/running targets that are in close.
Weather conditions can have a big effect on
success. Forget calling when the wind is howling
and temperatures are dropping like a rock.
Predators prefer to move when weather
stabilizes and the wind is gentle; they can also
hear your call at longer distances. Come winter
concentrate efforts during warm fronts with
rising temperatures. Sure predators like to
travel in the snow but when a winter thaw
entices rabbit and mice from hiding coyote are
on the move day and night.
I can’t wait for a winter thaw like last year
because the predator hunting went bonkers.
Warm southern breezes and thawing snow put
coyotes in an energetic mood. They vacated dens
and traveled non-stop in search of bunnies and
mice. Gunslingers using modern electronics and
motion decoys found predator shooting to be
simply top notch.n
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 13
Keweenaw Bay:
Quality diverse
salmonid fishery
W
ith salmon and coho salmon, lake herring and lake
trout (salmo- whitefish.
nid) fisheries Keweenaw Bay’s fisheries are
de- similar to Lake Supe-
clin- rior’s Chequamegon Bay’s
ing fisheries to the west in
around the Great Lakes, Wisconsin. These large and
fisheries like Lake Su- partially protected (depend-
perior’s Keweenaw Bay ing on wind direction) bays
stand out. Keweenaw have a “more productive
Bay has a good fishery for and diverse fishery than
coho salmon, splake, lake the open lake,” according Erich Ziegler of Crystal Falls with a Lake Superior Chinook taken in the
trout, chinook and to Phil Schneeberger, spring troll fishery at Keweenaw Bay. Author photos
occasional brown
trout. A number of
By Bill Ziegler DNR Lake Superior
Basin Coordinator. The two most popular public been stocked into the bay in the last
streams that empty He went on to say boat access sites are in L’Anse couple decades although they were
into the bay support good steelhead the DNR Creel Census on Lake and Baraga. The L’Anse city boat routinely stocked into Lake Superior
fisheries. Smelt still run in some Superior indicates Keweenaw Bay access is located next to the Falls west of the bay in Gogebic County
of the streams that are tributaries is the most diverse fishery for the River outlet. The Baraga landing up through 2015. Schneeberger
to the bay as well. Ice can be late Michigan waters of Lake Superior. is used more when there is a strong said the “chinook plants had been
to form on Keweenaw Bay. When Schneeberger said that Keweenaw is west or northwest wind and is locat- suspended since their creel census
safe ice does form at the head of the likely the “most productive salmon ed at the Baraga Marina. The best surveys indicated 99 percent chi-
bay ice anglers have a good fishery fishery in the Michigan waters of contact for current fishing reports, nook catch was naturally reproduced
for splake, lake trout, brown trout, Lake Superior.” hot lures, and lake conditions is fish.”
Indian Country Sports located next The primary method of fishing
to the L’Anse Boat Access site. The open water in the bay is trolling,
Fishing... Hunting... Or Just Simply sports shop has an ideal location to
directly observe current lake condi-
although fish are caught from fish-
ing piers, beach, and near the river
A Getaway Cabin To Enjoy Nature!! tions and the success rate of return-
ing anglers. All they have to do is
mouths in early season. Ice forms
late on the Lake Superior bay and
Solid Logs with Perma Chink between look out their windows to observe typically goes out early. Hearty
both. Anglers commonly phone salmon and trout anglers start troll-
Cedar or Pine
• Fully Insulated
Indian Country Sports for fishing
reports and they welcome that. To
ing as soon as the bay becomes ice
free. It is not uncommon in the
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• Custom Built to Your Ideas! call 906-524-6518. ing out from the launch sites to fish.
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The DNR has been maintain- The early troll fishery allows anglers
• Sizes from 8’ to 36’ Long!! ing the popular splake fishery with without all the summer salmon
• Single and 2 Story Styles regular stocking into Keweenaw trolling gear (down riggers etc.) to
• Delivered & Priced Fully Assembled Bay. The state is also routinely effectively target coho salmon and
stocking steelhead in the Falls River other trout species. Most trollers
that feeds directly into the bay at run minnow imitators baits like reb-
L’Anse. Occasional state brown els, rapalas, thundersticks etc. The
trout plants have also been made most popular colors usually include
there. Chinook salmon have not orange, chartreuse or green although

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other colors work better on any
given day. Some anglers run spoons
as well. We found that using some
of the precision depth trolling books
helped our success last year. I am
sure they gave us a better coverage
of the possible depth ranges. Of
course most anglers use side trolling
boards to allow for more untangled
trolling lines and better results. An-
glers with boats equipped with down
riggers can extend their productive
salmon and trout fishing well into
the summer fishing the bay.
As with any Great Lakes outing
if you are commuting any distance
to the Keweenaw Bay you can occa-
sionally arrive and find the wind has
picked up too much to safely fish
the bay. Although with Keweenaw
Bay’s spring fishery if you pack
your steelhead gear you can save the
trip by just switching over to steel-
head fishing on the streams.
Falls River – Baraga County
As the name implies, the Falls
River has many waterfalls and steel-
head can only run up this river a
short distance before being blocked
by a waterfall barrier. This is one
of the most picturesque steelhead
rivers in Michigan. The mouth is
somewhat industrialized although
the access to the stream is a short
distance along the stream to a long
series of falls in a natural setting.
From the L’Anse Public Access site
you can take a well-worn foot path Ashley Engelhardt from L’anse’s Indian Country Spor ts with a nice steel-
that runs up the north bank of the head she caught a shor t distance upstream on the Falls River.
stream.
Silver River- Baraga County run typically occurs in the Huron.
The Silver is a very popular The DNR has good wader angler ac-
steelhead river. The two best public cess at several good steelhead con-
access sites are a DNR Public Ac- centration points from the mouth up
cess at the mouth and another DNR to low falls that the fish can ascend,
Access at the Silver Falls upstream. such as Big Eric’s Bridge and the
These falls are a barrier to upstream East Branch Falls. The Huron River
steelhead passage and a great scenic is regularly stocked with steelhead
spot to photograph in addition to yearlings.
fishing. The Keweenaw Bay area truly
Huron River- Baraga County had very diverse quality salmonid
The Huron is also a very popular fisheries. If you have not fished the
steelhead fishing stream. Scott Ly- bay it is well worth a trip to base of
num of Indian Country Sports Shop the Keweenaw Peninsula to experi-
in L’ Anse reports a fair steelhead ence this exceptional fishery.n

Jake Tomasoski from Iron River with a nice 10 pound brown trout from
Keweenaw Bay in the spring trolling fishery.

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WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 15
 Michigan Meanders...By Tom Huggler

Oh, the stories you could tell!

Y
ou’re in the sweet quiet about the giant you released,
spot now. Older and a monster nearly as long as the boat
wiser, you’ve learned oar.
to wait for someone Oh, Lord, it’s hard to be humble!
to ask your opinion Especially when it’s so easy to top
before offering it. You another’s experience. Many sports-
know, now, that actions are more men, of course, do that to each other
powerful than words; besides, it’s until the stories grow out of propor-
more fun to lead by example than to tion to the events themselves. A
lecture someone who doesn’t care to limit of bluegills suddenly wouldn’t
hear what you have to say. fit in the cooler, for example. There
So, when Grandson loses a were so many pheasants we had to
lunker bass and asks you what went shoot our way out of the cornfield.
wrong, you’ll offer to demonstrate That sort of tall tale telling.
the right way to tie a Palomar knot. When the storytelling is done,
When a campground neighbor seeks you’ll lie awake, thinking about the
advice on burning off a new lantern other things you didn’t share, the
mantle, you’ll be willing to show personal experiences that are not
him how. measured in how many or how big.
You know a lot because, after You’ll remember, for example, the
all, you’ve lived a long time, but late-April day you hunted turkeys
you’ve also learned how and when in northern Michigan with Ralph. It
to share that knowledge. snowed all morning and then turned
In deer camp someone will won- to rain after the wind came up. You
der about the biggest buck you ever never heard a gobble, never saw
shot; instead, you’ll tell about the a track. Between bites of smoked
trophy you missed. When someone whitefish wrapped around slices of
else relates the tale of the three-foot- wonderfully stinky Stilton, Ralph
long pike he caught, you’ll keep said aloud what you were thinking: As sportspersons age we’ll think about all those bird-hunting
experiences in Michigan. We’ll remember tough shots we made
and easy ones we missed and the 32 bars on a rooster’s tail feather.
Fishing Benzie County IS Catching! “Maybe we shouldn’t have picked the next day and the one after that
the early season this year.” and never saw a deer. Ravens, yes,
Fish on some of Michigan’s finest waters, in Benzie County, Michigan! You’ll relive the day you stepped and a loping coyotes but not so
Enjoy Lake Michigan from our port city of Frankfort or try your luck on one of our
over 57 inland lakes, two rivers and several streams. Our waters are rich with Coho into that hole in the Betsie River much as a single slickhead, let alone
Salmon, Steelhead, Brown Trout, Bass, Pike, Walleye, Bluegill and Perch. Every while steelhead fishing in March and an antlered buck. Then, on the drive
fishing enthusiast will find just what their fishing for. Crystal Lake, Big & Little Platte the frigid water poured into your back to camp, the headlights caught
Lakes, the Betsie and Platte Rivers and of course, Lake Michigan are the most waders with shocking force. Eric him, right there in the two-track, the
well-known, but you will also discover hidden gems like Turtle Lake, Long Lake or
Herring Lake that may just be the experience you’re looking for. peeled off a pair of woolen socks to kind of buck you dream about, the
Lodging choice abound and area sporting shops sell all your fishing needs and provide
replace the ones you left by the back one that hunters luckier or more pro-
tips on the “hot spots”. Great local shopping and dining options make for a well- door at home. Your feet were numb- ficient than you put on cabin walls.
rounded trip to Benzie County. For more information, call our office or visit our ingly pink but only for a little while, You’ll go back to that soft
website. sitting there in the pickup with the October day on the North Dakota
heater roaring and the thermos cof- prairie where you walked into a
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front like a shortgrass ghost, the en-
dorphins masking pain and hunger.
So alive. So full of yourself. Later,
while joining Uff-Da Day festivi-
ties in Rutland, you sample lefse,
rommegrot and other Scandinavian
delicacies, making you thankful for
skipping lunch.
You know, days like that.
You’ll think about all those bird-
hunting experiences in Michigan.
You’ll remember tough shots you
made and easy ones you missed.
The 32 bars on a rooster’s tail
feather. The chocolate tail band on a
big male drummer. The way wood-
cock sometimes levitate above the
bracken fern and sometimes jerk
away as though on puppet strings.
You’ll smell again the dampness
of decaying woods, dust away the
wheat chaff from your pant cuffs,
and pick burdock from the setter’s
coat. You recall bird camps back in
the woods with friends. Wild-game
dinners that went on too late into
the night. The cribbage games that
followed.
You’ll remember those delight-
fully painful days of duck hunting
on Saginaw Bay when you’d get up
at 2:30, drive two hours in the fog,
and wait in line for the drawing at
Fish Point Wildlife Area. You’ll re-
call the outboard that wouldn’t start,
and the lab that picked a fight with
yours. The wind that never came.
And you’ll remember getting up
next morning to do it all over again.
You’ll think about how cold a
Michigan winter can be, especially
during those predawn days when
you’re on the ice with auger and
fishing gear, wondering if you’ll
have the patience to catch enough
bluegills for supper, assuming the
bluegills are right below and hun-
gry. While waiting for a bite, you’ll
think about many other things, too.
Like how quickly a person can
go from being the youngest in a
gang of hunters or anglers to being
the oldest.
How we become the student
again when a good dog turns
teacher.
How something as important
as limits diminishes with time and
experience.
How every hour of every day
spent outdoors is worth remember-
ing, even when the ducks don’t
fly, the fish won’t bite, and the dog
won’t mind.
You’ll want to tell these stories,
too, but only if someone asks.n
Arctic Grayling habitat
better understood
Last year the MDNR, the Little River
Band of Ottawa Indians and Michigan
Technological University received a
$117,175 grant from the Consumers
Energy Foundation to support Michigan’s
Arctic Grayling Initiative, an effort to
reintroduce Arctic grayling into the state.
Recently completed work supported by
this grant addressed two immediate needs
for a successful Arctic grayling reintro-
duction. The first was to collect stream habitat and fish community data in
the upper Manistee River. This data collection allowed for both the evalu-
ation of current stream habitat conditions and the development of criteria
to determine which other streams may provide suitable habitat for Arctic
grayling.
Additionally, funds from the Consumers Energy Foundation grant sup-
ported collaboration among interested partners, including the development
of the initiative’s official action plan, which was released in July 2017. This
document provides direction for all activities related to Arctic grayling rein-
troduction, including research, management, fish production and outreach.
“The Consumers Energy Foundation grant, and funds from other con-
tributors, are helping us to move forward with determining how and where
we can most effectively reintroduce Arctic grayling in Michigan,” said DNR
Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter. “We are anxious to use the information
we’ve gathered on habitat and fish community data to take the next appro-
priate steps.”
Michigan’s Arctic Grayling Initiative is a statewide partnership effort
focused on restoring self-sustaining populations of this native fish and was
founded by the DNR and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in June
2016. Interest in this initiative has grown rapidly since 2016, and the part-
nership now includes more than 40 organizations.
For more information on Michigan’s Arctic Grayling Initiative, visit
migrayling.org.

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WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 17

Celebrating
100 years of
WILD ELK
By Katie Keen…MDNR
M
ichigan’s native
herd of elk – mas-
sive animals stand-
ing 4 to 5 feet tall
at the shoulder and
weighing more than
600 pounds – had disappeared from
the state by about 1875.
What followed has been a pretty
remarkable conservation story. This
year marks the centennial of elk res-
toration efforts in Michigan, which
represents the contributions of many
led by the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources.
Today’s healthy and abundant
elk population is found in the north-
eastern Lower Peninsula. During a
January 2017 elk survey, approxi-
mately 1,100 elk were estimated to
be in Michigan’s elk range, which
includes the Pigeon River Country
State Forest.
With their large profile and habit
of gathering in groups, it would
seem elk would be hard to miss,
although elk remain a wild animal
that many people have never seen or
heard.
“Being able to see a wild elk in
its natural habitat is a pretty special
moment,” said Brian Mastenbrook,
northern Lower Peninsula field
operations manager for the DNR’s
Wildlife Division. “Their size and
presence can take your breath away,
not to mention if you get the chance
to hear one bugle.”
An adult male elk, also called
a bull, can weigh over 600 pounds.
A female, or a cow, tends to be a
smaller and doesn’t carry around
the large set of antlers a bull can.
A bull’s antlers alone can weigh 40
pounds.
Bulls bugle to communicate
with females and each other during
the September and October breeding
months.
The DNR is working this year
to bring additional awareness to
Michigan’s elk population, while
celebrating the 100th anniversary of
the beginning of the recovery story.
Recently, the image of a com-
mon loon on Michigan’s specialty
wildlife license plate was replaced
for the first time. The plates now
show an elk for 2018.
18 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
“A change brings attention, and
a new image on the wildlife habitat
license plate will do two things: it
will get people talking about elk
and connect elk to Michigan, while
also giving a needed boost for the
nongame fish and wildlife fund,”
said DNR Wildlife Division Chief
Russ Mason.
All funds derived from the
special wildlife habitat license plates
are dedicated to the nongame fish
and wildlife fund.
“It seemed fitting the first time
the plate had seen a change since it
originated 16 years ago, would be
dedicated to an animal that had actu-
ally disappeared from Michigan,”
Mason said.
Historically, elk were well-
documented across Michigan, al-
though like many wild animals their
numbers drastically changed when
settlement occurred.
Elk were killed without re-
striction. There were no limits on
how many elk could be harvested,
no designated hunting seasons or
regulations on the hunting methods.
Laws were not in place to protect
wild animals.
“All things that are regulated
today to ensure a heathy and sus-
tainable population, were not always
in place,” said DNR Elk Program
specialist Chad Stewart. “The DNR
didn’t exist. Settlers needed to feed
their families, and people could
make a living by harvesting and
selling elk meat and other parts.”
Elk were harvested for a profit,
also known as market hunting,
which today is illegal.
As the state was settled, large
tracts of land were cleared, and
timber was harvested to build homes
and communities and shipped to
large cities like Chicago. Land also
was cleared to grow crops and raise
livestock.
“Everything happening at about
the same time in the late 1800s
added up and was detrimental to
many wildlife populations,” Stew-
art said. “Elk were wiped out, and
Michigan’s forests looked much
different.”
During this time in history, con-
servationists across the country were
Michigan is celebrating its centennial year of elk conser vation.
focused on re-establishing wildlife
populations, and relocation was a
popular method.
In Michigan, large tracts of
public land were available in the
northeast Lower Peninsula.
Forests cleared there in previous
decades had resulted in young, thick
forests, producing good habitat for
elk.
Sometimes called wapiti, elk are
herbivores and therefore eat plants,
grasses and young, woody vegeta-
tion.
In 1918, seven elk were brought
from western states to Wolverine,
Michigan. By 1939, historical ac-
counts reported an estimated 400 elk
in Michigan, and the number contin-
ued to grow to 1,000 by 1958.
“Elk flourished, numbers in-
creased, and active management
of elk was needed,” Mastenbrook
said.
As elk numbers grew in Michi-
gan, the animals dispersed outside
their limited range, resulting in
complaints. The public tolerance
of elk peaked – the social carrying
capacity was reached.
Poaching – the illegal take of
wildlife – became a significant issue
with elk.
“In both 1964 and 1965, suc-
cessful regulated hunts were held,”
Mastenbrook said. “Unfortunately,
after the initial two hunts, elk were
being poached left and right.”
Elk were thought to be affecting
agricultural crops and tree regenera-
tion, while also competing with deer
for food.
In 1975, the Michigan Elk
Management Plan was developed to
establish management goals. During
this same time, the elk population
plummeted to around 200 animals.
The desire to find a population goal
that would satisfy all parties was
needed.
“Forests and crop fields are a
buffet for wild animals, and find-
ing the balance of the right number
of animals was important,” Stewart
said.
It was determined a management
goal of 500-600 elk was the ideal
number of elk that would be accept-
ed socially. Later, in 2012, when the
elk plan was revisited and updated,
the population goal was reset at 500-
900 animals.
Regulated hunting was deter-
mined to be the best way to manage
the number of elk and where they
will be found. Since 1984, annual
hunting has been used to control the
number and the locations of elk in
northern Michigan.
Only Michigan residents can
hunt an elk, and an application and
weighted lottery system was created.
Over the recent past, 100-200 elk
hunting licenses have been available
each year.
“Today, elk have a home in
northeast Michigan,” Mastenbrook
said. “Many communities, clubs,
organizations and individuals have
come to be very ‘elk proud.’ We
hope in 2018 those numbers who
show their elk love will grow even
more.”
During the centennial, the DNR
has several commemorative activi-
ties planned, including Elk Uni-
versity, a unique elk poster issue,
local dedications and as the fall gets
closer great elk viewing information
made available for wildlife watch-
ers.
For more information on elk,
check out the DNR website at www.
mi.gov/elk.n
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 Reduction Therapy For...
WALLEYE SNAGS
Who among us hasn’t
snagged a valuable
lure, lost it and cussed
the situation?
By Mark Romanack
S
nagging is a fact of
fishing for critters like
walleye that love to
hang out near bottom
and around cover. In
many fishing situa-
tions, if you’re not snagging you’re
not doing it right.
Snagging may be a part of the
game, but an equal part is develop-
ing fishing methods that help reduce
snagging. After all, every lost lure
is not only money wasted, it also
represents fishing opportunity and
time lost.
The people who work the
hardest at developing “snag free”
fishing methods are those who have
the most to lose. Tournament pros
and guides are a couple of prime
examples of individuals who can’t
afford to lose lures, time or fishing
opportunities. Every fish matters to
these guys and their inventive ways
of fishing among heavy cover and
potential snags is something every
walleye angler can benefit from.
Trolling Crankbaits
Among Timber
Jason Mitchell is a walleye
guide from the Devils Lake region
who commonly finds himself fishing
flooded timber by trolling crank-
baits. At Devils Lake and a number
of other fisheries in the region,
rising water levels during the ’90s
flooded stands of timber that have
since become walleye fishing hot
spots. Jason targets the edges of
standing timber, but to consistently
catch fish requires close quarters
fishing in snag ridden waters.
“Walleye move up and down
the edges of the flooded timber like
wolf packs,” says Mitchell. “If you
stray too far from the timber edges
fishing success drops right off. The
key is to stick as tight to the timber
edge and bottom as possible and that
means putting your crankbaits in
harm’s way.”
Mitchell uses a couple of unique
methods to keep his crankbaits near
bottom, tight to the timber edges
and as snag free as possible. To start
with Mitchell favors small shad
20 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
profile crankbaits.
“Most shad baits run with a
defined nose down orientation in the
water,” says Mitchell. This means
that the bill takes most of the abuse
when the lure comes in contact with
the bottom or wood and also helps
to deflect snags.”
Secondly, Mitchell removes
the treble hooks on his lures and
replaces the back hook with one
that’s two sizes larger. “Using just
one hook on the back of the bait
does a great job of reducing snags,”
adds Mitchell. “Because most shad
baits feature small factory supplied
hooks, I opt to upgrade to a larger
thin wire round bend style hook on
the back of the bait.”
Mitchell goes a step further. He
rigs up with an unique three way
swivel system. His main line is 20#
test Fireline with a three way swivel
attached to a six foot leader of 15
pound test fluorocarbon tied to a
small snap. A 2-3 inch dropper is
added to the three way swivel with
a pencil style weight. Depending
on the depth a two or three ounce
weight is needed to keep contact
with bottom.
This weight forward style troll-
ing system accomplishes a lot of
things. The weight allows a smaller
than normal crankbait to be used in
fairly deep water. The weight itself
also rebounds off brush and wood in
the water deflecting the presentation,
triggering strikes and significantly
reducing snags. The single treble
hook helps to reduce snags as well
and the 20 pound test super braid
line enables snagged lures to be
recovered in most instances. A slick
system for trolling among timber,
Mitchell says that mid-summer to
early fall is the best time to apply
this unorthodox weighted crankbait
presentation.
Trolling Cranks in Rivers
Rivers and walleye fishing go
hand in hand. While most anglers
who fish walleye in rivers tend to fo-
cus on jigging, trolling with crank-
baits is a great option, especially in
snag ridden stretches.
Interestingly, enough stretches
of river that are nearly impossible to
jig without snagging can be fished
relatively snag free with crankbaits.
“The best crankbaits for targeting
walleye in rivers are buoyant high
action wobblers like the Yakima
Bait Fat Wiggler and also the 3.0
Mag Lip,” says Jake Romanack of
The author, Mark Romanack, enjoys targeting walleye and keeping
his presentations as snag free as possible.
Fishing 411 TV. “Most of the
time when a crankbait snags
while trolling in rivers, the bait
is just wedged against a rock or
other debris in the water. By
simply giving some slack line,
most times a buoyant crankbait
will float up and out of trouble.”
The belly hook on a crankbait
is the hook that most often snags.
“I like to remove the belly hook on
my crankbaits, but I leave the split
ring in place to help balance the
lure,” adds Romanack. “If I’m still
snagging too much, I’ll remove the
tail treble hook and replace it with
a small crane swivel and a single
Siwash hook.”
Most anglers aren’t comfort-
able fishing crankbaits with a single
hook. “Switching out treble hooks
for Siwash hooks does a great job
of reducing snags, yet the fish that
strike are hooked solidly,” explains
Romanack. “Until you’ve tried
using Siwash hooks first hand, it’s
hard to have confidence in this set
up, but it works.
Baits in Weeds
Aquatic weeds attract walleye,
but they can also make for a frus-
trating experience when it comes to
keeping lures working correctly and
debris free.
“Lots of times when I’m fishing
weeds it’s impossible to avoid snag-
ging,” says walleye pro Keith Ka-
vajecz. “For me, fishing weeds isn’t
so much about avoiding snags, but
rather monitoring my presentation
and working extra hard to insure my
baits are fishing clean as much as
possible.”
For example, Kavajecz suggests
using a no stretch fishing line like
Berkley Fireline or Nanofil when
trolling crankbaits over the tops
of weeds or along weed edges. “A
no stretch line causes the rod tip to
vibrate violently when the crankbait
is working,” says Kavajecz. “The
second a weed catches on the lure,
the lure’s action is tempered and the
rod tip telegraphs this by not vibrat-
ing as violently. By fishing without
boards and watching the rod tips
closely, I can tell the instant a lure is
fouled.”
To compensate for not using
boards to spread out lines, Kavajecz
suggests using longer than normal
trolling rods.
Another option is to fish with
boards equipped with after-market
flag kits. The Off Shore Tackle
Tattle Flag kit is a spring loaded flag
that is designed to fold down when a
fish strikes. This same spring loaded
flag mechanism can tip off an angler
when weeds or other debris fouls a
trailing crankbait, spinner or other
lure.
“Often the Tattle Flag doesn’t
fold completely down when the
lure is fouled with a small chunk
of weed, but rather just tips over an
inch or two,” warns Kavajecz. “Set
the spring tension on the Tattle Flag
to the lightest possible setting and
monitor the board closely for signs a
lure is fouled.”
Kavajecz had one more piece
of advice. “Tread lightly in regards
to modifying your lures to make
them weedless,” warns Kavajecz.
“In most cases weedless hooks
and weed guards designed to keep
hooks clean make it more difficult
to actually hook walleye. It’s best
many times to fish traditional lures
and rigs and simply work harder at
monitoring them.”
Summing It Up
It might be impossible to com-
pletely avoid snagging, but thankful-
ly there are some inventive ways to
keep annoying hang ups to a mini-
mum. Avoiding snag ridden areas
isn’t the answer to catching more
walleye. The answer is to work a
little harder, fish a little smarter and
cuss a lot less.n
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WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 21

 Addressing deer disease:
Deer movement study in south-central Michigan
M
ichigan State
University and the
Michigan Depart-
ment of Natural
Resources will be
placing location-
tracking collars on white-tailed
deer in south-central Michigan as
part of a multiyear study of deer
disease, including chronic wasting
disease.
The study will assess deer
movement and distribution pat-
terns, and their influence on disease
spread in and around Clinton and
Ingham counties. This is one of
a series of aggressive actions to
address CWD in Michigan’s deer
population and to maintain healthy
wildlife for current and future gen-
erations.
Chronic wasting disease attacks
the brain of infected animals, creat-
ing small lesions, which result in
death. The disease is transmitted
through direct animal-to-animal
contact or by contact with saliva,
urine, feces, blood or body parts of
an infected animal, or infected soil.
CWD first was detected in free-
ranging deer in mid-Michigan in
2015.
The disease can spread through
the deer herd and, once established,
could – over the long term – signifi-
cantly reduce the number of deer in
the region and/or depress numbers
of older age-class deer.
Presently, there are no known
health risks posed to humans by
CWD. As a precaution, however,
the U.S. Centers for Disease Con-
trol and Prevention recommends
animals infected with the disease
not be eaten.
A scientifically based under-
standing of localized deer dispersal
rates, timing and direction, seasonal
movement patterns and basic popu-
lation characteristics is critical for
developing effective disease control
strategies.
“We know that CWD may be
spread through direct deer-to-deer
contact and by the shedding of
CWD proteins, or ‘prions,’ into the
environment. By understanding
where and why deer are moving
across the region, we can better
understand the role deer play in
moving the disease,” said Dr. Sonja
Christensen, postdoctoral research
fellow in the Boone and Crockett
Quantitative Wildlife Center at
MSU.
This study will improve the
ability to proactively manage
CWD, particularly in areas
where the disease is just being
discovered.
“Understanding how local
deer populations change with the
presence of CWD and associated
management actions will help us
measure the effectiveness of dis-
ease control actions and anticipate
future disease management needs,”
said Dr. Dwayne Etter, DNR re-
search specialist.
Another benefit of this research
is the ability to measure how deer
move during different seasons and
to track movement in real time.
Importantly, it could help the DNR
and partners focus efforts on areas
with high probabilities of disease
risk.
This work is part of a larger
collaborative effort between the
DNR, MSU, the Hal and Jean
Glassen Memorial Foundation
and the Boone and Crockett Club,
aimed at improving wildlife dis-
ease surveillance and management
statewide.
“CWD is a serious threat to
the state’s deer population and
conservation efforts. No single
stakeholder group has any hope of
tackling that challenge alone. The
Boone and Crockett Quantitative
Wildlife Center and our Michigan
Deer Disease Initiative are uniquely
positioned to partner with hunters,
wildlife watchers, natural resource
managers, veterinarians and scien-
tists across the country to tackle the
challenge of CWD in Michigan so
that our kids and grandkids can see
and hunt healthy deer,” said Dr. Da-
vid Williams, principal investigator
of the study and assistant professor
at MSU.
For more information on deer
in Michigan, visit www.mi.gov/
deer; for more on chronic wasting
disease, visit www.mi.gov/cwd. In-
formation about the deer movement
study can be found at www.bcqwc.
org/cwd.html.n

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Little Girl,
BIG DEER
By Stephen King
W
hen you think about
Yooper Deer Hunters,
you get this vision of
a bunch of guys, way
back out in the bush, in a shaky old
shack, with nasty wet socks drying
by an old wood stove. The guys are
all dressed in red flannel coats and
all pretty much unshaven. Playing
cards and drinking beer.
Then, there is the reality. In this
case, the real deer hunter is a cute
little girl who just turned 13. This
would be Annalise “Anna” Wynn,
who hails from Pentland Township,
in the Newberry area. She is a very
smart and personable young girl. I
met her last summer when she was
in the Queen’s Contest at the Luce
County Fair.
She was 12. A bit on the small
size. Very cute. Extremely smart.
And, very polite. The little girl that
every parent dreams of having. Last
summer, she played the role perfect-
ly of a Beauty Pageant Contestant.
Then, just after the start of deer
Anna Wynn, 13, har vested
this beautiful 8-point that
had a 15 inch spread and
9 inch tines.
season, I see on social media that
she got her deer. One very nice
buck. Now, initially, most would
think that she was out in a blind
with her dad, grandfather, or some
other adult male. That would be
wrong. Anna was hunting out of a
stand. However, she was with her
mom, Melissa. Who is also a very
nice and personable young woman.
Kind of blows away that whole vi-
sion of what Yooper Deer Hunters
are supposed to look like. This time
it was actually a mother and daugh-
ter out bonding in the deer blind.
Also, this was actually Anna’s
first deer. And, of course, like any Anna was starting to get a little The deer was a very nice 8 point
deer hunter, she was extremely frustrated. She has been hunting that had about a 15.25 inch spread
happy about it. About her deer, Anna for three years without getting one. and 9 inch tines. The deer weighed
stated, “I wasn’t that impressed with Then, she got this one and she’s all in at about 168 pounds, hanging
the sitting and waiting. I started excited about hunting again.” weight. She was using a .243 and
when I was ten and spent a lot of Then, on the size of the deer, shot it at about 3:45 from a blind.
time sitting and waiting, without Anna stated, in her usual soft-spo- She also stated, “Yeah, I was just
getting a deer. This is the first deer ken way, “Everyone is making too a bit nervous. Adrenaline definitely
that I have taken. But, taking the big a deal out of how big it was. I kicked in.” But, even with a bit of
deer was really cool.” was so happy to just be able to drag buck fever, she made the shot and
Her mom Melissa stated, “Yeah, a deer out of the woods this year.” got the deer. Congrats to Anna.n
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 23
 Understanding how
we’re connected
Lucky to have a perfect spot to hone our outdoor skills
M
y childhood
neighbor and I
are among some
of the lucky ones.
We grew up sur-
rounded by Mother Nature and all
she had to offer. ber me writing about my
We learned to appreciate the
outdoors, what it offered and the
role Mother Nature played in our
lives. We got a better understand-
ing of how we were connected and
the importance of that connection.
Often we learned through the
school of hard knocks. It seemed
our preferred method of learn-
ing, because we did it a lot. Jerry
and I challenged the hard woods,
pastures, swamps and creeks. We
learned about hunting, fishing,
hiking, camping, bonfires, chop-
By Randy Jorgensen
ping wood and the out-
doors in general.
Perhaps you remem-
neighbor Jerry in the past,
I have many fond memo-
ries of our adventures. You
see, he and I were the self
proclaimed landlords of an
entire square mile in mid-
Michigan. I think it would
be fair to say we thought we ruled
it growing up.
I rode my horse, a sturdy ole
mare by the name of Mrs. Bones,
and Jerry a banana seat bicycle
across the cow paths through
the woods to each other’s home.
canning jars were disappearing to.
Yes indeed, Jerry and I were
the Daniel Boone and Davey
Where we would make Crockett of one whole square mile
plans almost everyday of woods just north of Cedar
during the summer. Lake. We terrorized any creature
As we got older we in the woods that could run, hop
switched old mares and or fly.
bicycles for go-carts It’s what we did. And who we
and motorcycles. With wanted to be.
little effort we could Our fathers, grandfathers and
go from my house to uncles did take the time to teach
Jerry’s in no time at all. us about hunting and fishing, but
It was in those they weren’t always there during
woods and on those trails we those long summer days.
could be found plinking pop cans In those days as long as we
off fence posts. We were quite told someone the general direction
impressed with our own shooting we were going, we were allowed.
abilities. Jerry and I then gradu- I think we worry far too much
ated to glass jars, that is, until our today about adult supervision.
mothers figured out where their On the square mile, which we

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ruled by the way, there were
small creeks which held suckers
for spearing and chubs for catch-
ing. We would spend hours trying
to catch them, keeping track of
who caught the most. Catching
the most was important for Jerry
and I.
There was one man-made
pond on the property, but the out-
standing fishing came from Off-
Near Lake. A lake we didn’t have
permission necessarily to fish, but
no one ever said we couldn’t
either.
Off-Near Lake was a paradise
for young adventurous types and
any chance we got to sneak on,
we certainly did.
On this lake the bluegills
were the size of dinner plates and
they swam freely. Easy to catch
and better to eat. Plus these mon-
ster gills could be caught from
shore to boot!
A true honey hole!
So every chance Jerry and
I got to make the long hike to
Off-Near Lake we did. Slipping
through the woods, lugging
our fishing poles and tackle
boxes. We’d round up some
leaf worms, crickets or catch
some grasshoppers along the
way for bait.
Jerry and I had long graduat-
ed from cane poles, we now had
the best of equipment money
could buy. Rods and reels my
Dad bought us on one of his trips
to Greenville.
Since we didn’t have a boat,
we needed this high-tech fishing
equipment to reach out to where
we knew the big gills swam. It
required a tremendous cast and
sometimes into the face of a
strong wind.
On the package it plainly stat-
ed, “Able to cast distances never
imagined before! The snap of the
rod and the special ball bearings
in the reel allow accuracy unat-
tainable with other equipment.”
The claims on the package con-
tinued, stating it had a gear ratio
and backbone strong enough to
reel in a tug boat.
Remember I said we learned
mostly from the school of hard
knocks?
So we learned that just about
everything touted on the package
about these rods and reels was
simply not true.
What we didn’t realize at the
time was we had 10-pound test
line on a reel suited for 6-pound
test. We learned our hooks were
big enough to catch tarpon. We
learned gobs of worms on our
hook don’t make the bait more
enticing to the fish, but most like-
ly scare the fish. Besides trying to
cast further, most of the worms
were catapulted off the hook from
the force of the cast. And we
learned to use smaller bobbers,
ones that didn’t sound like a float
plane landing.
So there you have it, small
hooks equal bigger fish. Lighter
line means better casting distance
and accuracy. Small ice fishing
bobbers can provide a light touch
anytime of the year. And great
gobs of worms just don’t work.
Instead keep the bait the same
size as your hook, in fact cut the
bait to fit the hook.
The lessons we learned have
lasted Jerry and me a lifetime and
we were lucky to have had the
perfect spot on earth to hone our
outdoor skills.
I will forever remember
those days fondly, including
all the outdoor lessons we
learned in the school of hard
knocks!n

On the package it plainly stated, “Able to cast distances never imagined before!
The snap of the rod and the special ball bearings in the reel allow accuracy
unattainable with other equipment.” The claims on the package continued, stating
it had a gear ratio and backbone strong enough to reel in a tug boat.

