ASO Magazine Dec. 2015

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Merry Christmas!
See ASO-TV
Sat., Dec. 26 at
5:30pm on WTVP,
PBS Ch. 47 & on
youtube.com/
ASOMagazine
OUTDOOR
FOLKS LOVE TO
READ ASO!
Sports Outdoors
December 2015
ISRA.org
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December 2015
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December 2015
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December 2015
ON THE COVER:
A1 ALs Pheasant Ranch, SD
Five fathers & sons from Houston, TX

standing by an old F20 International
tractor at Terveen farms.
Canterbury Tales
Book your hunt at: www.A1Als.com
DEC. 2015 ISSUE #229

Copyright 1994
Published monthly by: Red Nose, Inc.

Harry & Cathy Canterbury, Owners
TREMONT OFFICE
1408 Downing Ct. Tremont, IL 61568
(309) 925-HUNT (4868)
Home Office: (309) 925-7313
Harrys Cell: (309) 360-0487
Cathys Cell: (309) 370-6922
E-mail: ASOCathy@gmail.com
Web: ASOMagazine.com
Call Toll Free: (877) 778-HUNT(4868)
ASOHarry@gmail.com
Terri Sweckard
309-241-6591 ASOTerri@gmail.com
Carroll Gentry So. IL Rep. 618-988-8230
Billing: schmittbookkeeping@gmail.com
PRODUCTION AD CREATION & LAYOUT:
Becky Fee - Graphic Artist
(309) 642-2402 BeckyASO@gmail.com
Deadline for ASO editions is the 10th

of each previous month.
Please send only digital media files.
Published by Red Nose, Inc. Red Nose, Inc. is not responsible for
any injury received as a result of information or advice given.
Contents may not reflect opinions of Red Nose, Inc.
Mark Wertz
Attorney at Law
Hip Implant?
You need to be informed!
Contact
Mark Wertz
mwertz@vltslaw.com
Vonachen, Lawless,
Trager & Slevin
Peoria, IL 61602
(800) 986-6080 (309) 676-8986
www.vltslaw.com
Its 5 in the morning sitting in the

cabin on Patterson Bay near Bath Illinois on the second day of first shotgun season. Got all dressed up to go
but with a torrential rain going on and
the wind blowing I decided to stay in
the cottage and get the Tales for this
month done. I just did not want to sit
in a tree and get soaked and cold.
Plan on going on Sunday hopefully
with more desirable weather.
My hunting partner, Dave Herschelman shot a real nice deer on Friday. It was a 150 class deer as you
can see in the photo. Daves deer is
hanging up in the tree outside and he
is pretty happy. I wont go into the
details of his hunt but it was a good
one. I will let him tell you the story
next month about the Burr Oak Island
Buck.
I remember the first deer I ever shot
it was 1977 in Missouri. It was the
most exciting thing I had ever done
up till that time. I still get a thrill out
of shooting deer but I guess I have
become a little bit of a softy when it
comes to bad weather. In fact this afternoon the wind will blow up to 25
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duck hunting. It has been a slow start
here in the river valley for duck hunting but with strong winds and dropping temps it should fire up. New
ducks on their way and flight ducks
from the North are coming down.
But for right now sitting in the warm
cabin drinking a cup of coffee is not
too bad of an idea. Bacon and eggs
sounds good right now and shooting
ducks later today should be a lot of
fun.
Talking about fun I went to Emery
South Dakota the first of November
to A1 ALs Pheasant Ranch. Brady
Terveen and his cousin Todd Terveen
have a place to shoot that is about as
good as it gets. With over 4500 acres
to hunt pheasants you wont find a
better place to go. A good friend of
mine, Bill Morgan of Tupelo Mississippi, flew with me to Sioux Falls
and drove to Emery about 45 minutes
away.
Brady and Todd started their Operation 10 years ago and have made
this farm one of top places in the state
of South Dakota to shoot pheasants.
In fact they are building a 15,000
square foot lodge that is first class. It
should be finished this March with all
the amenities a hunter can ask for.
This farm is Brady and Todds
grandfathers place and it was his fathers home stead at the turn of the
century. The Hunting club is named
after his Grandpa Al whom I met
while we were there. He is in his 90s
and still a real sharp guy. Grandma is
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one sweet lady who had us over