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WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 25
 A definitive look at rifles for Michigan’s
Limited Firearms Deer Hunting Zone
I
n June 2014, Michigan’s
Natural Resource Com-
mission (NRC) changed
what was once known
as the “Shotgun Zone”
into the “Limited Fire-
arms Zone”, which would allow
rifles chambered for straight-walled
rounds .35 caliber or larger, with a
minimum case length of 1.16 inches
and a maximum case length
of 1.80 inches. This law
relates to case length only
and not overall cartridge
length (case and bullet).
The new law is de-
signed to allow deer hunt-
ers in southern Michigan
more diversity in firearm
selection, as well as better
By Tom Lounsbury
accuracy (and
longer range)
options, and to
also offer lighter weight rifles fea-
turing less recoil for slighter framed
individuals and youth hunters.
Needless to say I fully support all
of this, and was quite excited to the
core to get into the act of deer hunt-
ing in my Thumb area with a rifle
firing one of the allowed calibers.
Folks often refer to this as the
new “Zone 3” law, but that is incor-
A proud 13 year-old Dale Skinner
of Akron used Tom Lounsbury’s
Henry Big Boy Steel Carbine in .44
Magnum to drop this large Thumb
doe in her tracks with a well placed
75 yard shot during the 2017
Youth Deer Hunt.
26 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
rect because Zone 3 and the Limited
Firearms Zone have some variance
in their northern borders, and small
portions of Zone 3 actually allow
regular centerfire rifles to be used
(refer to the map in the Michigan
Trapping and Hunting Digest).
The minimum case length of
1.16 inches is that of the .44 S&W
Special and the maximum case
length of 1.80 inches is that
of the .460 S&W Magnum.
An example per the mini-
mum requirements are rifles
chambered for .38 Spe-
cial/.357 Magnum, where
such are legal if loaded
with the .357 Magnum
(featuring a 1.29 inch case
length) but illegal if using
the .38 Special
(featuring a
1.155 inch case
length which just misses the bus
ride). The .38 Special however, is
still legal to use in a handgun for
deer hunting, as the newer rules only
apply to rifles.
Some old rounds certainly
qualify such as the .351 Winchester
which has a straight-wall case
length of 1.375 inches (I would love
to own a classic Winchester Model
1907 semi-auto in this caliber). The
old and venerable .45-70 with its
case length of 2.105 inches does not
qualify (although it remains legal
for deer hunting in handguns such as
the T/C Encore and the BFR revolv-
er). However Fury Custom Bullets
of Croswell, Michigan (furycustom-
bullets@gmail.com or call 810-404-
2973) shortens .45-70 brass to 1.80
inches and seats and crimps a long
405 grain bullet in a special man-
ner so everything will fit properly
in .45-70 rifle chambers, which is
very legal, because the law relates to
actual case length only.
A real top performer in the
Limited Firearms Zone arena is
the originally designed for hand-
gun hunting .460 S&W Magnum
round. When used in rifles it is an
outstanding flat shooter which hits
with genuine authority. Being a
rimmed cartridge featuring a bit of
pressure, I have seen it chambered
in single-shot rifles such as the T/C
Encore. I know some local hunters
who truly appreciate this combina-
tion and swear by it, although most
admit it is a bit snarly per recoil in
the lightweight Encore, and say a
good muzzle brake helps to mellow
matters a bit.
Another great performing hand-
gun cartridge in (usually single-
shot) rifles is the behemoth .500
S&W Magnum, which has a case
Randy Vollmar of Cass City used his .450 Bushmaster on an AR-15
platform to drop this dandy Thumb 9-point buck during the middle of the
2016 deer season.
length of 1.625 inches. There is no the cost of a customized bolt-action)
question that it is genuine “thumper” in .450 Bushmaster, which would
with some reach on whitetails. occur just before the 2016 Firearms
A company that chambers both Deer Season. Randy also worked
the .460 and .500 S&W Magnum with Leupold (www.leupold.com) to
rounds in a repeating, lever-action specifically design a scope for this
rifle is Bighorn Armory (www.big- rifle and round, where when the cor-
hornarmory.com) which definitely rect yardage is clicked in, the shot
offers a quality piece and being will hit exactly at point of aim. A
fully customized from the ground friend of mine used this combination
up, well folks, they are a bit pricey to confidently drop a Thumb buck
(but obviously worth it). I recently in its tracks at 225 yards. Ken Kelly
heard that Bighorn Armory also has of Mag-Na-Port (www.magnaport.
a bolt-action in .500 S&W Magnum com) even created a very effective
presently in the works for the near muzzle brake for this new rifle.
future and it will no doubt be a real For the first few months, this
dandy deer rifle. rifle was exclusively sold only by
A cartridge which has become Randy’s Hunting Center which
highly popular in Michigan’s experienced an overwhelming re-
Limited Firearms Zone is the .450 sponse and hunters came from even
Bushmaster. This is a relatively new quite a ways to purchase one (they
rifle round originally designed by also offer this rifle in different barrel
Hornady for the semi-auto AR-15 lengths and a wide variety of custom
platform (the .450 Bushmaster and stock designs. For more info go
.223 rounds have an identical over- www.randyshuntingcenter.com or
all cartridge length when placed side call 989-269-4867). When it first be-
by side). Having a (rimless) straight- came available I had an opportunity
wall case length of 1.70 inches and to test fire one (thanks to a loaner
using (per Hornady) a 250 grain from Randy) on my shooting range,
bullet, it is truly a top performer out and I was thoroughly impressed by
to 300 yards, and lacks the snarly its performance using the 250 grain
recoil of the .460 S&W Magnum Hornady rounds (it features a short
(Remington also has a couple .450 bolt-throw and smooth feed). My
Bushmaster cartridge offerings). Up example lacked a muzzle brake, and
until a year ago, it was only avail- I was surprised by what I considered
able in the AR-15 format or single- as it possessing a mild recoil on
shot, and bolt-actions could only the order of 20 ga birdshot loads. A
be customized for it, and were a bit proper muzzle brake certainly tames
costly. the recoil even more, making this an
However, I fully credit Randy ideal caliber for even lighter framed
Brown of Randy’s Hunting Center individuals, including youth hunters.
in Bad Axe, Michigan for chang- For a fact, my 12 year-old
ing all that by working with Ruger neighbor Zack Burnette of Cass City
officials to bring out a quality and used his scoped Ruger Bolt-Action
very affordable bolt-action (at half .450 Bushmaster last fall to drop a
mature Thumb 8-point in its tracks
at 150 yards. My eldest son Jake
had similar results with his Ruger
bolt-action on a large doe that was
slightly quartering away at 100
yards, with the bullet hitting just be-
hind the left shoulder and making an
exit out the neck just forward of the
right shoulder, and literally slammed
the deer to the ground for keeps
with genuine authority. All of the
postmortem reviews I’ve done on
deer taken with the .450 Bushmaster
round have shown both admirable
penetration and expansion.
It didn’t take other firearms
a .44 Magnum Henry Big Boy Steel
Carbine (www.henryusa.com) that I
have topped with a 1 – 4X Leupold
scope, which I believe is ideal optics
for .44 Magnum ballistics. This
combination is a top performer in
my preferred hunting environment.
My 14 year-old granddaughter
McKenna Lounsbury thoroughly ap-
preciates her .44 Magnum (and .44
S&W Special) H&R single-shot rifle
topped with a 2X scope. She was
very recoil sensitive (due to dislik-
ing the recoil of a 20 ga), and she
shot her first deer using .44 S&W
Special handloads, which offered a
very mild recoil in her rifle. How-
ever she would use the .44 Magnum
round the following year to bag her
second deer, during which she didn’t
miss a beat due to any extra recoil,
because I had neglected to tell her
she wasn’t firing the .44 S&W
Special in her rifle anymore. She
would discover her Grandpa Tom
could be a bit sneaky when required,
and she has taken a number of deer
since (two last fall) confidently with
the .44 Magnum round. None of her
shots have exceeded 60 yards, and
all were one-shot kills.
From all the evidence I’ve wit-
nessed since the Limited Firearms
Zone came into being in 2014, it is
performing quite well as designed
(I’ve always appreciated how well
everything was written in a common
sense and definitely thought out
manner) and it has created a lot of
happy southern Michigan deer hunt-
ing fans due to its added diversity
to the effective firearms (rifles) now
allowed.
It certainly works for me
folks!n

PLANT YOUR HABITAT

manufacturers long to realize the
popularity of the .450 Bushmaster
round. CVA offers a single-shot,
Traditions is slated to come out with
their single-shot, and Savage Arms
just brought out a couple bolt-action

IT'S TIME TO ORDER YOUR TREES AND SHRUBS

models. I look at the .450 Bush-
master as being an ideal “Michigan
round” because it is legal statewide
and I wouldn’t hesitate to use it for
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My personal favorite round for
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I’ve taken several whitetails with
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EATON CD www.jacksoncd.org
NEWAYGO CD
ARENAC CD 551 Courthouse Drive, Suite 3 940 West Rex Street
4490 W. M-61 Charlotte, MI 48813 KENT CD Fremont, MI 49412
517-543-1512, Ext. 5 3260 Eagle Park Drive NE 231-924-2060, Ext. 5
Standish, MI 48658 Grand Rapids, MI 49525
989-846-4565 Ext. 5 www.eatoncd.org www.newaygocd.org
616-942-4111, Ext. 4
www.arenacconservationdistrict.com GENESEE CD www.kentconservation.org OAKLAND CD
1525 North Elms Road
BRANCH COUNTY CD Flint, MI 48532 7150 Dixie Highway, Ste 2
387 North Willowbrook Road 810-230-8766, Ext. 3
LEELANAU CD Clarkston, MI 48346
Suite F 8527 E. Government Center Dr. 248-922-7822
www.geneseecd.org Ste 205
Coldwater, MI 49036 www.oaklandconservationdistrict.org
517-278-2725, Ext. 5 GRATIOT CD Suttons Bay, MI 49682
www.branchcd.org 301 E. Commerce Drive 231-256-9783 TUSCOLA CD
Ithaca, MI 48847 www.leelanaucd.org 1075 Cleaver Road
CALHOUN CD 989-875-3900 Ext. 3009 Caro, MI 48723-1166
13464 Preston Drive www.gratiotconservationdistrict.org LENAWEE CD 989-673-8174, Ext. 3
Suite 120 1100 Sutton Road www.tuscolacd.com
Marshall, MI 49068 HILLSDALE CD Adrian, MI 49221
269-781-4867, Ext. 5 588 Olds Street, Bldg 2 517-263-7400, Ext. 3 VAN BUREN CD
www.calhouncd.org Jonesville, MI 49250 www.lenaweeconservationdistrict.org 1035 East Michigan Avenue
517-849-9890, Ext. 3 Ste A
CHIPPEWA LUCE www.hillsdalecd.org Paw Paw, MI 49079
MANISTEE CD 269-657-4030, Ext. 5
MACKINAC CD HURON CD 8840 Chippewa Highway www.vanburencd.org
2847 Ashmun Street 1460 South Van Dyke Bear Lake, MI 49614
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 Bad Axe, MI 48413 231-889-9666
906-635-1278 989-269-9540, Ext. 3 www.manisteecd2.org
With a straight-wall case length of www.clmcd.org www.huroncd.org MARQUETTE
1.70 inches, the .450 Bushmaster
round (the example here is a 250 CLINTON CD INGHAM CD COUNTY CD
grain Hornady) offers dependable 2343 North US-27 1031 West Dexter Trail 780 Commerce Drive, Ste C
St. Johns, MI 48879 Mason, MI 48854 Marquette, MI 49855
downrange ballistics to 300 yards, 989-224-3720, Ext. 3 517-676-2290 906-226-8871, Ext. 102
and has a somewhat surprisingly www.clintonconservation.org www.inghamconservation.com www.marquettecd.org
mild recoil (at least to the author).
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 27
 Great Lake’s
Ice-Out ‘Eyes
By Mark Martin
I
t’s no secret walleyes
roam the waters of every
Great Lake. Some wa-
terways within the mas-
sive freshwater system
with huge bays, such as
Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay and
Lake Michigan’s Little Bay de Noc
as examples, can spoil an angler
because the high density of fish that
reside year-round makes them easier
to target.
But there’s more than just a
handful of places walleyes wander
in these vast inland seas; What’s un-
known to many is nearly every river
and stream that flows into the Great
Lakes will, at one time or another,
see rogue schools of fish feeding
where water roils into the big lakes.
The problem? Knowing exactly
when the fish will drift through.
By the end of this month, how-
ever, the ice on the big lakes will be
breaking up and the walleyes will be
showing up.
It’s early spring when these
marble-eyed inhabitants start con-
gregating, gathering for procreation;
this makes finding them a much less
daunting task in these vast water-
ways. And the best technique for
finding and catching walleyes, by
far, is trolling. And when the water’s
as cold as it is this time of year, I
prefer to pull crankbaits.
Trolling crankbaits allows me
to cover as much water as possible;
the perfect ploy for locating small
schools of walleyes. But there is
more to trolling than just haphaz-
ardly pulling lures through the water
column. Finding the fish, tweaking
speed and placing lures perfectly
within the strike zone are all im-
perative when it comes to catching
versus just getting your lures wet.
The Art of Pulling
Walleyes can be in just about
any depth of water near river
mouths, from the single digits to 50
feet and beyond. And it’s because
of the diversities in depth that I pull
as many lines and lures as I’m able
with a spread of Church Tackle’s in-
line planer boards and stern planers.
Planer boards allow me pull sev-
eral different lures at one time with-
out getting tangles and permits me
to try different depths with diverse
lures with just a single pass. And
while planer boards will spread my
lines out, the stern planers keep lines
28 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
in a direct path behind my Lund
and between my planer boards, as
well as having my lures in the strike
zone due being able to manage the
amount of line out.
But I don’t troll crankbaits just
anywhere. Instead, I pull them along
breaklines, making sure to get them
running directly over the tips of
points and through cuts unseen by
the naked eye.
How I see those irregularities
under the surface is by using Navi-
onics mapping coupled with my
Lowrance HDS Carbon 12. Navi-
onics has high-definition maps of
nearly every popular place walleyes
roam, including the Great Lakes.
With an SD card filled with Navion-
ics’ charts in the unit’s card reader,
I’m able to see which way I’ll have
to steer my Lund well ahead of
time, allowing me to get my baits on
target each and every pass.
Another component to catching
early-spring walleyes is being able
to see my speed easily on the large Walleyes like this nice hen will show up as soon as the ice breaks on
screen of my Lowrance sonar. This the Great Lakes, and trolling with crankbaits is a great way to find
is because controlling speed right and catch them.
down to 1/10 of a mile per hour is
crucial when it comes to catching diving 9 to 12 feet. And if I need hens may only be around for a short
over just fishing. the lures to get any deeper, I’ll time, each one swimming in, laying
Overall, the water’s still quite pull them with Sufix 832 Advanced eggs and then scattering back out
frigid this time of year and some- Lead Core in 18-pound test, with into the big lakes. The males, how-
times slower over fast paced is a leader of 12-pound-test Berkley ever, will stick around after the main
what’s needed to get bit. And it’s not Trilene 100% Fluoro Leader Mate- spawning, just in case a late comer
because the walleyes don’t want to rial. swims in.
catch up to fast-paced forage, but When trolling crankbaits, I use The main spawn will occur
it’s because these cold-blooded fish either 10-pound-test Berkley Trilene when water temperatures get into
can’t. There’s bodies are the same XT (Extra Tough) or 12-pound the mid-40’s, and will often corre-
temperature as their surroundings, Trilene XL (Extra Limp). Both are late with either the full moon or new
and when the water is barely above nearly identical in diameter, but the moon. Watch the environment of the
freezing the fish’s muscles become XL has a little more stretch to it; the waterways you fish and you’ll be
rigid. elasticity aiding in hook ups when fishing smackdab in the middle of
As I tend to do in summer, I’ll trolling as the lure flails a little more the most fish.
start trolling as slowly as my lures when stuck and the lure goes farther
will allow and then start working back in the fish mouth, while the XT Don’t Wait
my way faster by only 1/10 of a is often needed in areas where extra Keep your eye on the conditions
mile per hour until I start getting abrasion resistance is a must, such as soon as the ice starts to disappear
bites. I give it 15 to 20 minutes be- as rocky or quagga mussel infested from the Great Lakes; watch water
fore changing. Overall, speeds of .8 waterways. And no matter what temperatures and moon phases.
to 1.5 MPH will be what it takes this crankbait I’m trolling, I connect Once the environment’s right, troll
time of year. it to my line with a Berkley snap, crankbaits behind planer boards
In general, lures with plastic not snap-swivel, as a snap allows precisely along different breaklines
bodies will wobble wider at slower the lure the most action without the until you find fish. Once found, try
speeds that those made of balsa added weight of the swivel. different speeds until you get bit.
wood. (Again, this is a very general You’ll be surprised at the walleyes
rule.) Two of my go-to lures that Here and There you catch, even in the most un-
have a lot of action at slow speeds As I mentioned, as soon as the known of walleye destinations.
are Rapala’s Jointed Deep Husky ice breaks up off the Great Lakes Mark Martin is a touring walleye
Jerk and their Scatter Rap Deep walleye will start showing up near tournament pro and instructor with
Husky Jerk; the former in size 12 (4 river inlets. In general, the smaller the Fishing Vacation/Schools. Check
¾ inches long) diving 8 to 12 feet males will migrate in first, followed out his website at markmartins.net
and the latter in size 10 (4 inches) by the larger females. But the big for more information.n
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 29
 $100,000 now available in U.P.
Deer Habitat Improvement grants
Projects on private lands aimed at improvements for white-tailed deer...
T
he MDNR has
announced a March
1 deadline to apply
for a total of $100,000
in deer habitat
improvement grant
funding in the U.P.
The Deer Habitat Improvement
Partnership Initiative is a com-
petitive grant program designed to
enhance deer habitat on non-state
lands in the U.P.
“To date, over $530,000 in
grant funds have been spent across
the U.P. on 70 projects,” said Bill
Scullon, DNR field operations
manager and administrator for the
grant initiative. “These projects
have involved hundreds of private
landowners, positively impacting
thousands of acres of habitat.”
Groups eligible for these grants
include organizations with a formal
mission to promote wildlife con-
State awards $3.6 million in
grants to combat invasive species
T
he Michigan de-
partments of Envi-
ronmental Quality,
Natural Resources,
and Agriculture and
Rural Development
announced in late January that 23
projects will share $3.6 million in
state grants through the Michigan
Invasive Species Grant Program, an
initiative launched in 2014 to help
prevent and control invasive species
within the state.
The program targets four key
objectives:
• Preventing new introductions
of invasive species through outreach
and education.
• Monitoring for new invasive
species and the expansion of exist-
ing invasive species.
• Responding to and conducting
eradication efforts for new findings
and range expansions.
• Strategically managing and
controlling key colonized species.
“Michigan’s Invasive Species
Grant Program provides vital sup-
port to our partners throughout the
state in the fight against invasive
species,” said DNR Director Keith
Creagh. “Protecting our world-class
woods and waters to ensure these
valuable natural resources remain
healthy and accessible to current and
30 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
servation and/or hunting, such as
sportsmen’s clubs, conservation dis-
tricts, land conservancies, industrial
landowners with more than 10,000
acres, or private land affiliations
where two or more unrelated per-
sons jointly own 400 or more acres.
“There are three primary goals
applicants should strive to meet,”
Scullon said. “The projects should
produce tangible deer habitat
improvements, build long-term
partnerships between the DNR and
outside organizations and showcase
the benefits to the public.”
Scullon said the total amount of
grant funding available is $100,000.
The maximum amount of individual
grants is $15,000 and the minimum
is $2,000.
Now in its tenth year, the initia-
tive is supported by the state’s Deer
Range Improvement Program,
which is funded by a portion of deer
future generations is one of our most
important priorities. These grant
dollars will go a long way toward
making that happen.”
Covering 100 percent of Michi-
gan’s 83 counties
In 2018, the Michigan Invasive
Species Grant Program is funding
two new Cooperative Invasive Spe-
cies Management Areas (CISMAs),
meeting a program metric of provid-
ing management services to every
county in Michigan:
• The Jackson Conservation Dis-
trict is awarded funding to initiate
the Jackson, Lenawee and Washt-
enaw Cooperative Invasive Species
Management Area.
• The St. Joseph Conservation
District will lead the development
of the Southern Michigan Invasive
Species Team, serving Branch, Hill-
sdale and St. Joseph counties.
Ten existing CISMAs across the
state will receive grants this year to
continue providing invasive species
education and assistance to citizens
and agencies in their regions.
Battling hemlock woolly adelgid
Over $850,000 is awarded to
three projects to survey, map and
treat trees infested with hemlock
woolly adelgid as a part of a state-
wide response strategy to detect and
manage this tree-killing pest.
hunting license revenue.
Previous projects funded under
the initiative include planting of red
oak, conifers and wildlife orchards;
rehabilitation of historic wildlife
openings; native prairie restoration,
and scarification for conifer regen-
eration. Some past grant recipients
have also facilitated youth hunting
opportunities on improved private
lands.
“These projects are prime ex-
amples of how partner organizations
can work with the DNR to enhance
deer habitat,” Scullon said.
In the U.P., all of the deer popu-
lation is situated on about 30 percent
of the region’s landscape during the
winter months.
In the northern U.P., 69 percent
of the deer population depends on
17 percent of the lands defined as
deer wintering complexes. In the
southern U.P., 31 percent of the deer
Hemlock woolly adelgid can
kill hemlock trees in as little as four
years. Its establishment threatens
the more than 170 million hemlock
trees that grow in Michigan’s forests
and landscapes.
Treatments will occur in Alle-
gan, Muskegon, Oceana and Ottawa
counties, where outbreaks have been
documented, and survey efforts will
span an additional 10 counties along
Lake Michigan to determine the
extent of the infestation.
Managing aquatic invaders
Grant funding will support a
broad range of aquatic invasive spe-
cies efforts, including:
• Testing responses of differ-
ent Eurasian watermilfoil hybrids
to herbicide treatments to improve
management of this invasive plant
that is plaguing Michigan’s waters.
• Evaluating control options for
European frogbit, an invasive plant
spreading along Michigan’s eastern
coastline.
• Assessing methods of grass
carp management in Lake Erie to
improve future efforts and inform
early-detection actions for other
invasive carp species not yet in the
Great Lakes.
• Providing opportunities to
paddlers and other recreational users
on 12 water trails across the state
A young deer sniffs at a dead leaf on a
winter day in Marquette County. MDNR
use 13 percent of the landscape.
Roughly 80 percent of the deer
wintering habitat in the U.P. is
owned or managed by entities other
than the DNR.
Project applications must be
postmarked by Thursday, March 1,
and successful applicants will be
notified by Monday, March 19. The
complete grant application package
is available on the DNR website at
www.michigan.gov/dnr-grants.
For more information or ques-
tions regarding eligibility, please
contact Bill Scullon at 906-563-
9247 or scullonh@michigan.gov.n
Tom Tucker of the Michigan DNR’s
Parks and Recreation Division applies
an approved insecticide to an infested
hemlock tree at Muskegon State Park.
to identify, report and reduce the
spread of aquatic invasive species
through a comprehensive outreach
and education project.
The full list of grant recipients,
project descriptions and award
amounts is available on the Michi-
gan Invasive Species Grant Program
website.
The DNR began accepting grant
applications for this funding cycle
in June 2017. After the original call
for pre-proposals (which yielded 68
applications seeking more than $12
million), the department received
35 full proposals requesting $6.2
million in support. Grant applicants
were asked to commit to providing
at least 10 percent of the total proj-
ect cost in the form of a local match.
Learn more about invasive spe-
cies in Michigan at www.michigan.
gov/invasivespecies.n
 Elk updates: Results of 2017 elk
hunting season, winter elk survey
T
he 2017 hunting season sta- Operations Manager Brian Mas- The aerial survey takes place in into Michigan. Elk were reintro-
tistics are in, and the winter tenbrook. “Based on this survey, January, when there is snow on the duced in 1918, when seven elk were
elk survey just wrapped past surveys, damage concerns and ground and leaves are off the trees, brought from the western United
up, giving the MDNR a disease issues, our recommendation both conditions that allow the best States to Wolverine, Michigan. To
clear picture of where the state’s elk to the Natural Resources Commis- view of elk from above. It is also help celebrate this conservation
population currently stands. sion is to continue reducing the elk done after the elk hunting season is success, the wildlife habitat license
Hunt period 1, which targets elk population slowly over the coming complete and before young elk are plate features the image of an elk
outside of their traditional range, years.” born, therefore the lowest point in for 2018. All funds derived from the
was 12 days long. From Aug 29- The Natural Resources Com- the population during the year. sale of the license plates are dedicat-
Sept. 1, Sept 15-18, and Sept. 29- mission has exclusive authority to This year marks the 100-year an- ed to the nongame fish and wildlife
Oct. 2, 100 state hunters harvested regulate the taking of game. niversary of elk being reintroduced fund. Learn more at mi.gov/elk.n
74 elk (30 bulls and 44 antlerless
elk).
During hunt period 2, Dec. 9-17,
all locations in the northern tip of
the state were open to hunting. An-
other 100 state hunters harvested 84
elk (30 bulls and 54 antlerless elk)
during this hunt.
Before regulated hunting can
take place to assist in management,
Michigan’s elk population has to be
evaluated.
“Our population goal for elk is
between 500 and 900 animals. This
has been determined as the best
balance for the forests, area agricul-
ture and residents,” said DNR elk
specialist Chad Stewart. “Besides
having an estimated population,
knowing where they are located is
also very important.”
An aerial elk survey occurs in
January, with a DNR airplane flying
predetermined routes, or transects,
to locate elk. Once elk are found, the
plane circles and observers count
how many are present and determine
the number of males and females in
the group.
Most of Michigan’s elk popula-
tion can be found within or adjacent
to the elk range in the northeast
Lower Peninsula. The Pigeon River
Country State Forest makes up a
large area of the elk range, and fields
are planted and mowed to attract elk
from the surrounding private land.
“We try to lure elk away from
agriculture, using different tech-
niques to modify the forest,” said
Stewart. “We try to encourage elk to
hang out in those modified loca-
tions.”
During the 2018 survey, 8,000
miles of transects were flown over
eight days, and 800 elk were sighted
during this time. No wildlife survey
can count 100 percent of the animals
in an area because they move and
often are under cover like trees, so a
formula is used to estimate popula-
tion. Other states use similar formu-
las during wildlife surveys.
The 2018 aerial survey deter-
mined an estimated elk population
of approximately 1,173 elk, with a
confidence interval of plus or minus
339.
“The survey tells us there
are between 834 and 1,512 elk in
Michigan,” said DNR Wildlife Field
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 31
MARSUPIAL INVASION?
T
hey are strange
looking, tick-killing
creatures that have
stalked the earth for
about 70 million years.
Their closest kin live
in the outback of Australia. Their
hind feet have an opposable thumb,
they have prehensile tails, hairless
ears and fifty teeth that make them
grin in a funny way, even though
the situation may be deadly serious.
And—get ready for this–the males
have a forked penis, bifurcated like
a two-pronged camping fork. Yes
they do. More on that later.
That pretty much describes
the Virginia Opossum (Didelphis
virginiana), a marsupial (pouched
mammal) that is adapting to life
in Michigan as they continue their
norward migration. Some say they
look like a cross between a muskrat
and a cat. I beg to differ and think
they look like themselves—an opos-
sum, a rather handsome creature at
that, even though a few folks think
they are “uglier than rats.”
They will eat almost anything;
from decaying gut piles partially
32 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
buried in snow, to eggs, berries,
snakes, frogs, fish, worms, mice,
fruits, grains, bugs, cockroaches,
crickets, snails and a February
favorite; bird seed spillage as an ap-
petizer, to be followed by a meal of
flattened road kill.
Opossums were once
restricted to the Southeast-
ern section of the United
States, where some folks
still eat them, and not just
those that celebrate their
Appalachian Mountain
heritage. But the fact of the
matter is that for the cost of
a shotgun
shell the By Jonathan Schechter
back-
woods dinner menu might well
be Crock-pot Possum or Possum
Stew, with a side of corn and turnip
greens. I guess if one likes tender
possum that would be a delicacy.
Opossums are also delicacies for
many creatures including red-tailed
hawks, great horned owls, coyotes,
fox, wolves and bobcats. In human-
infested areas, many opossums meet
their demise in the teeth of dogs and
cats, or under the wheels of a car.
They are now a very common,
although often maligned creature in
the lower half of the state, especially
around urban and suburban areas
and they are showing up in small
numbers in the Upper Pen-
insula. However, opos-
sums in our northern range
often suffer frostbite on
their naked ears and hair-
less tails, which for many
is the beginning of the end.
It’s their mating habits and
adaptability to habitat that
keeps their numbers climb-
ing.
Opos-
sums in
Michigan usually mate between
January and March. Tracks in melt-
ing snow and along muddy creeks
show they are now meandering,
and perhaps philandering. And
that brings us to reproduction, facts,
fantasy and that strange bifurcated
penis best described by the Opos-
sum Society of the United States.
“The reproductive system of the
opossum has fascinated many and
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has led to interesting folklore. It was
once believed that the male opossum
mated through the female opossum’s
nose. She then sneezed the young
through her nose and into the pouch.
Of course, this is not true. There are
several reasons why this belief was
held. One reason is that opossums
are so small at birth it is difficult
to witness the event. Observers
had seen the female with an empty
pouch one day. The next day she
was seen with her nose in the pouch
making sneezing sounds. Later,
upon examination of the pouch, tiny
embryos were found. Actually, the
female opossum was either cleaning
the pouch prior to the birth or lick-
ing the area to soothe her swollen
teats. Another reason for this belief
is the shape of the male opossum’s
penis. It is bifurcated, like a two-
pronged fork. It was believed that
the shape of the penis was a perfect
fit for the female opossum’s nose.
This isn’t true either. The female has
an internal, bifurcated reproductive
tract as well.”
Twelve or thirteen days after
mating 10 to 20 naked and totally
helpless young are born. They are
smaller than honeybees at birth.
Their tiny front feet have claws used
to cling and climb up the mother’s
belly and into her pouch. Once
inside, they attach themselves to a
has only 13 teats. It’s a race for
survival, the way of evolution. The
lucky 13 remain about two months
in the darkness and warmth of the
pouch. Towards the end of their stay
they come topside now and then and
by the time they are mouse-size they
are ready for extended rides on top
until they are independent.
Opossum are perhaps best
known for “playing possum.”
There are physiological reasons
behind this bluff, but the fun fact
is that when threated by a predator
or other perceived threat they will
sometimes flop on their side and lie
motionless with eyes closed. Others
will open their mouths, drool and
extend their tongue and go into a
catatonic state, sometimes for more
than an hour. Some will hiss, urinate
and defecate in an attempt to dis-
suade the attacker. And every now
and then when cornered, one will
forget the playing possum routine,
lunge forward and bite, and then if
given a chance make a “full speed
ahead” escape to the den or try to
race up a tree.
Opossums are excellent tree
climbers, so says the literature, but
I have never seen one in a tree in
all my wanderings. But then again
Michigan is not the natural home of
the persimmon tree, a tree that pro-
duces their favorite fruit. But their
sharp claws would help them climb,
and opposable thumbs on their hind
feet would help grasp onto branches,
and that prehensile (gripping) tail
would help with balance. Contrary
to legend, or what your second
cousin’s friend’s brother-in-law
swore he saw down in the hollers of
Tennessee, opossums do not hang
upside down by their tail to sleep.
They usually curl up in a ground
level tree cavity or a leaf-lined aban-
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Opossums are now a very common, although often maligned creature in
the lower half of the state, especially around urban and suburban areas
and they are showing up in small numbers in the Upper Peninsula.
doned groundhog den and snooze
the night away. And as they sleep
they unintentionally gather a morn-
ing snack—ticks.
Opossums are unsung heroes
that help human health. The Na-
tional Wildlife Federation states,
“With the huge rise in deer tick
populations and the spread of Lyme
disease, many friends of wildlife
are welcoming opossums into their
yards. Why? Scientists have learned
that opossums act like little vacuum
cleaners when it comes to ticks –
with a single opossum hoovering
up and killing as many as 4,000
ticks per week.” Rick Ostfeld,
Senior Scientist at the Cary Institute
of Ecosystem Studies echoes the
federation and adds, “Opossums
are extraordinarily good groomers
it turns out – we never would have
thought that ahead of time – but they
kill the vast majority – more than
95% percent of the ticks that try to
feed on them. So these opossums
are walking around the forest floor,
hoovering up ticks right and left,
killing over 90% of these things,
and so they are really protecting our
health.”
As for my accompanying pho-
tos, it was a snowless, warm winter
day at the end of January and I was
at the edge of a wetland in northern
Oakland County to photograph a
beaver lodge. I sprawled out on the
ground with my arms and camera
resting on a fallen cedar tree to posi-
tion my camera. Slight rustling in
the leaves drew my attention. Five
feet away was a young opossum,
not playing dead, not backing off,
and not advancing, but watching
me ever so intently as it moved
slightly about. I wondered what the
opossum thought about the strange
creature invading its habitat and
whispering softly.
Jonathan Schechter is the Na-
ture Education Writer for Oakland
County Government and a frequent
meanderer of the northwoods. E-
mail oaknature@aol.comn
229 W. 5th Street
Pinconning
2 blocks east of light off M-13
989-879-1110
229 W. 5th Street
Pinconning
2 blocks east of light off M-13
989-879-1110
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 33
 By Mark Romanak

BANGING BOTTOM SPRING BROWNS f

o
r

Trolling the near shore waters of the Great Lakes for spring brown trout has for decades been one
of the best ways to celebrate the end of winter and the coming of spring. Literally from the day the
ice leaves the boat launches until the water warms up too much to support trout in shallow water,
Great Lakes brown trout are about as predictable as trout get...
Hunt for Warm Water off and tends to be several degrees the right water conditions for attract- Lakes systems.
warmer than the water in the main ing brown trout. At a glance these Dwindling numbers of rain-
he icy waters of ice out lake. Also, these streams pump images can eliminate water too dirty bow smelt has created a niche for
pretty much force all nutrient rich water which in turn at- to consider and zero in on stained other forage fish species including
available baitfish and tracts plankton and baitfish. waters that form when dirty and the round goby, spottail shiner and
brown trout to crowd The rivers and creeks flowing clear water mix. sculpin. All three of these baitfish
into the warmest avail- into the Great Lakes are turbid to are bottom dwellers. Not surpris-
able waters. In some downright muddy in the spring. Matching the Hatch ingly some of the best brown trout
instances the warm water comes as This off color water mixes with the Historically, the bait of choice lures these days are diving/wobbling
a byproduct of electricity genera- normally very clear water of the for spring brown trout trolling has crankbaits that more closely resem-
tion. Power plants dotted all around Great Lakes creating stained waters been the shallow diving stickbait. ble bottom loving baitfish species.
the Great Lakes are as good as gold that are ideal for trolling up browns Lures like the famous Rapala Min- Anglers on the cutting edge are
when it comes to attracting early and also at times bonus coho and now, Bomber Long A, Storm Thun- no longer running a steady diet of
spring brown trout action. lake trout. derStick and Reef Runner RipStick stickbaits for early browns, but in-
Amazingly it only takes water a The best fishing is almost always have done the heavy lifting in this stead are mixing it up by using more
couple of degrees warmer than the found in the stained or what many department. All of these lures do a high action diving crankbaits and
rest of the lake to attract browns like anglers refer to as “green” water, not very good job of imitating smelt, a even small to medium sized trolling
moths to a flame. The best way to the muddy or blue/clear waters. De- favorite forage fish of trout. spoons in their early spring trolling
find these pockets of warmer water pending on wind and local currents, Most anglers fish these baits a patterns.
is with a surface temperature probe ribbons of stained water stretch out few feet below the surface and use Crankbaits that feature a wide
on a quality sonar unit or with a along the bank. Not only can the planer boards to spread out their side-to-side wobble at slow to
temperature and trolling speed probe trained eye spot these stained water lines. Unfortunately, smelt numbers moderate speeds are becoming the
like the popular Fish Hawk X4D. areas, a temperature probe will con- across the Great Lakes have de- “go to” hard baits for browns. The
Another sure bet for finding firm the water is just a few degrees clined considerably over the last two Yakima Mag Lip is one such lure.
brown trout is to find places where warmer and prime for attracting decades. The decline of the rainbow Similar in appearance to the fa-
rivers, creeks and streams pour into hungry trout. smelt is believed to be linked to the mous “Flatfish,” the Mag Lip can
the Great Lakes. The water in these Satellite images are also helpful invasion of the zebra mussel and be trolled at a much wider range
streams comes from rain and run for identifying places that feature a gradual clearing up of the Great of speeds and comes in a 2.0, 2.5,
34 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 sizes. For
spring brown trout trolling the 3.0
and 3.5 sizes, fished at from 1.5 to
2.0 MPH are hands down the most
popular.
Trolling Lead
The key to fishing the Mag
Lip and other high action baits for
brown trout is to let out just enough
trolling lead that the baits make
occasional contact with the bottom,
stirring up sediment and rebound-
ing off rocks and submerged debris.
Positioning crankbaits as close as
possible to bottom without snagging
requires an intimate knowledge of
how deep these lures dive. If the
trolling lead is too long, the bait will
dig constantly into the bottom and
snags quickly become an issue. If
the trolling lead is too short, the bait
won’t dive deep enough to interest
bottom hugging trout.
The phone app Precision Troll-
ing Data provides anglers invaluable
lure diving data for all the popular
crankbait brands and models. Avail-
able in both Android and iPhone
versions, the PTD app is affordable
and provides priceless information
for anglers who fish with crankbaits
and other popular trolling hardware.
Custom Hooking
Stickbaits and diving crankbaits
typically come factory equipped
with a pair of treble hooks. Treble
hooks are the norm, but some manu-
facturers like Yakima offer savvy
tips for rigging their baits with a pair
of single Siwash hooks mounted
using a small barrel swivel between
the split ring and the Siwash hook.
This set up allows the Siwash hook
to rotate and prevents hooked trout
from gaining leverage to tear free.
Another rigging option is to use
two split rings when attaching a
Siwash hook to a crankbait. Fishing
As smelt numbers have declined and round goby numbers have increased
in recent years, diving and wide wobbling crankbaits like this 3.5 Mag Lip
have become the “go to” lures for targeting spring brown trout.
single Siwash hooks when trolling
crankbaits in contact with the bot-
tom has another advantage. The sin-
gle hook set up dramatically reduces
the amount of snags and lost lures.
At the web page www.yakimabait.
com anglers will find “How To” re-
ports that explain exactly what hook
sizes match up to the popular sizes
of Mag Lip crankbaits. Eagle Claw
produces a wide variety of Siwash
hooks in the Lazer Sharp and Trokar
series.
More on Hooks
For those anglers who don’t
have faith in the single Siwash
hook, another option is to remove
the belly treble hook from the bait
and fish with just the tail treble.
Many anglers go a step further and
replace the factory treble hook on
the tail with a premium after-market
hook such as the Eagle Claw Lazer
Sharp L949 Kahle series or the Tro-
kar TK300 round bend or the TK310
wide bend. All three of these hooks
put factory OEM hooks to shame in
the sharpness category.
Rigging Tips
One of the problems with
crankbaits is they don’t always dive
deep enough to make contact with
the bottom. A simple solution to this
problem is to fish them using a stan-
dard three-way swivel rig. The main
line is tied to one of the swivels, a
12 to 18 inch dropper line and lead
weight to the bottom swivel and a
six foot leader terminated to a snap
or snap swivel is rigged at the busi-
ness end.
Normally one or two ounces
of weight is enough to fish these
smaller diving crankbaits, stickbaits
and also spoons on bottom. A three
way rig like this fishes nicely as a
flat line positioned on each corner of
the boat.
In-line boards are invaluable for spreading out lines and contacting the
maximum number of fish. Break-walls, creek mouths, warm water dis-
charge sites and pier heads are just some of the places that routinely
hold spring brown trout. Mark Romanack photos
Abrasion Resistant
Lines are a Must
When fishing crankbaits along
the bottom the fishing line takes a
bunch of abuse. Copolymers, super
braids and other ultra-thin fishing
lines just can’t stand up to this kind
of torture. The best trolling lines for
fishing crankbaits and other lures
near the bottom are premium mono-
filaments designed with trolling in
mind. Two classics in this category
include Berkley XT and Big Game.
Both of these lines are ultra-tough,
abrasion resistant and their green
coloration helps them blend nicely
with stained waters.
The two most popular line diam-
eters for spring brown trout trolling
are 10 and 12 pound test. Both of
these lines are thin enough to allow
crankbaits maximum diving abil-
ity, yet tough enough to sustain the
rigors of structure trolling.
Better with Boards
One thing that hasn’t changed
about spring brown trout trolling is
the need for planer boards to spread
out trolling lines and to cover the
maximum amount of water. Both
traditional ski mast systems and in-
line planer boards work well when
targeting spring browns.
Traditional mast systems are
most often seen on larger “charter
style” boats that run four to six troll-
ing lines on each side of the boat.
A typical set up for spring browns
includes a mix of stickbaits and div-
ing crankbaits fished on the board
lines and also a bonus pair of spoons
fished on diving planers set off the
corners of the boat.
In-line boards can be fished on
boats large and small, but they fill a
critical niche with small boat fisher-
men who routinely fish two or three
lines per side. In-line boards also
represent a less expensive option
for anglers who are just getting their
feet wet in board trolling.
Summing It Up
The critical points of both find-
ing and catching spring browns
depend heavily on water tempera-
ture. When the main lake is icy
cold, the warmest available water
is going to attract both baitfish
and spring browns. Warm water
discharge sites and also streams
that pour in warmer water are the
places that routinely produce the
best fishing.
Once fish are located, pound-
ing the bottom with a mixture of
stickbaits, diving crankbaits and
spoons almost guarantees success.
Right after ice out brown trout are
very predictable, easy to find and
a riot to catch. Once the main lake
water temperature starts to warm up,
browns can find food other places
and these popular fish seemingly
melt into the abyss.
The best advice is to get out
early and get out often. The spring
brown trout bite is amazing, but
short lived.
Lake Ontario Browns
Anglers looking for consistently
good brown trout fishing will find
the western end of Lake Ontario
provides exceptional spring brown
trout action. From Olcott to the
mouth of the Niagara River anglers
will find plenty of brown trout, coho
and lake trout. The town of Lewis-
ton provides a number of fisherman
friendly motels, boat launches and
fish cleaning facilities. To find out
more visit the site www.niagarafall-
susa.com
Lake Michigan Browns
The waters of Lake Michi-
gan from Racine on the south to
Sheboygan on the north are also a
very good destination for anglers
after spring brown trout. This area
of Lake Michigan has lots of near
shore structure that attracts trout,
plus a number of warm water dis-
charge sites. Milwaukee Harbor is
large enough that it provides shelter
when the wind picks up and excel-
lent brown trout fishing along the
many piers and break-walls.n
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 35
March’s bucket list
M
arch has got to be insula from March 15 to May 15. A
Michigan’s most connecting tributary is a river like
diversified month the Detroit or the St. Marys which
to fish. Spring connects two Great lakes, but Upper March in
starts to slowly Peninsula regulations often differ Michigan can
poke at ole man from Lower so be informed. The mean BIG wall-
winter in Michigan’s southernmost Saginaw River also provides out-
lakes and rivers, while winter con- standing walleye action but it is not eyes in the
tinues to begrudgingly hold on in a connecting tributary and therefore rivers and lakes
northern zones. closes to walleye anglers on March and through the
We just never really know what 15. Knowing all the regulations will ice!
March will hold for us an- help you define where you
glers. Over the years March need to plan to fish for that
has provided some of the trophy. Here are a few of
best “last ice” hard water my favorite spots.
fishing one can find. Bolles Harbor and
Fish begin to stage Lake Erie provide my
closer to shorelines and number one early season
panfish head for the bays. hawg walleye fest. Some
In warmer March’s over the of the biggest walleyes in
years boats are already the world get netted
on the water near river
mouths looking to
By Mark Sak by anglers in Lake
Erie. It is often very
land a fish of a lifetime or get a few fishable as most of the ice starts to
for the freezer. During many early break up in late February and early side the breakwalls trolling floating pounds and fill the live well quickly.
spring seasons ice anglers are on last March. Caution is always advised rapalas in size 11 and 13. Steelhead The key is finding them. Starting
bites and boats are on the water at for floating ice. Big crankbaits are are also common catches in Lex- near the river channel is always a
the same time. If you are looking to the ticket, run at 1.2 to 1.4 mph. ington and can provide anglers with high percentage choice. The big
fish in March here are some tips on Most of these fish are headed up the a great battle. Just beware of wind walleyes move toward the Saginaw
what to target and important things Detroit and that is my second pick. direction here as a northeast wind and Kawkawlin Rivers while a few
to know before you head out. In warmer springs, late March is the can quickly blow in huge rafts of ice will spawn on old dead zebra mussel
First, it is important to look time to be in Trenton on the Trenton blocking the entrance to the harbor. reefs in the bay.
at Michigan’s fishing regulations. Channel. Anglers use 5/8 oz. jigs Moving further north, Saginaw While the bay remains open
They are not complicated but we and can catch fish tipping the scales Bay continues to gain traction as all year, the Saginaw River closes
all sometimes need to be reminded. at 12 pounds. Lots of little fish for a great place to be for early spring on March 15. Again big crankbaits
Species like walleye are open all the freezer are present as well. walleye and perch action. If the ice work very well for these healthy
year long on Lower Peninsula Great Moving up the east coast of is gone boats can search the bay and walleyes. Jigging the Saginaw if it is
lakes and connecting tributaries, but Michigan’s Thumb, Lexington run into some nice schools of stout open until the closure on March 15
are closed on Great Lakes and con- Harbor can provide some great early perch ranging from 10 to 14 inches. can provide your personal best wall-
necting tributaries in the Upper Pen- brown trout fishing. We fish just out- These perch will range from 1 to 2 eye. Concentrate on depth breaks in
the river.
My next bucket list locations
Church Tackle Co. ALL MADE
IN THE USA
both involve the west side ports for
both walleye and big browns. The
New for 2016!
WE DIDN’T INVENT THE PLANER BOARD, WE JUST PERFECTED IT! Locking Arm