to their home in Emery to
show us photos of the
ranch back in the 1930s.
One thing I always found to
be a pleasure was visiting with
the older folks from this rugged land
who made this wild place their home.
With winters as tough as they get
these hardy German and English
stock folks are true profiles of who
we are as Americans. They exemplify what hard work is all about and
what you can accomplish if you want
to. They are living proof that you
dont need the government to survive.
On the cover you see some guys in
front of an old F20 International tractor that is on one of the Terveen
farms. Those are 5 fathers and sons
all there to shoot pheasants from
Houston Texas. Most of these guys
are Harbor Pilots that work in the
Houston Ship Channel. All great
shots it was more than a pleasure to
hunt with these guys.
Being a ship lover and spending
time on the open seas myself sailing
they were a wealth of info and the
stories they told of being on ships
was fascinating. They come from a
very small fraternity of men who earn
a living doing what they do. Most of
them went to the Marchant Marine
School in Houston and Texas A & M
Merchant Marine School and are real
pros. They all have sailed the open
seas prior to becoming Captains in
Houston Harbor.
But not just hunting with smart
guys they were a lot of fun and I really enjoyed their company. They are
true sportsman and its nice to be
with folks who have the same outlook on life as you. We hunted 3 days
and shot our limits each and every
day.
Shooting a triple the first time on
pheasants was icing on the cake for
me. I cant forget the wives of Brady
and Todd. Heather and Beth were our
cooks and made great meals for
breakfast, lunch and dinner. Beths
dad Lowell Elliott a Veteran of the
Vietnam War was one of our guides
who I earned a great respect for. He
saw some pretty tough fighting while
in Nam. Not only him but all of that
generation deserves our respect for
the sacrifices they made.
Contd. on pg. 8
006_001.qxd 11/22/15 9:46 PM Page 1
GUIDE TO ASO WRITERS
7 .......Mom's Recipe: American Wild Boar Christmas Ham

8 .......Canterbury Tales continues
10 .....Dustin Hinds Muskie
11 ......Rick Stuber, beautiful bucks
12......Richard Pearson ISRA, Executive Directors Message
14 ......Norm Kelly, Santas Biggest Helpers
17......Brandan Mathus, Route 24 Gun & Pawn: A Simple Set That Helps in a Big Way
18 ......Mike Roux, I Just Bought a Muzzleloader; Now What?
20 .....Bob Murray, Meandering Murrays, Deer Me! Deer Me?
21......IDNR Dec 2015 & January 2016 Schedule of Events
22 ....Ted Nugent, CWD Is a Scam that is Hurting the Tradition of Hunting
23 .....Faeth's Fowl Play Hunting Preserve
24 .....Dave Shadow, Hunt with a Klutz for Better Success
25 .....Dave Shadow, Entangled Deer a Fight to the Death Entangled Deer Die in Battle.
26 .....Colby Simms with Ray Simms OUT EARLY FOR MUSKIES
29 .....Bob Park, Raptor Premium Spinnerbaits, Keeping a Fishing Log Book
31 ......Joe Jerek, Young hunters check 14,095 deer during Mo early youth portion
31 ......Hunters checked 6,158 turkeys during Missouri's fall firearms season
32 .....Candice Davis, MDC: Managed deer hunt makes hunting possible for disabled hunters
33 .....MDC to receive $2.4 million from USDA for wetlands on private land
34 .....Bill Cooper, Four Days on the Meramec River, Part 2
36 .....Thane Hunt, Building for a Hunt
37 .....Farm King
38 .....Wayne Baughman, Farewell WayneASO Readers will Miss You
39 .....IDNR NewsBits
40 .....Public Hunting & Access Opportunities at 508-Acre Forever Fields in IL
40 .....Take Precautions to Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
41 .....Woo's Corner, Thanks to My Sponsors
42 .....Terri Sweckard, Fall Fishing Fun!
43 .....Daniel Vinovich, It Aint Over Yet!
44 .....OFallon Mo angler catches state-record skipjack herring,
45 .....Victory Tailgate Cornhole Games Fun Christmas Gift!
46 .....Dave Herschelman, Full of Stories
47 .....Joe Hale tagged out in the same day
48 .....Ed DeVires, BAI News
50 .....Don Dziedzina, Fishing from a Holey Boat
51 ......CPO Reports: July 2015
55 .....Roland Cheeks Campfire Culture, Incredible Persona
56 .....Kirby Schupp, The Shotgun Shop, Maintenance Delay and the Snowball Effect
58 .....Les Davenport Strictly My Opinion: Fixing Illinois Whitetail Management,
60 .....Dave Evans, Minnesota Memories, Lets GoShopping Today
62 .....Brian Barton, North Alabama Lakes are great for catching big blue catfish
64 .....ASO CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEASThe Normal Brand Products
66 .....Steve Welch, Christmas Ideas for the Outdoorsman
67 .....Lake Shelbyville Fishing Fun!
68 .....Illinois DNR New Conservation Laws in 2015
69 .....Gerald Sampen, Outdoor Connection-Time to Hunt Waterfowl & Go to a Winter Fishing
72 .....Lure in Holiday Cheer with Gifts from Rapala
74 .....DUs Gary Koehler, Super Sniffers
75 .....Hunting Season Safety Tips for Pets
76 .....DU Illinois: Jenkins Marsh/VanZelst HabitatReturning
77 .....Phil Bourjaily Shotgunning: Snow GooseGuns
78 .....Wade Bourne, Geese on aBudget
80 .....Daniel Xu, Indiana Outfitter Arrested after Allegedly Scamming Numerous
81 ......Massive Wolf Rumored to Have Been Shot in Michigan Actually from Canada
82 .....Shae Birkey, Great Hunting
84 .....Outdoor Fun! Rachel Waterfield Mitchell Parrish & Rick Hamm
85 .....Congratulations to George Barger of Pekin beautiful 18 point buck
86 .....Margaret Smith The Trumpet Call, The snow queens and kings arrivelet the party begin!
88 .....Dan Gapen Sr., Waterfowl Hunting
90 .....Jason Mitchell, The Right Pitch for Panfish
91 ......Washington State Officials Confirm New Opah Record
92 .....Don Higgins, Higgys Stand: CRP Tree Plantings for Wildlife
93 .....Diana Storrs, Minnesota Winters
94 .....Derrek Sigler, After the Shot: How to Find, Dress, and Extract Your Harvest
95 .....Norm & Bruce, A Day to Remember: Veterans Day Ceremony Springdale Cemetery
96 .....Lisa Mancuso, Grape Stomp at Kickapoo Creek Winery
97 .....Marlene Odahlen-Hinz, Changing Times
99 .....AK Thompson, Dirt Church: The Not-so-Great Escape
101 ....Jason Houser, Young Huntress is an Inspiration
104 ...Mary Ann Vance, Real Estate Chatter
105 ....Jack Hart, The Past, Present & Future
106....Ted Takasaki and Scott Richardson, Ice Fishing Tools
107....Annette Moore, MSN: SAFE GUN HANDLING-Are your shots intentional?
107....The Well Armed Women
108....Timber Ridge Outpost & Cabins near Garden of the Gods Open Year-Round
109 ....January 8-9-10, 2016 Gateway Centers Lets Go Fishing Show
110 ....Merry Christmas from Annie Ottos Corner
111 .....Mountain Lions May Return to the Midwest Sooner Than You Think
112 ....Dan Galusha, Dans Fishin Tales, Gift List for Outdoorsmen
112 ....A1 Als Pheasant Ranch, www.A1Als.com
114.....Dave Genz, Horizontal Jigs, Knot Adjustments, and the Kicker
116 ....Keli Van Cleave, A Buck to Remember
Cope Marine
is the
Midwests
Boating
Headquarters!
WATCH ASO TV Sat. Dec. 26 5:30pm