Locking Arm
easy to open & close
Pere Marquette River in Ludington,
Lock-Jaw
Adjustment Adjustment Screw

easy to open & close the Manistee River in Manistee and

Mini Lock-Jaw
Screw
For drop weights & Release Release Hole for drop weights the Betsie River can offer world
class brown trout fishing. Big wall-
or other applications
This clip may be mini but when it comes to holding power it’s second other applications Prevention Prevention

only to it’s big brother, the original Lock-Jaw! Holds mono, super eyes can be caught if conditions are
braids, power pro, lead core or copper lines without damaging the line!
Replaceable right but walleye season closes on
The Mini Lock-Jaw fits The Walleye Board, TX-44, TX-22, TX-12 & TX-6 1 7/8” Long Pad
Pad

planer boards, but we recommend the full size Lock-Jaw for the TX-44. 1/2” Wide Locator holes for Line Protector inside
keeps line from making
Locator holes for
attaching to side-planers
March 15, and being that far north
The Mini Lock-Jaw is designed to fit other side planers, drop weights and attaching
to side-planers
WE DIDN’T INVENT CLIPS, contact with screw
Stingray often limits boat access on the big
works for many other applications. lake. A friend of mine caught and
WE HAVE PERFECTED THEM!
Part# 40620, 2pk Color - yellow Replacement Pads part# 40701 6/pk Diving Weight released a 13.7 pound walleye last
TX-007 Stern Planer & TX-005 Mini Stern Planer TX-44 Tournament Series Unique error-proof design allows anglers to put
more fish in the boat! Water strikes top surface,
year that he caught on a fly in the
The TX-44 is the first and the only in line planer to pull the large Divers,
(10 1/4” long, weighs about 3 oz) (7” long, weighs about 1.5 oz) Lead Core, Wire or Copper Lines and Heavy Weights. The size of the TX-44 forcing the Stingray downward. A fish on will Manistee.
An all new type of planer! makes it harder for fish to pull the board under, however it is still easy to force the nose upward & Stingray to the surface. Moving to the Upper Peninsula,
retrieve. The Vise Clip comes standard with the TX-44; especially Available in unpainted or painted. 2 snaps for
rch Tackle Co. designed for lead core & copper, makes accidental each weight included Monoscong Bay on the eastern end
Chu E-Z Store Famous
release almost impossible. snaps off & on in seconds Lock-Jaw of the U.P. provides some of the best
Clip Size #1 - .7 oz
Easy to attach and remove. TX-44 Tournament Series now for easy removal & storage
last ice in the state for giant perch,
available which comes with a #40300
Great for trolling in congested areas and more effective contour trolling along
Lock-Jaw Clip, Stainless Steel unpainted #40302 black pike and walleye. It remains good
drop offs contour lines, reef edges and weed lines in rivers, lakes or the ocean. Rear Pin and E-Z Store for easy up until the closure on March 15.
Effective for all species. Run more lines out the back of the boat by staggering tow-arm removal. Part# 30630 Remember late ice is also very dan-
Size #2 - 1.4 oz
the Stern Planers. Run any distance from the boat yet maintain desired depth. Standard TX-44 Part# 30610 Stainless Steel Rear Pin (14” x 4 1/4” x 7/8”)
gerous and guides are cheap when
EZ Store! For Your Planer Board Allows for easy Tournament Series compared recovery fees or worse.
#40303 unpainted
planer storage! Change
-22 SCop
RIGHT
ecia
Upgrade Kit
#40304 orange
Most run the ice every day and know
exactly where the bad spots are.
l
tow-arm & clips in a snap!
TXChurch Tackle odus, MI
.S

Size #3 - 2.7 oz
hurchtackle.com
www.c

for TX-44, TX-22 &

Optional E-Z Store devise easily
TXChurwcwhwT.acchkulrchtackleo.codusm, MI
I hope you have a productive
The Walleye Board
-22 eSCop .S l
ecia

attaches to the Walleye Board, TX-44

LEFT

& TX-22 side planers. Slide the tow-arm off for storage or change Includes a Lock-Jaw Clip
early season this March and feel free
to another tow-arm & clip then slide back on when you’re ready to E-Z Store & Stainless to show us how you did. Post your
fish again. Part# 40519 sold 2 per package 1 left & 1 right Rear Pin Assembly. (Part# 30640) #40305 unpainted #40306 chartreuse photos on Greatlakessportman fish-
Please check with your local tackle shop first, if they don’t carry our products visit us at www.churchtackle.com to view all
ing with Mark Sak on Facebook and
of our great American made fishing gear, or call us at 269-934-8528 to request a catalog. I’ll see you on the water.n
36 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
River Magic
Next Bite...By Gary Parsons and Keith Kavajecz
W
ho doesn’t love a good magic
show? The music, the lights,
and the awe of wondering
how the magician made the
trick happen. A great magi-
cian knows how to plan for a
spectacular show. A good river angler knows where
to be and what to use to get a bite. Both are masters
of creating illusions.
Before you can create the illusion of an easy
meal for a walleye, you need to locate the fish. On
a river system early in the spring, walleyes will
concentrate up to a mile below natural barriers,
such as rapids or dams, between the pre-spawn and
spawn period. Exactly where the fish are located
will depend on the amount of current present. Very
early in the season, before the snow begins to melt,
the current is slower and the water is clearer. This
causes the walleye to be near the primary break
where the bottom drops into the
main channel.
Spots where you find an ir-
regularity close to the channel
edge, such as a jetty, a rock pile,
wing dam or point will most likely
be holding walleyes. These pieces
of structure provide visible cur-
rent breaks and create back-eddies
that are perfect holding areas both
walleyes and baitfish.
The first nice weekend of the
year typically means that there
will be a lot of boat traffic on the
river, which can cause a traffic
jam at the dam and the fish may
move. To stay on the fish, you will
have to make a change in location,
most likely to the middle of the channel. While the
current is stronger here, the fish will be gathering
near structure on bottom where there are “unseen”
current breaks, such as dunes in the sand, boulders,
and wood on the bottom.
To navigate the river with our lines in the water,
we use a MotorGuide Xi5 bow mount trolling mo-
tor. If we get a bite or see a fish on the sonar, we
will put the motor in “Anchor Mode.” This will
hold us in that spot until we are ready to move
downstream again. If we are fishing a visible break,
vertical jigging with minnows, ring worms and
Gulp! Minnows or Twitchtail Minnows can be very
productive. For most early-season vertical jigging
scenarios, subtle action jig tails work well. The
Berkley Power Jig Worm is a favorite! This 3-inch
worm has a paddle on the back and is very limber.
This allows the bait to have a lot of action with-
out a lot of effort on your part. Natural colors that
resemble a real night crawler work well.
When using Berkley PowerBait Minnows, the
2 or 3-inch size mimic real minnows quite well,
especially when doubled up by threading a 3-inch
minnow on the jig up to the jig head. Follow it with
a 2-inch version hooked through the nose. This rig
increases the profile of the bait and gives it extra
action. Don’t rule out putting on a 4 or 5-inch bait to
entice a bite either!
Begin working these baits with a sharp “pop”
off the bottom, followed by holding it for a couple
seconds. Then slowly lower the bait back down
and pop it again. Since the walleyes are relating to
bottom, you don’t want to pop the bait more than
six inches. Be careful to not let the bait sit on bot- A TRUE
tom for too long or it will drag in the current and HEAVYWEIGHT
become snagged.
For aggressive fish, a 3-inch Berkley PowerBait
Twitchtail is dynamite! This durable and flexible B52
bait comes in a few different colors. In clear water 2 5/8”
we use Black Shad, while in stained water Golden 9/10 oz
Shiner is a good choice. If we need a bait with more 9 Colors
scent, especially in murky water, we go to a 3-inch
Berkley Gulp! Minnow. When fished slowly, this
bait will slowly disperse scent like a blood trial,
expanding the strike zone.
Using blade baits, like the Johnson Thin Fisher,
with a bit of a twist on the technique is another great
option. For years these baits have been vertically
jigged, but if you cast it out and work it back to the
boat in the same manner you would a jig, you can
YO
Yellow &
Orange
Silver back
trigger some pigs to bite!
Getting bites off of the unseen current breaks
calls for a few different techniques. For those areas
with wood on the bottom, a drift over the top with
weedless jigs baited with crawlers or ringworms
will often do the trick!
The best way to fish the dunes is to use lead core
line while trolling over them with a Berkley Flicker
Shad or Flicker Minnow. When it comes to rod se-
lection for pulling lead core, the new 9 1/2 foot Bass Genuine silver, 24k gold
Pro Shops Walleye Angler Rod is a must have! Not and copper finishes
only is this rod made of high-tech materials, but it
also collapses down to easily fit in a rod locker.
While trolling, we keep the boat on course with ENVY HN S
a FOB that is worn around the neck that controls
the PowrTran Python Kicker Steering System from
anywhere in the boat! Instead of using two throttles
to control the trolling speed, this system works in
conjunction with the iTroll, which can fine-tune
speeds to a 1/10th of a mile per hour!
Don’t rule out fishing back water areas either. If
you head to the back channels, rigging creek chubs
and red tails or casting jigs and Twitchtails is the
way to go! We like to use Berkley FireLine Ultra 8
Carrier Braided line with a Berkley 100% Flurocar-
bon leader when doing this, as it is made for casting
into structure!
As you can see, there are plenty of tricks that
you can use to get your Next Bite when you are /williamslures
fishing a river system, and it will be much easier
than pulling a rabbit out of a hat!n www.williams.ca
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 37
 SPRING DEER HUNTING?
S
pring is one of the very
best seasons to begin
your deer hunting.
The action you take in
March or April should
increase your chances
for success in October and Novem-
ber. This is the time for a lot of the
activity preliminary to deer hunting
and that would include:
• Looking for sheds.
• Checking for patterns in the
scrapes and rubs that are still readily
visible.
• Making repairs to stands, espe-
cially brush blinds.
• Moving tree stands and other
elevated stands to newly discovered
hotspots.
The time to start is when the
snow leaves the ground. The snow
would conceal some of what we are
looking for and the deer trails in
the snow don’t have much meaning
for the fall. The woods of March
and April and early May looks very
much like the woods of late October
and November and it won’t look that
way again until it is time to go deer
hunting. And, of course, you don’t
38 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
want to do any extra
work in the woods
just before deer hunt-
ing begins, putting
the deer on alert. If
you wait until the fo-
liage has developed,
the woods will look
very different and it
will be difficult to
spot even those well-
worn deer trails or to
spot the best loca-
tions for a stand, if
you decide to move
one or create a new
one. Let’s explore
the advantages and
the payback in
each of the four
activities listed By George Rowe
above:
Sheds
If you can find some sheds you
may be able to confirm that the big
buck you saw last October made
it through the firearm seasons and
is still around, if he survived the
winter. Look for sheds in known
bedding areas and in established in the very same areas,
the travel corridors season after season. Some of these
between bedding ar- deer signposts or “billboards” are
eas and winter feed- established very late in the season –
ing grounds. If your even in December – so they aren’t
hunting grounds all visible until we can get out and
include some thick look for them in the spring. It helps
stands of cedars or to remember that many of the rubs
other conifers, this are made before the rut and that the
might be a prime scrapes are mostly made during the
shed area, since deer rut or the short pre-rut period, with
will often take cover perhaps a few more established in
in such stands during December when some yearling does
winter storms. or doe fawns come into season.
When the concentrations of rubs
Scrapes and the lines of scrapes are located
and Rubs in the spring it gives us a chance
Most of us don’t to evaluate our stand locations and
really do a lot of determine if we are really going to
walking around
and scouting
be in the right spots in the fall.
during the actual Repairing Stands
hunting seasons, since we are con- This is at least in part a mainte-
vinced that such activity will spread nance job. Brush blinds deteriorate
scent and other evidence of the over the winter and it will be neces-
human presence around the property sary to round up some more dead
and spook the deer unnecessar- branches and build up that blind to
ily. In our spring scouting, we can the right height again. Check your
locate some scrapes and some rubs stool or bucket or whatever you
and we know that they often are have in the blind to sit on and make
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sure the brush blind is high enough
so that only your head shows when
you are seated in the blind. Also,
make sure that there are a couple
of portions of the brush blind that
are sufficiently high to screen your
body when you stand for a shot. You
might also see if you have a stick
stout enough for a rest on top of
the other brush, if you should get a
chance for a seated shot. How about
your shooting lanes – do they need
work? You might have to do that
again in September.
Even manufactured stands (tree
stands/ladder stands) need an annual
check. Look for frayed straps or
loose bolts. Look at every step and
every joint to make sure everything
is solid. Make sure your rope to
raise and lower gear is still there and
in good shape. My elevated stands
are all made of treated wood and
they are holding up well. Some of
them are over ten years old now and
they are in good shape. Still, in the
spring, each is checked and every
bolt and every screw is checked for
tightness. The ladders are a poten-
tial spot for decay so every rung is
checked to make sure it is still solid.
If you have to move a stand, this
is a good time to do that. If a given
stand just didn’t produce last season
and you have found a new travel
corridor or a new line of scrapes,
consider that move. Before you
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settle on a spot, check the visibility
around the area (archers, especially,
want to spot that deer coming as
far away as possible so they can get
ready for the possible shot). Also,
check the likely direction of deer
movement with the prevailing wind.
If you are going to need an unusual
wind to hunt this location, it will
be of limited use to you in the fall.
Can you approach the stand in the
dark without spooking deer or lay-
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ing down a scent trail that the deer ACRE PARCEL BORDERING STATE
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area?
Before you move that stand, Once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase a
try to figure out why the present prime deer hunting 103 acre +/- parcel bordering
location didn’t work last season.
It could be attributed to something thousands of acres of non-hunted state prison
as simple as a crop rotation. If the farmland! Owner has been practicing QDM
deer moving through that area have (Quality Deer Management) for 7 years as has his
been traveling to a harvested corn larger landowning neighbors. The bucks grow big
field and the farmer put a different on this beautiful parcel that has the Grand River
and less attractive crop in that field gently meandering through it. The state prison
last year, you might want to find out farms that border the property on 3 sides provide
what he will plant this year before
you make a move. a sanctuary for bucks to mature and the practice
If you do decide to move a of QDM completes the perfect scenario for trophy
stand, get some help and take a deer. The property includes a barn that is habitable
ladder along. Some of the serious for staying in. Potential purchasers must provide
accidents related to tree stands occur evidence of preapproval for financing, which I can
when the things are being erected so assist you with, or proof of funds available for the
be careful. purchase of the property before visiting the property.
While spring deer hunting
doesn’t produce any venison at the
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filling the freezer in the fall.n 734.216.1822 to arrange a private tour of the property.
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WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 39
 Late Bow Season
By John Eberhart
T
alk about a learning
curve, I just had one
thrown at me…big
time!
I’ve been very for-
tunate on my four
previous December out-of-state
bowhunts to Illinois and Ohio. Even
though each trip was taken the week
after their respective gun season
closings I took two great bucks on
public land in Illinois in three trips
and one in Ohio last December on
private ground that had been both
bow and gun hunted previously for
a tally of three successful bowhunts
out of four trips. I had also taken 17
out-of-state bowhunting trips during
Michigan’s gun season to states that
had gun seasons that didn’t open
until early December and had taken
16 Pope & Young (P&Y) bucks on
those 17 trips for a grand total of 19
P&Y bucks on 21 out-of-state trips.
Well, now it’s 19 for 22 as I
just got back from likely the most
frustrating and yes, unsuccessful
bowhunting trip I’ve ever taken and
man did I ever up my learning curve
on taking December trips immedi-
ately after that state’s respective gun
season.
Weather, weather, weather! Yep
it was that simple, stupid me, and I
thought I would share my story with
you so you don’t make the same
mistake, because I know I never will
again.
Through networking I received
permission to bowhunt a 67 acre
parcel of land in the beautiful south-
ern Ohio hill country as long as I
went any time after their main 10
day gun season in early December
because the family and friends were
hunting it during that time. I booked
a nearby flea bag motel with a week-
ly rate of $245 and it had a small
microwave, refrigerator, heat and a
shower. To make it perfect the motel
was a single level with exterior
doors to each room which makes it
easy to load and unload gear.
The temperatures the week
before I got there had been up into
the 40s and the projected weather
was for 17 to 33 degree weather for
the entire week. I was geeked that
the cold front would of course make
for better deer movements as that’s
always a given.
A common thread when hunt-
ing after gun season anyplace is that
deer will have been pushed to bed in
40 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
the heaviest security cover avail-
able which in this extremely hilly
area would be in the deep ravines,
saddles, and valleys where there is
typically more moisture in the soil
which equates to better growth,
which equates to thicker brush and
vegetation. There were also no crops
in the area making the still lush and
green vegetation in the low ground
a more secure daytime food source
than the acorns on the sides and
tops of the hills which consisted of
open timber with minimal security
understudy.
There was no snow on the
ground during the first day, however
the mid-20 degree temperatures
made the leaves crunchy and noisy.
On out-of-state trips I always com-
mit the entire first day to scouting
and preparing at least a couple
locations and I didn’t walk 20
yards into the woods from where I
parked my mini-van on the dirt road
before hearing several deer running
through the deep valley at least 300
yards in front of me. They were so
far away I could barely make out an
occasional glimpse of a white tail
passing through the dense cover and
then up a hill and into a huge area
of five-year-old clear cut of near im-
penetrable brush and saplings where
I didn’t have permission to hunt.
It was immediately apparent due
to the noise of an entry that if the
weather remained status quo that
this was going to be a gut wrench-
ing week. Deer can hear much better
than us and I think I could’ve heard
me walking from a couple hundred
yards away as there was no foli-
age to absorb any of the crunchy
leaf noise I would be making with
my entries. It was as if the noise
of every step was plugged into an
amplifier.
While I’m very aware of how
the lack of foliage, certain noisy
snow conditions, and dry and frozen
leaves can effect a hunt during the
late season when deer are overly
cautious and on edge no matter
what, what I didn’t do, and will al-
ways do in the future on week-long
late season hunts, is to look at the
extended accuweather forecast for
the entire trip. But as a never ending
optimist, I thought I’d figure some
way to get it done and take home
another P&Y buck. Not so much!
Before leaving, on all my previ-
ous December hunts I had watched
Because the author didn’t follow through and check the extended
weather forecast he had a $150 bowl of ‘Ohio Tag’ soup!
the extended weather forecast for
snow and left within 24 hours after
they received at least four inches
of fresh snow. On my three hunts
to public land in Illinois I actually
called the park ranger and confirmed
they were getting the snow before I
would leave. But I did that because I
wanted to see exactly where the cur-
rent movements were, not because
of the noise factor. That will never
happen again as I will either wait for
a fresh powder snow and an extend-
ed period of below freezing temper-
atures to keep it from melting, or go
when the daily low temperatures are
above 35 degrees for the week.
There were lots of red oaks on
the sides and tops of the hills and
there were still quite a few acorns
on the ground. It was obvious by the
sign that they were feeding on them
and if it were anything remotely
similar to the late season in Michi-
gan, any mature buck that survived
the gun season would transition
through the best available security
cover to access the acorns in the
open timber during daylight, or wait
until after dark to come in from any
direction.
I kept going and from the top
of the hill running into the valley
the deer spooked from there was a
hundreds of years-old runoff ravine
that was lined with autumn olive
bushes, briars, vines and tall vegeta-
tion and it offered excellent transi-
tion security cover and by the tracks
and droppings, it was definitely the
main daytime transition zone to the
oaks from the valley below.
Near the top of the ravine there
was an 80 or so yard area of flat
ground that if I could find a suitable
tree along the ravine on, I could get
in it without any deer seeing me
while they were ascending the steep
hillside because the break of the
flat would protect me from a pos-
sible visual pick until they cleared
it. The only suitable tree that was
tall enough and far enough over the
break was a shaggy barked hickory
and I literally HATE preparing
hickories.
The hickory had a large crotch
that looked to be about 30 feet up
that would offer some concealment
cover once the deer were on the flat
and it was the most difficult and
dangerous tree I’ve ever prepared
and it took me over four hours to
do so for my sling harness as I had
to hatchet off the shaggy bark all
around it while ascending it so my
safety rope wouldn’t hang up on
the bark on the opposite side. This
was one time when I wished I had a
hunting partner in case I fell. Once
prepared I used my rangefinder to
check some distances and for grins
I scoped to the ground below me, it
read 13 yards so I was 39 to 41 feet
up that hickory.
It was 2 p.m. when I finished
and I was totally drained but still
had time to mail a few books and
DVDs that I had packaged before I
left home on Sunday.
While at the post office there
was an elderly lady at the counter
and as always I struck up a con-
versation as the postmaster was in
Late bow season page 42

What is an Eberhart’s Whitetail Workshop?
They are 2-day (day in woods and day in classroom) events aimed at taking years off your learning
curve by providing the insights to take mature bucks.
They are NOT land management workshops but rather educational workshops for hunters wanting to
learn how, when, where and what to do to take mature bucks whether hunting public, knock-on-doors for
free permission, family, leased or managed properties, or travel hunting.
After all wouldn’t you rather wrap your bare hands around the antlers of the bucks you pursue rather
than looking at their pictures taken from a motion camera.
Hunters spend hundreds of dollars on upgrading equipment, new advertised gadgets, land manage-
ment, stands, bait and oftentimes food plots that are not needed with the belief these things will make
them more successful hunter’s, and that can’t be farther from the truth. Whether or not you have the best
of everything money can buy is irrelevant if you’re hunting skills and strategies don’t offer the opportunity
to take advantage of them.
If; you hunt public land or in a heavily pressured area and feel lost trying to figure out what to do
to see let alone take bucks; you were mentored with old school hunting methods that don’t seem to be
working; you rely on the expense and routine of hauling bait to see deer; you’ve spent thousands of dollars
on land manipulation yet struggle to kill the mature bucks caught on your motion cameras; you want to
prepare more locations but can’t afford the stands to do so; you get nighttime photos of mature bucks yet
can’t get daytime opportunities; you struggle with choosing and properly preparing locations, how to enter
and exit them without spooking deer and what’s the best daily and seasonal time to hunt each of them;
your scent control regimen is such that you have to hunt according to wind direction; or you’re a novice deer
hunter that simply wants to cut years off your learning curve.
If any of those hunting scenarios sound familiar or you have other issues hampering your success, at-
tending a 2 day workshop will address them as John feels there’s no hunting situation he hasn’t partaken
in at some point in his 50 plus years of deer hunting. John’s goal is for you to utilize your time to its fullest
potential by learning the skills to be successful in pressured areas and once that’s accomplished you can
go anywhere in any state in the country and consistently put yourself on the best bucks the area has to
offer.
Why John?
In John’s 50 plus Michigan seasons he’s scouted 18 public parcels and over 100 knock-on-doors for
free permission properties and has taken fifty eight 2 ½ years old and older bucks from them with 31 be-
ing listed in the Commemorative Bucks of Michigan record book. John has also taken 19 P&Y bucks on
his 22 out of state bowhunting trips from 13 different properties in 5 states.
What separates John from most other successful hunters is he’s exclusively hunted on public and
knock-on-doors for free permission properties while keying on what the property naturally has to offer.
BEGIN UTILIZING YOUR TIME TO ITS FULLEST POTENTIAL BY
ATTENDING ONE OF JOHN EBERHART’S WHITETAIL WORKSHOPS.
For more in-depth information and future workshop dates please visit:
www.deer-john.net or www.eberhartswhitetailworkshop.com
or email John at: deerjohn51@gmail.com
Arguably there is no one more adept at consistently filling his tags on heavily pres-
sured trophy whitetail bucks than John Eberhart. I would like to think that after 40
years of pursuing whitetails across North America that I know a thing or two about
bowhunting them. However, there is one whitetail expert out there who’s advice
I still heed when I hear or read it and that is John Eberhart. John knows whitetail
deer and what it takes to consistently be successful, year after year. As I mentioned
earlier, when John talks, I listen.
Tom Nelson - Host - American Archer TV Show
“John Eberhart is the most impressive whitetail hunter I’ve ever met. His ability to
dissect hunting properties and target specific animals is legendary. John is also an
extremely effective hunting educator who is always willing to share his tips and tac-
tics with others. His skills and abilities make him one of the most popular guests
on my Outdoor Magazine Radio show…..”
Mike Avery
Real deer hunting experts are the guys who can kill free-ranging deer on their own,
and do it through hard work and determination, not through a fat wallet or a friend
who happens to be a land baron. I’ve been unbelievably fortunate to have known
and learned how to hunt from a handful of true whitetail pioneers. John Eberhart
is near the top of the list. His no short-cuts approach to hunting pressured deer is
among the best I’ve seen in my 20+ years with Deer & Deer Hunting, America’s
First and Foremost Whitetail Source®.
Dan Schmidt – Deer & Deer Hunting magazine - Editor-in-Chief
I was brought up in a hunting family and blessed with a curious mind and a strong
desire to learn. Having been in the hunting industry since 1991, I’ve discussed
hunting techniques, tactics and observations with many industry writers, TV and
video hunting personalities, and guides. Most agree that due to their cunning be-
havior and ability to adapt, that taking a mature whitetail buck in a pressured area
is the ultimate trophy. No hunter has shown more insight, fortitude, in depth knowl-
edge and had more success on pressured mature bucks than John Eberhart. If I had
new land, wanted to learn the best way to hunt an existing property and otherwise
wanted my best opportunity at taking trophy bucks, John would be my go to person
for guidance. John’s advice has aided me on taking specific bucks and made me
a better overall hunter; knowledge I may never have gained even in 100 years of
hunting! Invaluable lessons!
Greg Sesselmann - Founder and Inventor of Scentlok Technologies
Dedicated, passionate deer experts don’t copycat. Instead, they are notorious for
establishing their own ways of hunting. John Eberhart is such a person. If anything,
he is an extreme example who has mastered the craft of tackling big bucks on
heavily pressured hunting areas. He accomplishes what many say is impossible,
and it is in this wisdom that I have learned so much about ‘real’ whitetail hunt-
ing. There are few in my realm of knowledge that can hunt whitetails on par with
John. He is packed with genuine experience and knowledge that will help anyone
improve their deer-hunting success.
Joe Bell, Executive Director, Pope and Young Club
Former Editor, BOW & ARROW HUNTING Magazine
Author, TECHNICAL BOWHUNTING
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 41
Late bow season:
from page 40
the bathroom. I told her I was from
Michigan and was bowhunting and
she thought that was odd right after
gun season to be bowhunting. As al-
ways I asked if she knew of anyone
that might allow me to bowhunt as
I definitely needed another location
to hunt as the one I had just set up
would be worthless for a mature
buck after one or two hunts in these
conditions.
You never know until you ask
and she owned over 900 acres and
granted me free permission on all of
it. I went to her house and got the
lowdown on her property lines, met
her three sons that were there work-
ing on the farm, and then as tired as
I was went out to prepare a loca-
tion on her property. The make-up
of her property was a carbon copy
of the other and this time I chose
to prepare my location in a pinch
point within a long deep valley that
a creek ran through and it was lined
with lush edible green vegetation
and security cover briars and brush.
There was lots of deer sign and
the valley’s steep hillsides led to
open timber with oaks and acorns
above and of course just like before
I spooked some deer with my noisy
entry only this time I could only
hear them running well in front of
me through the valley.
I got lucky on the preparation
side because exactly where I chose
to set-up there was a hang on tree
stand with climbing sticks leading
up to it. It hadn’t been hunted in
years as there were vines wrapped
around the sticks all the way to the
stand, the stand and sticks straps
had slightly grown into the tree, the
fabric seat was totally in tatters, the
sticks were very rusty and the way
the tree was growing the sticks were
beginning to twist. The stand was
about 18 feet up the tree and I set up
for my harness about 10 feet above
the stand and utilized the sticks to
access my screw in steps above the
stand.
Now, I had two locations
prepared with the opportunity to
prepare as many as I wanted without
hindering the others. Just like my
2016 December hunt in Ohio, all
morning hunts were immediately
eliminated because there was no
way of entering any location with-
out spooking every deer within a
quarter mile. That would also be an
issue with evening entries and I had
to figure out how to go about it.
What I did somewhat worked
and on Tuesday morning around
9 a.m. I went to each location and
walked to my trees in an attempt
to spook any bedded deer within
earshot of my noisy entry and it
42 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
worked as deer spooked in front of
me at both locations. I figured if I
spooked them in the early morn-
ing that they may come back in the
evening whereas I knew that if I
spooked them with a 2 p.m. evening
entry, there was no way a mature
buck would return before dark.
That evening at the 900 acre
location I had a 4 and 6 point pass
by at different times. Tuesday night
we got about an inch of snow and
Wednesday morning I did the same
thing as the morning before and
again spooked deer in both loca-
tions. Even though the temperature
was in the high 20s, the ground
had held some warmth and by 1
p.m. some of the snow had melted
leaving patches of exposed ground
and making the situation worse than
before. The ground had frozen to the
point that no more snow was melt-
ing and the patches of half melted
damp snow were now frozen as
were the leaves that had become wet
from the melting snow. The noise
had seemingly doubled in volume.
The difference in volume of noise
was like going from a Pink Floyd
concert to a Black Sabbath heavy
metal concert. (Yes, I’m old).
Even though I had went in
earlier and spooked deer from the
valley deep into the clear cut, a few
must have fed during midday back
into the valley because my evening
entry to the hickory spooked some
deer as I heard them running up into
the clear cut at least a quarter mile
away. Although that happened I still
had a 110 inch 8 point and 2 does
and a fawn pass within range before
dark and as expected they came out
of the clear cut into the valley below
and then up through the ravine.
I was wearing a Vortex wind-
proof fleece ScentLok suit in the
winter Vertigo pattern so as to blend
in with the open sky background I
would have and it worked perfectly.
It’s too bad they quit offering that
pattern because it’s perfect for late
season hunting. Once perched in
my harness and cooled down from
the entry and climb, I opened up
my jacket and layering garments
and stuck Grabber adhesive body
warmers onto my bottom layer over
each kidney and one on my sternum.
These gems are the absolute biggest
secrets in the industry for staying
warm on stand no matter how cold
it is.
I did the same exact same thing
on Thursday morning and on my
way back to the motel noticed a real
estate sign not 300 yards from the
motel showing 24 acres for sale. I
turned around and drove to a house
that looked attached to the property
Last year the author scored on this beautiful Ohio 10-point.
to ask for hunting permission and
again, permission was granted. I im-
mediately went in and set-up a third
location in a black walnut tree along
a long and narrow bench that ran
along the steep hillside. Same story
as there was ample lush vegetation
and open timber up and over the
hillside. Although I didn’t because I
would spook deer in the valley right
behind the motel, it would have
been a closer walk from the motel
to my tree than from the property
owners house.
Go figure, I have several friends
that go to Ohio every year in No-
vember and hunt one of the three
Wayne National forests because
they say they can’t get permission
on private property and I got per-
mission from both property owners
I asked and the properties would be
phenomenal pieces of ground under
normal weather conditions. No mat-
ter the state, you just can’t be shy
and must talk to everyone you meet,
no matter where you’re at. All they
can say is no, they’re not going to
beat you up.
Thursday evening I hunted the
900 acre location again and at dark
just as I was getting ready to get out
of the tree I heard a deer coming
from quite a distance so I hung there
until it passed through the valley.
It was a single big deer which I’m
sure was a buck but it was just too
dark to see headgear, or should I
say small headgear. I’m certain if it
had a big rack I would have seen the
antlers frame just as I could make
out the body figure. Either way it
was well after shooting light.
Friday I did the same morn-
ing entry thing to spook deer at the
hickory location and behind the
motel as they were the two locations
I still planned on hunting. I hunted
the hickory that evening and the
only deer I had pass within range
was the same 8 point as on Wednes-
day.
On Saturday morning I walked
in to the walnut tree behind the
motel and surprisingly didn’t spook
anything. I hunted the walnut that
evening for the first and only time
and had about a 4 inch spike buck
pass by early and at about 5:20 p.m.
had about a 100 inch 7 point pass
by.
You know what, although I
didn’t take a buck, I looked at it as
a successful hunt because I learned
a great deal about late season short
term hunting when going out of
state.
Although at home in Michigan
it’s nearly a waste of my time to try
and kill a mature buck with a bow
after gun season on the properties I
have access to, I still try and have a
month to do so, so I can at least wait
for the right weather conditions.
Oftentimes an unsuccessful
hunting trip can be nearly as re-
warding as a successful one if you
take something away from it that
will make you more successful in
the future. Positively, this was one
of those hunting trips as I learned a
few things and gained permission to
hunt a couple really awesome prop-
erties and will likely keep in touch
with the owners and go back again
sometime, maybe next December if
the weather cooperates.
Want to become more profi-
cient at bagging those big bucks no
matter what property you’re hunt-
ing on? Whether you hunt public,
walk-on, free permission, family
owned, leased, managed or out of
state properties; attending one of my
two-day in-field/classroom Whitetail
Workshop will give you the knowl-
edge to do so. I have 31 bucks in
CBM’s record book from 19 differ-
ent properties in 10 different coun-
ties and have taken 19 P&Y bucks
from 13 different properties on
22 out-of-state bowhunts and I’ve
never owned, leased or paid a dime
to hunt anywhere, choosing instead
to exclusively hunt public lands and
knock-on-doors for free permission
properties. For information on my
Whitetail Workshops please visit:
www.deer-john.net or contact me
by phone in the evenings at: 989-
644-6067 or e-mail at: deerjohn51@
gmail.comn
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 43
Lessons from late winter floats
M
emory tells me that
2017 was the first
year in my life I
really understood
why people say,
“March comes in
like a lion and goes out like a lamb.”
But when I check the records,
there wasn’t a sizable difference
between the beginning and the end
of the month. March 1 – overcast,
light rain, light snow, one
inch; sustained winds over
20 mph all day long with
gusts up to 39.1 mph, low-
est wind chill 13.2 degrees.
March 31 – overcast,
light drizzle; 0.02 inches
of precipitation; variable
wind speeds up to 11 mph
end of March, my colleague John
Northrup and I would head to the
South Branch of the Au Sable River
near Roscommon even if those days
were aroar with a “Hey, it’s winter!
Try this on for size!” attitude.
Why March, you might ask.
Why take this trip on the first
weekend in March? Simple: We
had a better chance of seeing bald
eagles than we did other canoe-
ists – and that played out
to our advantage on every
trip we took. Once, we kept
our distance watching and
then investigating the scene
where a bald eagle finished
off a merganser that had
suffered the misfortune of
making its acquaintance.

By Tom Carney
with gusts up to 18 Another time, an
mph, lowest wind eagle slipped si-
chill 28.5 degrees. lently away, peeved
That sounds neither too liony at the that we had interrupted its meal of
outset of the month nor too lamby road kill raccoon the man in the
at its close. Maybe it was just the house on the river had left it. And I
difference in the winds that got me can’t tell you how many times we
thinking that way. slipped around a curve and beheld a
Maybe it doesn’t really matter. white-tailed deer or two just mosey-
I can tell you that years ago it didn’t. ing along or taking in the sun.
Years ago, on the first full week- We heard drumming grouse,
John Nor thrup uses the canoe like a sled to haul camping gear from
the river to the campsite. Tailfeather Communications, LLC photos
saw minks slip along the riverbank, fiberglass canoe easily slips along
and every now and then, I think I slippery snow and settles into a
remember, two or three goldeneyes pleasantly flowing river. Except the
lifting from the water; one dove and river was anything but pleasant, and,
swam upstream past us. since it was my canoe I was the one
We learned a most important les- who had to hot-foot it out and back
son before we took our first paddle through the frigid water to fetch it.
strokes on the first day of our first “You looked like a Labrador
adventure. We had carried the canoe retriever who keeps checking back
down to the little dock in downtown with his handler to see if he really
Roscommon and set it there while has to go into the cold water after
we retrieved our gear from our that duck,” John said, after my dash,
vehicle. Unbeknownst to us, the sun grab and return. That would be dry
we had considered a welcome ally and warm John doing the talking
for our float turned traitor and had there.
been warming the snow on the dock We might have decided then and
Manufacturer of Fine Northern Hardwoods for about an hour before we arrived. there that we might want to consider
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jim@billsbylumber.com
544-9342 No Hunting
2725 Larch Rd. • Harrison, MI 48625
(616) 634-1522 or (989) 544-9342 License
2725 Larch Rd.
www.billsbylumber.com Required!