On WTVP, PBS Channel 47
See previous shows on our YouTube Page!
YouTube.com/ASOMagazine
O P E N 7 D AY S A W E E K !
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Dont Miss An Issue!
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December 2015
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007_001.qxd 11/22/15 9:56 PM Page 1
December 2015
Moms Recipe
AMERICAN WILD BOAR
CHRISTMAS HAM
Ingredients!
The back leg of a wild boar/feral
hog, with shank removed. (10 lbs)
Brine
1 gallon of water
235 grams of kosher salt
250 grams of brown sugar
28 grams of pink salt
Glaze
1/2 cup of Dijon mustard
1/2 cup of Whataburger Mustard
2 cups of brown sugar
3 minced garlic cloves
Method
Dissolve the brine ingredients in
the water and add to the bowl with
the ham. !Make sure its fully submerged by putting a couple heavy
plates on the meat. !Let it soak for
7 days in the fridge.
Mary Ann Harrell
After a week, remove from the

brine and rinse with cool water.
Dry off the ham with a towel.
Place on a cookie rack and let dry
for 24 hours in the fridge.
Smoke the ham at 200 degrees
for about 2 hours. ! I like orange
woods flavor and highly recommend it. Hickory, pecan, mesquite
are all Bueno as well.
During the initial smoke, mix up
the glaze ingreuntil

dients
smooth.
Remove the
ham, slap on the
glaze and continue to smoke it
until the internal
temperature
reaches 157. Add
more glaze about
every hour.
When done,
add the remaining glaze. !Serve
immediately, or
allow to cool and
refrigerate. !
Rewarm it in
the oven if you
want.
WATCH ASO TV on the Final

Saturday of each month on WTVP,
PBS Ch. 47. See previous shows at:
YouTube.com/ASOMagazine
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008_001.qxd 11/25/15 11:57 AM Page 1
TALES Contd. from pg. 5

Shawn Arborgast put this together
a few years ago and has made the
event to Emery a trip that will go on
for a long time. It was really nice to
see this father and son hunt and the
comradery of all in attendance.
Great friendships were made and I
was thrilled to have had not only a
fantastic hunt but the new friends
made were top shelf. Mike Lawson
a retired Pilot invited me to visit him
in Texas sometime and will be sure
to take him up on it. If you want to
enjoy a hunt of a life time contact
Brady or Todd at www.A1Als.com.
I made a TV show that can be seen
on our You Tube Channel,
YouTube.com look up ASO
Magazine. It was broadcast on
WTVP channel 47 on Nov. 28th at
5:30pm.
I have to mention the Bed &
Breakfast we stayed at in Emery. Al
and Nancy Hyatt have created a
wonderful place to stay near ALs
that is really great. Al a retired Army
Colonel and a great host put Bill and
me up for 4 nights. I cant tell you

just how nice Al and Nancy are.
They make you feel like you never
left home.
Al who spent 10 years in Germany
with the Army is a well-seasoned
guy who Bill and I spent many late
nights talking about everything. I
have to mention his little dog Fritzie
a 10 year old Brittney was a real
sweetie. If you are ever in the area of
Mitchell South Dakota Hyatts
Green Acres Bed & Breakfast - RV
Park is a stop you cant miss. You
can find them at www.
HyattsGreenAcres.com
I would like to talk about all the
things going on right now in the
world but you all have TV and know
as much as I do about whats happening with the Muslim extremists.
What can you say, we need a change
desperately. That hope and change
thing didnt work out to well, did it?
Enjoy the outdoors and be safe.
Cathy and I wish you a Merry
Christmas.
Keep your powder dry and your
worm wet.
Harry
December 2015
Hunters gather around the campfire after the hunt to discuss the great
hunting they just experienced.
Bill Morgan from Tupelo, MS
Mike Lawson after a great hunt.

See more on pg. 112.
B&B owner Al Hyatt,

HyattsGreenAcres.com
5-2015
Celebrating 80 Years of Shooting 193
1470 Spring Bay Rd. East Peoria, IL 61611
(309) 822-8146 www.peoriaskeetandtrap.com
STILL SHOOTING!
Open Practice - Thurs., Sat. & Sun.

Gift Certificates Available! Merry Christmas!
Open: M-F 7:30am - 4:30pm
Sat. 7:30 - 11:30am
(right) Owner Bradys, wife Beth

Terveen's father, Lowell Elliott,
a Vietnam Vet & great guy!
Black Top Inn
10956 N. Manito Rd., Manito, IL 309-545-9980

Home of the 1/2 pound Burger, Ice Cold Beer & Good Spirits!
MARIETTA
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WHERE GOOD FRIENDS &

GOOD TIMES GET TOGETHER
Stop in For a Cold One This Upcoming Season!
009_001.qxd 11/25/15 12:18 PM Page 1
December 2015
(Left) Molly White

with her first
buckA nice
8-pointer!
(Center) Justin
White bagged a
9-pointer! Both
Molly & Justin
shot their deer
opening day of 1st
shotgun season on
their parents
Marlin & Jennifer
Whites Schuyler
Co. farm. Also
Congrats to Marion
White (right) for
nailing a big
10-pointer opening
day of on his farm
outside of Table
Grove. Thanks for
sharing your
trophies with ASO!
Congratulations to ASO friend &

writer David Herschelman with his
beautiful 10-pointer taken opening day
of first season. All your hard work
and hours in the treestand paid off!
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BIRD SEED, FEEDERS, HOUSES & BATHS
Wildlife Plot Mixes Wildlife Plantings

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~ Nice Selection of Prairie Grasses for Filter Strips ~
ASO Rep Alan Johnson

with best friend
Floyd Green and his
two sons Trent and
Tyson with some
nice mallards
shot at Spring Lake.
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Video Gaming Food & Spirits OPEN EVERYDAY
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010_001.qxd 11/21/15 2:13 PM Page 1
10
December 2015
Enjoy some outdoor action from

Dustin Hinds of El Paso!
It's been a long 10 months since
I've battled with one of these guys!
Countless hours of casting and
tying has been the price paid
chasing musky on the fly.
It finally happened this morning
(10/20/2015). I had three eats and
brought two to hand, quit early and
called it a successful outing. Can't
wait to get back out this weekend
with Jonn Graham!
Had a great opening morning (11/7/2015) of upland game hunting

with my son Wyatt and friends. Totally blew my deer hunting spot out,
but the memories I have of opening days in my past are being
created in my son. That my friends is worth more than
any trophy buck!
Morrells Package Liquors

1/2 mi. West of Astoria, IL on Route 24
309-329-2826
Owners: Zane & Joanie Morrell
DUCKS
Had another great day (10/30/2015) chasing musky on the fly with
Jonn Graham. We're approaching the full on deer rut and ducks are
getting ready to push south, all I can think about is getting back out on
the water! I'm seriously hooked on the adrenalin rush of a sick eat!
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Drink Specials Everyday!