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www.billsbylumber.com Gamebird Breeders & Hunting Preserves
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44 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
wearing waders in the future.
We learned as we went along,
and not just about the sliding poten-
tial of a fiberglass canoe on warmed
snow. After a long day’s paddle, we
learned such a canoe will also glide
easily over the snow, like a sled,
from the canoe take-out spot to the
campsite. Then, pressing the craft
into triple duty, we could eat our
dinner while sitting on the ends of
the canoe instead of on the ground,
thus staying dry as well as relatively
comfortable.
We packed food in a cooler and
found that instead of keeping things
cold its insulation prevented them
from freezing. In below-freezing
weather, a stove powered by pro-
pane is easier to light than one fu-
eled with butane. And regular liquid,
“white” gas is better still. To help
keep the tent floor dry we laid down
a layer of newspapers inside and
covered it with a tarp.
A much younger Tom Carney, the author, learned it was not a good
idea to build their fire atop the snow.
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After learning about the melt-
ing potential of snow upon which
we had built a fire, we started using
our canoe paddles to dig fire pits.
We stayed dry by sitting on our
canoe seat pads and were able to
nudge ourselves right up beside the
fires for warmth. John jammed the
handle of a hot dog fork into the
snowy “wall” of the pit so that the
fork’s prongs hung above the fire. In
this way, he was able to toast up a
couple of English muffins.
The night of our final trip the
temps dropped so low that our tent
pegs froze in the ground. In the
morning, we had to heat water in
our coffee pot and pour it on the
pegs in order to free them. That was
the same morning we both drifted
downstream with the current and
dipsy-doodled across it to evade
the dozens of ice floes closing in on
us. We couldn’t figure out if they
meant to be friends conducting us
Held at the
Eagles Hall
301 Detroit St.
JACKSON,
MICHIGAN
Par t of the joys of a winter canoe trip down the Au Sable is the oppor-
tunity to see nature at ease, like this white-tailed deer along the banks.
safely along on our journey or wary The worst part came about an
xenophobes who wanted to usher us hour after we had gotten off the
from their world as soon as possible; river. After packing the truck, driv-
in either case we made haste. ing to the nearest town and having a
The worst part of these trips nice, hot Sunday dinner. Back on the
was not worrying if we’d make it road in that warm truck being vis-
through the freezing nights with ited by the drowsies no matter if you
only a couple layers of nylon and were the pilot or the passenger. Our
goose down to protect us. It wasn’t bodies could finally relax for they
the threat of having to race into the were no longer straining against the
river to capture a wayward canoe. It cold. Our bodies could say, “Ahh-
wasn’t the freezing drizzle that hit hhh!”
us that one year. It wasn’t the fear of And that’s when it would hit us:
starvation or of being dive bombed A whole year’s wait until we
by a bald eagle. could do it again.n
BE READY THIS
SEASON!!
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Steven L. Lamier huntin.it.info@gmail.com
Owner/President www.huntin-it.com
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Huntin-It, LLC
9851 West
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WWW.HUNTIN-IT.COM
WNW NEWS KPC
MARCH made by 2:0045
must be2018
Media Group PROOF
HuntinIt_70824 Hunting Guide 6/29/17 dr/dr/dr Corrections
Full Page #43 Machele 4-COLOR p.m. Thursday, June 22 or ad will be
assumed correct and run as is.
 LAKE GOGEBIC:
A great ‘late ice’ opportunity
T
he Lake Gogebic area
is a winter wonderland
for all types of activi-
ties; skiing, snowmo-
biling, ice fishing, just
to name a few.
At approximately 14,000
acres it’s the largest lake in
the U.P., stretching nearly
18 miles long and 3 miles
wide at its widest point.
The area averages over 200
inches of snow annually.
So, with that be said you
really need to be prepared
when you come to
Lake Gogebic for By John Bergsma
ice fishing. What
I mean by that is the best way to get
around on the lake is with a long
track snowmobile and a portable
ice shelter always being mobile and
searching.
Speaking from experience I
must say that Lake Gogebic is one
of the most brutal lakes to be on
during the winter months. That is
because of all the snow that they get
with your host
n B e r g sm a
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46 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
up here. The snow creates a lot of
slush pockets on the lake. The lake
is constantly changing and is why
I say a long track snowmobile is
the travel vehicle of choice. Four-
wheelers may work in the
beginning of the season
some years, but as winter
starts to settle in chances
are you won’t be able to use
a 4-wheeler after the first
couple of weeks of the ice
fishing season gets under-
way.
I had a side by side with
tracks that could
float over 10 feet
of snow just fine
but when you get out here on this
lake and run into the slush the tracks
would get packed and the vehicle
weighted down and then the fun
stops. So, the moral of the story is
being prepared: long track snowmo-
bile and portable shelter.
Now that you have some tips on
being prepared Lake Gogebic is an
awesome lake to ice fish. The infor- Lake Gogebic offers trophy perch through the ice!
mation that I have mentioned above
just makes ice fishing on Lake
Gogebic interesting and fun. For
questions on ice fishing please feel
free to contact The Timbers Resort
on Lake Gogebic.
As they get into the late season
of ice fishing a lot of their custom-
ers are here to target the perch, in
search of that fish of a lifetime. Yes,
they can offer the largest perch of
your life pushing that 3-pound mark.
Keep in mind that the walleye
fishing closes on March 15, current-
ly we have legislation that allows
you to keep two fish in that 13 – 15
inch range and the other three fish of
your five-fish daily bag limit must
be over 15 inches or all five can
be over 15 inches. This legislative
change was made a couple years ago
to try to enhance the growth rate of
the walleye in Lake Gogebic. It is a
legislative change that is not meant
to remain in place for a long period
of time but for a short period of time
as a management plan. So always
make sure you know the laws before
you head out.
During the late season try target-
ing the main part of the lake which
I refer to as the mud flats in search
of those jumbo perch in the deeper
While supplies last. NO RAIN CHECKS
Check us out at . . . www.northwoodsoutlet.com
While supplies last. NO RAIN CHECKS
Check us out at . . . www.northwoodsoutlet.com
water. The best presentation for
these jumbo perch is dead sticking
with wigglers. Spend time with the
experts at Timbers Resort and go
over the map so they can point you
in the right direction to get on fish.
The walleye bite continues in
the shallow weeds on the north end
of the lake throughout the year with
most anglers using tip ups tipped
with sucker minnows in that four
inch range. The walleye bite is
typically a low light bite with the
bite being in the early mornings
and evenings. In the mornings I like
to get out there a few hours before
daybreak and in the afternoons, I
will get set up a couple hours before
sunset and fish for a few hours after
dark.
Always remember to practice
catch and release. The area is beauti-
ful and it’s so important to protect
the resource from which you are
taking fish. One of the most im- Walleye fishing on Lake Gogebic can be fantastic with special size limits.
portant things to do while you are
fishing for these jumbo perch many different housekeeping cabins, as well.
in deep water is to bring them up all varying in size, located on the Be safe while on the ice, and
slow so they don’t blow their air north end of Lake Gogebic. They give Tim or Sara a call at The Tim-
bag and they can be released suc- also offer ice fishing, snowmobile bers Resort 906-575-3542 for snow
cessfully. rentals, and have a live bait and and lake condition updates or to
Like many of the area’s lakeside tackle store on site for all your make a reservation. Tim also guides
resorts, the Timbers Resort offers ice fishing needs on Lake Gogebic the lake www.eyes-guy.comn
229 W. 5th Street
Pinconning
2 blocks east of light off M-13
989-879-1110
229 W. 5th Street
Pinconning
2 blocks east of light off M-13
989-879-1110
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 47
Going it alone
A Trip Across the Wilds of the Lower Peninsula in the 1850s
M
uch of Michigan was an un-
mapped wilderness in the 1850s
when George Washington Sears
left Saginaw Bay for a solitary
trek across the Lower Peninsu-
la. He intended to visit a friend
who was lumbering on the Muskegon River,
nearly 90 miles to the west. Risking the onset of
an early winter, Sears set out on the trip in late
October. He planned on going it alone.
He had spent the last ten days visiting an old
friend, Pete Williams, who was scratching out
a living in the wilderness near Saginaw for his
wife and two small children. He found the family
“ague-stricken.” They were probably suffering
from scurvy due to eating nothing but
wild game meat for a long period of
time. Little did Sears know as he left his
friends that neither of the children would
live to see springtime come to their little
clearing in the woods.
Most people wouldn’t attempt a trip
such as Sears had in mind, but a local
hunter, trapper, and woods runner, Bill
By Darryl Quidort
Hance, thought it might be
“feasible.” He would show
Sears an old Indian trail that
might take him to the Muskegon River, if he
could follow it.
George Sears was known for traveling light.
His outfit was a knife, hatchet, compass, blanket
bag, a tin dish, a little food, and his rifle. The
rifle was a .42 caliber Billinghurst “turnbarrel”
muzzleloader, an over-under style double barrel
in which the top barrel was fired, then the barrels
turned over to fire the second barrel. He carried
only 12 lead balls for the rifle.
Soon after starting on his trek, the Indian trail
petered out. In his book, Woodcraft and Camping,
he later wrote, “it branched off to the right and
left, grew dimmer and slimmer, degenerated to a
deer path, petered out to a squirrel track, ran up a
tree, and ended in a knothole.” In other words, he
lost the trail.
With no trail to follow, he pulled out his
compass and headed west into unbroken wilder-
ness. Sears was a self-reliant woodsman and was
capable of traveling on his own without a trail to
follow. He explained that on the trip, “There were
no, “hairbredth escapes, I was not tackled by
bears, treed by wolves, or nearly killed by a hand-
to-claw ‘racket’ with a panther.” There were some
problems however. Lakes, streams, swamps, and
marshes blocked his way and slowed his prog-
ress. He constantly had to detour, costing time
and adding many miles to his trip.
The amount of wild game available in
Michigan during the mid-nineteenth century was
amazing. Sears wrote, “animal life was abundant,
exuberant, even…I do not think there was an
hour of daylight on the trip when squirrels were
not too numerous to be counted, while (passen-
ger) pigeons were a constant quantity from start
to finish. Grouse in the thickets, and quail in the
high oak openings, or small prairies, with droves
48 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
of wild turkeys among the heavy timber, were
met with almost hourly, and there was scarcely
a day on which I could not have had a stand-
ing shot at a bear. But the most interesting point
about the game was-to me, at least- the marvelous
abundance of deer. They were everywhere.” On
the sixth day of his trek he, “blundered on to such
an aggregation of deer as a man sees but once in
a lifetime…Among them were several very large
bucks with superb antlers.”
George Sears proclaimed “the lonely tramp
far from monotonous” as he camped out each
cold night in a new spot and labored each day
to make as many miles as possible. One day he
came upon an abandoned Indian campsite. “Paus-
ing a short time to look over the ruins,
with the lonely feeling always induced
by a decayed, rotting camp, I struck
due west and made several miles before
sundown.”
After ten days of traveling, Sears
finally came out on the bank of the
Muskegon River. Walking downstream
he found a “log landing” area where logs
had been piled awaiting a float
downstream to a sawmill. The
leftovers supplied him with
the materials to construct a log raft. While drift-
ing downriver on his new raft, he soon heard the
sounds of a sawmill where, “a brown-bearded,
red-shirted fellow came down to welcome me.”
He had reached his destination, the Joe Davis
lumber camp. “I came out with clothes pretty
well worn and torn off my back and legs,” he
wrote. “I am a little proud of the fact that, with so
many temptations to slaughter, I only fired three
shots on the route.” Each shot had taken a young
deer for meat and he felt bad for the waste of
what he couldn’t eat or carry with him.
After the solo trip across Michigan, Sears
admonished, “Reader, if ever you are tempted to
make a similar thoughtless, reckless, trip, - don’t
do it.”
Amazingly, the things that George Washing-
ton Sears became most famous for didn’t begin
to happen until he was over 60 years old. As
an outspoken early conservationist and pioneer
environmentalist, Sears loved, and lived, the
outdoor lifestyle that he tried to advance, and yet
protect. In later life he developed “consumption”
(a combination of tuberculosis and asthma) and
became quite frail. In an effort to improve his
health, he began to seek the clear, invigorating air
of the Adirondack lakes and forests of New York
State. His experiences there built his reputation as
an outdoor authority.
Writing under his pen name, Nessmuk, (in
honor of a Narragansett Indian mentor of his
youth), Sears became one of the most influential
and widely read American outdoor writers of the
1800s. His most famous writings are accounts
of three extended solo camping trips where he
canoed and portaged hundreds of miles in the
wilderness of the Adirondack Lakes region.
Some of the trips took him months to complete.
George Washington Sears pictured with his
Billinghurst muzzleloading, double barrel rifle.
In, Nessmuk’s Adirondack Letters, Sears de-
scribes those experiences and gives advice in a
wonderful old-style prose. Nessmuk published
18 articles in Forest and Stream Magazine in the
1880s. Those articles gained him the admiration
of a wide audience of readers as well as bringing
the magazine to the forefront. His writing encour-
aged readers to, “Go light; the lighter the better,
so that you have the simplest material for health,
comfort and enjoyment.” His minimalist philoso-
phy on camping and canoe travel led many to
become what he called “outers” who left the city
behind and began to enjoy vacations in the great
outdoors in his beloved Adirondacks. Nessmuk
also disliked “roughing it,” he encouraged his
readers to “smooth it… I would say, don’t rough
it, make it as smooth, as restful and pleasurable
as you can.”
In 1884, Sears published the how-to book,
Woodcraft and Camping, which is still in print
and available today. In that book is found the ac-
count of his solo trek across Michigan. The book
describes his methods of using shelters, fires,
canoes, knives, axes, and natural materials for
cooking, living, and surviving in the wilderness,
all while being environmentally responsible and
leaving a small footprint.
Being a small man, standing only 5 feet 3
inches tall and weighing just over 100 pounds,
George needed a light weight canoe which he
could portage between lakes by himself. J. H.
Rushton of Canton, New York built his canoes for
him using his instructions. Using cedar slats only
3/16 of an inch thick, he made the small canoes
with no seats, thwarts, or bracing. They weighed
from 17 ½ pounds down to the only 10 ½ pounds.
Sears paddled solo, using a double bladed paddle,
kayak style. After Forest and Stream publicity,
Rushton made and sold many of the lightweight
“Nessmuk” model canoes. Even today several
knife makers offer a Nessmuk style sheath knife
and blacksmiths still copy his small, double-bit
camp axe that he described in his book.
George Washington Sears’ contributions to
practical woodcraft, and his observations on
conservation and the environment, are still viable
today. He showed us that it is possible to enjoy
traveling through wilderness without destroying
it. More than 100 years after his passing, admir-
ers still refer to minimalist camping or light-
weight canoeing as “Nessmuking.”n
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 More Family Fun Features than ever!
The Annual
Grand Rapids
Open Turkey
Calling
Competition
Hosted by the Grand Valley
Chapter of the National Wild
Turkey Federation, the Saturday
evening event will feature some of Michigan’s top callers
as they compete for cash and prizes. Judges will include
some of Michigan’s best known writers and call manufac-
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Woodland Carvers!
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get ready! The salmon takes that lure like a freight train
and your job is to land that fish. Top scores for the week-
end will win charter trips on the Great Lakes.
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Bring in your old tackle for free appraisals. This is the Place. If this year is your first time, come down and see
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the show.
why the first thing so many people say when they walk
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your kids are invited
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March 16
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303 Monroe Ave, NW
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March 18
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Wildlife Action Plan helps state
make big strides in conservation
By Sarah Lapshan…MDNR

A
sk Michigan resi- or baseline, plan came together
dents what comes to in 2005, when the U.S. Fish and
mind when hearing Wildlife Service required every state
the word “wildlife,” to create its own plan to be eligible
and – depending on for federal wildlife grant funding.
which part of the Michigan administers roughly $1.2
state they live in – you likely would million in Fish and Wildlife Service
get quick answers including deer, funding annually.
elk, turkey, and probably a hand- Derosier said that each state’s
ful of popular fish species like lake plan is unique, based on that state’s
trout and muskellunge. particular needs, but taken together
Ask Amy Derosier, a wildlife bi- they provide a national strategy
ologist with the MDNR in Lansing, “unlike anything else in the world”
and you’re going to need for keeping wildlife wild,
a lot more time, but it and for protecting what’s
would be time well spent. unique and valuable to
Derosier coordinates each state.
the Michigan Wildlife “Our first plan (2005-
Action Plan, a 10-year 2015) was really a means
strategy that lays out how of getting a true status The osprey is one of Michigan’s conser vation success stories. The DNR’s
the state and its partners update on species, and it reintroduction program has helped boost the number of active nests,
and volunteers can volun- brought together a lot of and the par tnership-driven GPS telemetry program aids the DNR and the
public in understanding the birds’ movement and migration patterns.
tarily and cooperatively people and sectors who
work together toward care a lot about Michigan rely on them, it also helps pheasants to ensure our resources are being di-
shared wildlife conserva- Amy Derosier, MDNR wild- wildlife – hunting groups, and lots of other animals and plants. rected where they are needed most,”
life biologist and Wildlife
tion goals. Action Plan coordinator. land conservancies, uni- “Everything is connected in Johnson said. “But we also see the
The plan approaches versities, wildlife watchers ways you just can’t imagine,” Der- plan as much more than just getting
the management of some of the and many others,” Derosier said. osier said. the biggest bang for the buck.”
state’s rarer species in ways that en- Likewise, a decade later, several The state’s current 10-year plan Johnson said the plan offers
sure those species will remain part dozen partner organizations were (2015-2025) is broken out by mini- great opportunities for stakehold-
of Michigan’s landscape long-term. represented during the effort to plans, or chapters, for each prior- ers who are interested in protecting
“Michigan’s plan includes update Michigan’s Wildlife Action ity. Michigan’s plan includes nine Michigan’s natural heritage – gov-
species that are federally listed as Plan, many of which consistently terrestrial (land) priorities and six ernment agencies, nonprofit organi-
‘endangered’ and some that are not,” came to the table and helped move aquatic (water) priorities. zations, universities, businesses and
Derosier said. “Our plan is Michi- the process forward. In addition to large grasslands, others – to come together and learn
gan’s rare species plan, and part of “This time around, we learned the mini-plans target areas like from one another.
its purpose is to help animals come a lot about a number of key spe- young forests, emerging diseases, “Those connections and poten-
off the threatened and endangered cies, and we developed our priori- warm-water streams and headwa- tial partnerships could be one of the
species list, and part of it is work- ties around them,” Derosier said. ters, big rivers and open dunes. most important contributions the
ing to keep others from becoming “We explored how work in one area Each key habitat chapter identifies plan can make,” he said.
so rare that they have to be added to would, in turn, help other species targeted “species of greatest conser- “We’re confident that we will be
the list.” and habitats. For example, when we vation need.” able to make a real difference for the
Michigan’s plan currently is in do work to support the large grass- Plan developers prioritized those future of species and natural com-
its second 10-year cycle. Its initial, lands priority and the rare birds that species for inclusion using criteria, munities in Michigan that are at risk
including whether: of being lost. We know from past
• The species is endemic or experience that if we work together
unique to Michigan or the Great we can accomplish wonders. The
Lakes. Wildlife Action Plan is a big step
• Michigan is the stronghold for toward making that happen.”
this species. Derosier said one of the things
• The species relies on habitat she likes most about Michigan’s
that is threatened. plan is that it’s set up in a way that
• There is an imminent threat to is easy for the public to understand
the species that could have a signifi- and get involved in. If someone has
cant impact on their populations. a passion for grasslands or for wet-
Garret Johnson is the executive lands, it’s easy to explore just that
director of the Michigan Nature As- mini-plan, learn about the species
sociation, a partner organization that that are dependent on that habitat,
helped develop mini-plans for sev- understand threats, see who built the
eral plan topics, including prairies mini-plan, and understand how resi-
and savannas, floodplain forests and dents at the local level can volunteer
Great Lakes marsh and emergent their time and energy to help.
wetlands. She also stressed that Michigan
“The state’s Wildlife Action Plan offers plenty of “on the ground”
Sur veys and sampling are an impor tant component of the Michigan DNR’s is critically important to us, because stewardship opportunities at state
fisheries management work. Here, fisheries staff conducts sampling of it represents an opportunity to coor-
the fish communities in a section of the Grand River. dinate and collaborate with others Wildlife Action Plan page 54
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 53
Wildlife Action Plan:
from page 53
parks, state game areas, local
conservation districts and land
conservancies where volunteers
can quickly get involved. Current
opportunities are available at www.
michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers.
Jim Hodgson, the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service’s Midwest
Region Chief of Wildlife and Sport
Fish Restoration Programs, said
Michigan’s approach works well on
several levels.
“The state Wildlife Action Plan
is a perfect example of how the
Service supports partnerships with
states,” Hodgson said. “The Service
can see states’ priorities for fish,
wildlife and habitat. We use this as
a starting point for how we support
Michigan’s efforts in research, sur-
veys, monitoring and management.
“Michigan has taken an innova-
tive approach by using mini-plans
to address species and habitat across
large geographies of the state.”
Scott Hanshue is a senior fisher-
ies management biologist with the
Michigan DNR in Plainwell. He de-
scribed the creation and implemen-
tation of Michigan’s Wildlife Action
Plan as “important work” that helps,
at times, to fill a void.
“The majority of DNR fisher-
ies management work is targeted
toward game fish species, which
makes sense because sportsmen
and sportswomen pay for licenses
to catch game fish,” Hanshue said.
“The Wildlife Action Plan helps
Large grasslands, which provide a variety of habitats for ring-necked
pheasants, rabbits and other small game, are the focus of one of the
2015-2025 Wildlife Action Plan’s mini-plans. Here, volunteers from the
Lenawee County Chapter of Pheasants Forever work with DNR staff to re-
move an overgrown fence row between two grassy fields at Lake Hudson
Recreation Area.
54 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
provide for the conservation of rare
fish and other at-risk aquatic life.”
He cited some of the Wildlife
Action Plan field survey work done
at historical collection sites (some
dating back to the 1930s) that led
to the unexpected documentation of
several fish species – silver shiner,
redbelly dace, brindled madtom and
others – that had not been reported
in decades. Hanshue said now that
managers know the species exist,
the department can work with local
partners to protect remaining habi-
tats for those species.
“In many instances, conserva-
tion actions – dam removals, water
quality improvements, et cetera –
to protect at-risk fish species will
benefit the entire fish community,”
Hanshue said.
Even after 28 years with the
DNR, Hanshue described his work
on the Wildlife Action Plan as a high
point in his career.
“We held one-day workshops
to develop each of the mini-plans
that make up the plan,” he said. “I
was amazed by how many partner
agencies and different organizations
were willing to actively participate
and provide what they could ‘bring
to the table’ to support the plan.”
Now in this second, more
action-oriented, 10-year phase,
Michigan’s Wildlife Action Plan
is yielding more outcomes that are
making a real difference in manage-
ment decisions.
The cover page of Michigan’s 2015-2025 Wildlife Action Plan, avail-
able on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/wildlifeactionplan.
Hanshue said that because the initial
plan assessed the state’s rare and
at-risk fish and wildlife resources
and available habitat types, fisher-
ies managers were able to use that
information to develop targeted
surveys of certain key species.
“Our fisheries management
units and research and fish produc-
tion managers will continue to look
for opportunities to implement the
plan within our division and with
our partners,” he said. “For exam-
ple, there are several small tribu-
taries in the Lake Erie watershed
that support focal species. We’ll be
looking to partner with local con-
servation districts and with the U.S.
Department of Agriculture’s Natural
Resources Conservation Service to
use Farm Bill programs to protect
at-risk fish and mussel populations.
Those kinds of projects did not re-
ally happen with version one of the
Wildlife Action Plan.”
Hanshue, like many others, be-
lieves that healthy fish and wildlife
resources play a big part in boosting
quality of life for Michigan residents
and visitors, and that proper stew-
ardship will help to conserve those
resources for future generations.
Hodgson agrees.
“State Wildlife Action Plans
are a roadmap for conserving all
wildlife, including game species,”
Hodgson said. “We see how the
plans support each other across the
region and how states work together
to protect our great natural resource
heritage here in the Midwest.”
From Derosier’s perspective,
Michigan’s Wildlife Action Plan ex-
ists to help people get to know and
better understand Michigan’s rare
species, to appreciate their impor-
tance as part of Michigan’s history
and natural places, and to recognize
and be energized by the fact that
Michigan citizens can play an active
role in managing these species and
habitats right where they live.
She said that cellphone apps and
web sites like iNaturalist, eBird, the
Midwest Invasive Species Infor-
mation Network and the Michigan
Herp Atlas make it easier for the
public to contribute wildlife obser-
vations and information that help
inform conservation decisions.
She pointed to conservation
comeback success stories like
Kirtland’s warbler, osprey and bald
eagle as examples of how concerted
effort – and a lot of community in-
terest and involvement – led to real,
measurable positive change.
“Basically, Michigan has cool
wildlife that we want to keep around
for future generations,” Derosier
said. “Conserving wildlife species
and wildlife habitat gives people
beautiful places to play, to relax
and to find peace, but some fish
and wildlife need a little extra help.
Proactive management can conserve
wildlife before they become rarer
and more costly to protect, and
that’s in everyone’s best interest.”
Derosier also pointed to the As-
sociation of Fish & Wildlife Agen-
cies as a major voice in the national
discussion about conservation. A
recent AFWA blue-ribbon panel on
sustainable wildlife funding devel-
oped two recommendations, includ-
ing one specifically tied to state
Wildlife Action Plans and the at-risk
species identified in the plans.
Similarly, the Recovering
America’s Wildlife Act, a bipartisan
bill introduced last month, would
send $1.3 billion of existing federal
oil and gas revenue toward state-run
efforts to protect at-risk fish and
wildlife species and wildlife-related
recreation. Learn more at www.
ournatureusa.com.
From favorite species like
monarch butterflies and peregrine
falcons, to threatened and endan-
gered fish, plants and amphibians,
the Michigan Wildlife Action Plan
provides a formula for conserving
these important natural features for
Michigan’s future generations.
Learn more about Michigan’s
Wildlife Action Plan and how you
can get involved at www.michigan.
gov/wildlifeactionplan.n
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WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 55

 Traditional Black Powder Hunting…By Dennis Neely
Reconciling time, place and life station
B
lack-nosed snouts
sniffed. Satisfied, two
yearlings walked into
the clearing from the
cedar grove, upwind
and to the south. An
older doe stepped out, caught up
with the pair and passed them. The
three browsed on prairie grass,
stopped and looked, then plodded
on to the big swamp. All the while,
browning blades of grass twitched
in the wispy breeze of a dawning
November morn in the Year of our
Lord, 1763.
Eleven geese hollered steady
as they winged west to the River
Raisin. A distant muzzle blast
heightened concern; Pontiac’s siege
of Fort Detroit ended not that long
before. The air smelled damp and
chilly as another doe wandered
through the occasional cedar trees at
the clearing’s north end.
This doe jerked to attention
thirty paces from the cedar grove.
It stomped its right hoof twice as it
glared northeast. Some woodland
intrusion caused concern, but not a
whiff of human scent. The doe stood
with her ears forward for many min-
utes. Cold descended on the three-
acre clearing. Ominous gray clouds
roiled overhead.
The doe stomped again. She
Lt. Lang returned to his meager camp after killing a wild turkey in the fall
of 1763. Replacing “what is” with “what was” is the secret to full immer-
sion in a traditional black powder hunt.
56 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
took two steps backward, turned
about, and stitched her way through
the cedar trees, back to the big
swamp. Unseen geese ke-honked.
With nothing to digest, the returned
white captive’s hungry gut gurgled
and wrenched. Snowflakes floated.
A subtle tug pulled the walnut-
dyed trade blanket over the left
shoulder. The fusil de chasse’s flint
lock, primed with precious black
granules of gunpowder, retreated
under a woolen fold. The first drip
fell from a cold nose. More snow-
flakes tumbled earthward, almost
straight down.
To the north, a fair-sized six-
point buck marched into the clear-
ing. His antlers curved over his ear
tips. He dropped his head, shook it
slow, then uttered a sneezy grunt
with a noticeable puff of gray-
ish fog. This deer stood for a few
minutes, too. With a cautious gait he
slipped behind two large red cedar
trees.
Stiff, crossed legs shifted right.
The smoothbore’s muzzle crept
in the direction of the buck. The
browned barrel lurked just below
an opening in the scruffy brush that
half-concealed the woodsman’s Lt. Lang returned to camp after a fall turkey hunt. The two shelters,
deathly shape. The buck advanced; pitched in close proximity, were not the problem. The time periods
only a hind hock betrayed the deer’s por trayed by each woodsman were thir ty years apar t, almost a full
presence. “A clean kill, or a clean generation, which was an issue.
miss. Your will, O Lord,” the hunter also sought fresh venison on that
whispered. same November day in 1763.
A single ke-honk to the east an- Time travel offers its greatest re-
nounced the arrival of eight Canada wards when voyagers to yesteryear
geese. The birds dropped low over arrive at the same location, in the
the clearing, but did not settle down. same month and in the same year.
The wedge cleared the far tree line This is not a hard and fast rule, but
and disappeared, displaying the rather a mild suggestion grounded in
same grace and beauty that they ar- practical experience. The basic goals
rived with. A warm gust transformed of any traditional black powder hunt
the snow to a cold, pattering drizzle. are to touch, taste, feel, smell and
In time, the buck sniffed where see the texture of life in a bygone
the doe once stood. He jerked his era. The fervent hope is the shar-
head up and gazed the length of the ing of a few pristine moments that
clearing. His nose tested the breeze. mirror the words recorded in an old
Ears moved side-to-side, then front- journal by a long-dead hunter hero.
to-back. His distinctive creamy- To begin the journey back, the
white tines flashed, but he did not traditional hunter must replace
move. A dozen minutes ticked away, “what is” with “what was.” Based
then he disappeared in the cedar on careful research, each participant
trees. substitutes items of material culture
Before daylight, Lieutenant common to a chosen historical time
Lang, a member of Joseph Hop- period for the trappings of modern
kins’ ranger company, walked north society. The cleansing process is not
on the wagon trail that meandered easy; sometimes the slightest over-
along the crest of the hogback ridge. sight will act as a negative catalyst,
When he came even with the great yanking the befuddled historian
red oak, Lt. Lang descended the back to the 21st century.
ridge’s steep east slope and stalked Over the decades, my 1795 trad-
the last hundred or so paces to a ing-post-hunter persona engaged in
wooded knob. He dropped his pack, countless simple pursuits alongside
sat down with his back against a historical characters from differing
good-sized oak and faced into the eras. The disparity of years never
wispy pre-dawn breeze. Lt. Lang seemed a great issue. Despite the
backdrop of a central station camp,
most sojourns were solitary affairs,
which allowed full 18th-century
immersion.
Then the moccasins of Msko-
waagosh, a returned white captive
who spent his youth learning the
ways of the Ojibwe people, began
traversing the forests and fens near
the headwaters of the River Raisin.
This new persona came to life in the
same time period as the trading-post
hunter: the last decade of the 18th
century.
But the Red Fox’s unique sta-
tion in life demanded a tremendous
amount of study and preparation.
Hand-sewn articles of clothing du-
plicated existing museum artifacts,
as did the accoutrements necessary
for wilderness survival in the 1790s.
Experimentation in the wilderness
classroom tested the choices and/
or honed woodland skills outlined
in the returned captive narratives,
which became known as the first
true genre of American literature.
On occasion Lt. Lang and Msko-
waagosh camped side-by-side.
The two veteran traditional hunters
chased wild turkeys, white-tailed
deer and small game together in the
Old Northwest Territory. But wait,
the Old Northwest Territory did
not exist in Lt. Lang’s 1763 world.
This disparity, this tiny oversight
upended the harmony for both liv-
ing history portrayals: the Red Fox
became an alien time traveler from
thirty years hence, and Lt. Lang
evolved into an eerie specter from
decades past.
In hindsight, the intensity, the
passion, the dedication that sur-
rounded the creation of Msko-
waagosh put every detail of the
new portrayal under scrutiny. The
conflict of time periods between two
traditional black powder hunters
became too much to ignore. Enter
Mi-ki-naak, the Snapping Turtle.
ANTIQUE & CONTEMPORARY
MUZZLELOADING ARMS AND
ACCOUTREMENTS SHOW
Sunday, March 4, 2018
LAPEER AMERICAN LEGION HALL • LAPEER, MI
1/2 mile West of M-24 on West Genesee St.
Sponsored by
Lapeer Firelocks Muzzleloading Club
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Open to the Public. $5.00 Donation at the Door
This will be a Juried Show to Feature the Finest in Custom and Production Muzzleloading
Arms in Conjunction with Firearms Constructed Before 1896, or Replicas thereof.
For Information Contact: Tom Berry, 810-744-1716
F O O D A N D B E V E R A G E S AVA I L A B L E D U R I N G S H O W
The captive narratives cover a
large swath in colonial history. The
feelings and emotions, the daily
life tribulations and the perspective
of those individuals captured and
adopted bear a remarkable similarity
from decade to decade, at least dur-
ing the last half of the 18th century.
Some of the captive journals,
like James Smith’s, cover the French
and Indian War years of 1754 to
1763. These memoirs offer specific
and sometimes vague vignettes
that guide the development of a
returned captive persona from that
time period, just as John Tanner and
Jonathan Alder’s missives gave rise
to Msko-waagosh from 1796.
Other primary reference materi-
als such as the book, The Siege of
Detroit in 1763, give eyewitness
accounts of Native American, Brit-
ish and French interaction in the
lower Great Lakes Region. All of
these materials, plus etchings, paint-
ings and existing museum artifacts
helped flesh out Mi-ki-naak. As a member of Joseph Hopkins’ ranger company, Lt. Lang gar-
Thus, “what is” from 1796 must risoned at For t Detroit in the summer and fall of 1763. Traditional
give way to “what was” in 1763.
woodsmen enjoy researching a specific character-type in hopes of
recreating that individual in a forest setting. Wild River tree photos
The moccasins are of the same pat-
tern and design. Hand-dyed silk rib- bag are in order. A scalping knife Feathers,” my beloved Northwest
bons adorn madder red wool leggins and tomahawk round out the basic trade gun. The bore is about the
and a breechclout. A gray over-shirt accoutrements. And a walnut-dyed same, but the barrel is 42-inches and
covers a white ruffled trade shirt. wool trade blanket becomes the the stock’s rounded comb bites my
A black or orange silk scarf covers norm, rather than the scarlet four- cheek. “Give it time,” my alter ego
the Snapping Turtle’s head; James point blanket. says.
Smith described black or red. The big change is a French fusil Mi-ki-naak steps over eter-
A different powder horn and shot de chasse must replace “Old Turkey nity’s threshold whenever Lt. Lang
ventures into the wilderness from
Muzzle Loading State Events Fort Detroit. Such is a humble,
backcountry woodsman’s lot when
Michigan State Muzzle Loading Association State Shoots reconciling time, place and life sta-
Feb. 27-Mar 5-NMLRA Western National Shoot: Phoenix, AZ: 812-667-5131 tion to that of another voyager to
March 4-Contemporary Muzzle Loading Arms Show: Lapeer: 810-620-3175 yesteryear.
March 11-Winter 1/2 Scale Silhouette: Linden: 810-629-0478 Give traditional black powder
March 11-Clinton River Muzzle Loaders Winterfest hunting a try, be safe and may God
Detroit Sportsman Congress: 586-731-6088 bless you.
March 17-18-Kalamazoo Living History ShowTM: Kalamazoo: 765-563-6792 Dennis Neely maintains a web
March 31-April Fool Shoot: Benzie Sportsman Club: 231-378-2145 site devoted to traditional hunting at
For a complete 2018 shoot schedule, send a SASE or e-mail to: Ron Fernwalt, www.traditionalblackpowderhunt-
16808 Peach Ridge, Kent City, MI, 49330, rbfern@triton.net ing.com.n
• Drive-in housekeeping camp for Walleye, Pike & Smallmouth
• ATV-in island outpost on Wenebegon Lake for Walleye & Pike
• Train-in outpost on Goldie Lake for Pike & Smallmouth
• Black Bear hunts, excellent success rates, all baiting, retrieval
skinning and quartering included. Tree stands or ground blinds.
705-864-0201 Chapleau, Ontario / 352-503-9577 Nov. 1 - April 30
Web: www.fivemilelake.com • Email: fivemilelake@xplornet.com
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 57
My favorites from the 2018 Shot Show
W
hen you put
every archery
manufacturer
in one place at
one time it’s
an amazing
sight. Every year the Archery Trade
Association does this to help manu-
facturers and dealers collaborate.
There is a tremendous amount of
business happening. This also means
that most new products for 2018
will be launched, giving us a chance
to see what is new for 2018.
After looking at thousands of
new products there are just a couple
which stick out. They may not be
the most flashy or expensive but
these are common products that
have practical uses. As bowhunters
we take a look at what is really new
and innovative. Right here we’ll
bring you the best in class for 2018.
Primos Double Bull Sur- (Top; lt-r t) Browning Strike Force trail cams, Gar-
roundView™ 360° Blind-- min Xero A1i Bow Sight, HHA bow sight, (Middle;
There are some hunting products lt-r t) Montana Decoy Deer, Morrell’s High Roller
that just make life easier and truly 21, ScentLok OZ Active Odor Destroyer, Scott
amaze me as a hunter. Double Bull’s Archery-Wildcat 2, (Bottom; lt-r t) Turkey Fan
Favorite, Primos Double Bull SurroundView.
SurroundView 360° Blind is one
of those products. For so long Scott releases continue to amaze me sights. The Sports Optimizer Tetra pin selection. www.garmin.com
ground blinds have not significantly because of the long term durability Bow Sight is a single pin sight that ScentLok: OZ Active Odor
changed. This year the Surround- and use. www.scottarchery.com allows the hunter to get from 0 to Destroyer -- If you’re a bowhunt-
View 360 Blind changes the game. Turkey Fan Favorite -- 100 yards with a single pin. This is er, chances are you care about hu-
It’s constructed with exclusive one- Sometimes you find a cool a sight that has full tool-free adjust- man odor. ScentLok is always com-
way see-through walls product and wonder why ability. The horizontal movement is ing up with a new ways to keep your
that let you see all of your no one else has thought easy to customize both major and odor contained. They have a couple
surroundings without of the design before. The micro adjustments. For those want- OZ ozone generators that vary in
being seen. Now you can Turkey Fan Favorite is ing the ultimate accuracy, there is size and containment units to better
spot all the movement one of those products. a second and third axis adjustment. keep gear scent free. The OZ ozone
you miss with traditional How many times have HHA makes some of the best low generators are designed to emit a
blinds, yet remain just you struggled to fan out light sights in the market because powerful stream of ozone molecules
as concealed. From the your turkey’s tail feathers the wrapped fiber optic is exposed to eliminate virtually all types of
outside you’re completely while holding your gun to gather as much light as possible. odors and bacteria. ScentLok started

By Brian Miller
concealed but on the
inside you have a
full 360° view. This
is a blind that is must see. www.
primos.com
Scott Archery-Wildcat 2
-- When it comes to a release, it’s
those little features that can make
all the difference. This year Scott
released the Wildcat 2 which is a
second generation release to its old-
er brother the Wildcat. The younger
brother has the same forward trigger
design. New is the ergonomic head
comfort and performance. The cool-
est design is the cam-lock fold back
feature. This allows a hunter to fold
back the release and lock it away
so you can climb into a stand or dig
out some gear in your bag without
the release impeding your motion.
The locking is deadly silent and
holds in the proper location. This
is fully customizable for different
draw lengths along with an adjust-
able trigger travel. Aside from that,
58 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
for a good picture?
What about all those
pins used to dry out
a perfect fan? Don’t forget about the
struggles of carrying tail feathers
into the woods for a realistic decoy.
This little plastic multi tool does
it all. It’s so simple I almost over-
looked it.
I can’t wait for this spring to put
this little tool to use. I’ll be drag-
ging this into the field and let it ride
in my truck. There is no doubt that
I’ll be taking some pictures of some
perfect tail feathers this spring. This
will provide a way to help create
quality photos in the field, hassle
free taxidermy, and a simple way to
display your harvest on the wall. All
three for less then what it would cost
to buy another turkey call. www.
turkeyfanfavorite.com
HHA: Sports Optimizer
Tetra Bow Sight -- New for
2018 the team has made some great
enhancements to the HHA line up of
The yardage wheel has an updated
Ninja-Star Wheel design to make it
easier to operate in all conditions.
www.hhasports.com
Garmin Xero A1i Bow
Sight -- Garmin has come out
with one of the most innovative
products that I have seen in years.
They combined a range finder with a
single LED pin. No more guessing,
one display, one pin. This is the first
bow-mounted digital laser range
finder and targeting display system.
This gives you an exact aiming
point even on those “in-between”
yardages.
LED pins automatically adjust
brightness to conditions and allow
you to see your target, unobstructed
by physical pins. A single-button
trigger lets you range at rest or
full draw to game up to 100 yards
away or to reflective targets up to
300 yards. Both Xero A1 and A1i
are customizable for single-pin and
multi-pin configurations or manual
with the OZ20 which plugs into
your truck to eliminate any odors
while driving to and from your hunt-
ing destination. After that they have
three sizes of portable ozone genera-
tors that can be used in a gym bag,
hunting containers, vehicles, or full
rooms. www.scentlok.com
Do All Outdoors: Arrow
Saw -- When bowhunting, there are
often a couple limbs that are slightly
out of reach. Do All Outdoor solved
that problem with the new Arrow
Saw. This little saw screws into your
arrow to give you some extra reach
to cut those limbs that are getting in
the way. The Arrow saw is Teflon
coated for durability. It comes with
the saw with a limb hook and sheath
included. This tiny saw is perfect
when setting up in a new spot or
returning for the first time. www.
doalloutdoors.com
Browning Strike Force
Pro XD -- When Browning first
entered the trail camera market they
made a big splash. The cameras are extremely durable and self-healing. come up with an innovative has antlers that can be removed or
extremely durable, last a long time, The EZ Tote Carry Handle is a thick way to change decoying techniques added by sliding the antlers on
and take great pictures, daylight and rope making it easy to transport. in the field. There are times of or off. This is ideal for field
nighttime, under all conditions. The The bright red and white dots the season deer respond to does edges, open ground or food
Strike Force Pro XD is the most fea- stand out for great target acquisition. while other times they respond plots. Carry along the removable
ture rich camera in the Strike Force It’s 100% weatherproof and has fade to buck decoys. Bring the antlers and within seconds you
line up. This features “Dual Camera resistant paint so it will last. This wrong decoy into the field and can change your setup and
Lens Technology” which allows large dice has 6 sides and 21 targets you’ll end up spooking a deer success. If that wasn’t enough,
for a custom tuned daytime camera allowing the shooter to have plenty instead of enticing him to the Deer Plot Pack has a motion
lens to produce razor sharp daytime of targets. Inside the target there are come closer. pole to allow slight movement
images, while the dedicated night 94 layers of foam for arrow stopping The Deer Plot Pack is two and a Teaser Tail. The teaser tail
camera lens takes incredibly clear power. www.morrelltargets.com decoys that are versatile enough is a tail that moves in the wind add-
nighttime images. Montana Decoy Deer Plot to make them either two does or a ing realism to your setup.
The Strike Force Pro XD also Pack -- Montana Decoy has buck and doe combo. This decoy www.montanadecoy.comn
features a lightning fast 0.15 second

INTERESTED IN SELLING
trigger speed and an 80 ft. motion
detection range. This ensures that
you don’t miss a single buck. Time
lapse capability along with HD

YOUR STANDING TIMBER?

video with sound come included. All
of this in a compact size of 4.25” x
3.25” x 2.5”. Most important, put in

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6 AA batteries and it will last your
deer season from end to end. www.
browningtrailcameras.com
Morrell’s High Roller 21
-- The High Roller is one sweet tiny
target. It’s small enough to carry Michigan Lumber and Wood Fiber is a locally owned and
along to deer camp but big enough operated sawmill located in the heart of Northern Michigan. We
to feel comfortable shooting longer
distances. The High Roller is rated work hard to staff the most experienced professionals and we
to stop arrows shooting 450 FPS believe in investing in the most current technology. As a team,
making it ideal for both compound our departments of forestry, wood processors, timber haulers
and crossbow shooters. The foam is
and sawmills are striving to provide the most efficient, profes-
sional and quality timber services available in Northern Michigan.

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Licensed Shooting Preserve Our forester has the education and experience needed to meet the specific needs of any land-
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(989) 843-6576 food plots, ect)
• Dogs with Guides Available • Clubhouse LOGGING CREWS
• Open 7 Days A Week • Bird Cleaning Our seasoned logging crews use state of the art wood processors, feller bunchers, forwarders
• Fields With Excellent Cover & • Morning And Afternoon and chippers, our mechanized wood crews are using the latest technology to provide the most
efficient removal of forest products with minimal impact to residual timber and underlying soils.
Safety Fields In Between Hunts
• Birds Released After You Arrive • Extra Birds Shot are Free TRUCK FLEET
• No Gun Or Membership Fees • Gift Certificates Available Since we maintain our own fleet of self-loading log trucks to haul wood to our mill, we have the
unique advantage of being able to schedule the hauling of your timber products around hunting
Located 17 Miles North of Lapeer or weather issues.

SAWMILL
www.jankspheasantfarm.com
REFERENCES AVAILABLE
Our mill is located just north of the beautiful little town of Comins, Michigan and consists of two
modern sawmills and one scragg mill operation. A distinct advantage that we have is specific
markets for what is referred to as industrial lumber. As a sawmill, we are paying good money for
the best quality wood out there, but we also pay well for lower quality industrial timber. Another
SPORTSMANS AUCTION advantage that we have is the scragg mill. This mill allows us to utilize smaller diameter material
that in the past would have been sold for firewood or pulpwood which is typically worth less
than scragg material.
We are your complete source for buying your timber! Our operations take your standing timber
from the tree to delivered green lumber. We have eliminated the need for all of the “middle
men”. By obtaining strong markets for our products and investing in technology, we are able

SATURDAY
to get the most out of every last log we process. All this means savings for us and more money
for you. We are locally owned and we live and shop in the same communities that you do. We
value our reputation above everything else. And we are committed to earning your trust and
MARCH 3RD AT 10AM building a lasting relationship.
Coldwater, MI We would honor the opportunity for us to meet and discuss in more detail how we may be of
Selling over 400 service to you. We also encourage the land owners to visit all our operations to see what prod-
firearms plus ucts we turn your standing timber into.

Michigan Lumber & Wood Fiber, Inc.

a collection of
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framed art,
ammunition and
so much more.
For more information go to
www.BelcherAuction.com or
call 269.781.7100
Comins, Mi • (989) 848-2100 or (989) 848-5946 • Fax: (989) 848-7252
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 59
 Dear Fish Diary...By Ron St. Germain

Beavers and toothless pike? Oh My!

I
Dear Fish Diary:
can’t resist a good beaver
story, especially if it’s
responsible for ruining a
good day of fishing. I for
sure can’t resist an op-
portunity to poke fun at
someone who was outsmarted or
embarrassed by a beaver.
To Pickford resident Randall
Beard, this wasn’t just any beaver
though, this was a Canadian beaver,
and Canadian beavers are known for
their craftiness.
You have to understand, people
who write to me and tell me their
fishing stories are not looking to be
glorified because they’re know-it-
all fishing gurus. These aren’t the
fortunate souls going out and catch-
ing trophy size stringers and endless
limits of fish. More times than not,
they are the unfortunate victims
of the odd, funny things that can
happen while out fishing for a day.
Sometimes, they’re even victims of
the notorious Canadian beaver.
When an email starts with, “I’m
A beaver, especially an angry Canadian beaver, can affect the fish-
ing much more than you realize. Ron St. Germain photo
not making this up,” it typically gets
my attention. That’s how Randall
approached me. Kwinkwaga Lake,
that just sounds like a nightmare
waiting to happen and that’s where
Randall’s beaver debacle started.
The lake is near White River, On-
tario about 250-miles north of Sault
Ste. Marie. This rustic location is
north of Pukaskwa National Park
and Lake Superior Provincial Park.
Lake Kwinkwaga, pronounced,
(Kwinkwaga) is surrounded by little
towns with names such as Barehead,
Manitouwadge, Hornepayne, Du-
breuilville, Anjigami and Missana-
bie. None of which come up in spell
check by the way. If you’re ever lost
in that area don’t expect anyone to
find you by texting them your loca-
tion, just text message them and tell
them you’re somewhere just south
of Nagagamisis Provincial Park, that
should work.
Sometime at the beginning of
a two week wishing trip with four
friends, Randall decided to set a
minnow trap. Notice, I called this a
“wishing trip.” Although the camp-
ground is near the lake, Randall
decided to walk a mile and a half to
a remote flooding and set the trap
there. Why not close by in the lake?
I don’t know, but Randall has made
this trip for 25-years so I wasn’t
about to question him. Maybe

L e n Je n ki ns What’s In Your
?
Ol d Tac k l e B ox ??
?

HUNT CLUB
Custom Gun Dog Training English Setters
??
Terry
McBurney,
Woods-n-
Water News
staff writer and
fishing tackle
historian, will
be setting up his
antique fishing
Joining him
will be Dick
VanRaalte
of Starboard
Marine
Restorations,
Grand Haven,
Michigan who will
exhibit part of his
4989 Abbot Road • Reading, MI 49274 tackle displays at
the Outdoorama
collection of vintage
outboard motors.
in Novi and the With over 20 years of
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as wood and fiberglass
boats, VanRaalte will also
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and offering free
on antique tackle, he will appraisals. They are also
We Don’t Fool Around, be answering questions interested in buying old
and offering free sporting collectibles for
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60 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
Canadian minnows are smarter in
lakes than they are in flooded ponds
or, maybe the pond just had more
minnows and was worth the effort.
Either way, Randall baited his trap
with cracker crumbs, tied it off to a
tree limb, stuck the tree limb in the
muck and left it overnight.
Sometime in the afternoon the
next day, Randall went to check on
his trap anticipating a good haul of
bait. Upon his arrival, the trap was
gone. Surrounding the trap were
moose tracks, but he quickly ex-
tinguished the thought that his trap
was stolen by a moose. He’d heard
rumors about locals robbing traps,
but not actually taking the traps but
discounted that thought too.
He’s now 4.5 miles of hiking
into this excursion with nothing to
show. Perplexed, he scans the pond,
and there it is, on top of a beaver
lodge about 100-yards away. The
beaver had retrieved the tree branch
and drug it on top of his lodge,
uncaring that Randall’s minnow trap
was tied to it. Or maybe the beaver
did care and felt this glimmering
mesh trap was the perfect ornament
for its home.
Unfortunately for Randall,
100-yards in a deep pond is an eter-
nity, admitting he can’t swim and
has a fear of water, any water where
he can’t see the bottom. Without any
choice he added another mile and a
half to his journey back to camp in
search of a canoe.
I’m not sure how Randall con-
vinced a camper to come to his aid,
but he did. He was reluctantly going
to make the trip to retrieve the min-
now trap, but upon stepping into the
canoe, he quickly went overboard
into the lake head first and now
he suddenly has a fear of canoes.
Add another mile and a half to help
the nice, friendly camper carry the
canoe to the pond and another mile
and a half to carry the canoe back to
camp after the camper retrieved the
trap for him. Oh yeah, he now has to
walk back to the pond to reset and
bait the trap, this time without a tree
limb. He’s learning. It might have
just been easier to try and convince
the beaver to bring the trap back to
him.
Hiking fifteen miles is a bit ex-
cessive to try and catch minnows, I
don’t care who you are. Although it
does add a spice of drama and rug-
ged pursuit to a backcountry fishing
story, you’d actually have to catch
fish to make the story compelling.
In the midst of his minnow/beaver
crisis, a bear tried breaking into
his motor home, the fish were not
biting, and the minnows were not
finding the trap. Another kind neigh-
bor felt sorry for him and fed him
moose steaks…well that explains
the moose tracks doesn’t it? Hence
why this became a wishing trip, not
a fishing trip.
It’s funny how rumors can
quickly float around a fishing camp
when the fish aren’t biting. I’m sure
there were more than rumors flying
around. I’m sure by now there were
campfire stories about crazy Randall
and how a local beaver had a ven-
detta against him. How he walked
upwards of six miles a day trying to
catch minnows instead of focusing
on monster pike and walleye in the
big lake.
But the rumors of why the fish
weren’t biting? Someone mentioned
to Randall that the reason the pike
stopped biting is because they had
lost all of their teeth that week. You
know, kind of like a full mouth molt.
I did some research on this, and be-
lieve it or not, this is an old standing
rumor that’s been passed down for
generations. People actually believe
that the pike stop biting at a certain
time of year because they’ve lost
their teeth. But if you know that,
why would you pick toothless week
to go pike fishing? And if you did
pick that week, surely someone has
developed a gummy bait for such an
epic event.
After further biological research
there isn’t much truth to the molting
mouth pike rumor. Although pike
do occasionally lose teeth now and
then, they don’t molt a mouthful,
and certainly not every pike in the
lake all at the same time. The real
reason you got skunked Randall, if
you want the honest truth, is because
you angered the beaver by stealing
his house decoration and he warned
all the fish as a payback. I told you,
Canadian beavers are crafty.
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 to me.
You don’t have to write the entire
story, just a brief outline of what
happened. 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, e-mailing
DaPhotoDude@aol.com. Visit the
author’s Facebook page www.Face-
book.com/BearwaveBooksn

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WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 61
 By Captain Fred Davis

Boat Smart
S
pring will soon be ar-
riving in many areas
of the country. Even
in the frozen north,
the weather is start-
ing to act like it could
show up. A few warm days get
everyone thinking about the fishing
and boating seasons that will soon
be underway and picturing being in
their boats headed offshore.
There will be reminders to
review launch lists and clean up
Remember, small vessels are subject to safety gear requirements
and PFDs are cer tainly a necessity in an inflatable. Author photos
the boats before they hit the water.
Of utmost importance are all your
safety gear; flares and PFDs for
sure. If you are pulled over on the
water, your safety equipment will be
inspected thoroughly so it’s a good
idea to have it updated and in good
condition.
I read a newspaper report of a
boating collision that described the
event. A 17 foot and an 18 foot ves-
sel collided and one person was sent
into the still cold water. The op-
Sure makes you think spring and fishing are on the way – but load
up the safety equipment before you head to that fishing hole.
erator of the 17 foot boat who was
responsible for the collision said, “I
just wasn’t paying attention.”
What was left unsaid was the
probability the operator of the 17
foot boat was using his cell phone.
If you have a VHF radio, perhaps
you should leave the cell phone on
shore.
The news clip included an
excerpt from a Sheriff’s Department
press release. It addressed boating
safety and was titled; “Is Your Boat
Seaworthy?” The article provided
valuable information:
“We encourage boat owners
to have their local Sheriff’s Office
perform a free vessel safety check.
Vessel examiners will check the
boat for mechanical safety as well as
verify proper safety equipment is on
board.”
If your boat needs an inspec-
tion, you should be able to contact
the local Sheriff’s Department in
your county and make arrangements
with them. They may even be able
to meet you at your marina if time
permits. If not, trailer the boat to
their location and have the inspec-
tion done. You will receive a
sticker to display on your wind-
shield and won’t be delayed at the
launch while other boats will be
inspected.
Local Coast Guard Auxiliarist
will also perform vessel inspections
upon request. They too are will-
ing to meet you at the marina or
even your driveway. It’s possible
you may even set one up with them
online.
Let’s all be careful out there and
make this a safe boating year.n

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62 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
Michigan’s Amazing Animals...

The Crappie
A
pan fish that has
many attributes but is
not as sought after, or
as prevalent, as some
other sunfish spe-
cies in Michigan is
the crappie. But those anglers who
pursue this fish know of its value as
a game and food fish.
Here are some fabulously fishy
facts that I hope will help you to
have a crappie – as opposed to a
crappy – experience catch-
ing them:
• Proper Pronunciation:
when pronounced properly
crappie rhymes with sloppy
or choppy, not scrappy or
happy!
• The Name Game:
Crappie are also known
as calico bass, speckled
bass, and by
the nickname By Patrick Bevier
papermouths.
That’s because they have delicate
extended jaw tissue that needs to
• Happy Crappie: Black crap-
pie, which are found in much higher
numbers in the Wolverine State,
prefer clearer waters than white
crappie. The latter feel more at
home in turbid conditions. White
crappie are found in higher percent-
ages in the warmer waters of our
southern states. Both are associated
with brush piles, standing timber,
and weed beds.
• Spawning Specifications:
Crappie are among the first
fish to spawn in the spring
and usually travel to quiet
water at depths of 3 to 10
feet to do so. This move-
ment usually occurs when
water temperatures reach
about 60° F. In Michigan
crappie generally spawn
in mid-May with a peak in
early June. In the
springtime anglers
should focus on
places where the water tends to be
warmest such as canals and boat
Black crappie, like this slab from Houghton Lake, are sometimes referred
to as papermouths because of their delicate jaw tissue.
schooling fish so when you’ve
found one, you’ve generally found a
bunch. And, especially in winter, if
you catch a bunch you’ll enjoy eat-
ing a bunch!
• Crappie Characteristics: Black
and White Crappie are members
of the sunfish family Centrachi-
dae. Reaching lengths of 18-inches
and weights of 3 pounds they rank
third – behind largemouth and
smallmouth bass – in terms of size
potential among Centrarchids. The
state record black crappie was a
whopper as it strained the scales to
4.1-pounds!
Black crappie tend to have a
more speckled appearance while
white crappie sport a more banded
look. If you are unsure count the
number of dorsal fin spines as black
crappie have seven or eight while
whites typically have six.
• Show Me State Secrets: As a
former fisheries grad student and bi-
ologist in Missouri I was fascinated
to come across some very intriguing
crappie fishing secrets at oldschool-
fishingsecrets.com. The infomercial
made me itching to try some of the
tactics. However, we’ll still need to
determine if all of them are legal in
Michigan. So, paddle safely before
using any of them.n

Mid Thumb Game Ranch

be accounted for when playing and
landing them. My Great-Uncle
Jerry, who taught me to fish using a
reel-less 15-foot fiberglass extension
pole, used to say, “If you’ve got on
a speckled bass, go easy and don’t
horse 'em in!”
• Not so Crappy Spots: Some of
the best crappie waters in Michigan
include the Up North destinations of
Houghton, Douglas, Mitchell, and
Cadillac Lakes.
Hot spots along our western
shore are many of the drowned river
mouth lakes including Muskegon,
Pentwater, and Ludington and the
bayou areas of the Grand River
system.
In the southern Lower anglers
focus on Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie,
several lakes in the Pinkney Rec-
reation Area, and portions of the
Huron River.
If you don’t want to be accused
of being a troll, stay away from
U.P. crappie haven Portage Lake in
Houghton and Hancock. Though in
the U.P. many anglers claim this is
the best place in the entire state to
land massive calicos.
Michiganian and walleye world
champion angler Mark Martin said,
“When trying to find great crappie
fishing look for waters that have a
lot of fallen timber, slab wood piles,
wooden pilings, and other wood fea-
tures. Crappie congregate near such
structures and I’ve discovered that
there are many waters in Michigan
that have tons of this great habitat!”
docks.
• Angling Advantage: In open
water crappie are most often caught
on live minnows or small jigs. Fly
anglers fool them with minnow imi-
tating streamers like Mickey Finns
and Black Nose Dace. Another
successful strategy is to use more
sizable baits because crappie have 545 West Burnsline • Melvin, Michigan 48454
considerably larger mouths than M-90 between M-53 & M-19 -- Approx. 50 Miles North of Detroit
bluegill or other sunfish.
Ice anglers hook them on live
minnows, tungsten jigs tipped with
waxworms or spikes, and small jig-
Contact at 810-378-5632
ging lures like Rapala’s Jigging Rap. DAILY 7 AM - 10 PM
Glow in the dark lures are deadly as
crappie often feed well after dusk.
Martin said, “When it comes
to ice fishing the most valuable
80 ACRES, MOSTLY
devices we recommend for finding
crappie are the Navionics App for WOODED-HEAVY COVER
your phone that shows underwater
features and the Vexilar electronics.
One gets you to the hotspots and NO LICENSE
the other helps you locate fish once
you’re there.” REQUIRED
When asked about current
optimal conditions for hard water $50 Deposit (personal check)
crappie fishing Martin said, “When
ice fishing right now we are finding
lots of crappie in 15-17-feet of water
near wooden structures or other
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underwater aspects. Start at the bot-
tom and work your way up keeping Rams & Goats $325 & Up
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Both species of crappie are PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE!
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 63
 Bear Hunting
T
here are benefits of
marrying into a bear
hunting family such
as shooting a monster
black bear that will
most likely qualify for
national big game records main-
tained by the Boone and Crockett
Club.
That’s what Todd
Brelage from Neenah, Wis-
consin did on September
10, 2017, which was open-
ing day of bear season in
the U.P. After applying for
13 years for a first season
bear tag, he finally got one
this year for the Carney
Bear Manage-
ment Unit and
he filled it with
By Richard P. Smith
a huge Menominee County male
that had a live weight of 560 pounds
and dressed weight of 460.
Twenty years earlier, minus one
day, Todd’s wife, Jackie, shot a bear
in Menominee County that was
slightly larger. The bruin she shot on
September 11, 1997, when she was
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64 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
17 years old, had a dressed weight
of 476 pounds. The skull from that
bear officially scored 21 7/16, set-
ting a new state record in the youth
category.
Todd started applying for a
Michigan bear tag when he and
Jackie started dating. They’ve been
married 11 years.
Jackie’s father, Joque,
was sitting with her in a
ground blind when she shot
her big bear during 1997.
Bear hunting is part of a
business Joque operates in
Powers. He is the biggest
bear bait dealer in the U.P.,
operating under the name
JP’s Bear Bait.
Bear hunt-
ing over bait
is the most popular form of bear
hunting in the state. Joque sells all
types of goodies to hunters that ap-
peal to black bears. As a bear hunter
himself, Joque knows what bears
like. In fact, he was maintaining the
bait where Todd shot his big bear
this year and where his daughter got
Todd Brelage
of Neenah,
WI with his
monster
bear.
hers 20 years earlier. Although Todd is pleased he got
What does Joque bait bears the 560-pounder, he went into the
with? hunt planning on taking any legal
“He’s got his own special mix bear.
of baits that he puts out,” Todd said. “After waiting 13 years to get
The mix obviously works a Michigan bear license, I planned
because Brelage commented that, on taking the first legal bear I saw,”
“There were a number of legal bears Brelage explained. Fortunately, the
regularly visiting the bait I hunted, big one was the first one he saw.
based on trail camera photos. The Todd said he was hunting from
bear I shot was the second biggest a ground blind 110 yards from the
one at that bait. He was coming in bait. When the bruin appeared at
every day. On the Monday before 7:15 p.m. Central Time he didn’t
opening day, he was chased off by waste any time putting a 180 grain
a bear that was about 200 pounds bullet from his .30-06 through the
bigger. Joque referred to the bigger bear’s chest cavity.
bear as a small elephant. “It was easy tracking,” Todd
“We knew the one I shot commented. “He only went 15
was 300 pounds plus by looking yards. When it came to getting the
at the photos taken by the camera bear loaded, there was a lot of heav-
at that bait. We figured he would ing and hoeing.”
probably weigh 400 pounds, but Todd shot his bear from a differ-
he was obviously bigger than ent location than where Jackie got
that.” her big bear 20 years earlier.n
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 The function of
C
ontrary to specula-
tion by 18th cen-
tury French scientist
Comte De Buffon,
deer antlers are not
made of wood, even
though they are normally branched
and shed their outer covering. Ant-
lers are true solid bone (they have
no marrow cavity), and are only
grown by members of the deer fam-
ily, Cervidae.
Antlers differ from
horns in that they are
branched structures, horns
are not. While growing,
antlers are living tissue pos-
sessing a blood and nerve
supply, whereas horns
are composed of keratin,
a protein secre-
tion similar to that
comprising hooves.
By John Ozoga
What makes antlers
so unique is that they are the only
mammalian appendages that com-
pletely replace themselves on an
annual basis; horns are permanent
structures (except in pronghorn an-
telope) that grow year by year, from
the base of the animal’s skull.
According to the late Richard
Goss, one of the world’s leading
authorities on antler regeneration,
function, and evolution, “How such
improbable appendages could have
arisen in the first place has been a
challenging problem for evolution-
ary ecologists. The significance of
antlers in the social lives of deer
seems to generate theories in inverse
proportion to available facts.”
A number of theories of ant-
ler function have been proposed,
foremost of which is that antlers,
like horns, developed as weapons
for combat. There is little doubt that
deer antlers evolved hand-in-hand
with certain aspects of the white-
tail’s breeding behavior. Since vel-
vet is shed at the end of the growing
season, when the antlers turn into
solid bone, is consistent with the
notion that antlers are used primar-
ily for the aggressive rituals of the
mating season.
Even so, since antlers are
branched structures, they are more
ideally designed for defense while
sparring or fighting. A wide, multi-
tined rack provides perfect protec-
tion for the eyes and head, and
serves as a “basket” to catch and
hold the antlers of a challenger – a
shape conducive not so much to kill-
ing as to pushing and wrestling.
An equally appealing theory
is that antlers may have evolved
more for display purposes than for
head-to-head combat. Large antlers
are showy structures and serve as
status symbols that permit bucks to
display and advertise themselves to
prospective mates and to intimidate
rival males. Being able to “bluff”
smaller rival males into submission
conserves energy and eliminates the
risk of injury.
This is not to imply that antler
fights among bucks do not some-
times cause injuries, or
more rarely, even death of
one or both combatants.
Fights between equal-
size mature bucks can be
vicious. Sometimes large-
racked bucks even lock
antlers, and eventually die
from exhaustion or starva-
tion.
Noting that
bucks increase their
food consumption
and metabolism during summer, to
build fat stores and strengthen them-
selves for the rut, one investigator
proposed that velvet antlers serve as
radiators releasing excess body heat.
The copious blood flow to velvet
antlers does in fact dissipate consid-
erable heat during summer – grow-
ing antlers are almost hot to touch.
Presumably, maturation of the antler
and loss of velvet in autumn would
minimize energy loss during the
winter when energy conservation is
important.
Although growing antlers admit-
tedly serve as thermal radiators,
most scientists doubt they evolved
for that reason. If they had, females
would also more frequently grow
them, and tropical deer species
would be expected to grow the larg-
est antlers, which is not the case.
The velvet skin covering the
growing antler has no muscles, but
associated with each hair follicle is a
sebaceous gland from which an oily
secretion (sebum) is produced. This
sebum is responsible for the shiny
appearance of the velvet skin, and
becomes more obvious when the
velvet starts to shrink and die, forc-
ing droplets of sebum to the surface.
Some researchers propose that
the velvet-produced sebum serves as
an insect repellent. Others specu-
late that the oily secretion contains
pheromones that serve an important
function in scent-marking. To my
knowledge, however, neither the
insect repellent nor scent-marking
theory has been substantiated by
research.
Antlers obviously serve a mul-
titude of other purposes for which
they were not intended. Deer have
What makes antlers so unique is that they are the only mammalian
appendages that completely replace themselves on an annual basis.
been observed to use their antlers had not evolved in the first place,
to knock apples and acorns out of they would never have been con-
trees. They also make ideal back- ceived in the wildest fantasies of the
scratchers. most imaginative biologists.”
To say that antlers are unique Certainly, antlers may be many
structures grown by remarkable things to many deer. The problem
creatures is indeed an understate-
ment.
is to determine which function
was primary and which ones were
In words of George Goss: “Ant- secondary. The answer, however,
lers are an extravagance of nature is inescapable; antlers must have
rivaled only by such other biological evolved first and foremost as weap-
luxuries as flowers, butterfly wings, ons of aggression, despite the fact
and peacock tails. The antlers of that certain secondary functions
deer are so improbable that if they have been adopted along the way.n
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4. Marlin 336 30-30 16. Smith & Wesson SD9 pistol 28. EAA Windicator 357mag
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6. Ruger 10/22 Lasermax 18. Henry Golden Boy 22 30. Savage Axis 308
7. Savage Model 64 Thread Brl 19. Remington 783 30-06 w/scope 31. Savage Model 64 Thread Brl
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WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 65
 Look no farther than the barn
for the perfect ice shanty
W
hat does a Memorial ice fishing contest in
little girl do Cedarville. Although she enjoys
when she fishing on their boat, a 26’ Seaswirl
wants to go Striper 2601 called the “Reelwild,”
fishing and the her first love is ice fishing. She
male fisher- spears pike and uses chub or artifi-
men in her family do not invite her cial decoys that she jigs under the
because she’s a girl? The answer ice. A Ken’s Hook and minnows
is simple. She grows up, are bait for perch. Plenty
meets a fine fellow who of fishers do the same, but
fishes with his family, and not very many can claim
tells him of her wish. He their shanty began life as a
immediately sees the po- plastic liquid fertilizer tank
tential for a partnership. He made for use on a farm.
knows he has a winner in a I guess Liz will have to
gal who is willing to bait a explain how something as
hook and patiently wait for alien as a fertilizer con- Liz and Mark Merchberger’s shanty began life as a plastic liquid fer tilizer
a bite. Eventu- tainer came tank made for use on a farm. The hand painted alien was added by Mark
ally the couple
marries. In the
By Sharon Kennedy to live out its
final days as
after Liz thought the shanty was a spaceship from another planet.

sunshine of summer or the icy cold a fish shack. “A family friend, the enough, Mark hooks the cylinder tournaments she enters are a team
of winter, Liz and Mark Merch- late Erik Graham, had the brilliant behind his snowmobile. We don’t effort. She and Mark are competi-
berger of Cedarville pick up their idea of turning these tanks into ice live far from the lake and the tank tors at the annual Hessel Slamming
fishing poles or spears and head for shanties,” Liz said. “Ours is the only is on skis so it’s a fairly easy haul. Salmon, the Cheboygan Salmon
Lake Huron. one on Lake Huron, but a few can Once in place, Mark cuts a good tournament, and the Grand Marais
Under the guiding hand of her be seen on Munoscong Bay. sized hole through the ice. A pro- Offshore Challenge. They’re joined
husband, Liz has become an ac- “After a thorough cleaning, the pane heater warms the interior. It’s by their daughter Kayla, Mark’s
complished fisherwoman. In 2015, tanks are transformed into a perfect been sanitized so there’s no concern brother Bob Merchberger, nephew
she placed first in spearing a 34” shanty. The one we own measures about a fertilizer aroma arising when Eric Merchberger, and good friend
10 pound pike in the Steve Tassier six-by-six. When the ice is thick the heat hits it. Jim Stolt.
“As you can imagine, we get One of the things Liz enjoys
lots of comments and questions about ice fishing is the opportunity
Open Mon thru Fri on our choice of shanty. When my to watch the fish as they come into
9am-7pm • Sat 9am-6pm husband brought the thing home, the hole. It’s a different experience
Sun 9am-4pm I didn’t know what it was. I asked from casting a line and waiting for
him if it was a space ship from something to bite. The shanty is
1380 N. Cedar another planet. Mark painted the darkened out and Liz relies on natu-
(517) 699-0597 tank black and drew a picture of an ral light. “The fish come in slowly to
(½ Mile South of Holt, 127 to alien head on it which completed the check out the bait,” she said. “Other
Cedar St. exit, North 2 Miles) look. I was somewhat skeptical at times they come in fast with a quick
Over 2,000 Guns in Stock first, but I’m glad I went along with grab at the bait or decoy. Sometimes
INDOOR GUN RANGE it. It’s a great conversation piece I miss one and sometimes they’re
and draws plenty of attention. By too small to spear. I use a seven
Hand Guns, Long Guns, Muzzleloading, now the locals are used to it but if tine spear. One was purchased at a
Reloading Supplies, Ammo, Archery & Accessories new fishermen are on the ice, they’ll sporting goods store and one was
• CASH FOR USED GUNS • INDOOR GUN RANGE come over and ask what it is. It isn’t handmade by John Wilkie of Raber.
• GUNS, NEW & USED • CCW COURSE • GUN SAFES (In Stock) unusual for us to be surrounded by The spear is tied off in the shack
Full Line of Gunsmithing • NRA Certified Instructors other shacks as much for the fish- and that’s a good thing because I’ve
ing as for the opportunity to take dropped my phone and a fishing
Full Line Archery & Fishing Tackle • Live Bait & Tackle Available photos.” pole through the ice.
2018 GUN & KNIFE SHOWS As winter settles in, Liz and “When I spear a pike, I throw it
For information call (517) 676-4160 Mark are anxious to head for the on the ice, but perch go in a bucket
ice. Their boat is put away for the to keep them alive until they get fil-
Feb. 17-18 . . . . . . 400 Tables . . . . . . . . . Monroe Mar. 30-31 (Fri.-Sat. Only).....900 Tables......Novi season and lake trout, salmon, and leted. We clean the fish when we get
steelheads are temporarily forgot-
Feb. 24-25 . . . . . . 900 Tables . . . . . . . . . . . Novi Apr. 6, 7, 8 . . . . . . 440 Tables . . . Lansing/Mason
home. We have a heated garage so
ten. Deer season is over. Liz is an it’s a good place to gut and debone
Mar. 3-4 . . . . . . . . 400 Tables . . . . . . . . . . . Flint ace shot and has bagged at least six them. There’s nothing better than
Apr.14-15 . . . . . . . 450 Tables . . . . Grand Rapids deer, the largest being a six point fresh fried fish, although we occa-
Mar. 10-11 . . . . . . 400 Tables . . . . . . . . Jackson shot with a .308 Ruger bolt action sionally grill or bake the pike.”
Mar. 17-18 . . . . . . 700 Tables . . . . . . . Birch Run Apr. 21-22 . . . . . . 275 Tables . . . . . . Kalamazoo rifle with a 2-7 Redfield scope. She Liz credits her husband for his
downed that one on the property
Mar. 24-25 . . . . . . 300 Tables . . . . . . . . Cadillac Apr. 28-29 . . . . . . 400 Tables . . . . . . . . . Monroe
time and patience in teaching her
owned by friend, Butch Haske. This to fish and hunt. The summer of
Sport Shows Promotions, INC. year she didn’t get a deer. “All I 2017 they traveled to Alaska and
www.migunshows.com • sportshows@gmail.com saw were yearlings,” she said. “I’ll had one of the most exciting fishing
P.O. Box 404 • Mason, MI 48854 have to wait until next year for a big trips ever. “We stayed at Sitka Point
Ph: (517) 676-4160 • Fax: (517) 676-6824 one.”
Frankenmuth Jackson Lansing/Mason Ingham
Lodge,” she said. “The owner and
Credit Union Manistee Little River Casino ORS Field House
outfitter, Mike Bowles, has a fantas-
Port Huron
Event Center Intersection 3055 Shirley Drive
500 Thomas Edison Pkwy County Fairgrounds Although hunting is a close sec-
I-75 @ Exit 136 US.31 & M-22 Jackson, MI
Grand
Blue Water
Rapids
Convention Center 700 E. Ash
Novi
ond, it’s easy to see why fishing is tic group of people who work there.
Cheboygan Ice Arena Dort Federal Event Cntr.
480 Cleveland 3501 Lapeer Rd. 4 Mile Rd Showplace Suburban Collection Showplace Liz’s favorite sport. Over the years, Captain Mike Romine put us on
she’s won several fishing tourna-
1025 Four Mile Rd. N.W. Grand Rapids
Monroe County
Flint, MI 48503
Alpena (New Location) Kalamazoo County Cadillac: Wexford Arena
46100 Grand River
Harrison fish four days in a row. We toured
Fairgrounds
MBT Expo Center
751 Woodward Ave.
Alpena, MI 49207
Expo Center
2900 Lake St. 131 & 13th St.
Clare County Fairgrounds
418 Fairlane
ments. The salmon and lake trout other parts of Alaska before return-
66 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
Under the guiding hand of her husband, Liz (middle) has become
an accomplished fisherwoman; here she’s par t of the first place
team at the Hessel Slammin Salmon Tournament.
ing home, but our most memorable
is the time we spent at the Sitka
Lodge.
“We brought home a combined
total of 240 pounds of salmon,
halibut, ling cod, and yelloweye
rock fish. When we were ready to
depart, we called Mike Bowles and
he shipped the fish Alaska Air to
Detroit. Mark loaded a freezer and
generator in our pickup truck and
drove to Detroit to get our catch.
Each fish was as fresh as the day
we caught it. Halibut is one of my
favorites, but they’re all good.”
Liz is a city girl and her family
and downstate employer thought
she wouldn’t last long in the Upper
Peninsula. “They thought I would
be moving back to the Detroit area,”
she said. “They figured a city girl
would be bored and not like living
in the U.P., but they were mistaken.
I’ve been here since 1989, five
years after meeting Mark, and this
is where I plan to stay. I love the
abundance of nature, and I’m never
bored. There’s always some outdoor
activity I’m involved in whether it’s
fishing, hunting, playing golf, or just
enjoying the beauty of my surround-
ings.
“Move back to the city? Not a
chance!”n

Southeast Michigan Bowhunters Chapter - SCI

27th Annual

Fund Raiser
Banquet
& Outfitter’s Party
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Laurel Manor  39000 Schoolcraft Rd., Livonia 48150
4:00 p.m. Doors open – Exhibits, Silent Auction & Raffles. Cocktails- 4:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m. - Dinner  Live Auction after Dinner
OVER 800 Attendees  SERVED Dinner  Open Bar
30+ Outfitter & Exhibitor Booths
$250,000 Live Auction  Silent AuctionS  Huge Raffles
80+ Hunting Trips & Fishing Charters  Wildlife Art
Guns & Bows  Hunting GEAR  TAXIDERMY& More!!!
Dinner: Filet Mignon  Boneless Breast of Chicken  Potato  Vegetable  Salad  Dessert  & More

All proceeds go to further SCI's wildlife conservation, education, humanitarian and governmental affairs
programs to ensure the future of North America's great wildlife management system and proud hunting
heritage. The Southeast Michigan Bowhunters Chapter of SCI is on guard to assist with funding and
manpower wherever animal-rights extremists threaten our sport. Your support helps us build a solid
future for sportsmen and wildlife. If you enjoy our sport as much as we do, we welcome you to attend this
gala event and to join Michigan’s most effective organization in protecting your “Right To Hunt”.
Mail Order Form to: Rich DeLisle / SCI-Tickets, 4810 N. Fleming Rd., Fowlerville, MI 48836
Email: 3839rich@gmail.com, Phone: (517) 545-4642, Cell (248) 345-1986

--------------- 2018 SCI BANQUET Ticket Order Form --------------

Ticket orders must be received by March 16th for advance ticket pricing!
Please send ______ Fund Raiser Banquet Individual Ticket(s) only $85.00 per person .............. $__________
Please send ______ Fund Raiser Banquet Reserved Table(s) of Ten $800.00 per table* ........... $__________
Please send ______ Crown Jewel Raffle Ticket(s) Limited to 100 Tickets $100.00 each ............. $ _________
Table Reservation Name: ________________________________________ TOTAL: $__________
Mail to:
Name_____________________________________________
 Check Enclosed (payable to: SCI- SE Michigan Bowhunters)

FREE Deluxe American Plan 4-Day Fly-in Fishing Trip

Address___________________________________________  Charge to: __VISA __MC __Discover Exp. Date:_______
City__________________________ St____ Zip___________ __|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__
For 4 people. Includes all meals, lodgings, boat, motor and gas. Float plane Phone (________)___________________________________
Card No.

TRIP ride to lodge and return from Wawa, Ontario. (Does not include bait & guide) E-mail Address_____________________________________ Signature_____________________________________

Visit our booth at Outdoorama in Novi March 1-4 and *Table purchasers will be entered into a limited drawing for $250 cash or a Henry .22 rifle!
GIVEAWAY! The Ultimate Sport Show in Grand Rapids March 15-18
Mention code WW2018
to receive $500 OFF per ticket!
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 67
 Au Gres’
early spring
mixed bag
T
he port of Au Gres
serves up an awesome
multispecies fishery
from ice-out until the
water warms into the
upper 40s in the Outer
Bay. Walleyes are the primary quar-
ry for most Au Gres area fishermen
then, but outings are often spiced
up with occasional salmon and
trout in the catch. During
late March and April, on
trips out of Au Gres, I have
boated walleye, chinook
salmon, Atlantic salmon,
brown trout, steelhead and
plenty of lake trout. In
that frigid water, we have
also pulled in some dandy
whitefish too. All these
By Michael Veine
species can be
caught with a
fairly straight
forward walleye program and since
the fishing is conducted close to
shore, it’s ideal for smaller boats.
I was fishing with long time, re-
peat charter clients on a cool, early
Mixing silver fish into the incredible walleye action makes for some exciting fishing indeed. Author photos
68 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
spring day when they got to experi-
ence variety that is the spice of life.
The water off Au Gres had been
riled up from a vicious nor’easter
wind a couple days earlier, and I had
not been out since before the storm.
We were searching for fish and had
only found fair action with a couple
walleyes in the box. Suddenly one
of the flatlines screeched out some
drag. From the corner of
my eye I saw a silvery fish
airborne and somersaulting
behind the boat. The acro-
batic fish hit the air several
more times and then blew
us away with a drag burn-
ing run. My client battled
the brute and at first we
thought it was a big steel-
head, but when I
was finally able
to net the thrash-
ing fish it turned out to be a nice
king salmon.
A few minutes later and another
silver fish hit a body bait behind a
planer board and that fish took to the
Occasionally, anglers will catch whitefish out of Au Gres during the spring.
air immediately too. After a fairly
long tussle, we landed that fish too,
and were surprised to see it was
a brown trout. The DNR had quit
stocking browns in that part of Lake
Huron many years ago, so I’m not
sure where that fish came from.
Eventually we found an active
school of walleyes in some dirtier
water and were able to pound out
limits in short order with a big laker
trout rounding out a four species
box of fish. My clients certainly
tasted plenty of varied and very fine
fish dinners after that trip.
During most years predatory fish
really abound off Au Gres right after
ice out. Reason being is that smelt
typically stack up there during the
early spring. In fact, the Au Gres
area is one of the few Lower Pen-
insula areas where smelt dipping
is still productive. Peak smelt runs
occur when the water temperatures
are in the low 40s, which is when
they are drawn into the shallows
near Au Gres en masse with wall-
eyes and other sport fish hot on their
tails. Some years, when winters are
mild and spring comes early, we
will see that peak time during early
to mid-April. If ice persists into
early spring though, then peak smelt
runs will occur during mid to late
April. When the water temperature
rises into the high 40s, smelt move
deeper and that near shore fishery
dries up. The best fishing will only

last a week or two at most.
When walleyes and other preda-
tor fish are chasing smelt near shore,
it’s hard to beat a lure that imitates
smelt. Body baits rule then with
Husky Jerk Baits, Rouges, Thunder-
sticks and Flicker Minnows being
popular choices. During the early
spring, predatory fish will usually
suspend when active, so it often
pays to deploy lures at different wa-
ter depths. One factor is consistent
though, slower trolling speeds in
the 1.0 to 1.4 mph range rule in that
extremely cold water.
Last year I was scheduled to take
a TV crew out for a day of fishing
on Saginaw Bay during mid-April.
When they cancelled though, I took
my wife Donna and a friend out
fishing for the morning. We ran just
a very short distance from the port
of Au Gres and set a diverse troll-
ing spread of eight lines mostly off
Church Tackle planers. The out-
side boards pulled shallow diving
Rouges. The middle boards towed a
pair of Deep Husky Jerk Baits. We
deployed two Flicker Minnows on
the inside boards. A Jointed Rapala
was set 80’ behind the boat as a
flat line and the last lure, a Rouge,
was set back behind a Stern Planer
200 feet from the boat. A 3/8 ounce
rubber core sinker was installed
about six feet ahead of all the lures
for several reasons: They help take
them to depth while shortening the
setbacks and they also catch poten-
tially lure fowling debris that might
slide down the line too. A trolling
speed of 1.2 mph seemed to feel
right for the conditions.
We trolled along over the mirror
smooth water for a little ways and
then spotted a bunch of fish boiling
en masse up ahead of us. I trolled
though the active area and both
the Rouges on the outside boards
hooked up with fish pulling back so
hard that they were almost directly
behind the boat. My wife went
after one of the fish while I clipped
a small video camera to the bill of
my hat and started recording. As the
fish came closer to the boat we both
gasped when it showed itself. It was
a monster walleye, but unfortunately
the fish shook off just before I could
reach it with the net. Donna then
started to bring in the other outside
board fish and it too turned out to be
a giant walleye that thrashed around
making us very nervous until it was
safely in the net. That hot action
continued for a brief period, but
then the smelt school melted away
and the walleyes were gone too.
We then trolled on and steadily
caught more walleyes, mostly big-
ger ones, until we happened into a
school of whitefish, catching several
of those unique specimens. These
were big whitefish too weighing
over five pounds. We also pulled
a couple lakers from the Bay and
by the time we called it a day, we
had amassed a heavy, diverse catch
indeed. Check out my YouTube
channel to see some of this action.
This fishery occurs primarily in
the near-shore waters from Point Au
Gres to Point Lookout. By near-
shore, I’m talking about less than
22 feet of water. Another great area
though is the shallow waters from
Point Lookout to Alabaster. There’s
a lot of rocky structure in that vicin-
ity that holds a lot of gobies, so
when the smelt move deeper, those
walleyes and other big fish move
into those rocky areas to seek out
those tasty tidbits.
It’s no secret that Lake trout are
very abundant in Lake Huron these
days and during the early spring
they tend to hangout much shallow-
er compared to later in the season.
Even after the smelt move deeper,
lakers can still be caught in 30-50
feet of water using traditional lake
trout trolling techniques.
One day Donna and I went out
of Tawas in April and rigged for
lakers just for something different.
We used two downriggers to take
flashy attractor setups down near
bottom: One cannon ball pulled
cowbells with a trailing spin-glow
while the other took a flasher with
trailing peanut down to the fish.
We also put out four spoons behind
Church Walleye Boards taking them
down near bottom using 5 ounce
Clip Weights. We caught and mostly
released a bunch of lakers that day
and never saw another boat near us
all morning. That fishery is a real
sleeper and is only a short run from
where walleyes school up closer to
shore then, so anglers have choices
there for multiple species of fish for
sure.
I’m pretty sure that if one were
to deploy a flashy, spoon filled
trolling program closer to shore
when the smelt are in, and troll at
somewhat faster speeds of say 1.5
to 1.8 mph, a higher preponderance
of salmon and trout would end up in
the catch. If I get some spare time
during April this year, I’m going to
try it.
The author offers fishing charters
specializing in Saginaw Bay wall-
eyes. Contact Mike Veine at www.
trophyspecialists.com or 734-475-
9146.n
Trapping season reminiscing
By John Chagnon
I
’m happy to report that the 2017 / 2018 trapping season was both a
very enjoyable and a safe one. The furs I caught did not financially
make me rich but the memories on the trap line and time spent
with family and friends enjoying my favorite pastime were beyond
worth. I had many checks on Saturdays with my grandchild Tobyn where
we had red fox and one with an otter. I can also report plenty of seed left
as many a fox and coyote outwitted me. There were few other trappers
encountered in the forest.
December there was plenty of snowy and cold weather. I got to take
Bryan Flowers and his wife on our Michigan trap line and show him
the facilities at Lenon Lures and PcsOutdoors. Both Bryan and his wife
were great company on the line and a wealth of outdoor knowledge. You
can view the episodes filmed in Michigan at Fur Life TV http://gen7out-
doors.com/furlifetv/
I actually picked up some pointers from Bryan on a hay set for fox
and coyote during his stay. I had success within days of putting the
hay set out on a really nice December red fox. To make a hay set you
obviously need hay, a couple traps and an attractant. With snow on the
ground and more coming I chose to use #3 Bridger dogless traps on six
foot of trap chain and an MB trailblazer drag. Break up hay loose about
three feet high by four foot wide and place it in an opening in the woods
or fields where fox and coyote travel. The hay itself is a major attractant
to Mr. Fox or Coyote and some Lenon Nature Call buried in the hay pile
on some sheep wool is all you need to make Mr. Fox give up his hide.
My traps were simply placed on some hay and covered with a light
layer of hay. The night after a snowfall I had a fox. I made several other
hay sets that did not connect and as of writing this article in late Decem-
ber I’m still testing and experimenting with variations of the hay set. I
definitely see a place for this set during the winter months for trapping
fox and coyote.
Different times during the season when I had sets closer to Pc-
sOutdoors, staff members that were not trappers got to check traps and
experience seeing a few coyotes removed for the deer herd. By the time
I got around to beaver and muskrat trapping there was plenty of ice. I
did not make a record catch but got plenty of exercise using my spud.
The beaver and muskrat I did catch were really nice and prime. Both my
wife and I caught nice otters.
The only disadvantage of catching your otter during the fall and
winter trapping season is that when spring beaver trapping you have to
make your sets with otter avoidance or risk catching an incidental. You
could still catch an otter in a beaver castor mound set with a foothold
trap but not as likely as you are to with a 330 body grip trap in a narrow
travel way. So this spring I will be setting on fresh beaver sign using a
castor mound set. A castor mound set is simply some mud you place on
shore near beaver sign and add some beaver lure for smell attractant and
some peeled popular sticks for sight attractant. Place the trap, a number
size 4 or 5, under two to three inches of water and attach to a drowner
in deeper water about waist deep. Check the Michigan Hunting and
Trapping Rule book for ending dates of beaver and otter season in your
zones.
If you do get out on some nice March day for spring beaver trap-
ping, make sure to put safety first. Rising water and partly ice and partly
open water can make for dangerous conditions. I recommend wearing
a life jacket around deep water areas. Also the water levels can fluctu-
ate considerably in the spring making it difficult to keep sets in working
order. The smallest ditch can get beaver traveling it during the spring,
they have been under the ice for months and will be on the move with
open water.
If you get lucky enough to catch an otter make sure to save the com-
plete head and bring the head and otter pelt to a DNR station for tagging
and sealing. The directions and places to take your otter for sealing are
on the Michigan DNR website. You will not be able to sell your otter
until it is tagged properly.
Fur prices remain low and as of December it looks to be a cold win-
ter for our nation. The cold weather and fewer trappers harvesting wild
furs should eventually trigger a rise in fur prices. But either way I’ll be
hiking the trails and paddling the rivers come November and December
harvesting our plentiful renewable fur resources.
Watch for April’s issue of Woods N Water News as I provide some
money saving tax tips for trappers and hunters and some end of the sea-
son chores in the trap shed.
I welcome you to visit my websites at PcsOutdoors.com and Lenon-
Lures.com. I always welcome calls from fellow trappers at (989) 569-
3480 ext. 225.
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 69
How to make a fly rod work
Part 1…By William T. Mangan (FFI) Certified Fly Casting Instructor

M
y passion for fly
fishing has been a
marvelous jour-
ney. For me it
started in the early
80s when I saw a
gentlemen fly fishing for blue gills,
on a canal in Harrison Twp. While
watching him cast the fly, I knew I
had to try it. Little did I know that
day would be the start of a lifelong
passion.
• I well remember the first cast
I made. Making that fly line move
felt magical and it still does to this
day. It was in the front yard of a
fellow who gave me a casting lesson
for $25, and I was hooked instantly.
After that day I was self-taught until
nearing my retirement from the real
world. I then became involved with
International Federation of Fly Fish-
ers (IFFF), which has since changed
to the Fly Fishers International
(FFI).
• I taught family and friends
what I could about fly casting, but
I wanted to be better at it. So with
help from many FFI instructors,
who I cannot thank enough, I was
able to hone my fly casting skills
and become an FFI Certified Fly
Casting Instructor, which helped me
turn my passion into a business.
• Knowing what I know now,
I would have greatly shortened
my learning curve had I sought
help earlier from a knowledgeable
instructor. There are many excellent
fly casting instructors out there and
I recommend you seek them out.
Personally, I found that the FFI was
an excellent fit for me.
• I believe the best place to prac-
tice fly casting is on the grass, not
the water. Although I have a pond
in my backyard, when I teach fly
casting at my house I teach on the
grass. When first learning to cast or
hone your rod hand skills, it is best
not to use both your hands. Keep
RIVER MARKE
F L E
the line held/pinched, between the
forefingers and your rod handle dur- Top (Fly) Leg
ing the casting strokes. For clarifica-
tion, the rod hand is the hand used
to hold the rod and the line hand is Fly
the hand used to hold the line.
Once the five essentials are
learned, I introduce the line hand,
which is needed for more advanced Bottom (Rod) Leg
casts and mends.
Fly casting is all about control-
ling the loop, and there are four
basic loops:
• Narrow Loop: Candy cane or
v-shaped loop, which are approxi- Author casting a Narrow Loop
mately 4 foot or less wide, due to a
straight line path (SLP) of the rod Figure 1-Narrow loop, due to near SLP of the rod tip, which is a good
tip. See figure 1. aerodynamic loop. Top (Fly) leg and bottom (Rod) legs are close to paral-
• Wide Loop: 4 foot or wider lel.
open loop, due to a convex path of
the rod tip. See figure 2.
• Trailing Loop: Straight or
upward curving of top (fly) leg that,
due to gravity, falls below the bot-
tom (rod) leg. See figure 3. Fly
• Tailing Loop: Top (fly) leg
and bottom (rod) leg of the fly line
crosses over each other, due to a
concave path of rod tip. See figure 4.
• Fly Leg: Usually, but not
always, the top leg of a casting loop.
Always the leg to which the fly is
attached. See figure 1.
• Rod Leg: Usually, but not
always, the bottom leg of the casting
loop. Always the leg that extends
directly from the rod. See figure 1. Author casting a Wide Open Loop
Most casters have thrown a
tailing loop, which is never a good
loop. The line tangles and forms
what is called a wind knot. Tail- Figure 2-Wide loop, due to a convex (domed) shape rod tip travel.
ing loops cause wind knots, not the get a wider open loop. If the rod tip travel in a straight line path, cast-
wind. Don’t confuse tailing loop travels in a concave path you will ing good aerodynamic and narrow
with trailing loop, a trailing loop is a end up with a tailing loop. loops, you will be able to control
perfectly good loop. In my opinion any cast is good, any loop shape you desire.
During the cast the line always as long as you are controlling the Now there will be times when
follows the path the fly rod tip outcome of the loop formation with you may not want to throw a tight
travels. If the rod tip travels in a the fly rod correctly, and not by ac- loop. For example when you are
straight path you will have a narrow cident. When you accomplish the casting a weighted fly, in which
tighter loop. If the rod tip travels five essentials, not only will you case you would want a more open
in a convex or dome shape you will have the ability to make the rod tip loop. Casting a narrow loop with a
weighted fly, you risk hitting the fly
rod with the fly, which can damage


or even break your fly rod.