Full Menu with a Fabulous Breakfast!
M-F 7am-11pm Sat. & Sun. 7am-2pm
Owners, Mike & Kathy Morris invite you to
come by for a drink and delicious meal!
4322 N. Prospect Peoria Hts 309-685-9413
011_001.qxd 11/21/15 12:55 PM Page 1
December 2015
Congratulations to Rick StuberWay to go nailing two big bucks! Ricks beautiful wife Cathy
sent us these photos of his 10-pointer he killed 11/6 at the cabin & the 8-pointer he took in
Tazewell Co. late afternoon 10/30 with a little help from a friend who grunted and got him up.
This happy man took both with his new Matthews bow. Hes only shot two arrows this season!!!
Thanks for sharing
your awesome hunts!
Rick & Cathy are
from the
202 W. Comanche Shabbona, IL 60550 cartersgunshop@aol.com
Tremont area.
Carters Gun Shop, Inc.

(815) 824-2354
Open: 8am-12noon & 1pm-5pm Closed Sunday & Tuesday
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Operating since 1991
DAILY & YEARLY MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE
Hunt Lick Creek Game Preserve, located on 991 acres of

beautiful terrain in Central Illinois, with 189 CREP acres
and a 55 acre lake that offers great fishing!
HUNTING SEASON: Oct. 15th - Mar. 31st
FISHINGSEASON:Mar. 15th - Nov. 1st
Pheasant, Chukar, Quail and are a full service club.
ALSO...We waive the membership fee on active duty military!
(309) 347-7191
Cell: 309-645-6157
www.lickcreek.com
We Now
Accept
Credit
Cards!
Congrats Jazzman Nichols! WOW!!!

15 inches & 2 lbs! She caught
this crappie on a private pond and
on a crazy fluke it hit! Cathy &
Ricks niece, Jazzman, is
12-years-old and from Bartonville.
Thanks to ASO Rep Terri Sweckard
for taking this photo of Jazzman
with giant crappie!
WAYNES 121 CLUB
Located in Tremont, IL on Old Rt. 121 250 S. Baer Rd.
Same Location Since 1951
Upland Hunting & Fishing at its Finest!
11
Celebrating
31 Years!
Come Play Silver