RI Omer, T Everyone is physically built dif-

720 East Center
Michigan 48749
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70 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
ferently, and when we cast we can-
not all move exactly the same. We
all have our individual style. The
one thing that is always the same
is the mechanics/physics of how a
fly rod works. These five essentials
are the basis of how a fly rod reacts
when casting.
Five Essentials of Fly Casting
There are very few original
ideas in casting. FFI Master Fly
Casting Instructor Bill Gammel and
his father Jay compiled popular fly
casting concepts establishing the
five Essentials and many experts
consider them to be the model for
teaching basic fly casting.
I use the acronym S.C.A.P.S. to
remind me of the five Essentials: S
(Slack), C (Casting Arc), A (Ac-
celeration), P (Pause) and S (SLP-
Straight Line Path) of the rod tip.
#1 Essential - Slack you can make the pickup you must
Slack is the number one enemy
of fly casting. Slack must be kept to
a minimum or better yet eliminated
all together throughout the entire
casting stroke, both on the forward
and back cast, during the application
of power.
When the line is under tension
the rod is loaded. A loaded rod
simply means that it is bent. Here
is a good example of how a loaded
rod works. Hold the rod firmly,
by the handle with two hands, at
approximately a 45 degree angle to
the ground. Now have a friend walk
away from you, while holding onto
the end of the fly line, until the rod
is bent (loaded) and the line is taut.
Now without you doing anything
but holding steady on the bent rod
have your friend let go of the end of
the line.
The bent rod will unload,
straighten, pulling the fly line be-
hind it. When the rod tip stops the
fly line will continue over the rod tip
forming a loop. This simple exer-
cise demonstrates how the rod does
all the work. The caster simply has
to learn how to control the move-
ment of the rod and its stop. This
E ven the
best turkey
hunters appreciate ed fly fishers whose casting ability
less recoil and
muzzle jump!
“I recommend Pro-Port to all my clients”
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Phone: 586-469-6727
Fax: 586-469-0425
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41302 Executive Dr., Harrison Twp. MI 48045-1306
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41302 Executive Dr., Harrison Twp. MI 48045-1306
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Email: email@magnaport.com
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Email: email@magnaport.com
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is a little more complicated than it
sounds but once you learn the five
essentials it won’t be! Fly
How is eliminating slack ac-
complished?
First, every cast starts with an
initial pickup of the line, and before
make the fly move. When slack is
eliminated out of the fly line, the
second you move the rod tip you are
moving the fly and the rod will start
Author casting a Trailing Loop
to load. There should be no slack in
the line from the fly to the rod hand.
Remember to keep the line between
the forefingers of your rod hand and Figure 3-Trailing loop, top leg of fly line, due to gravity, falls below the
the handle. bottom leg. Perfectly good loop!
When starting the pickup, espe-
cially critical with longer line, keep
the rod tip low, within a few inches Fly
from the grass/water. The lower
you keep the rod tip, the better the
chance of eliminating slack before
the rod reaches the start of the cast-
ing arc needed.
There are many ways to elimi-
nate slack before the initial pickup.
If you are casting on the grass, keep
the rod tip low, walk backwards
until the line is taut, no slack. If
standing in a stream, let the current
pull the line downstream until it is Author casting a Tailing Loop
taut. You can pull the line towards
you, thru the rod guides, until you
have eliminated the slack. Or make
slow, steady back and forth move-
Figure 4- Tailing loop, due to concave path of the rod tip, top and bottom
ments (big wiggles) with the fly rod, legs of fly line cross over each other. Tailing loops cause “wind knots.”
keeping the rod tip low, until you
are making the fly move, the rod is
now loaded and you can initiate the
pickup.
IT’S HOG
HUNTING TIME!
When I’m fly fishing I like to
either make a roll cast or snake roll
to eliminate slack. The roll cast is
the first cast I teach, after the five
Essentials are learned, You can fish
all day just using the roll cast or use
it to get the line airborne, eliminat-
ing slack, to make the next cast.
Slack must also be eliminated
throughout the entire accelera-
tion/power stage of the cast, if it is
introduced, the rod will prematurely
unload. Depending on when and
where slack occurs, problems will
occur, which will be covered with
the other Essentials.
Most of us get into fly fishing
for the fun and relaxation the sport
offers. I have fished with and guid-
was limited, yet they had a great
time. Everyone has their own level
of what makes the experience enjoy- CHECK OUT
able and that’s the most important OUR BUTCHER
part. That being said, if you want SHOP & LODGE
to become a better fly caster you
should practice fly casting at home,
and not wait until your fishing trip. Your Hunting Spot Since 1988!
See you with the next Essential! 
Enjoy and tight lines.
About the Author: Bill is the TROPHY RANCH INC.
owner/operator of Mangan’s Cast Kevin 4076 Spencer Rd. • Ubly, MI 48475
a Fly, a (FFI) Certified Fly Casting
• Reduce Muzzle Jump
Anthony www.trophyranch.com
Quality PortingInstructor
Since 1971 and Michigan DNR Certi-
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fied Fly Fishing Guide. Please check Call (989) 658-8634 for info and free tour!
out his website: www.manganscas-
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WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 71
 WILL MICHIGAN GOBBLERS
Watching Michigan wild turkeys through a telephoto lens

W
ith the recent cold weather
highlighted by below zero
temperatures and deep
snow, ya gotta ask your-
self will gobblers survive.
How wild turkeys make
it through Michigan’s harsh winter is a bit of a
phenomenon. Some fall to coyote predation, oth-
ers succumb to life threatening weather condi-
tions, while many handle old man winter with no
problem. Here’s why.
I slipped though the knee deep snow in Grand
Traverse County in search of wild turkey. Air
temperatures were in the teens and after a night
of catching smelt from Green Lake I decided to
check on a local flock on my hunting turf. Huge
Y-shaped footprints in the snow confirmed turkey
were still alive and I followed them to a nearby
cedar swamp. There under the cover of the thick
conifer trees I located a flock consisting of four
big gobblers, several adult hens and several
poults. They were standing motionless, most
stood in the snow on one foot as I snapped pho-
tos. A break in the low hanging clouds brought
sunlight to the valley and several birds moved
to a small clearing where they could bask in
the midday sun. One old gobbler actually broke
into a full fan in front of some hens as if to say
“spring is coming and soon I’ll be in courtship
mood. What about you?” But the hens ignored
him.
Watching Michigan wild turkeys through a
telephoto lens during winter gives you a new
perspective on survival outcome. There are
several characteristics you notice. First, birds are
much more lethargic, resting, standing on one
foot and spending most of their time with head
tucked under a wing or lowered into a thick layer
of feathers. I found them somewhat easy to stalk
and only a few adult birds were standing with
head erect on lookout. Most of the birds seemed
more concerned with keeping warm than watch-
ing for predators. Finally an adult hen noticed me
and sounded an alarm putt. All the heads instan-
taneously came straight up, birds headed straight
away in a long line with adults clearing a runway
through the deep snow. None of the birds flew Deep snow can make it difficult for birds to locate food.
away and their retreat seemed a tad slow almost
like they didn’t want to trudge through the monu- Red tailed hawks prefer to dine on young poults prey for a coyote who is sweeping the area look-
mental snow drifts. It is my opinion that Michi- throughout the year but when winter weather ar- ing for dinner. Coyote frequently locate wild
gan turkeys in survival mode are easy targets for rives they too become desperate for food and will turkeys using their sense of smell and stalking
hawks and coyotes and sustained winter weather attack adult turkeys, no problem. likely hideouts going upwind. Once they smell
could have a huge impact on the overall popula- Coyote can stalk turkeys through deep snow birds they lower their profile, slink through the
tion due to excessive predation. with ease. When they spot birds they slink low underbrush and pounce on unsuspecting tur-
Studies conducted by the National Wild in the mounds of powdery white substance and keys that are somewhat dormant from the nasty
Turkey Federation have discovered that 73% of crawl within striking distance before they charge weather. After a harsh winter it is not uncommon
predation comes from the sky full speed ahead and dive on unsuspecting tur- to see gobblers with tail feathers missing from
on silent wings. Red tailed keys with their head under a wing. coyote attacks. In fact, statewide when you see a
hawks are the major wild Extreme severe winter weather with below turkey with the center gone from its tail you can
turkey predator and through- zero temperatures and howling winds cause tur- bet a coyote charged an unsuspecting bird, but at
out Michigan the population keys to huddle behind trees, next to fallen trees, the last second the turkey took to flight and the
is booming. Southern Michi- deep in thick brush found in gullies, ravines or coyote only got its teeth and paws into the tail
gan has huge populations of valleys offering refuge from the wind. Because feathers.
hawks and the impact on tur- wild turkeys are in survival mode and battling The impact of coyotes on Michigan’s total
key populations is profound. with the severe elements they sort of let down turkey population is simply unknown. The DNR
their natural instincts to be ever-wary, constantly has no studies or relevant data. However, the

By Kenny Darwin watching, alert for predators. Turkeys huddled

in a snow drift or deep in a swamp become easy
more brutal the winter is with deep snow the
easier it becomes for coyote to ambush turkeys
72 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
SURVIVE THIS WINTER?
during winter gives you a new perspective on survival
and the more difficult it becomes for birds to
defend persistent predator attacks.
So, what do turkeys eat during winter? The
answer is simple; whatever they can find. Of
course southern Michigan birds tend to congre-
gate where they can locate corn and perhaps the
biggest source is corn stubble fields. Savvy birds
tend to congregate where they can raid farms that
offer cow silage storage bins and at times will
enter feeding yards where food is strewn by for-
aging cows. Another excellent source of food for
winter turkeys is cow manure spread on fields.
Some manure is laced with whole kernel corn not
digested by cows and manure also is rich with
digested alfalfa and other grasses. Some areas in
Michigan that have large populations of turkeys
are created by local dairy farmers who cast ma-
nure into local fields throughout winter.
Another excellent source of food is provided
by concerned sportsmen who grow and main-
tain food plots. Standing corn and beans provide
much needed food for deer and turkey when Old
Man Winter sends howling winds, deep snow and
below zero temperatures to Michigan. Animals
and wild birds tend to congregate close to food
sources and large flocks of healthy, well fed wild
turkeys on alert act as a buffer to protect the flock
from predation. Come spring the large flock dis-
perses and birds cover the terrain for miles. Tur-
key populations remain strong in locations where
they are provided food by concerned Michigan
sportsmen.
At one time Michigan’s DNR would plant
corn and leave it throughout winter to feed
wildlife. Wildlife flourished in areas surrounding
standing corn fields. However, Michigan’s DNR
has chosen to limit planting crops and the few
fields they do plant are harvested and the grain is
sold. The DNR’s decision to stop planting crops
for wildlife has had a disastrous impact on Michi-
gan’s deer and turkey populations on public land.
“Wild turkeys simply do not survive win-
ter very well in northern Michigan”, said John
Collins of Pentwater. “When the DNR outlawed
feeding deer, folks in our area stopped setting out
corn and both the deer and turkey populations
went downhill at an alarming rate. Our northern
population of wild turkeys isn’t doing very well,
the numbers are shockingly low and I doubt if
they will rebound without some sort of subsis-
tence feeding program.”
But wild turkeys are tough birds and can go
days without food or water. When snow gets
packed hard they can walk on the surface and
escape coyotes with ease but food sources are
hidden deep below the white blanket. That’s
when they eat grasses, tree buds, dried berries,
crabapples and nearly anything they can swallow.
With fond memories I recall a flock of wild
turkey in Fenner Park in Lansing feeding on a
crabapple tree. It was mid-January with deep
snow and freezing temperatures when I noted
three big gobblers holding desperately onto the
bobbing branches of the relatively small tree.
They were busy pecking at tiny apples as the
branches swayed. Below the waving tree were
a dozen hens and poults scrambling for berries
Big gobbler struggling to walk in deep snow. If snow accumulations cover food sources some tur-
keys will eat tree buds, dried berries, crabapples, tree bark, anything to sur vive. Author photos
as they dropped to the ground. This is a classic If winter 2018 gets ugly, stays brutal and
example of how wild turkeys are true survivalists serves up extreme cold mixed with deep snow
in the purest form. you can bet turkey numbers will be negatively
I followed the flock led by three adult gob- impacted. However, if weather stabilizes and
blers with 10-inch plus beards dragging in the offers winter thaws and warming trends you can
snow. The trio marched through the deep snow to count on better survival of wildlife. One thing is
bird feeders found outside the Welcome Center. certain; wild turkeys are resilient, exhibit extreme
Two hours later they slipped into a nearby cedar stamina and are true survivors when it comes to
swamp, took a long nap, and then waddled to a Michigan’s cold winter weather. It is my opin-
nearby oak ridge. Deer had beaten them to the ion healthy wild turkeys exhibit toughness on a
acorn trees and the blanket of snow was covered monumental scale and they can persevere through
with turned up leaves. The turkeys pecked at Michigan’s extreme climate changes. You can
the leaves, scratched at the exposed ground and be there will be some boss gobblers struttin’ this
eventually excavated acorns. This is an excellent spring.n
example of how wild turkeys capitalize on vari-
ous food sources to make it through winter.
The flock moved to a ridge highlighted by
huge, old hardwood trees and one by one they
flew up and took position on the large horizontal
branches. I stood in awe to see the beautiful birds
huddled against tree limbs as they took roost. The
southwest wind was blowing 20 mph causing the
branches to dance in the breeze. “How do they
hang on?” I asked myself.
More importantly, how can they survive be-
ing fully exposed far above the frozen earth night
after night? I checked on the big gobblers at
midnight. Through my 8x50 Nikon binoculars the
huge black birds with trophy beards highlighted
by big city lights looked fully asleep with heads
tucked under their wings.
If I had to predict how wild turkeys will
survive the 2018 winter, I’d say pretty well. Al-
though I believe the outlook is dismal for north-
ern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula because of
deep snow, severe cold and predation. Red-tailed
hawks and coyote must eat too, and I predict they
will impact turkey numbers in certain areas. Man,
the hawk numbers in southern Michigan are out
of control, way too many. And certain locations
are overrun with coyotes which will gobble tur-
keys by the dozen when winter conditions favor Winter weather causes turkeys to stand on one
their sneaky killing strategies. foot and alternate feet to keep them from freezing.
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 73


TROPHY PAGE

Tiffany Leverton of Temper-

ance took her first deer, Ryan Bartholomew took this wide
this Monroe Co. 4-pt. while Amber Miller of Shelby Ellwyn Warren, age 89, of non-typical buck with his crossbow
hunting in a double tree- Twp., took this 8-pt. on Nov. Battle Creek, with his 9-pt.
stand with her boyfriend, Branch Co. buck he took on in Livingston Co. It scored over 145
Jared Deindoerfer. 19 in Macomb Co. Nov. 17. non-typical.
Ross Deer
Camp Success:
(lt-rt) Dave
Ross Jr. took
this nice 8-pt.
Nov.17; Dave
Ross Sr. took a
nice 9-pt. Nov.
20 and Hunter
Ross got his
first buck, a
5-pt., on Nov.
25. They all
enjoy spending
quality time
together as a
Emerson Starr, 10, took her first long beard. She also harvested two hunting family,
mature doe with her crossbow bringing her overall total deer harvest and bringing
to seven. Everett Starr, 6, had been hunting hard all year when finally home some-
it all came together and he was able to shoot his first deer on Dec. 6 thing for the
with his crossbow. Special thanks goes out to Hotshot Outfitters. freezer.
Colton Sierpien, 10,
Noah Drew with a doe he harvested
Sheridan, Hayes, 8, January 13 in Alpena Co
17, of of Grego- hunting with his dad.
Dublin, ry, hunt- What makes this hunt
OH took ing with special is that it was
his dad taken during the new
this nice under the
8-pt. in late season doe hunt
mentored created by the DNR to
Tuscola youth tag,
Co. on took this
combat deer disease in
Turkey doe with Alpena Co. The hunters
Day with a 31 yard did not know anybody
a muzzle shot with with private land so they
Brady Failing, 16, of Bay crossbow utilized the Hunter
loader. Access Program (HAP).
City took this nice 7-pt. on Oct. 7.
in Tuscola Co. during the
gun season.

Debra
Welton
took
this nice
8-pt.
Alpena
Co.
buck on
Nov. 29.
It has a
19 inch
inside Eleven-pt. buck 185 pounds
Riley Roberts, 10, spread. taken Nov. 26. Shot with a .52
Lance Cican
with a spike taken caliber Knight muzzleloader with his first
Riley Roberts, 10, with his deer taken Nov.
opening day of gun at the Devils Creek Lodge
season. first trapped bobcat. Menominee Co. in the U.P. 15 near Afton.
74 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS

Jacob Minix took this monster
record book 10-pt. hunting Liv-
ingston Co. The buck’s estimat-
ed live weight was 245 pounds
and it should score in the low
150s with a 21 inch spread.
Doug Evert of Leslie took this huge
8 foot-plus brown bear hunting with
Alaska Coastal Guiding out of Juneau
last October.
SEND US YOUR
TROPHY PHOTOS
wnw@pageone-inc.com
Lauren Jeffrey, 12, shot her
first deer in December with
her grandfather, Richard
Plante, both of Montcalm Co.

TROPHY PAGE
Knutson’s 2018
Midwest Open Ice
Fishing Tourna-
ment Champions
on Wamplers Lake
was won by Joe
Thornburg of
Vicksburg and
Marc Melson of
Gobles. The
winners excepted a
check for $20,300
for their catch of
16 crappies, the
largest being 1.14
pounds at this
After waiting hours for a thun-
derstorm to pass, Rick Rice of year’s event. It’s the
Eastpointe shot this huge 9 point largest tournament
November 4th in Hillsdale Co. payout!
Dan Madar took this nice tall tined
9-pt. hunting Tuscola Co.
Alisha Jones caught this nice steel-
head fishing Muskegon River last
Luke
Welch, 7, November.
bagged
his first
deer while
hunting
with his
father on
their prop-
erty near
Howell.
Mike Spencer of St.
Johns took this Master
Angler Award 17 1/4
inch Black Crappie that Noah Kuenker
Jayden McCormick, 9,
weighed 2 pounds, 15
Carl Vliem, 12, of Fre-
with her first deer taken ounces with a 15 1/2 took this 6-pt. Nov.
mont shot his first buck
hunting near Hesperia during the late doe sea- inch girth on Jan. 20 in 18 hunting with
son with a .44 mag single Clinton Co.
with his grandpa Nov. 18. shot rifle in Huron Co. his grandpa!
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 75
Lament for a lynx
O
ver time, being
sportsmen and
women, many of
us have probably
suffered the loss of
a favorite hunting
dog or pet; a special companion;
finally relegated to memory through
its passing.
It’s been awhile since Jan Van
Hoesen’s Canada lynx succumbed
to kidney failure at the age of 13.
I have written about Jan (Rogers
City area) throughout the pages of
numerous publications.
Van Hosen wore many
hats. She was a world class
judge of taxidermy as well
as a superb taxidermist
who preferred her mounts
attain a natural look rather
than displaying anger. She
created taxidermy molds
for a major manufacturer
or I might be afforded an enormous
hug as Crystal’s huge front paws
wrapped around my upper leg; or
tired of having photos taken, Crystal
might head for the guest bedroom to
lie in peaceful splendor on the bed.
That was ‘her’ private refuge, off
limits to us mortals. A deep-throated
growl was usually afforded when
Jan would leash Crystal for the ride
back home.
If I miss this lynx so terribly,
think of how Jan and husband Jim
felt when this passing took place.
(Since then, Jim passed
away and Jan moved
downstate to be near her
children).
How many of us will
ever be fortunate enough to
view a Canada lynx in the
wild?
Lynx have long disap-
peared from Michigan’s re-

By Betty Sodders
out east. Jan was
a teacher. She
also served as a
wildlife rehabilitator. But her most
cherished position was showing and
teaching Michigan citizens the ways
of the wild creatures native to our
state and their individual habits and
habitats, putting on demonstrations
at state parks, schools and for other
interested groups. She maintained
MDNR permits to keep Canada
lynx, coyotes, raccoons, bobcat, fox,
skunk and other critters to include in
her wild mammal demonstrations.
I am positive my readers won’t
mind if I start at the end of my story
instead of the beginning. It is with
purpose. Several years have passed
since Jan’s beautiful Canada lynx
had to be put down due to kidney
problems. Everyone who ever met
or viewed Crystal was in awe…
an absolutely gorgeous animal. At
times her fur possessed a hint of
shimmering silver. She was good
with people during demonstrations,
even to the point of falling asleep
during one particular event. This
was due to Jan’s patience, raising
her in the house surrounded by do-
mestic and wild creatures from Ger-
man shepherds to coyotes, ferrets,
a fox or two, bobcat and a skunk
named, Izzo.
From time to time, Jan would
head north over the Big Mac Bridge
to bring Crystal to my home for
socialization. Those were fun times.
I gave the big cat the run of the
house. There were occasions when
she tried to squeeze into my An-
nie’s cat carrier only to find it way
too small. But soon after, Annie’s
cat toys could quickly be mutilated
76 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
maining wilder-
ness areas. From
time to time,
reports have surfaced of a single
lynx trapped near Newberry; an-
other sighted near Cedarville; and a
Canada lynx was observed crossing
ice cover on the St. Mary’s River
that separates Ontario, Canada and
Michigan. And just a few months
ago, Denice Serra of rural Pickford,
reported that a Canada lynx had
been photographed as it fed for three
days on a young deer it had taken
down. But for general purposes,
few, if any, reside in the U.P. where
once they thrived. How exciting to
learn that here in the E.U.P. a wild
Canada lynx is thriving. None exist
in the Lower Peninsula.
Jan’s traveling to Michigan
state parks and putting on wildlife
demonstrations afforded the public
a one-on-one viewing opportu-
nity, close up and personal, with a
seldom viewed species ... an ani-
mal that once occupied its niche in
Michigan and remains a vital part of
our state’s natural heritage. Over the
years, if it were not for Jan Van Ho-
esen showing Crystal, those specific
individuals would have missed their
single opportunity to see and learn
the ways of a Canada lynx.
Jan’s wildlife facility was top
notch, bar none. While Jan Van Ho-
esen’s adult wildlife were caged, all
or most had been house-raised. Sit
back, close your eyes, and imagine
what it would be like at night to
listen as a Canada lynx and a young
bobcat race up and down the stairs
to the second story bedrooms or
walk in front of a tall bookcase in
the living room only to have a juve-
Crystal wearing her huge heavy winter coat held by Jan Van Hoesen.
nile lynx jump down on your shoul-
ders or watch a full grown lynx out
on her 100-foot-long exercise wire
line catch and play with a captured
black squirrel as a house cat plays
with a mouse.
Early one spring, Jan and Jim
took Crystal to their lakefront
cabin. She was secure on her line,
but when Jim threw a stick in the
water for their German shepherd
Skip to retrieve, Crystal thought the
game might be fun and jumped into
the water off the end of the dock.
At once, those huge furred paws
filled with water and she was hav-
ing difficulty swimming to shore.
Jan grabbed her line and helped by
pulling her into shallow shore water.
Upon leaving the experience behind,
the big cat noticeably sulked the rest
of the afternoon while it seemed to
take forever to dry out her heavy fur.
On another occasion, Crystal got
loose from her line and climbed a
huge pine tree in Van Hoesen’s yard.
Her claws had been removed from
all four feet, front and back, but
her back feet still afforded enough
purchase in using her long toes
to climb the tree. Jan went in and
brought out some raw chicken, the
lynx’s favorite food, and she nimbly
climbed back down the pine tree for
her reward.
Yes, I still lament over the death
of that beautiful animal…no longer
will I receive her hugs, no longer
will I touch her soft luxurious fur,
no longer will I hold her in my arms,
but the Van Hoesen’s lost so much
more than I, they lost a member of
their family, for Crystal was just
that, a loved and respected mem-
ber of their family along with Odie
the coyote, Rusty the fox, Bob the
bobcat, Izzo the skunk and a host of
other wild creatures that have been
a vital part of their life for so many,
many years.
Rest easy Crystal. If she ever
has a grave marker, it should
read, ‘Crystal we loved you.’
And now the tears are running
down my cheeks! Indeed, she
was special!
Author’s note: At this writing,
Crystal has been gone for several
years; I could not write about her
earlier...the words just would not
flow. And to make matters even
worse; upon final completion of this
article, I received a phone call advis-
ing that Jan Van Hoesen had also
passed away. She was a wonderful
individual who deeply loved her
animals and her critters loved her as
deeply in return.n
 MICHIGAN'S
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WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 77

Hunting is a great equalizer
“When we hunt together, we are all the same.
It’s something bigger than shooting deer...”
T
By Bob Vogel
he caller ID on my
phone read NICK. Rec-
ognizing the name and
the number I answered.
“Hello Nick, what’s
up?”
I immediately realized the deep
voice on the line was not Nick.
“Hello Bob, its Ed. I borrowed
Nick’s phone.”
“Ed, how are you, to what do I
owe this pleasure,” I asked.
“Nick said you had some sur-
gery coming up and will be laid up
for a while. Are you going be able to
hunt?” Ed wondered.
“Well I am not sure. Doctor
said five to six weeks recovery, we
will see how things go.” I replied.
“Do you have any thing down there
worth hunting? Do you have one
tied up for me.” I joked.
“If I tie one up do you think you
can hit him?” Ed asked.
“Ouch! I guess I had that com-
ing,” I conceded. I made the mistake
of missing a very nice 5x6 with my
muzzleloader while hunting with Ed
once.
“I am hoping you will be able to
come down to hunt with the muzzle-
loader,” Ed said with his annual
invitation. “We have some good
ones again,” he teased.
“How good?” I asked.
“I have three, maybe four, 150
inch mature bucks on camera,” he
confessed.
That was all I needed to hear.
“I’ll get down there for the late sea-
son. I’ll get ahold of you before that.
I’ll keep Nick posted on the surgery
and recovery. Take care,” I said in
closing.
To say Ed and I have little in
common is an understatement. Ed is
15 years my junior. We are not from
the same neighborhood or town. Ed
and I live 200 miles apart. We did
not go to school together. I went
off to college as was my mother’s
wish. Ed left school after the 8th
grade as was his father’s wish. We
don’t speak the same language. Ed’s
first language is Dutch. English is
his second language. I speak only
English, poorly. Ed is Amish. I am
English. English is the term the
Amish use to describe anyone who
is not Amish despite their ethnicity.
So what is our common thread?
What makes us good friends?
We have a mutual passion for
78 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
Hot Topics in the Outdoors...
large mature whitetail bucks. Hunt-
ing is a great equalizer. When we
hunt together we have no differenc-
es. We are hunters, nothing more or
nothing less. We have hunting skills
and experience in common. When
discussing deer, we speak the same
language. When we hunt our culture
is the same.
The first time I hunted with Ed I
asked him what deer he was seeing
and what type of deer he wanted to
harvest. He said to shoot whatever
made me happy, but he was after
four-year or older bucks with racks
of 150 inches or bigger. I thought
“Yeah right.” A lot of hunters speak
of deer over 150 inches but have
never seen one, and don’t know
what special animals they are. I was
Ed’s guest and would follow Ed’s
advice. The first buck I saw was
pushing 140 inches. I passed. It was
hard to do. I was glad I did. Later
that same day a mid-160 buck came
my way. My Amish friend knew
whitetails.
Ed and his family (he has seven
brothers) own several hundred acres
of land in eastern Ohio. Those beau-
tiful rolling hills are covered with
mature hardwoods and surrounded
by crops. This makes for prime
whitetail habitat. It is the kind of
place you don’t mind passing on a
questionable buck. Chances are you
are going to see a “no doubter.”
Ed and I do have some things in
common. We are after the same type
of deer, and we hunt similarly. We
hunt from before daylight until after
dark. We hunt no matter the weather
condition. We use good hunting
practices. We will both pass if we
don’t find the buck we are after.
This year the Ohio four day
muzzleloading season began on
January 6. I called Nick in mid-
December.
“Nick when you see Ed lend him
your phone and ask him to call me
please,” I requested. The next time
my caller ID said “Nick” I knew it
was Ed calling me back.
“Ed, your season begins on
Saturday the 6th. I can come down
on Friday to pick you up and we can
stay out at the cabin,” I offered.
“We have a problem. The 6th
is Old Christmas,” he said. The 6th
of January is the Epiphany, the day
the Amish celebrate Christmas. “I
can’t hunt that day. The next day is
When we hunt together we have no differences. We are hunters,
nothing more or nothing less. We have hunting skills and experience
in common. Kenny Darwin photo
Sunday, I can’t hunt then either,” Ed
informed.
“Sounds like you are the one
with the problem. I’ll head down
and shoot your buck for you,” I
joked.
I picked Ed up on Monday
morning at 5:30 a.m. After fighting
through an ice storm we were both
seated in our stands before daylight.
Our two days of hunting and camp-
ing went by quickly. We both saw
a lot of deer and a couple of mature
bucks. We both passed on three-
year-old 4x4s. We knew there were
150-inch bucks in the area. We also
knew there was a Booner Ed had
seen early in bow season. With that
knowledge we passed on the bucks
we saw.
On the drive back from camp
I told Ed I would like to write an
article about our friendship and
how two people from very different
cultures can become friends through
something like hunting. Ed, like
most Amish, is against having any
attention drawn to him. He thought
about my proposal.
“I guess it would be alright, but
it would have been much better if
we would have shot deer,” he said.
“Maybe, but I don’t think that’s
the point. I would like to tell my
readers that hunting spans cultures.
When we hunt together we are all
the same. It’s something bigger than
shooting deer,” I explained.
He laughed, “There you go mak-
ing things complicated.” He simpli-
fied the whole conversation, “What-
ever it is we have, it works!”
I saw Ed not long ago. “They
were there,” he said with a smile.
“Who was where”, I asked.
“Our bucks, the 150s I told you
about. They were there on the food
plots the nights we hunted. I have
them on the game cameras. Buggers
were right there. Two of them by
your stand. They went completely
nocturnal, and they have gotten very
smart,” he said with admiration.
“Doesn’t surprise me. The good
ones get that way. That’s how they
get good,” I mused.
“We will get them next year.
Should be a few more by then,” he
predicted.
“Are you coming down to turkey
hunt?” Ed wondered. I had seen fifty
or more turkey while deer hunting
with Ed.
“Do you have any birds?” I
teased.
“You know I do. You have
seen plenty yourself,” he said with
certainty.
“Do you think you can hit one if
I tie it up?” I teased. Ed had con-
fessed to me that he had missed a
nice bird a year ago.
“I had that coming,” he laughed.
I am looking forward to turkey
hunting with Ed this spring, and
chasing those smart old 150 class
bucks next fall. As I age I realize
that the hunt still draws me, but
what I look forward to is another
adventure with a friend; a person
from a completely different cul-
ture that has become a good friend
because of hunting…the great
equalizer.n
 Hot Topics in the Outdoors...My Thoughts, My Views...
CWD summary from my research
Dear Woods-N-Water News:
I have only been in the woods
and hunted for 65 years and know
Michigan DNR is supposed to use
solid and proven scientific data
in making their decisions not the
“WAG method.” A Statistical Ana-
lyst on a Six Sigma bell curve with
the current data of 15,000 samples
and 11 positive couldn’t even
be plotted as probable epidemic
(0.073 percent)?
I have done considerable
research on deer diseases reading
loads of studies. I do not totally
understand how highly educated
people have a difficult time dealing
with “common sense.” This CWD
rebuttal is based on 100% “com-
mon sense.”
My opinion after research-
ing CWD for three months: Most
active CWD states are clueless or
just want to ignore that CWD is
a natural event in deer and (CJD)
humans. Mass killing is not the
answer. One tenth of one percent
is not an epidemic and is not a
rapid growing disease. Prions are
the protein-based infectious agents
Pink instead of hunter orange
By Jeff Pendergraff
C
urrently Michigan’s law
requires hunters (there are
a few exceptions) to wear
hunter orange on their jack-
et, vest or hat. Everyone knows what
I am talking about. A bright color
orange, which is very visible and can
be seen for a very long distance. If
you’re hunting in an open area it can
be seen across a field and even in a
heavily wooded area. It sticks out
and lets others know there is another
hunter in the area.
In late 1977 Michigan passed
the hunter orange law because there
were so many hunting accidents. In
1960 there were 307 hunting acci-
dents and 11 were fatal. In 1978
there were 101 hunting accidents
and only 5 were fatal. Since 1978
the accidents have been sharply de-
clining. In 2014 and 2015 there were
a total of 23 accidents and none were
fatal. In 2017 there were 7 accidents
and 1 fatality. The biggest reason for
the reduction is because of hunter
orange. Another factor is mandatory
hunter safety classes. But, overall, the
requirement to wear hunter orange
has made our sport of hunting much
safer.
Now, state Rep. Steven Johnson,
responsible for a group of diseases
called transmissible spongiform
encephalopathies, which includes
bovine spongiform encephalopathy,
mad cow disease in cattle, scrapie
in sheep, variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease (CJD) in humans and
chronic wasting disease (CWD) in
deer, elk and moose. All are fatal
brain diseases with incubation peri-
ods that last years or even decades.
(Dr. Claudio Soto). A fancy name
for Alzheimer as CWD is Alzheim-
er disease in deer.
Twelve Iowa deer test positive
from 2016-17 hunting seasons, the
Iowa DNR is closing the books
on 2016 chronic wasting disease
monitoring efforts, collecting 4,879
tissue samples from wild deer.
From those, 12 samples tested
positive for the disease; test results
are pending on deer from a handful
of counties, including a few dozen
from a special deer collection
effort in Clayton County. (That is
0.25 of one percent, not an epi-
demic, Iowa has tested over 51,000
deer).
I personally believe hunting
R-Wayland Township has introduced
a bill that would allow hunters to
wear pink instead of orange. This is-
sue was thoroughly debated in 2016,
when the Legislature passed a bill al-
lowing for “hunter pink” apparel. The
bill required the Natural Resources
Commission to do a study to ensure
that the color could be easily seen in
the woods, even by those who were
color blind. The NRC ruled in Sep-
tember that hunter’s attire must be at
least 50 percent orange. Hunters can
wear pink, but the dominant palette
must be orange.
Apparently, that didn’t work for
Rep. Steven Johnson, so he has con-
tinued to push this issue. There have
been several negative comments from
women and other house members
on social media about this bill. But
Rep. Johnson stated if we can get one
more person outdoors he is for it!
He also introduced a bill to allow
hunters to carry and transport bows,
arrows, crossbows and slingshots
without being cased. He feels that it’s
a barrier for people trying to enjoy
the outdoors.
I can tell you from firsthand
experience that hunter orange works.
Patrolling southeast Michigan in farm
country I have seen hunters from a
couple of miles away walking along
over bait piles should be banned
statewide except for legally blind,
disabled and for recreational view-
ing during January, February, and
March. Food plots is not baiting
and make for healthier deer.
Here’s a story of MDNR at its
best: A hunter took a healthy 10
point buck to test-check station on
Nov. 20 and was told in 5-7 days
would receive the results. On Dec.
15 he received a call telling him
not to eat the venison because it
was CWD positive. Too late, they
had already eaten some of the veni-
son. MDNR went on to tell him
that the shed where the 10-point
was stored leaked and specimen
got wet and was cold. On Jan. 4
they called again to confirm CWD
after further testing and if they had
any symptoms to seek medical
attention. The hunter asked, “What
are the symptoms”? MDNR agent
could not tell him. What?
Here’s my CWD Summary
from research:
• All deer have Alzheimer
(CWD) vs all humans have CWD
(CJD) prions naturally born with
a woodline hunting if they were
wearing hunter orange. If they were
just a few hundred yards away walk-
ing along the same tree line wearing
brown I wouldn’t have seen them. If I
can see them, so can other hunters.
It works. Don’t try to fix some-
thing that isn’t broken! I am very
supportive of women hunting, which
was Rep. Johnson’s leading factor,
the more the better. But, I sincerely
doubt anyone will start hunting or
enjoying the outdoors more because
they can wear pink.
As far as his bill on not casing
bows, I am not sure how casing
your bow sets up barriers for people
trying to enjoy the outdoors. There
have been hundreds of people ar-
rested for poaching with archery
equipment from a motor vehicle.
Archery equipment is very quiet, un-
like a firearm and now can shoot up
to 100 yards!
There are much more important
issues in this state for our elected of-
ficials to fix, these two issues, in my
opinion shouldn’t be included in that
group. Maybe it’s time for a part-time
legislature. Then they won’t have the
time to waste on bills like these two!
Jeff Pendergraff is a retired Cap-
tain from the DNR’s Law Enforce-
ment Division.n
in both species. Deer in Michigan
have been born with the CWD
protein prions. The MDNR can-
not originate any new approach to
fighting CWD but must copy all
the other states ideas that are not
working. It’s only 0.073 percent.
If the protein prions are indestruc-
tible by acid, fire, ultra-violet rays
or radiation as claimed, then all
restaurants and family cooking and
eating utensils are transmitting the
salvia of CWD (CJD) to its pa-
trons.
• I believe the only way MDNR
can get cooperation from hunters
is by use of the fear tactic and it is
working.
• Deer farms and out of state
carcasses are not the cause that
Michigan has CWD. This is only
a knee jerk reaction to assess the
blame without proof. Deer farms
should be a research center, not
your enemy. The information is
like a flashing neon sign.
• I suspect that MDNR is
influenced by the Humane Society
of United States and insurance
companies. And animal rights
groups, anti-gunners, and tree
huggers are enduring the short
term pain for the long term gains
of loss of hunters in the field. Plus
the overzealous environmentalist
donors are hoping for CWD to be
the link to CJD (Alzheimer) which
would kill all hunting for deer, elk,
and moose. It wouldn’t surprise
me that from tracks, sightings, and
pictures of cougars in Michigan
that they were reestablished to
eradicate the deer herd. And what
about outbreaks of EHD in high
deer populations could the midge
insect been manipulated?
• What about the damage that’s
been done to the hunters and econ-
omy in Michigan when there is no
proof of health risk in fifty years?
My recommendations are
first reconsider the damage you’ve
done to hunting and hunters. If
you want to eradicate the deer
population trap 120 U.P. wolves
and transplant in Oakland, Clinton,
and Macomb counties. It worked
in the U.P.! If baiting is the cause,
then we should cut down every
fruit tree, nut tree on public land.
We need to stop controlling the
hunters and manage the deer herd
with proven scientific data. MDNR
should stop this CWD operation
immediately and reframe their
research without copying all the
other states.
Sincerely,
Concerned Hunter
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 79
 My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinion...
Wild public lands and waters
protected in new ORV Road Plan
W
hen you break
out your off-
road vehicle this
spring, you’ll
find that there
are many new
forest roads you can ride in the north-
ern Lower Peninsula. The MDNR
completed the forest road inventory
by the new year and mapped which
ones would be open to ORV traffic -
and which ones wouldn’t. The areas
that will remain protected contain the
most wild public lands and waters in
northern Michigan - and for that you
can thank, in part, a relatively new
sportsmen’s organization in Michigan:
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.
This forest road inventory was
required by Public Act 288 of 2016,
which turned most forest roads in
the northern Lower Peninsula from
“closed unless designated open” to
“open unless designated closed” to
ORV traffic as of January 1, 2018. The
DNR mapped its forest roads, held
a series of stakeholder meetings in
the summer of 2017, and put its map
of proposed open and closed routes
online for public comment.
Tom Carney
Among the Aspens
To purchase: $34.95 (Michigan residents, please add $2.10 sales tax) plus
$6.35 postage/handling
Send check or money order to: Partridge Pointe Press, 2470 Strawberry
Farm St. NE, Belmont, Michigan 49306.
Purchase online at www.tomcarneywriter.com
80 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
The original plan designated ap-
proximately 86% of forest roads open
to ORV, exempting forest roads within
the Pigeon River Country
State Forest, as well as a
few others. Already by July,
though, ORVs were riding
through Pigeon River Coun-
try forest roads illegally. At
the July 9, 2017 Pigeon River
Country Advisory Council
meeting, DNR Conservation
Officer Nick
Torsky updat-
ed the council
By Drew YoungeDyke
that illegal ORV activity was up in
the Pigeon River Country and across
the northern Lower Peninsula, “likely
over confusion” as to the implementa-
tion date of the forest roads opening,
which wasn’t until January 1, 2018,
and as it turned out not at all in the
Pigeon River Country.
As of that meeting, over 1,000
comments had already been received
on the DNR’s proposed ORV forest
roads plan. As to the proposal to keep
the Pigeon River Country closed, the
comments were “overwhelmingly in
favor of the proposal,” according to
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.
Scott Whitcomb, who led the invento-
ry, with only one comment in favor of
opening up the Pigeon River Country
to ORVs.
The Pigeon River
Country has been closed to
ORVs through a DNR land
use order for decades, in line
with its Concept of Manage-
ment. In support of keeping it
closed, the Michigan Chap-
ter of Backcountry Hunters
& Anglers
(BHA) sent an
action alert to
its members and submitted a formal
comment letter, including a BHA
study on ORV impacts to wildlife.
After the public comment period
initially ended on July 15, 2017, the
DNR opened up additional public
comment on October 2 to allow more
public input on the plan. At this time,
Alex Cerveniak, president of the
Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlim-
ited, notified the Michigan Chapter of
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers that
the Deward Tract had been left unpro-
tected from ORV damage.
The Deward Tract straddles the
upper reaches of the Manistee River
and has been closed to ORVs since
1980 after previous ORV damage.
Michigan Backcountry Hunters & An-
glers, the Headwaters Chapter of Trout
Unlimited, and other groups organized
their members to send comments in to
the DNR to keep it protected.
Jason Meekhof, my predecessor as
Michigan BHA chair and the current
BHA Great Lakes chapter coordina-
tor, and I attended the November
Natural Resources Commission
meeting to provide public testimony
in support of keeping areas like the
Pigeon River Country and the Deward
Tract protected. After the meeting we
discussed with DNR staff keeping
blocks of land traditionally managed
for quiet recreation protected, rather
than just individual roads in those
areas. In the final plan that was signed
by DNR Director Keith Creagh at the
December Natural Resources Com-
mission meeting, the Deward Tract,
the Pigeon River Country, the Mason
Tract and the Sand Lake Quiet Area
were protected, along with a few ac-
cess roads to the Au Sable River and
a horseback route near the Big Oaks
Equestrian State Forest Campground
near Atlanta. Even with the protec-
tions, approximately 84 percent of
northern Lower Peninsula forest roads
are open to ORV traffic.
From the perspective of the
Michigan Chapter of Backcountry
Hunters & Anglers, the process was
an example of a state agency actually
listening to public comment. ORV
riders gained access to 84 percent of
forest roads, while hunters, anglers
and outdoor recreationists maintained
protections for areas offering solitude,
adventure, wildlife habitat, cold-water
trout streams, and all the values that
attract people to nature in the first
place.
It was also an important lesson for
the value of grassroots advocacy. The
DNR won’t always agree with every
request; how could they, with factions
of outdoor interests requesting often
conflicting outcomes on the same
issue? The Natural Resources Com-
mission is required to consider sound
science in its decisions, but often the
science offers a neutral outcome, and
the decision lies between differing val-
ues within the outdoor community.
Michigan is blessed with over 4.6
million acres of state public land, so
there is ample room for multiple uses
and multiple values. However, con-
flicting uses cannot all occur on the
same land at the same time, otherwise
it will only be suitable for the most
intrusive use. A hunter in the woods
hardly bothers the ORV rider on the
forest road nearby, but the ORV can
certainly spook the deer on the way to
the hunter’s treestand, or the sounds of
nature sought by a backpacker. So we
appreciate the DNR leaving at least a
few pockets of natural soundscape.
This year, the DNR will be map-
ping roads in southern Michigan
game areas, as required by the same
legislation. The Michigan Chapter of
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers will
be following the process and engag-
ing, where necessary. Michigan BHA
is growing rapidly, topping 500 dues-
paying members statewide at the start
of 2018 after launching the chapter
with just 65 in 2016 - more than a 600
percent membership increase in two
years through hosting events like pint
nights, a Full Draw Film Tour, and a
chapter rendezvous while focusing on
issues which affect public land and
water access, rather than a single spe-
cies or method of hunting or fishing.
The chapter hosted a pint night at
Arcadia Brewing following the Tradi-
tional Bowhunters’ Expo in Kalama-
zoo in late January drawing over 100
attendees, double the attendance of
the same event last year. Most
attendees ranged from 25 to 45
years in age, while most other
sportsmen’s organizations are
rapidly aging. The next generation
of sportsmen and women want the
challenge, natural connection and
opportunity of wild public lands,
waters and wildlife. Michigan now
has a sportsmen’s organization with
a mission to protect them.
Drew YoungeDyke is the board
chair of the Michigan Chapter of
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and
serves on the Pigeon River Country
Advisory Council.n
 Hot Topics in the Outdoors...

Governor proposes Great Lakes Basin Partnership to block Asian carp

G
ov. Rick Snyder an-
nounced the creation
of a new Great Lakes
Basin Partnership to
Block Asian Carp that
will commit strategic
and financial resources to support
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’
Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP). The
partnership will offer a combination of
solutions to reduce the risk of invasive
carp from entering the Great Lakes
at the Brandon Road Lock & Dam
in Joliet, Illinois. Michigan, Ontario,
Ohio and Wisconsin are the founding
members of this partnership. Together,
these jurisdictions represent more than
90% of Great Lakes surface area.
“Michigan is stepping up to take a
leadership role due to the urgency of
this situation and the efforts necessary
to prevent the entry of Asian carp into
the Great Lakes,” Snyder said. “Inva-
sive carp pose a huge risk to several of
our state’s economic drivers, including
tourism and fishing. Our natural re-
sources are what make Pure Michigan
so special and, as a state, we need to
do everything we can to protect these
resources for generations to come.
“No single state, province or gov-
ernment jurisdiction should have to
bear the sole responsibility of keeping
gap Gov. Snyder and this partnership
seeks to resolve.
“The Great Lakes are an incred-
ible asset to the State of Wisconsin
and other Great Lakes states. I believe
that we need to protect our lakes; that
is why I am signing on to this letter
urging action by the Corps of Engi-
neers,” Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker
said. “This study will help determine
the best way to prevent the spread
of Asian carp, which is essential to
safeguarding our environment and
commercial fisheries.”
The Army Corps says it could
begin construction on a $275 million
federally funded invasive carp barrier
improvement project in 2022 at the
Brandon Road Lock and Dam with
the system becoming operational by
2025. The plan incorporates a suite of
technologies, including an engineered
approach channel that could serve
as a national test model for invasive
species monitoring and control, water
jets to sweep out fish caught between
barges, a flushing lock to eliminate
fish eggs, larvae or floaters from go-
ing upstream toward the Great Lakes
Basin, complex noise systems to keep
fish out of the channel, and state-of-
the-art electric barriers at the lock’s
entrances.
“Asian carp pose a very real
and serious threat to our waterways.
Partnering with Michigan, Ohio and
Wisconsin on the Brandon Road Lock
and Dam project will build on our
long-standing efforts to protect the
Great Lakes against aquatic invasions,
and I look forward to continuing to
work together to ensure our shared
waterways and their ecosystems re-
main healthy and resilient,” Premier of
Ontario Kathleen Wynne said.
In June 2017, a 28-inch-long silver
carp was caught approximately 9
miles from Lake Michigan, beyond the
electric barrier system meant to keep
invasive carp out of the Great Lakes.
An autopsy and analysis by South-
ern Illinois University indicated the
fish spent from a few weeks to a few
months in the section of river where it
was caught. There was no indication
of how the fish ended up beyond the
electric barriers.
The discovery of a second inva-
sive carp found beyond the barrier – a
bighead carp was captured in 2010
– underscores the need for action and
innovation, said Michigan Department
of Natural Resources Deputy Director
Bill O’Neill, who spoke at the news
conference with Gov. Snyder.
“We recognize the significant
efforts many agencies have taken to
date – with bipartisan congressional
and stakeholder support – to study this
issue,” O’Neill said. “Taking action
now is the next important milestone in
those efforts. Business as usual is not
an option.”
With more than 3,000 miles of
Great Lakes coastline, 11,000 inland
lakes and 36,000 miles of rivers and
streams, Michigan faces the greatest
risk and has the most at stake if Asian
carp infest the Great Lakes Basin. The
second jurisdiction with the most risk,
in terms of the percentage of its Great
Lakes surface water area, is Ontario,
Canada (36 percent), followed by Wis-
consin (nearly 10 percent), New York
(4.27 percent), Ohio (3.75 percent),
Minnesota (2.69 percent), Illinois
(1.66 percent), Pennsylvania (less
than 1 percent), and Indiana (less
than 1 percent). Quebec also is
indirectly affected due to the Great
Lakes feeding into the St. Lawrence
Seaway.
To learn more about invasive carp
and encourage elected officials and
policymakers to help protect the Great
Lakes, visit www.BlockAsianCarp.
org.n

BOOKS/DVDS BY RICHARD P. SMITH

invasive carp out of the Great Lakes.
Michigan is excited to partner with
Ohio, Ontario and Wisconsin, and is
looking to join with other states and
provinces in the Great Lakes Basin
to work collaboratively. We need to
maximize protection against invasive
carp species while partnering to ensure
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long-term navigation needs.”
Experts say the entrance of inva-
sive carp would irreparably damage
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terests dependent on the Great Lakes.
An estimated $8 million is needed an-
nually to provide the nonfederal share
of funding to operate and maintain the
improved system, which is the budget
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Resources to review potential opportu-
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ments for supporting the first five
years of operating and maintenance
costs with each of the eight Great
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WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 81
 Can you beat this?
A Heddon wood
baitcasting rod for $1
I
never know what I will find at the dif-
ferent sport shows that I attend each
year, which makes it enjoyable, the
anticipation of never knowing “what’s
next around the corner.” Readers bring
in old fishing tackle boxes or vintage
reel and rod combos or early minnow buckets.
However, more often than not, the vintage fishing
gear is pretty common stuff, but every once in a
while someone will bring in a remarkable lure
that I have been hoping to find or an unusual fish-
ing rod out of Michigan’s past. This month I am
writing about an early Heddon rod circa 1910 that
I hope will be of interest to my readers.
Last spring, a woman brought in a bundle of
bamboo rods to one of shows for appraisal hop-
ing that I would find something worthwhile. The
oldest rod that I pieced together dated back to
the 1890s. It was 10-foot 2-inches in length and
was a three-piece salmon rod made from wood
rather than bamboo. There were also two bamboo
baitcasting rods from unknown makers as well
as several bamboo 9-foot three-piece fly rods de-
signed for bass fishing. All of them needed quite
a bit of work and were pretty common, what I
call “wall hangers” to be used for decoration in a
“man cave” or the summer cottage.
The last rod was an odd looking 5-foot two-
piece bamboo rod marked “Heddon Dowagiac” Above: A refinished example of the
on the nickle-plate brass reel seat. The rod’s Heddon $1.00 Dowagiac baitcasting
cheap wire guides had been rewrapped with rod circa 1910-1912. Originally, the
course thread, the metal tip was missing, and butt section was supposedly made out
the rod had been crudely revarnished. All in all, of ironwood and the tip from Calcutta
it was a forgettable baitcasting rod. One thing cane. Far right: Wound spring guides
brought me back to thinking about the rod - that were used to keep the cost down.
it apparently was an early example of a Heddon Right: The nickel-plated reel seat was
baitcasting rod, something that I did not know engraved “Heddon Dowagiac.” The
much about. I knew a lot more about Heddon trigger was added the second year of
bamboo fly rods, so I dug out scanned copies of production.
old Heddon catalogs and started reading about
Heddon history and how the company first got Heddon’s chose Chetek, Wisconsin for their
into the rod business. new site, which was located forty-five miles
James Heddon and his son, Will, started pro- northwest of Eau Claire, Wisconsin in the
ducing wooden lures in 1900 that were first made western part of the state. The Heddon family
in the kitchen of the Heddon house located at 303 had owned a summer home near Chetek
Green Street in Dowagiac, Michigan. The fledg- for a number of years, and the area offered
ling business published their first lure catalog in not only good fishing but excellent hunt-
mid-year of 1902 offering just one lure, the Dow- ing. Since Will Heddon enjoyed hunting as
agiac Perfect Surface Casting Bait proclaiming much as fishing, apparently he persuaded his
it to be “the best fishing lure of all time.” Soon father to open their new plant there. It was a
other models were added, and historians believe long train ride of 500 miles from Dowagiac
the company produced approximately 6,000 baits to Chetek for the Heddon staff or for lures
this first full year of production. or for transporting fishing rods.
The business expanded quickly, and by 1906 An article in the September 21, 1906
the Heddon’s sought a new factory site for not Chetek Alert newspaper stated that lures
only lure production but to manufacture Calcutta were being painted in the rooms above
cane bamboo baitcasting rods. Carter’s store and that the rod factory would
Will Heddon was to run the soon be a reality with the Sopworth Build-
factory along with skilled ing being prepared for rod production. The produced ranging from $6 to $15 retail.
rod builder, George Varney, new Heddon plant was said to be up and running Sometime, most likely in late 1907, the deci-
who had gained his reputation by January 1, 1907 with another Chetek Alert sion was made, however, to close the Chetek,
while working for the H. L. newspaper article stating that “Fancy Back” min- Wisconsin facility and move all production to
Leonard Rod Company. The nows were being painted. The article went on to Dowagiac under one roof and under the watchful
state that Calcutta cane had arrived from Cal- eyes of both James Heddon and his second son,
By Terry McBurney cutta, India and was in the process of being dried,
and that a full line of “high class rods” was to be
Charles Heddon. A new plant was built in Dowa-
giac that would house both lure and rod produc-
82 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
tion, and a photo of the new three-story building
was featured in the 1909 Heddon catalog, the
first Heddon catalog to offer “Dowagiac” rods
for sale. The newly introduced Heddon rods were
featured in the catalog and began with four pages
of copy extolling the many virtues of the “Dowa-
giac” rods. They were offered in three price
points: $6, $10 and $15 with each series available
in three lengths: 4 ½-foot, 5-foot and 5 ½-foot.
The copy stated that “several thousand “Dowa-
giac” rods [were] sold to anglers in the past
three years, we have never had one case …of the
breakage of one of our bamboo joints”. What this
tells us is that several thousand Calcutta bamboo
rods had been made in Chetek during 1907 and
1908 before production moved back to Michigan.
I next started reading through the 1910 Hed-
don catalog, and on page two I finally found my I scanned the page quickly and amazingly the rod
two-piece 5-foot baitcasting rod. It was intro- was being offered for “Price, each. $1.00!” My
duced with this title: “CAN YOU BEAT THIS?” words to myself were “You have got to be kid-
ding me. Heddon was selling a rod for a buck!”
The copy carefully explained that “This is not
a cheap Rod but an ingeniously, economically
designed Rod at a low price”…and they offered it
with a money-back guarantee.
The copy stated that the tip section was made
“from a good quality bamboo, as accurately
machined as our best Rods.” The copy went on
to explain that to economize, the butt section was
made from ironwood!
I doubted that claim immediately. Have you
ever tried to split ironwood? Believe me it is the
hardest wood I have ever attempted to split. Why
would Heddon’s rod experts take a very difficult
wood to work with, cut it to length and then sand
it round and tapered with the right action rather
than use one of the more common woods that
were readily available and not expensive.
The $1 rod’s handle was made from maple,
which was then painted with white porcelain
enamel. The guides were made from wire bent
to look like a spring and wrapped with one color
silk. The rod came packaged in a “Silesia” cloth
bag without a protective tube. I discovered that
“Silesia” was an inexpensive, lightweight cotton
fabric normally used for lining garments of that
time. The Heddon $1 rod was offered in only one
length – 5-foot.
The $1.00 Dowagiac 5-foot bait casting rod My rod had a stained maple handle, the round
was introduced in Heddon’s 1910 catalog. It tapered butt section, the 6-sided bamboo tip, the
was dropped after the 1912 catalog year (cat- wire guides and the nickel-plated ferrule. My
alog page cour tesy of the Heddon Museum). nickel-plated brass reel seat, however, came with
IT’S SPORT SHOW TIME AGAIN....
Outdoorama, March 1 - 4
Suburban Collection Showcase- Novi
Ultimate Sport Show, March 15 - 18
Devos Place, Grand Rapids
Dick VanRaalte and I will again be setting up our antique displays at both the Outdoorama in Novi and the
Ultimate Sport Show in Grand Rapids.
I will be exhibiting my “Made in Michigan” fishing tackle collection and offering FREE appraisals on old
tackle brought into the show. Dick VanRaalte, from Starboard Marine Restorations in Grand Haven, Michi-
gan, will be exhibiting a display of vintage outboard motors. Dick will also be answering your questions and
offering free appraisals.
Bring in your father’s or grandfather’s tackle box, old rods and reels, or a vintage outboard motor. We
will be happy to answer your questions, as well as offer FREE appraisals. We are also interested in buying old
sporting collectibles for our collections. Please stop by and enjoy our displays. We will see you there!
The then-new
three-story
Heddon rod
and bait fac-
tory was first
pictured in
their 1909
catalog.
Rods were
manufactured
on the third
floor (photo
cour tesy of
the Heddon
Museum).
a trigger which was different from
the 1910 catalog description and line drawing, so
I dug out the 1911 and 1912 Heddon catalogs to
see what they had to say about the $1 rod.
The 1911 catalog stated: “Mr. Heddon per-
fected this Rod while fishing in Florida and used
them exclusively for weeks, landing all varieties
of the large fish of that state [and] his message
to every purchaser of one of these rods is, if you
ever see the time when you would rather have
your dollar than the Rod, send the Rod to us
and we will return your dollar.” That is a lot of
confidence in a rod that sold for only a buck! The
1911 catalog went on to say that the reel seat now
came with a trigger and that they were wrapping
the guides with two colors of silk windings – both
features adding some additional cost to the rod.
The 1912 Heddon catalog rod section started
off with “Our Famous $1 Rod” and asked this
question: “How can you do it at the price? Our
reply: Automatic tools and machinery for pro-
ducing every part; Mr. Jim Heddon’s peculiar
ingenuity as a designer, and an output of nearly
thirty-thousand of these rods last season.” That is
a lot of $1 rods.
Heddon cataloged a growing number of Cal-
cutta cane baitcasting rods in their 1910 catalog
starting with the $1 rod plus eleven more models
adding a $2.50 rod and then building better and
better styles all the way up to a rod selling for
$30 retail.
Sadly, the Heddon $1 baitcasting rod was
dropped after the 1912 catalog, so it only lasted
three years. It was an interesting rod and one
that filled a market niche for a quality low price
fishing rod for anglers on a limited budget. It
was a rod that probably got the company into
retail stores where they had little or no business
previously. And it got people talking about Hed-
don and spreading their name among the angling
community.
I would like to express my gratitude to Mike
Simcik of Spring Lake for his help with the Hed-
don $1 rod, the history and then refinishing my
beat-up 106 year old Dowagiac rod. A special
thanks to Joan Lyons, from the Heddon Museum
in Dowagiac, for her expertise (www.heddonmu-
seum.org). I would also like to acknowledge two
excellent books on Heddon history: The Heddon
Legacy by Bill Roberts and Rob Pavey and Hed-
don, The Rod with a Fighting Heart by Michael
Sinclair.
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
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 83
Trapping Southern Michigan
T
rapping of animals is
done for a variety of
reasons, including for
food, money (sell-
ing fur), hunting, pest
control and wildlife
management. Trapping requires
time, hard work and money. Buy-
ing traps, trapping supplies and gas
can add up. In some cases when
furs are high, you can make good
money. Some trappers just
trap because they enjoy it.
Currently there is not much
money in trapping. So,
most people who trap and
the numbers are low right
now, do it for the enjoyment
of trapping or for predator
control.
My friend
Charlie Sant
Angelo has
By Jeff Pendergraff
been trapping since the 1970s. He
traps for the enjoyment, for money
when the furs are worth something,
but most importantly Charlie does it
for pest control. The population of
raccoons, possums, fox, and coyotes
are going unchecked and the result
of that is less grouse, pheasant,
turkey, deer and other small game
animals.
This has been going on for
years. In the early 1980s fur prices
were high. Some muskrats were go-
ing for $8. Prime raccoons as high
as $50 and fox as high as $70. There
were no coyotes in southern Michi-
gan, although that certainly isn’t the
case today.
There were lots of people trap-
ping then. As a young conservation
officer working in southeast Michi-
Charlie uses wax paper and
places it over the pan of the
trap to make sure no dir t gets
under the pan.
84 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
gan I spent a lot of time working
trappers because there were so many
people trapping and lots of money to
be made. I knew of a trapper in Flat
Rock who trapped over one thou-
sand muskrats in the Point Mouille
State Game Area in one year. That
was a lot of money back then at a
price of up to $8 per muskrat.
I would drive down I-75 and
I-275 and when I saw a vehicle
pulled over on the shoulder
my first thought was that
they were trapping in a
ditch off the freeway and
not broken down. In many
cases I was correct.
With that amount of trap-
ping there wasn’t a problem
with keeping predators.
Now
coyotes are
everywhere in
Michigan in big numbers. They are
living in most large cities including
the city of Detroit. They are very
intelligent and very hard to trap. The
coyote is a predator that is versatile,
able to adapt to and expand into
environments that are modified by
humans.
The average male weighs 18 to
44 pounds with the average females
weighing 15 to 40 pounds. The larg-
est coyote male on record was killed
in Wyoming in 1937 and weighed
75 pounds. They are highly flex-
ible in social groups, living in either
a family group or in loosely knit
packs of unrelated coyotes.
When hunting large prey,
coyotes normally hunt in pairs or
a small group. Younger animals
normally avoid participating in such
hunts, with the breeding pair doing
most of the work. Coyotes attack
from the front unlike wolves that
attack from the rear.
Coyotes probably carry the larg-
est number of diseases and parasites,
likely due to its wide range and
varied diet; animal meat, includ-
ing deer, rabbits, rodents, reptiles,
amphibians, fish and invertebrates,
though they may also eat fruits and
vegetables on occasion. Viral diseas-
es known to infect coyotes include
rabies, canine distemper, infectious
canine hepatitis, four strains of
equine encephalitis and oral papillo-
matosis. Good reason to wear gloves
when handling coyotes!
Attacks on humans are rare, but
have been increasing especially in
California. In the past few years
there have been two confirmed
fatal attacks. A three-year-old child
in California and a nineteen-year-
old woman in Canada. In the past
Coyotes are everywhere in Michigan in big numbers. MDNR photo
40 years there have been over 160
attacks by coyotes mostly in Los
Angeles County area. One reason
for the attacks in L.A. is because
coyotes have lost their fear of
humans. They have greater contact
with humans because they are feed-
ing them and or jogging or walking
their dogs in areas that hold large
numbers of coyotes.
There is no shortage on red fox
either. Besides coyotes going after
fox the only other major predator of
fox are humans. Fox, like coyotes,
will kill rabbits and other small
game animals and birds. They too
are abundant throughout southern
Michigan, including most cities.
I have hunted them with predator
calls at night starting back in the
1980s.
There are forty-five subspecies
of fox with red fox being the biggest
and more aggressive as a carnivore.
Like the coyote, the red fox also has
the ability to adapt quickly to a new
environment.
Red fox are usually together in
pairs or small groups consisting of
families, such as a mated pair and
their young. This species has a long
history of being extensively hunted
as a pest or furbearer for centuries.
Male weight ranges from 5-31
pounds and female weight ranges
from 15-20 percent less than males.
They too, like coyotes, carry
disease and parasites. Fox carry
rabies, along with leptospirosis and
tularemia. Their body size is too
small to pose a threat to humans.
The best way to control the numbers
of fox and coyote is by trapping.
Certainly, hunters take many of both
species, but they don’t come close to
the numbers from trapping.
There are many methods to
trapping and many trappers have
their own style or way of trapping.
The first thing Charley does is to
make sure there is no human scent
on the traps. He uses leg hold traps
for coyotes and fox, but snares are
also legal (check legal requirements
in the hunting and trapping digest
on all trapping and license require-
ments).
He ties about six traps together
with a piece of wire and puts them
into boiling water. He puts walnut
hulls in a mesh bag and places it
in the boiling water in order to die
the traps. He then takes the mesh
bag out and puts wax in the wa-
ter. The wax coating prevents the
traps from rusting and helps reduce
scent. Once the wax melts he pulls
the traps out to dry and then keeps
them outside. He never touches the
traps with his bare hands. He uses
one pair of rubber gloves to set the
trap and a different pair of gloves to
place the bait.
If he has snow on the ground
he will look for tracks and will set
it in that area. He also likes to set
the traps in an open field in order to
keep other predators like raccoons
and skunks out of his traps. By set-
ting them in an open field the fox
or coyote will smell the scent from
a long distance away and come to
investigate. Raccoons and skunks
like to look for food near water. If
he has a small thicket of weeds he
will set some bait in the weeds and
Trapping page 86
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WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 85

Trapping Southern Michigan:
from page 84
once a coyote or fox finds it they the ground. There has been many
will make a trail and use the same a coyote and sometimes even a fox
trail each time to enter. Then you that has left the area with a trap still
can set a snare or set a leg hold trap attached to its foot. Charlie will put
on the trail they are using. two stakes into the ground about 18
Once Charlie finds an area he is inches down and crisscrosses them
going to set a trap, he will normally in order to prevent the animal from
set two leg hold traps because often pulling it out and running off with
these animals are so smart they the trap.
will dig up the trap not knowing It’s not that easy to trap a coyote
there is a second trap set and often or fox, but the more time you put
will step in the other trap. Charlie into it the better you will become.
digs between 2 ½ to 3 inches into The most important thing is your
the ground to make sure the trap is scent. If they smell it on anything
below ground level. The trap needs around the trap you will never trap
to be stable once it’s set. He uses one.
wax paper and places it over the Charlie has been trapping since
pan of the trap to make sure no dirt 1958. He traps his farm for predator
gets under the pan. If it does the trap control. There are too many preda-
won’t go off. tors running around and if you want
He uses fox urine as a scent to to see more game you might want to
lure the fox or coyote to come to consider getting into trapping.
the trap. Once smelling the urine, It’s also very rewarding to find a
the fox or coyote may feel more coyote or fox in your trap and
secure thinking another fox has know that you’re playing a role in
already been there. He won’t use predator management. Like most
coyote urine, because a fox won’t things in the outdoors we like to
come into it. Charlie likes to use do, there are rules. Make sure you
salmon eggs as bait. He sets them read up on them and make sure
out to spoil and get real nasty. He you know what’s legal and what
then mixes them with glycerin, it isn’t. Season dates, bag limits and
prevents the eggs from freezing. He license requirements. If you have
places the bait in the hole 8-10 inch- coyotes or any other predator on
es from the trap and covers it with your property doing damage or
the dirt that came from the hole. The about to do damage you can set
hole is off set from the pan. Then he traps year-round.
will place a trap in front of the bait There are a lot of trappers who
and possibly another trap behind the have different methods of trapping.
bait. If you’re just thinking about get-
Both fox and coyotes try to ting into trapping there is a lot of
avoid stepping on sticks, cornstalks information here that can help you
or just about anything. He will place get started and plenty of workshops
something in front of the trap so the around the state, just go online
animal will step over it and hope- and google. Hopefully, if you’re a
fully into the trap. veteran trapper you will share your
Charlie mentioned to never use knowledge and experience with
a feather near the trap to attract an others. Invite a young person to go
animal. You might end up with a trapping with you.
bird of prey in your trap like a hawk Author is Jeff Pendergraff, re-
or owl. Another important issue tired Captain from the Law Enforce-
with trapping is securing the trap to ment Division of the DNR.n
“Sharon Kennedy’s Life in
a Tin Can is an amusing
collection of random
observations from her
newspaper column
“Common Sense at 60.” It’s
an entertaining read after
a long day of hunting,
trapping, or fishing.”
906-248-2602
Also available on Amazon
86 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
Gun Chat… By Lee Arten
Handgun Hunting
M
y wife framed a
photograph for me
for Christmas. It was
taken by a photogra-
pher who came grouse hunting
with me a few times years ago.
(It was so long ago that I have
a backtag on my hunting vest.)
The dog in the picture, my first,
and best, springer, Hog, has also
been gone for years.
The photo is in black and These two guns, a Ruger Blackhawk, and a Thompson
white. My friend caught Hog Center Contender are what the author has used for most
and I as we walked into a patch of his handgun hunting.
of sunlight on an old trail in
Houghton County. Hog is to my left looking into the brush. I'm slimmer,
younger, and looking to my right.
The gun I'm holding is a .44 Magnum Thompson Center Contender
single-shot pistol. That day I had the choke installed and the gun was
loaded with .44 Mag shot cartridges called Hot Shots. The rounds had a
blue plastic capsule filled with bird shot. The trip was one of my early
attempts at handgun hunting.
Later, I bought a Contender barrel in .357 Remington Maximum and
added a Burris 2X scope. Another change was a rubber Pachmayr grip.
The new grip looked more utilitarian than the original wooden Thomp-
son Center grip, but was more comfortable when shooting heavy loads.
Other attempts at handgun hunting involved my Ruger Blackhawk
.357. I used it to hunt grouse, rabbits, and snowshoe hares. I killed a
hare with the Ruger, and a .38 Special reload, after carrying the gun in
the woods often. The Ruger was also carried while I was deer hunting. I
fired the Contender at a grouse once but failed to connect. Sometimes I
shoot too slowly on grouse. That day I shot too fast.
The Contender, with the .357 Maximum barrel installed, was also
used for deer, on and off. I had a chance at a small doe one morning in
Menominee County. It was raining so I still had the pistol in a shoul-
der holster. Drawing it spooked the doe. Had I been carrying my 16
gauge Winchester Model 12 that morning I'd have killed that doe. The
Winchester had very little finish left, so getting rain on it wouldn't have
bothered me as much. I'd brought it as a backup to the pistol but left it
back at my friend's house. I saw several other deer that day, but didn't
get a shot. It wouldn't have mattered what I had in my hands when those
deer went past. They were all moving too fast.
After that experience, I joked that my wife would frisk me, as I left
to go hunting, to be sure I was taking a rifle, not a pistol. Except for one
three-point, taken with the Model 12, I've taken all my deer with rifles.
The one bear I took was also shot with a rifle. The same .30-06, my
Browning BAR, was used to kill the only coyote I've shot. If I was to
take up varmint shooting now, I'd probably use one of my .223s.
Once, I tried to shoot a rabbit under an apple tree with a snubnose .38
I was carrying in addition to my shotgun. I told my son I was going to
shoot, and shifted the shotgun to my left hand to pull the revolver. We
both watched the “rabbit” turn into a grouse and fly away. I was sure I'd
seen rabbit ears on the critter under the apple tree. It's one of those things
that still puzzles me.
It's early February as I write. It's been less than 10 degrees all night
and day, and we had a snow overnight. I used to hunt rabbits on snow-
shoes, but haven't done so for years. Sometimes, when we got an early
spring and the snow receded soon enough, I'd take a handgun out in the
last days of rabbit season in March. I used the Blackhawk most, but also
went out with a S&W 1917 in .45 ACP. Another occasional rabbit gun
was a .45 pistol frame with a Colt .22 Kit, installed on it.
Although there were tracks and pellets all over where I hunted, it was
hard to find cottontails, or snowshoes. Still, it was fun to wander around
and look for them. Those trips helped get me through till the general
trout season opened up in April.
My son is home this year, and we've been talking about taking pistols
and heading to the banana belt of the U.P., (Iron, Dickinson, or Menomi-
nee counties) and trying to find bare (or almost bare) ground and a few
rabbits, or snowshoes, before the season ends in March.
I might use the Blackhawk again, or take the Colt Woodsman I bought
last year. Other possibilities include a .45 caliber blackpowder pistol,
and a couple of .41 Magnums. I'll think about which one to take as the
winter wears on.
 Hunters shouldn’t be the only ones funding wildlife...
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act could fund
$30 million for Michigan’s At-Risk Species
H
unters and anglers
pride ourselves on
funding wildlife con-
servation in America,
and as iconic game
species go, we are
justifiably proud. Through hunting
and license fees and the Pittman-
Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Act
federal excise taxes, we have funded
the recovery of species like wild
turkey, white-tailed deer and water-
fowl, but about a third of wildlife
species have been left behind.
In December 2017, a bipartisan
pair of legislators introduced the
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act
to help state agencies like
the Michigan Department
of Natural Resources
recover our most at-risk
species – without divert-
ing hunter-angler dollars
or raising taxes.
The Recovering Amer-
ica’s Wildlife Act was
introduced
in Congress
on December
By Drew YoungeDyke
15, 2017 by Rep. Jeff Fortenberry
(R-Nebraska) and Rep. Debbie
Dingell (D-Michigan). It uses the
same concept as Michigan’s Natu-
ral Resources Trust Fund, in that it
takes existing royalties from gas and
oil development on federal public
lands, as well as some from off-
shore, and redirects them into grant
funding to state wildlife agencies to
recover at-risk species. Each state
has a Wildlife Action Plan identify-
ing those species.
“The states have done a fantas-
tic job with what little funding they
have; the wildlife agencies have
plans at the ready to help the spe-
cies that need it most,” said Naomi
Edelson, senior director of conser-
vation partnerships for the National
Wildlife Federation.
Iconic species on Michigan’s
list include bald eagles, moose,
common loons, eastern box turtles,
monarch butterflies, Kirkland’s war-
blers, peregrine falcons, sharp-tailed
grouse, eastern massasauga snakes
and the piping plover - a shorebird
also on the federal endangered spe-
cies list.
“The funding would be avail-
able for conservation efforts for fish
and wildlife on the species of great-
est conservation need (SGCN) list,”
said Amy DeRosier, Wildlife Action
Plan coordinator for the DNR. “The
funding also allows for outreach,
law enforcement related to species
of greatest conservation need, and
wildlife-related outdoor recreation.”
That outdoor recreation is a
significant economic driver in
Michigan. The Outdoor Industry As-
sociation estimates that Michigan’s
outdoor recreation economy gener-
ates $26.6 billion annually and $887
billion nationally.
The National Wildlife Federa-
tion estimates that nearly 8,000 spe-
cies nationwide are at risk, though,
meaning that they are either listed
as threatened or endangered under
the Endangered Species Act, or
on a path to being listed as such.
The Recovering America’s Wild-
life Act could help wildlife before
they get listed, like getting
preventative medicine before
requiring a more expensive
emergency room visit.
“This proposal goes by
the stitch-in-time-saves-nine
principle. We can save mon-
ey and save wildlife at risk
by funding active conserva-
tion efforts
today rather
than waiting
until thousands of species are on the
brink,” said Edelson.
This much-needed funding could
secure the future of our wildlife
for future generations. The influx
to the DNR for implementation of
its Wildlife Action Plan would be a
boon to wildlife habitat in the state.
And for as often as hunters say that
we shouldn’t be the only ones fund-
ing wildlife, here’s an opportunity
for the general public to contribute
without a tax increase – the royalties
are coming from resources that all
of us citizens own collectively.
So who currently funds non-
game wildlife conservation? Michi-
gan has a Nongame Wildlife Fund
which receives $25 of the $35
Michigan Wildlife Habitat license
plate. This year the plate celebrates
the 100th anniversary of elk reintro-
duction but it usually features the
common loon, one of Michigan’s
species of greatest conservation
need. According to the DNR web-
site, this fund has generated “$23
million since 1983.” That’s $23
million, total; nationally, the
National Wildlife Federation esti-
mates that current funding levels are
less than 5% of what is necessary.
The Recovering America’s
Wildlife Act would send approxi-
mately $30 million per year to
Michigan for these species and
$1.3 billion nationally.
This influx will help game
animals, too. Michigan’s wildlife
This much-needed funding could secure the future of our wildlife for future generations.
The influx to the DNR for implementation of its Wildlife Action Plan would be a boon to
wildlife habitat in the state. Rick Baetsen photo
management plan is broken down
into management actions for habitat
types, understanding that individual
species are part of and dependent
upon a habitat system.
“Many of the conservation
efforts identified as priorities in
Michigan’s Wildlife Action Plan re-
volve around habitat management,”
DeRosier said. “And as you know,
managing habitats provides benefit
to lots of different species, game and
nongame alike.”
The Recovering America’s Wild-
life Act enjoys the support of hun-
dreds of conservation organizations
and businesses across the country,
including the National Wildlife
Federation, the Quality Deer Man-
agement Association, Backcountry
Hunters & Anglers, the Theodore
Roosevelt Conservation Partnership,
Pheasants Forever, Trout Unlimited
and Bass Pro Shops. It has truly
bipartisan congressional sponsorship
- three Republicans and five Demo-
crats by the end of January - but
it needs more. A previous version
of the legislation introduced in the
2015-2016 term had 19 bipartisan
co-sponsors but did not receive
a hearing. In order to get enough
momentum to move in Congress,
the National Wildlife Federation
is urging citizens to contact their
members of Congress to request co-
sponsorship of the legislation.
The idea behind the legisla-
tion was a recommendation of the
Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining
America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife
Resources. The panel - organized
in 2015 - represented the outdoor
recreation retail and manufacturing
sector, the energy and automotive
industries, private landowners, edu-
cational institutions, conservation
organizations, sportsmen’s groups
and state fish and wildlife agencies.
The Blue Ribbon Panel was
co-chaired by Bass Pro Shops owner
Johnny Morris and former Wyoming
Governor Dave Freudenthal, and
its 24 members included Jeff Crane
of the Congressional Sportsmen’s
Foundation, Becky Humphries of
the National Wild Turkey Federation
(and former Michigan DNR direc-
tor), Jennifer Mull of the Outdoor
Industry Association, Steve Sanetti
of the National Shooting Sports
Foundation, and National Wildlife
Federation CEO Collin O’Mara.
“At a time when one-third of
America’s fish and wildlife spe-
cies are at risk, we have a once-in-
a-generation opportunity to save
thousands of species and ensure that
future generations inherit the full
diversity of our nation’s wildlife,”
said O’Mara.
“We cannot stand by and watch
as so many of America’s wildlife
species continue to decline,” said
Edelson. “And if this bill becomes
law, we won’t have to.”
To learn more about the Recov-
ering America’s Wildlife Act, visit
www.nwf.org/recoveringamericas-
wildlife .
Drew YoungeDyke is the com-
munications coordinator for the
National Wildlife Federation’s Great
Lakes Regional Center.n
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 87
Hounds, bears
and bobcats
One of the
biggest
bobcats to
come out of
the nor th
woods is this
Hounds: All Seasoned Bear in Tellico, Tennessee. Firmly con- 41-pound
and Bobcat Hunters... vinced that a bear/hound hunt would
work well in his home state, East
female held
Blueticks, Walkers, Black- by Carl T.
invited Hack Smithdeal of Johnson Johnson at
and-Tans, Redbones, City, Tennessee to set up a test hunt Cadillac who
Plott Hounds, Airedales, in Michigan. Smithdeal’s pack of shot the animal
bear hounds were rated the best in
Airedale-Hound Crosses, the Tennessee mountain country;
after dogs
Mixed Hound Breeds, adept at negotiating spear-pointed had treed it
in the Dead
Half-Bloodhounds. laurel thickets in the Smoky Moun-