Strike Bowling,
Golden Tee Golf &
New Video Games!
Pizza Snacks
Cold Beer
Stop By & Say Hello!
012_001.qxd 11/22/15 10:29 PM Page 1
12
From the
Desk of:
Rich
Pearson,
ISRA
Executive
Director
ISRA.org
I, like most of you, was glued to the television on Friday night watching the story
of the Paris attacks unfold in real time.! Parisons ran for their lives because there was
nothing else they could do.! I listened to one person who was hiding in her own apartment hoping her building wouldn't be selected for the next attack.! She knew that a
locked door was a minor impediment to a terrorist.! A person's home is where we all
want to feel safe, it's where we relax, sleep, and enjoy our family and friends.
France has draconian gun laws.! There is no Second Amendment freedom in
France.! Except for a handful of wealthy duck hunters, no one owns a gun.! I have
hosted two French film crews who wanted to shoot a gun.! They were both afraid and
excited; when they left they were impressed by our Second Amendment freedom.
Certain politicians and anti-gun groups want to make the United States like France.
Has gun control in France stopped attacks? Just like everywhere else - not at all.
The ISRA recommends that you have a plan.! Here are two true stories about one
person who didn't have a plan, and one person who did have a plan.
A friend of mine has a very successful son who lives in North Carolina.! About nine
years ago his neighbor, who owned a large furniture store, was being robbed at the
store.! He foiled the robbery, wounding one of the assailants.! Both of the robbers
were sent to prison for 8 years.! Earlier this year both men were released from prison.
They had plenty of time to find out where the business owner lived.! This summer
there was a knock at the door of the furniture store owner.! I'm sure without any
December 2015
thought, the man opened the door and was killed instantly.! His wife was sitting on
the couch and never even had time to move.! They found her murdered still sitting
on the couch.! This man may have had a plan at work, but did not have a plan at his
own home.
In another North Carolina case, a young woman by the name of Semantha Bunce,
was attacked in her home.! Semantha was in her bedroom nursing her baby when
there was a knock at the door.! Suddenly, two men broke the door down, probably
thinking no one was home.! They shot Semantha, wounding her, but she fired back
with her own weapon, wounding one man and driving the other intruder off.! Both
men have been arrested.! Semantha is recovering and her baby is fine.! Semantha is
trained as a combat medic in the North Carolina National Guard.! Both she and her
husband have been trained.! They purchased a handgun for home defense. Semantha
and her husband had a plan and executed it. That is why Semantha and her baby are
alive. !Do you have a plan?
By the way, Semantha Bunce has a lot of medical bills.! A friend has established a
GoFundMe account to help with her impending expenses, if you care to donate.! Just
enter Semantha Bunce and the account will come up.
Your life matters. The lives of your loved ones matter. That is why I am always
writing about getting your concealed carry license, receiving additional training,
pointing out what a dangerous world we live in, and letting you know that the world
is getting even more dangerous. Avoiding facing reality and preparation are fatal
errors for each of us personally and for our nation.
Take the case of Byron White. White approached a young man and demanded his
cell phone. The young man said no and called police. White shot him to death, took
the phone, and then complained to his friends that the phone wasn't as nice as the one
he wanted. Then there is the case of Tyshawn Lee, a 9 year old boy who was lured
to a gang execution, and then shot in a Chicago alley. This is what is out there.
On a Saturday night in Oct. a would-be robber entered a store on Chicago's
Southside. He threatened a clerk and when another employee appeared, the robber
pointed the gun at her and ordered her to the back of the store, which serves as a currency exchange. At that moment an armed concealed carry license holder opened fire
and killed the would-be robber. Everyone else was ok. The robber had an extensive
criminal history - no plea bargains this time. No charges are expected against the concealed carry holder.
The good news about all of this is that other felons or wanna-be felons just got a
message, compliments of the Illinois Concealed Carry Law. They won't all understand, but some will. Those who don't get it, may have their own opportunity educated somewhere along the line.
Speaking of bad guys, President Obama is about to release a group of prisoners
without interviewing any of them, as normally happens in a parole process. They are
just going to be let out. I am sure you and I are going to encounter one or two of them
sometime down the line. Scary.
A few friends of mine just returned from a European vacation. Since they are history buffs, they visited museums, cathedrals and other historical sights. The first of
their real educational opportunities came when they were in Budapest. They were at
the train station when groups of Middle Eastern refugees stormed the railway station
and tried to take over the trains; they were demanding to be taken to Germany. The
second opportunity came in Amsterdam. They were waiting in line to go through
security when a group of 32 Syrian refugees were marched right around security and
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013_001.qxd 11/25/15 12:43 PM Page 1
December 2015
boarded the same plane to Chicago. Upon their U.S. arrival, all disembarked, including
the 32 Syrian refugees. They have since disappeared into the City of Chicago and surrounding suburbs or who knows where. Remember: this happened in just one place, in
one hour, in just one day. My guess is that this occurs again and again.
I keep mentioning the City of Chicago has a drug problem that fuels all the violence.
In September the Chicago Police Dept raided a small boarded up bungalow on the West
Side. It was a crack house. How many crack heads do you suppose were in this small
bungalow? If you guessed 66 you won the jelly beans. How many were arrested or detained? If you guessed zero, you won another bag of jelly beans. This is a perfect example of why gun owners should not take blame for any of Chicago's violence. It's
theirs - they own it.
The anti-gun forces are getting reinforcements from New York Governor Andrew
Cuomo. Cuomo piloted New York's draconian Safe Act through the state's legislature.
Now he has pledged to help the Brady Campaign spread their gun control message
across the United States. I'm sure Cuomo will help Hillary Clinton by spearheading her
anti-gun plank in her platform.
Hillary Clinton skated through the Benghazi Committee relatively unscathed. The
only new revelation was that Ambassador Chris Stevens emailed requests for additional
security more than 600 times. He probably should have requested a donation form for
the Clinton Foundation; I bet he would have gotten a reply then.
In Israel we are seeing attacks on Israeli citizens. Eventually, I predict, this will come
to the good old USA. These are termed "lone wolf attacks". I think we should refer back
to WWII and think about BBC broadcasts that used code words to activate various resistance units throughout Europe. We are much more sophisticated today, in a variety
of ways. Now we use social media to instigate attacks when the attacker is ready. Just
because they seem random doesn't mean they are. What they are is unexpected. Since
predictability is impossible, the only person who can stop them is the intended victim.
I am pleased to announce that Ken Simmons has become a NRA Training Counselor.
This means we will be able to teach basic and instructor classes starting next year. I'm
very excited about this expansion of the ISRA Academy. ISRA members will be offered classes at discount prices.
We still have some openings for the Utah CCW Permit Classes being held in December and January. Contact the ISRA office for details.
Let Raber Process Your Deer!
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13
Thanks for being an ISRA member.