B
tains, the dogs now had a chance Stream Swamp
to prove their worth in Michigan’s of Missaukee
ack in a day, there rugged cedar swamps. County. The
were too few rules As matters turned out, the hunt Grand Rapids
or regulations on the was a huge success. More than Press: January
running of 1,000 sportsmen regis- 16,1952
the hounds tered; far more than could
on bear or actually take part in the
bobcat. The history of the trial hunt held in the Dead
sport begins through the ef- Stream Swamp of Missau-
forts of basically one man; kee County.
Carl T. Johnson of Cadillac. During that first hunt, bear season ends; a few continue limit the number of dogs that can
In 1946, Johnson organized 10 or 12 bear were chased hunting during legal bobcat season. be run on bobcats. Over the years
the Michigan Bear Hunters and two were killed. The An excellent chance exists for both I’ve had some excellent hunters.
Association and served as event introduced Michigan the working dogs and their handlers Personally I prefer to put no more
commissioner
of Michigan By Betty Sodders sportsmen to an
exciting and suc-
to extend time in the woods.
Ray Reasner of Rose City and
than two dogs on a hot cat trail. As a
matter of fact I only own one or two
Department of cessful form of David (Preacher) Wolfe of Lupton hounds at a given time.
Natural Resources (DNR) for 17 bear hunting. hunt both bear and bobcat in north- “You asked if I’ve ever had a
years. I was fortunate enough to call Following the hunt, in 1946, ern Lower Michigan and at times in dog injured when hunting bobcats
him ‘friend.’ Johnson built up his own pack of the Eastern Upper Peninsula as well. and my answer would be no; how-
Michigan hunters and state game dogs around one of Smithdeal’s Reasner advised that he has ever if one of these cats bite your
officials initially thought the state hounds. In 1947 Johnson and his been taking bobcats over a 28 year hound in the foot or a joint it may
held so many vast swamps, swales, partners killed their first bear hunt- period. He started hound hunting bugger up your hound for a couple
bogs and wilderness expanses that ing over hounds and since that time cats in the Lower Peninsula with his of weeks. If a bobtail crosses a
hunting bears or bobcats with pack were credited with the taking of brother-in-law and friend, John Dal- road a real danger surfaces as one or
hounds was simply out of the ques- some 200 bears; 20 during the fall las, and quickly took to the sport. more of the hounds could be hit by
tion. of 1958 alone. He advised that they hunted NE a vehicle.
However, in the fall of 1945, Recently I had occasion to speak Lower Peninsula, and Chippewa and “I mentioned that cats are
Ben East, outdoor writer for Out- with two avid hound hunters who Mackinac County in the Upper. Ray natural born hard fighters and that
door Life Magazine returned from advised that while many bear hunt- strongly feels that Michigan bob- I would think that they might be
an organized bear hunt over hounds ers are finished for the year once cat numbers are down across both harder on dogs than bears. I was
northern peninsulas. Recently, I read pretty positive they could inflict a
David Wolfe’s that E.U.P. hunters only registered great deal of damage,” Ray Reasner
best bear nine bobcats last winter and trappers advised.
hunt took harvested 50. Ray advised, “Those “I have never come close to
place at Pine figures are most likely true but we having a dog killed by a bobcat
Stump Junc- must also realize that there are far but have had one killed by a bear.
tion, nor th more trappers involved in the taking The most likely way to get a dog
of Newberry, of bob­tails than hunters.” killed while bobcat hunting is for
in the E.U.P. On one occasion, Carl T. John- the animal to fall through thin ice or
They treed son told me that the largest bobcat shelf ice deposited along rivers and
this bear his group ever downed was one drown.”
three times. weighing 41 pounds, 1 ounce and Talk switched to the hunt with
After shoot- surprisingly it was a female. Reas- my asking Ray how the hunter
ing the bear, ner added that fellow hound hunter, locates a starting point for the dogs;
the bear rose Doug Ward, hunting over hounds, the answer being, “Look for a bob-
up with claws shot a male weighing 40 pounds. cat track in the snow.” He added,
extended to I believe I once heard the record “Actually, every bobcat hunt I have
face David heavyweight male bobcat registered been on has been exciting. And, it
and he saw in at 51 pounds. The largest female all starts when you find the track!
fire in his taken by Reasner’s group weighed People often ask why I run bobcat
eyes as he 31 pounds. and I answer them for the thrill of
pulled the Since hunting bobcats with watching a cold-nosed hound work
trigger of his bear dogs was something I had not a track.
personally experienced, I asked Ray “Hunters new to the sport should
30.06 just
Reasner to tell us more about the have compass, gun, warm hunting
inches from sport. His words follow: boots, snowshoes if needed. Pre-
his neck. “Michigan state law does not ferred firearm, .22 rifle or shotgun
88 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
with BBs. mealtime.
“I have always encouraged “To have a well-trained dog
young people to accompany us on a takes a great deal of field work.
hunt but basically I tend to team up Some of my favorites would include
with friends such as Dan LaLonde Great Spirit Hannock and Great
and Bill Schneider. We all maintain Spirit Socks; Socks being my all- Ray Reasner
hounds. There are many expenses time best working hound, bar none! with a large
involving pack dogs; such as dog I might add do not waste your time bobcat
food, high veterinarian bills, and on a dog that refuses to listen or taken over
time that goes into training like runs around like he does not have a hounds.
breaking a hound not to run deer, clue.”
coyote or stop off to investigate a I asked David Wolfe if there
raccoon den. Porcupines can also were different rules for hunting bob-
be a problem, at times necessitat- cats over hounds than over bear. He
ing quill removal from one of your suggested that just two dogs are the
hounds.” norm when hunting bobcats. Two
My last question for Ray good cold trailers to start on bear,
Reasner was my asking if during then add a third dog where you find
hunts afield, had he ever witnessed a bear has crossed the trail...close
anything unusual. He replied, enough to find them if they are a
“One time we came across a skinny good bobcat dog.
bobcat with porcupine quills in its We discussed the chance of a when hunting bear in the Upper perfect. The black bear was situated
mouth that undoubtedly kept the cat dog being hurt or killed running Peninsula and he advised that they some 60 foot up the tree and then
from eating. On another hunt we bear and David stated that he never have had dogs chased by wolves; Ray Reasner hollered that the bear
came across a bobcat with trap still had a dog killed running bear but he none have been killed. (During was climbing down. Ray shouted
attached to one of its front paws. has had several hounds beat up by 2016, across the Upper Peninsula, ‘Get your gun and shoot him!’
Climbing a tree certainly would bear; some laid up for weeks with 26 hunting dogs were killed by “The bear was about 10 foot
have proved difficult.” bruised ribs and/or torn hide. wolves). He quickly added that from the ground when I placed my
My next interview was conduct- “You need try to select dogs that they monitor the area first to see if shot, and Ray put one in his rear as
ed with a friend of Reasner’s whose are not over aggressive that tend to wolves are present before they put the bear ran off. The bear stopped
passion was taking a bear over ‘bay’ rather than choose to tackle the dogs down on a trail. about 20 yards away with a pile of
hounds. Our conversation follows: a bear.” David Wolfe continued, David Wolfe stated that he has dogs around him. It was my job to
“I became interested in hound “There are always bear that learn only shot two bears in all the years finish the job. I waded into the dog
hunting for bear over 35 years to hit the water and swim in order he has been hunting and over time pack and the bear rose up with claws
ago. A friend living in the Upper to take the dogs off the trail while he let a goodly total of 12 bear go. extended to face me and I saw fire in
Peninsula invited me on a hunt and others simply turn tail and chase the The group he’s hunted with the past his eyes as I pulled the trigger with
immediately I was hooked. dogs out of the woods. We have 25 years has harvested a total of just my 30.06 just inches from his neck.
“Presently I have two female also run into bruins that have back 12 bear. He comments that the men “The adventure was finished.
walker hounds; one is eight years tracked or circled their own trails to all hunt to hear and see the dogs Our trophy lay at my feet. I slowly
old, the other is four. My elder fe- mess up the pack of hounds. Actu- work. walked away as the hounds barked
male is not for sale and will live out ally I don’t know how many times Nearing the end of our inter- at the bear. One of the group asked
her life in my kennel. When train- a bear has outsmarted our pack of view, I asked Dave Wolfe to relate to see my gun. I handed it to him.
ing my dogs, I examine all pups in dogs but I can tell you where they one of his favorite bear hunting He opened the chamber and said,
a litter, employing a ‘hot dog drag’ live and I know when they run!” stories. ‘You didn’t reload a shell in the
to see which of the pups show a I asked Wolfe to tell our read- “My best bear hunt took place chamber.’
distinct trait in trailing. I search for ers about a ‘slick tree.’ “Slick trees at Pine Stump Junction, north of Now the work of field-dressing
a pup interested in scent smells. I are where a bear goes up a tree and Newberry, in the E.U.P. Friend Ray the 300 pound bear that held the typ-
only handle my hounds to the point jumps off. Bears that have been Reasner headed into a treed bear ical white ‘V’ on his chest began. It
that they are not afraid of people, treed several times and tiring of situation to hook up the dogs and was all the crew wanted to haul the
but I prefer my control over others. being treed, a bear learns to do this. we got just about to the tree when brute out of the swamp. Of course,
A good dog owner invests loads of Then when dogs come up to the tree the bear bailed out and once again... as is the custom in bear camp, Dean
love and tender handling. A growly they think the trail ends at the tree.” chase on! I decided to run with the Oswald had to ‘blood’ me; a ritual
dog has no place in a pack. A good Next I asked David if they ever dogs. They ran back to the truck. when a hunter bags his first bear. I
time to bond with your dogs is at experienced a problem with wolves “About 15 minutes passed and have a full body mount in my office
the bear treed again. I could locate to remember that day.”
History of Michigan's Bear Regulations the large white pine that the bear For the most part, Ray Reasner
had treed and I expected to be the and Dave (Preacher) Wolfe, bear
1957 Chronology first man to the tree; but boy was and cat hunt over hounds in the
Department of Conservation Game Division I wrong, for when I was some 75
yards from the tree, the bear bailed
Red Oak District of northern Lower
Michigan. The terrain is fine bear
Prior to 1925: Bears unprotected-taken by any means. again. habitat...swamps, swales, alder
1925 - Designated as small game. “This time I followed him until thickets, marshes, blow downs,
1925-1934 - Statewide season during deer season. the hounds were out of hearing. pine forests punctured with mixed
1935-38 - Closed (not to protect bears but due to closure on deer). Not knowing where I was except woods. The group hunts mainly on
1937 - Not unlawful to take bear with bow and arrow. that I knew I was on the south side state lands unless permission to hunt
1938 - Keweenaw Peninsula closed at request of populace. of the Two Hearted River, I took a a specific piece of private land has
1939 - Many counties provided no protection…dogs and traps allowed compass reading and headed north been offered.
and continued until 1943. Counties set their own regulations. towards the highway. An hour or If the Michigan DNR is willing
1939 - Legislature removed all protection from bears, but allowed so later, I was back on the road. A to listen, the solution to the nuisance
commission to close counties. Laws enforced until 1965, special bear hunter from our group picked me up bear problem in certain areas could
season, October 1-November 5. Hunting with dogs was permitted. and advised that our bear had treed be solved by employing a selec-
1948 - Protection provided for cubs. once again! tive bear harvest while keeping this
1952 - Bear season could be open or closed as needed. “I met up with Ray along with natural resource healthy and stable
1952 - Bear trapping outlawed except by special permit. several other hunters and we walked while in turn gaining a larger group
1955 - Became unlawful to take a sow bear with cubs. to the tree. The site was picture of dedicated hunters in the field.n
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 89
 Woods-N-Water News Classified Section
MISC.
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• Faxing your ad 810-724-8552 U.S. 705-869-3272 www.texasand-
• Complete your Classified online at www.woods-n-waternews.com sons.com H-10-12-17
• Mailing your ad to Woods-N-Water News, P.O. Box 278, Imlay City, MI 48444
Classifieds MUST be paid in advance of publishing; MasterCard, Visa accepted. Make
RESORTS/RENT
DOGS
AKC BRITTANY SPANIELS:
Champion bloodline, beautiful
markings, great disposition and
strong hunters. Born 1-12-18, 4
males $800 each and 3 females
$1000 each. Kim 248-343-3985.
D-3-1
..............................................
RIVERHOUSE KEN-
NEL: Bird dog training, point-
ing and flushing breeds. Point-
back-force breaking to retrieve
- gun breaking. Gun dogs, field
trial dogs, AKC hunt test and
Navda. Tom Godlewski, Irons,
Michigan 361-319-8028. D-3-3

R
check/money orders payable to Woods-N-Water News. Classified ads can not be 50 ACRES TOTALLY PRI-
billed and once a classified is processed no refunds can be made. Limit of 75 words. VATE LAKE IN WESTERN
All classifieds posted to our website FREE! LAKE COUNTY near Branch on
2000 acre family preserve. 3 bed-
Use one of these useful classified categories... room cottage with boats, beach, Near

E
A = Archery FP = Food Plots HW = Help Wanted SM = Snowmobiles large dock, swim raft, swings, fire
pit, etc. Excellent fishing for bass, Marlette
121
ATV = ATVs FW = Firewood M = Miscellanous T = Taxidermy
B = Boats G = Guns RE = Real Estate TK = Trucks pike, trout and panfish. Miles of
streams and hiking trails. Caretaker in Sanilac
Acres
D = Dogs H = Hunting RR = Resorts/Rent TR = Trailers
F = Fishing HL = Hunting Leases RVC = RV’s/Campers W = Wanted lives on property 1 mile away.

A
F = Free $1200 per week. 248-559-7744.
R/R-3-2
County
APRIL 2018 CLASSIFIED DEADLINE MARCH 5, 2018 $
CLIP AND MAIL
WANT TO LEASE 375,100
Woods-N-Water News Classified Advertising
L
ARCHERY DEER LEASE Will OR
WANTED. Jackson, Kalamazoo,
(Please print clearly. We are not responsible for unreadable orders.)
Make sure phone number is included in your ad!
Ann Arbor area. 2 responsible, long consider $3,100 per acre
time hunters, looking for good mix
NAME of timber and crops, 100 acres all
minimum. Call Joe 708 670-3725 or
Larry 248 765-1901. HL-3-4
offers.
ADDRESS

E
REAL ESTATE
CITY                                           STATE                      ZIP
10 WOODED ACRES FOR
DAYTIME PHONE NO. SALE in the Marilla Hills of
Manistee County. Deer and turkey

S
VISA/MASTERCARD#                                                       EXP: hunting. $30,000 Call Jim 231-362-
2747. RE-3-1
CLASSIFICATION OF AD                      MONTHS TO RUN
JACKSON, MI: Approximately

T

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) 17.5 acres Awesome building
site/hunting w/turkey & many
(7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) big bucks taken (pics available)
20x40 pole barn w/electricity,
Paved Road. ONODAGEA 517-

A

(13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18)
404-1929 $98,000 RE-3-1
(19) (20) $30.00 $30.25 $30.50 $30.75

BUYING OR SELLING!
$31.00 $31.25 $31.50 $31.75 $32.00 $32.25
Farms, Vacant Land or Recreational

T
Parcels throughout Michigan. Call
$32.50 $32.75 $33.00 $33.25 $33.50 $33.75 Doug Beasley at Faust Real Estate,
LLC 517-260-2939. RE-3-1
$34.00 $34.25 $34.50 $34.75 $35.00 $35.25 ..............................................

E
20 ACRES IN WESTERN
$35.50 $35.75 $36.00 $36.25 $36.50 $36.75 LENAWEE COUNTY, MI fea-
tures 13 acres of tillable land, a
Enclosed is $                                               for pond and woods. Don’t wait! Priced
at $89,900. Call Jim at Faust Real
words to run                     months. BOX MY CLASSIFIED - $5 Extra Estate, LLC 517-902-6655. RE-3-1
..............................................
90 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
 Doug Leitch 231-652-7000
OFFICE:

Blake Ver Woert BLAKE:

616-308-3122
Jake Dykstra JAKE:
Hunting Land Specialists 616-916-8354

SELL YOUR PROPERTY WITH US!

537 +/- 163+/-
ACRES, ACRES,
JACKSON OSCEOLA
COUNTY
Excellent Duck, Deer & Turkey Hunting. Area
COUNTY
of Other Large Property Owners. “Man Cave” Great Trail System, Awesome Hunting,
w/Game Cleaning Station. Rolling Hills, Must See!
$1,074,000 $290,675

Antrim County 52+/- Acres, Arenac Co, 167+/- Acres Jackson County, 105+/- Acres
Rolling Hills, Pole 3,500+/- ft Lake Huron, 6 Calhoun County, 74 Acres, Calhoun County, 67+/- Acres Jackson County, 120 Acres WRP Program, Mature Hard- Mecosta County 70+/- Acres,
Barn Lodge, Snowmobilers/ Bedroom Lodge, Guest Cabin, 1/2 Tillable ,1/2 Wooded, 300 ft. All Sports Prairie Lake, Mixed Hardwoods, Good Trail woods, Great Deer, Turkey & Mixed Hardwoods and Tillable
Hunters Paradise Great Duck & Deer Hunting. Trophy Buck Genetics 1/2 Tillable, 1/2 Wooded System, Big Buck Country Waterfowl Hunting Land with Pond
$119,000 $599,000 $280,000 $275,000 $360,000 $211,000 $154,500

Newaygo County, 40 Acres

Midland County, 80 Acres
12 Miles to Mount Pleasant,
Excellent Hunting
$176,000
Missaukee County Missaukee County, 32x48 Pole Barn with Water & Newaygo County, 125 Acres, Newaygo County 20+/- Acres,
46+/- Acres, Excellent 10+/- Acres, Amish Built Electric, 20 Ac Old Apple Three spring fed lakes, Newaygo County 80+/- Acres, Excellent Deer Hunting,
Hunting Setup, Log Home, 3 Bed, 2 Bath, Orchard, 20 Ac Hardwoods, Excellent Deer, Turkey Hardwoods, Swamp, Tillable, Mixed Hardwoods, Great
Mosquito Creek Frontage Adjacent to State Land Great Hunting and Waterfowl hunting Awesome Deer Hunting Deer Bedding
$87,500 $199,900 $199,000 $375,000 $275,000 $50,000

Saginaw County, 460+/- Acres,

Osceola County 160+/- Acres,
Ontonagon County, 169 Acres, Trail System, Near Reed City,
Extremely Secluded, Tons of Deer and Turkey Sign,
Wildlife Galore Food plot areas
$160,000 $359,000
Presque Isle County, 80 Ac
Creek Frontage, 24x24 Garage,
Excellent Hunting
$90,000
Presque Isle County, 47 Acres,
Cabin and Pole Barns,
Great Hunting
$99,000
8 Bedroom Log Lodge, 40’x114’
Pole Barn, Care Taker Residence
with Barn, High Fence Deer
Ranch, 275 Quality Deer
$2,900,000
Wexford County 80+/- Acres,
Hunter and Snowmobiler Para-
dise, Adjoins National Forest
$260,000
Lapeer County 102+/- Acres,
Trail System, Mixed
Hardwoods, Pond, Food plot
areas, Tons of Deer Sign.
$380,000

www. WildLifeRealty.com
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 91
 Petoskey MI • $2,000,000
Set atop gorgeous rolling hills surrounded by 270 wooded Acres is this unbelievable 5000sf Full Log Home made with
logs imported from Montana. The excitement of the outdoors is recreated with exceptional quality and unmatched
imagination as you step into this captivating “work of art”! Custom artisan touches throughout to include wildlife
carvings, hand carved bar, carved furniture and mirrors, 2 stone fireplaces and wrought iron features for a versatile and
unique look. Additional space includes screened in porch, attached garage and separate heated shop/garage/rec room.
Only 5 minutes from beautiful Petoskey but a serene and private setting.

Gaylord MI • $1,500,000
Spectacular Expansive Hilltop Views from this 7300sf stunning contemporary home beautifully placed on 160 versatile
acres. Enhancements include stocked pond, QDM managed hunting, wrap around porch, majestic stone fireplace,
gourmet kitchen, lofted second floor, cathedral ceilings, walkout lower level geared for entertainment and oversized
attached garage. This home is quality throughout with a touch of class at every turn.

www.trophyclassrealestate.com

92 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS

 WE SELL LAND

BRANDON CROPSEY CHUCK KEEFER EDMUND NOGASKI JAKE EHLINGER JUSTIN OLK
Broker, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist
Michigan Central Michigan Northern Michigan Southeast Michigan West Central Michigan
(269) 816-3010 (989) 600-4112 (231) 330-4107 (517) 937-2118 (616) 648-6156
MICHAEL TURNER SHAD WOODRUFF SHAWN KELLEY TONY HANSEN
Agent, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist
Eastern Michigan North Central Michigan Southeast Michigan Central Michigan
(248) 770-4898 (989) 330-4032 (586) 292-1812 (269) 420-9510
CONTACT AN AGENT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BUYING AND
SELLING HUNTING, FARMLAND AND TIMBERLAND

w hi t eta il pr ope rt ies .com

Whitetail Properties Real Estate, LLC | dba Whitetail Properties | Nebraska & North Dakota DBA Whitetail Trophy Properties Real Estate LLC. | Lic. in IL, MO, IA, KS, KY, NE & OK - Dan Perez, Broker
| Lic. in AR, CO, GA, MN, ND, TN & WI - Jeff Evans, Broker | Lic. in OH & PA - Kirk Gilbert, Broker | Lic. in TX - Joey Bellington, Broker | Lic. in IN - John Boyken, Broker | Lic. in LA, MS & AL - Sybil
Stewart, Broker | Lic. in TN - Chris Wakefield, Broker | Lic. in TN - Bobby Powers, Broker | Lic. in AR - Johnny Ball, Broker | Lic. in SC - Rick Elliot, Broker | Lic. in NC - Rich Baugh, Broker
Lic. in MI - Brandon Cropsey, Broker - Broker Address: 410 E. Chicago Rd., PO Box 165 White Pigeon, MI 49099

WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 93


VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY!
statewiderealestate.net
• Houghton
Marquette
Iron Mountain • Manistique •
• Gladstone
Escanaba •
• 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
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
HARRISVILLE
430 S. US-23, 48740
email: sold@anjstatewide.com
989-724-5711 • 800-655-5735
Fax: 989-724-6833
94 MARCH 2018 WNW NEWS
Offices Serving Lower &
Upper Michigan
Bringing people and places together since 1945
• Newberry
Curtis
•
Linden •
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
IRON MOUNTAIN
231 East A. St.
Iron Mountain, MI 49807
906-828-2525
Fax: 906-828-2727
email: steve@multistatewide.com
MANISTIQUE
10 N. State Highway M-149
Cooks, MI 49817
906-644-2304
email: dekeysermary@yahoo.com
Absolute Auction -250+/- Acres Real Estate
Located at 9615 Keller Road, Delton, Michigan on:
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Personal Property sells at 10 A.M. – Real Estate sells at 1 PM
An exceptional property Near Gun Lake & Yankee Springs in
Barry County w/agricultural land, ponds, streams, forests, hunt-
ing land, home & buildings at absolute. This is a tremendous
opportunity to purchase a truly unique property that is protected
by a State of Michigan Conservation Easement. The 250+/-
acres will be sold as one parcel and the purchaser will take
title subject to the terms and conditions of the Conservation
Easement which prohibits any dividing, development or division
of the property. Call for additional information.
WILLIAM BLACKMORE ESTATE
Linda Blackmore, Owner
Stanton’s Auctioneers & Realtors
• 144 S. Main, P.O. Box 146, Vermontville, MI 49096
(517) 726-0181 office • (517) 726-0060 fax
Email: stantonsauctions@sbcglobal.net • Website: www.stantons-auctions.com
Onaway
• • Hawks
Hillman
• Alpena HORSE PEOPLE
•
• Atlanta
10 ACRE PARCELS IN HORSE COUNTRY, 7 Miles west of Big Rapids,
Mio • • Harrisville
a stone’s throw from 5,000 Acre Manistee National Forest trail system.
High walkout sites. $30,000
HILLVIEW LAKE
EAST OF BIG RAPIDS. Huge waterfront lots, ranging from 2.68 acres
with 237 ft. frontage to 8.9 acres with 300 ft of frontage. Priced from
• Almont $99,000. Build your dream home or get-away.
LARGE 2 BEDROOM CABIN/COTTAGE with fireplace and deck on 4.15
Howell • Acres with 589 ft. frontage. Great fishing and recreational lake. $189,000
RYAN CREEK
A LARGE CREEK that looks like a small river. East of Big Rapids.
Beautiful building sites. 16.88 Acres, $59,500 • 34.28 Acres, $87,500
Jack Frizzell
(231)598-6700
http://jackfrizzell.fivestarmichigan.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
 RANDY MINTO
400 ACRES
NEW
LAPEER COUNTY
Always Working Hard for You!

N D I N G REALTOR

PE Direct:

810.449.1286 192 ACRES

CLARE COUNTY Great Hunting Lodge, - OR - Beautifully renovated historic Victorian Bed
14 Blinds, 6 Food Plots. Office:
and Breakfast with horse facilities.
*DV 810.653.4500
$598,000 $1,490,000 *DV
SPECIALIZING IN UNIQUE, LUXURY AND LARGE RECREATIONAL PROPERTIES
DEER & NATURE LOVER’S DREAM PROPERTIES

ST. CLAIR COUNTY

257 ACRES LAPEER COUNTY 86 ACRES SANILAC COUNTY

LICENSED
PHEASANT
200 TILLABLE ACRES PRESERVE 40 ACRES
Great farming, income producing. 1/2 mile on Fantastic Development Opportunity. Gorgeous 3270 Sq Ft Ranch with loft.
Belle River, multiple Outbuildings, 2 Ponds. 30 2-Acre Lots. Built 2011. 2 Pole Barns.
*DV $1,250,000 *DV $550,000 *DV $419,000

LICENSED DEER RANCH AMAZING APPLEGATE HUNTING EW

PRESERVE! $1,250,000 N
34 ACRES 60-80 DEER
10-15 TROPHY BUCKS
GENESEE COUNTY
Woodland Deer Ranch in Davison. 6-car garage, Beautiful 2,544 Sq Ft Home - Built 2002,
pond, 5 blinds, 3 lg feeders, Lg polebarn. 4BD, 3BA. Remodeled 2017 - Genesee County.
*DV $849,900 APPROX. 200 DEER APPROX. 100 ELK *DV $329,000

128 ACRES GENESEE COUNTY

25 ACRES
SANILAC COUNTY • 80 ACRES

SOLD SANILAC COUNTY 186 ACRES

COMMERCIAL Gorgeous Lodge, Great for
Genesee County. 3 Ponds, Deer Hunter’s Dream Property, Private &
65% Wooded. A Rare Gem! Great Building Site Entertaining Groups. 2,000 Sq Ft Secluded, 2-streams. ½ mile from Lake Huron.
*DV $599,900 *DV $239,000 *DV Ranch. Several Outbuildings. *DV $275,000

COMMERCIAL
E N D I N G NEW OSCODA COUNTY
PROPERTIES P REDUCED $3
0,000
*DV 20 ACRES
Lapeer County, 24x24 Rustic
Great Visibility from I-69 & Belsay Rd. Cabin w/ Loft, RECORD TUR- Beautiful Condo Amazing 3,900 Sq Ft, 1/2 Log Interior, Custom-Built.
6 Parcels, 1.6 Acres - 12.3 Acres. KEY shot on this property! Genesee County Abuts 500+ Acres Federal Land. 5 Outbuildings & Pond.
Genesee County $135,000 - $495,000 *DV $219,000 *DV $204,500 *DV $249,500

I N G
LIVINGSTON COUNTY
N D I NG CHIPPEWA COUNTY
NEW
OAKLAND COUNTY

PEN D PE
LINDAL CEDAR HOME - A RARE GEM! 170 ACRES
3600+ Sq Ft Custom Log Home in Fenton. 3 Master Cozy Log Cabin, Outbuildings, 1/4 mile on Gorgeous Stone & Brick Home. Approx. 3800 Sq Ft Finished
Suites, 2.4 Beautiful Acres, 1900 Caboose Guesthouse. St. Mary’s River, Beach Front, Secluded. Living Space Including Finished Walkout. Built 2016.
*DV $449,000 *DV $185,000 *DV $359,000

*DV 79 ACRES
NEW
10 ACRES
EW GREAT
REDUCED N
$15,000 BUILDING SITES
OAKLAND Great Commercial Building Sites - 10 Parcels, LAPEER COUNTY
Amazing Home Over 5,200 sq ft of Living
COUNTY $85,000-$595,000 - 1 Acre to 18.75 Acres, Davison Space & Outdoor Entertainment. Gorgeous
10 Acres+/-
St. Clair County Great Building Site Twp. - Prime Location! Commerce Park of Davison property, 8 ponds. Very Private and Secluded.

*DV $159,000 *DV $99,800 - Davison Athletic & Country Club Complex *DV $1,265,000

DRONE
*DV VIDEO GO TO: MIDREAMPROPERTIES.com
OR CALL 810-449-1286
WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 95
 2 Bdrm cottage. Sturgeon 1 Bdrm Camp. 7.5 Acres. 7
River frontage, snowmobile 2 Bdrm Camp. Built 2012. 160 Mile Marsh Rd. Built 2000.
trail access, Hwy 13. Nahma. Acres. Remote. Rock. Bark River.
$63,900 1105794 $189,000 1104899 $54,995 1104950

THOUSANDS OF
ACRES AVAILABLE
FROM $6,900 TO $707,420. 1 Bth cottage on 273’ on Round 1 Bdrm camp. 540 Sq Ft. Blk bath
Lake. 7.65 Acres adjoins State house. Out house. Great hunting. 80 Acre Hunting Camp on
Escanaba land. Wetmore. Stella Lk and Sturgeon River. Stonington Peninsula.
2209 Ludington Street $239,000 1104144 $59,900 1103597 $120,000 1103374
(906) 786-1308

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

Gladstone
1401 Delta Ave.
4 Bdrm, 2 bth Lodge. 640 Acres! 1 Bdrm camp. 40 Acres. Nice 2 Bdrm, 1 bth camp. 18
(906) 825-9000
Mostly all high ground with high ground. Great hunting. Acres. 2 Car gar with deer
high timber value. LaBranche. Well built. Perkins. blinds. Ensign.
$789,900 1101443 $84,900 1101098 $49,900 1097355

Heritage Exclusive Marketing Agents for Northeast

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

5710 Clouse Rd, Glennie 345 S Sleeper Dr, Lincoln 1009 Zimowske Rd, Mio
990 sf, 2 bed, 1 bath with 12 1000 sf, 3 bed, 1 bath with 1500+ sf, 3 bed, 1.5 bath with
acres on dead end road. some updates. Enjoy your detached garage and barn on
Interested in having a hobby evenings overlooking 50 feet 25 acres. Come see what
farm? This is for you, room to on Brownlee Lake. Looking living up north is all about on
roam, some fencing, ideal for that retirement retreat or your new covered porch or
location. $85,000 For more place to escape the hustle of covered deck with this Move
information text R569702 to everyday? $74,000 For info in Ready Gem. $149,000
52187 text R559197 to 52187

Hunting Camp, Hillman 1455 E F-30, Mikado 3464 Kimberlin, Glennie

1700 sf, 4 bed, 2 bath with 1420 sf, 3 bed, 1 bath on 1.5 20 acres perfect for building
several other structures acres with full unfinished or hunting with small pond
perfect the entire family basement. Remodeled with and nice mix of wooded and
hunting trips. Just over 9 2 car attached garage offers open areas. Structures have
acres with Miller’s Creek plenty of room to roam. no value and sold in “as-is”
running through. Will need $89,900 For More condition. $50,000 For More
some TLC, being sold AS-IS Information Text R615688 to Info Text R627991 to 52187
REDUCED $49,900 52187

5684 Riverview Dr 124 Smith St, Oscoda 6997 Woodlea Rd

1800+ sf, 3 bed, 2.5 bath 930 sf, 2 bed, 1 bath well 2170 sf, 3 bed, 2 bath mostly
with deeded access to Foote maintained with attached remodeled with access to all
Pond. Move in ready home garage. Ideal location close Lakewood Shores has to
with 2 car attached garage. to everything Oscoda has to offer including private
Must see to appreciate all offer with this move in ready association access to Lake
this home has to offer. home. NEW $64,000 For Huron. NEW $135,000 For
$159,800 For More More Information Text More Info Text R664325 to
Information Text R435893 to R69609 to 52187 52187
52187

405 E Church, Harrisville 480 acres on Mitchell Trail 2485 Armstrong Rd

1750 sf, 4 bed, 2 bath Perfect investment for any 24 acres of mixed woods &
Victorian in downtown sportsman/woman. 2 private fields with well and electric
Harrisville. Own a piece of lakes, borders federal land on site make this an ideal
history with this move in on all sides plus it has two hunting / camping / building
ready gem. $119,900. For cottages on site with electric. location. Also has pine river
More Information Text Hunting and fishing was feeder creek frontage!
R306384 to 52187 never easier than here. $40,000 For More Info Text
$1,300,000 For More Info R381220 to 52187
Text R505657 to 52187

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

96 MARCH 2018 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” GETAWAYS AND YEAR ROUND HOMES

1.5 ACRES!!
Nice and cute 2 bedroom home w/spacious garage
that has a convenient lean to. Great setting with trails
at rear of prop leading to Silver Creek! Pleasant year
round home or enjoyable weekend getaway!!
$39,900 1833833
TRANQUIL FAWN LAKE!
Lovely and spacious 3 bedroom home with ac-
cess to “no motor” lake. AC, partly finished bsmt,
master suite, garage, deck, newer shingles &
laminates!! Seller giving carpet allowance!!
$149,900 1838336
20 WOODED ACRES!!
Bedroom home on full bsmt /2 car garage. Main
floor laundry, recently updated kitchen & bath,
large covered rear deck with beautiful views and
trails for nature walking or the hunter!!
$154,900 1840412
ON CHANNEL TO ELBOW LAKE!!
3 bedroom home w/detached garage, nice
kitchen w/pantry, island & breakfast nook,
master suite, nice views from wrap-around
deck, on an ACRE with your own pond!!
$154,000
NEAR RIFLE RIVER!!
This one bedroom mobile home would make a
pleasant getaway on an ACRE of property and
near lakes and the beautiful Rifle River for fan-
tastic fishing and superb canoeing/kayaking!!
1810533 $25,000 1831259

NEAR LAKE GEORGE!!
Recently remodeled 3 bedroom, 2 ba w/garage on 2
lots at end of cul-de-sac. Open floor plan, gas log FP,
newer floorings and newer counter tops. Enjoy the public
access and boat ramp at this desirable all sports lake!!
$74,900 1840493
4 ACRES!!
Spacious 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath home w/garage and heat-
ed workshop and pole barn. AC, front & rear decks, full
bsmt, paved driveway, maple & apple trees & more!! With
some TLC, this could be your year round country home!!
$129,900 1839823
1.8 ACRES!!
2 bedroom singlewide, manufactured home on partly
wooded property! Not far from all sports Long Lake
for water activities and near acres of National Forest
for the hunter!! Great weekend cabin or hunt camp!!
$35,000 1838366
1300 SQUARE FEET!!
This 2 bedroom mobile home w/garage is near Hale w/
just under a half acre fronting on paved road. Afford-
able weekend/vacation getaway in super recreational
area near lakes, streams & Huron Nat’l Forest!!
$29,000 1840769
ACROSS FROM FEDERAL LANDS!!
3-drm, 2 ba, almost 1500 sq ft, needs
some mending, an acre of property, huge
garage, partial basement. Would make
excellent year round home in great area!!
$31,500 1841200

OPEN FLOOR PLAN!!
This possible 2 bedroom home sits on nicely treed
lots and is not far from many lakes and the gorgeous
Rifle River for excellent fishing and canoeing/kayaking!
Newer and windows in 2013, some furnishings & more!!
$31,900 1830854
1.44 ACRES!!
Spacious 3-bdrm home in need of some TLC, but has
been painted and newer flooring has been installed.
Open floor plan, enclosed porch, wood stove, base-
ment, a bath on each floor and large garage!!
$84,900 1838514
NEAR RIFLE RIVER!!
Neat 2 bedroom cabin with large fenced yard in
Skidway Lake area. Natural gas heat, newer roof,
newer water pump & shed with electric & hose wa-
ter hook-up. Great getaway also near many lakes!!
$24,500 1838322
OVER 5 ACRES!!
Gorgeous custom built 3 bedroom, 2 full ba home has
over 1800 square feet, cathedral ceilings, floor to ceil-
ing windows on both levels, large deck, pond & heated
garage. Beautiful setting w/RIFLE RIVER FRONTAGE!!
$174,900 1839528
1.24 ACRES!!
This cute 2 bedroom cabin sits on 6 lots and is in
great resort area with several inland lakes nearby
for swimming, boating and fishing! Perfect little “Up
North” getaway for year round recreational fun!!
$19,900 1840716

CUTE AND WELL-MAINTAINED!!
2-bedroom home on large lot w/appliances, natural
gas heat, family room, storage shed, fire pit and
nice deck for relaxing outdoors. Cozy year round
or affordable getaway in great recreational area!!
$37,500 1828738
GREAT FISHING LAKE!!
198 feet of water frontage with nice views on 8 acre
TURTLE LAKE. Well-maintained 3 bedroom is on 2
ACRES in beautiful setting & some nice landscaping.
Insulated pole barn and shed, both w/elec, for storage!!
$49,900 1838539
BEAUTIFUL RIVERFRONT!!
Gorgeous 3 bedroom, 2.5 ba home has heated ga-
rage w/upstairs, fenced garden area, extensive deck-
ing, wood floors, FP, AC, 8.8 ACRES & 1170’ on AU
GRES RIVER w/breathtaking views & much more!!
$265,000 1798150
STATE LAND ON 2 SIDES!!
Beautiful 3-bdrm, 2 full ba home nestled on 4.54 ACRES.
Completely remodeled home is a must see and updates
include newer windows, furnace, doors, kitchen cabi-
nets, water tank/lines & siding on both home & garage!!
$129,900 1840967
NICE LAKE VIEW!!
3 bedroom home with a view of all sports RIFLE LAKE
and newer drywall, flooring, countertops, back splash
& updated bath. Garage, sunroom, bonus upper level
16x18 room, garden area & a fenced spot for your pets!!
$90,000 1838970

CREEK FRONT GETAWAY!!
Just over a HALF ACRE w/2 bedroom home & 221’ of
frontage on Silver Creek. Newer roof in 20167, newer
well & newer septic, 2 storage sheds, screened porch,
beautiful views and near many lakes!!
$54,900 1832428
SECLUDED HUNTING CAMP!!
18 WOODED ACRES w/2 bedroom home is the perfect
place to call your hunting cabin that is also ADJACENT
TO STATE LANDS!! Propane lights, range, refrigera-
tor, wood heat, gravity tank and wired for generator!!
$64,900 1805656
40 ACRE HORSE FARM!!
Gorgeous rolling property perfect for horses w/like-new
80x120 outbldg, riding arena, horse stalls, tack room,
alley way 30x40 heated storage bldg with workshop &
lean to, fenced pastures and owner’s 2 bdrm home!!
$199,900 1827987
TWO FOR ONE!!
There are 2 homes included in this listing both w/one
bath and large lot. Near several lakes for swimming,
boating and fishing and not too far from State lands
for the hunter! Live in one, rent or sell the other!!
$19,000 1840529
ON CUL-DE-SAC!!
Nice 3 bedroom home with 2 car garage and access
to BUSH LAKE for boating, swimming and fishing.
Large kichen, FP, natural gas heat, front and rear
decks, paved driveway & lake just across the road!!
$59,000 1840484

ACREAGE AND WATERFRONT!!
210’ of sandy frontage on popular, all sports CLEAR
LAKE and just over 2 ACRES!! 3 bedroom home, over
2600 square feet, full walkout bsmt, skylights, gas FP,
garage, pole bldg, boat dock, apple orchard & more!!
$139,900 1839256
CLEAR LAKE AREA!!
Beautiful 3-bdrm home perfect for year round
or nice getaway! Freshly painted, newer carpet,
large kitchen & living area, garage & nice patio.
Near popular Clear Lk & acres of State lands!!
$139,900 1842036
LAKE GEORGE WATERFRONT!!
Lovely home w/frontage on allsports lake just min-
utes from town. FP, large family room, recently re-
modeled kitchen has newer cupboards, backsplash
& laminate floors and so much more to enjoy!!
$99,000 1839413
OVER 3000 SQUARE FEET!!
4-bdrm, 2.7 baths, appliances, master suite,
cathedral ceilings, 2 bdrms on each floor, full
walkout bsmt, 2.5 ACRES, finished garage,
large deck, privacy fence and much more!!
$209,900 1837404
10 WOODED ACRES!!
Lovely 3 bedroom, 2 ba home w/garage! Great kitchen
w/island and appliances, FP in spacious living area,
master suite w/walk-in closet and private bath. Great
location near lakes & State land w/gorgeous views!!
$129,900 1840732

FOR MORE LISTINGS

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WNW NEWS MARCH 2018 97
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