If you are not a member, please join today or
Give the gift of an ISRA membership!
Call (815) 635-3198
Check out ISRA's NEW website: www.isra.org
Follow the ISRA on Twitter and Facebook!
Jim O'Bryan
with an
opening day
Irish Acres
big bodied
8-point buck!
Jims brother,
Mike OBryan,
can help you
find your
very own
recreational
ground!
Contact him today!
309-635-8901
CommercialPeoria.com
After a good day of hunting
Come stay with us!
Irish House Hotel

Manager: Kristen Schenk
Indoor Pool
Continental Breakfast
We enjoy your company!

IRISH HOUSE HOTEL
Rt. 99 S. Mt. Sterling, IL 62353
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1-877-BIRDHUNT
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014_001.qxd 11/22/15 3:32 PM Page 1
14
SANTAS BIGGEST
HELPERS
by Norman V. Kelly
As a member of a family containing eleven children, Christmas was a

glorious day. However it was not because of the meager gifts we got from
Santa. There were a lot of pies and
cakes and a turkey thanks to the hard
work of my mother and older sisters,
uncles and aunts all pitching in. As a
kid though getting toys was upper
most in my mind; but it never really
happened. Money was not easy to
come by in those days but as a kid I
had no interest in why I couldnt have
themI just wanted them. It was that
simple. I found out early, probably in
1937, that there was one thing from
Santa I could count on and that was
my big red stocking. Of course I had

no idea who provided for it, but every
year all the young kids were taken to
the Palace Theater for the greatest
day of the year.
Up on the stage were decorated
Christmas trees, little Elves in green
and the man himself, Mr. Santa
Claus. Getting my hands on that big
red stocking which was about as long
as I was tall was the best thrill of
every one of those younger years. As
the years rolled on I tried to pay them
back with the sales of my books and
other donations. Every year the need
grew and today the Journal-Star manages to continue the Journal-Star
Christmas Fund. Truth is most Peorians still call it the Red Stocking
Fund.
It all began in 1919 when the publisher of the newspaper called in one
of his reporters, Glen Walley and assigned him the job of forming the
fund and getting the project of providing Christmas gifts for the underprivileged kids underway. He contacted business owners, charitable
groups and called upon the newspapers readers to send in donations to
help a needy kid around Christmas
time. And so it began; each year it
grew and the demands on the fund
December 2015
grew and people responded.

THE FIRST PARTY
The first Christmas Party was held
at the Courthouse square where at
least a thousand folks gathered
around to sing and cheer old Santa as
he gave away about 400 big red
stockings to the eager kids. As the
size of the crowd grew arrangements
were made to use the beautiful Shrine
Mosque for the event. From the toys
and the dolls that were jammed into
the stocking came the gift of a Christmas Food Basket being distributed at
homes around Christmas time as
well.
I certainly remember two men
coming to my house, they brushed off
the snow from their coats and brought
in two bushel baskets jammed full of
apples, oranges, candy canes, nuts
and hard candy. Between the baskets
and the red stockings all the kids in
my family seemed as happy as if we
were getting new bikes and wagons
like some of our friends received.
ButI must admit I can still feel
the pain and disappointment, and I
learned to accept it as did my siblings. To this day I can remember
when the party was moved over to the
Palace Theater which also meant a
movie and a lot of carol singing before Santa finally appeared behind
that big curtain covering the stage.
Those were magical moments I can
tell you that.
Records show that very nearly
1,300 kids filled that theater to sing
the carols, watch the movie and then
hold their breath as the curtains
flowed open to reveal the wonders of
Christmas and Old Saint Nick. I remember standing up every time I
went there just to look at all the kids
and the faces all lit up with bright
eyes and wild grins. We sang our
hearts out and clapped and screamed.
I am sure we drove the adults nuts;

but we never stopped the noise. But
wait! Do you hear those bells? Listen! There he isits himit really
is Santa! Finally that moment came
when the girls went to the leftboys
to the right for the trek up to the
stage. I can tell you it was a heart
pounding event for all of us. It was a
good thing there were enough adults
in charge to curb our enthusiasm or
there would have been utter chaos.
And so here it is another Christmas! Everything has changed, it is no
longer the Red Stocking Party, but
the kids are the same, the need is
even greater today than it was then.
Throughout it all the Journal-Star has
kept the party alive by writing about
the need for more money to keep the
kids eyes popping, and the voices
singing and the little hands clapping.
The newspaper people can only do so
much so the rest is up to us. Of
course I mean all of us to keep this
magic for all those kids that began
way back in 1919.
The Journal Star Christmas Fund
needs your help. Just send whatever
you can to them at Christmas Fund,
One News Plaza, Peoria, Illinois
61643. Can you hear the Christmas
Bells ringing? Can you see Santa
when he steps out in front of all those
kids? Pleasedont ever let it stop.
Editors Note: Norm is a Peoria
Historian, local author and monthly
contributor to ASO Magazine.
Contact Norm at:
norman.kelly@sbcglobal.net
ASTORIA MEAT MARKET

Owner: Mike Pigg 208 E. Washington Astoria, IL 61501
(309)329-2577
We Process Elk, Deer, Turkey, Geese & Fish!
Deer Sticks Salami Fresh Brats
All Smoked Products Vacuum Packaged
Smoke House Meats!
015_001.qxd 11/22/15 3:48 PM Page 1
December 2015
Congratulations to 11 years old Richard Stake with the 15 fall crappie

he caught at a Peoria County strip mine! Thanks to Dustin Walters for
sharing these photos of Richards fishing trip! Way to go Richard!
Congrats to 12 Year Old

Pete Rask V!of Carterville, IL
with his first deer!
KEEP EM COMING PETE!
Thanks to Linda & Charlie
Hogg of Crappie Pro Shop
in downtown Carterville
for sharing this with ASO!
15
016_001.qxd 11/22/15 8:03 PM Page 1
16
Congratulations to Sam Kachanuk, Havana Firefighter, with a real beauty taken in Mason Co. The third
photo is from a trail cam of the same buck. Thanks to ASO cousin Eric Hilst for sharing Sams trophy!
December 2015
Bald Eagle
Events & Programs

Winter 2015-2016
The Middle Mississippi River

Valley area is home to the second
largest population of Bald Eagles
in the continental United States.
Various state agencies and parks,
nature and other local organizations, and communities provide
special programs and events to see
our national symbol.!
Sat., Dec. 5 & 19, 2015
12 Noon
Two Rivers National Wildlife
Refuge, Hagen Road,
Calhoun Co.
Join a National Wildlife Refuge
Ranger for a morning of eagle
watching. Visit multiple areas at
the wildlife refuge that are known
for eagles and learn more about
these amazing birds. Space is limited, call 618-883-2524 to register
in advance.
Fri., Dec. 18, 2015
BALD EAGLE DAYS
Pere Marquette State Park
Call for Free reservations:
1-618-786-3323 ext 1. !!
Sat., Jan. 2, 2016
10 am - 2 pm
Audubon Center at Riverlands
Migratory Bird Sanctuary,
West Alton, Mo
See a live bald eagle up close and
personal. Meet and greet with
knowledgeable people from the
areas Eagle Watching Hot Spots
to see what is in store for the rest
of the season. Receive a "bird
band" and become an official Alton Eagle Watcher. Bring the kids
for fun activities and crafts. Then,
head back across the river to
downtown Alton for ice sculpting
on the streets and a wildlife art
walk to view eagle and wildlife
photography displayed by artists
from Alton and beyond!
For more info call
800-258-6645 or 636-899-0090,
www.Riverlands.Audubon.org
017_001.qxd 11/22/15 8:20 PM Page 1
December 2015
A Simple Set That

Helps in a Big Way
by Brandan Mathus
In the last couple weeks, I have had

the privilege of talking with some customers on trapping. Some of these folks
were veteran outdoors men who were
interested in trapping to help with the
wildlife population around their farms.
One particular gentleman was telling
me how large the raccoon population
was getting on his property. I told him
he should have someone come in there
and trap it. I also mentioned to him how
much damage one raccoon could do
which he was aware of but surprised
when I told him a raccoon eats one
thousand pounds of feed a year and how
devastating they are on ground nesting
birds.
So after we talked on the subject
awhile he told me that he and his wife
and a close friend spend a lot of time
hunting the property and he really didnt want to start letting people in, so I
suggested to him that he should trap it.
His response was he had never trapped
and had always hunted his game. He
acted like he wasnt sure if he could do
it. I told him that I could show him how
to do it in about five minutes and sell
him the
up at me
things he
and said
needed
lets get
to get
t h e
started.
things I
After
need to
that was
get gosaid it
ing. So I
was like
went and
got him
a switch
went off
t h e
and he
things he
w a s
would
Brandans boys with two need to
m o r e
big coons! Coltan, 7, & put
t h a n
a
Daxtan, 3, love to go
ready to
hurting
trapping with their dad! on those
get out
Above
Coltan is displaying ring tail
there
a
basic
set of traps.
and do
bandits.
s o m e
After
trapping.
getting him the supplies he needed:
I told him there wasnt anything that
traps, trap stakes, j-hook, j-hook pliers
had taught me more about the outdoors
and a small bottle of fish oil lure he was
than trapping and that he and his wife
ready for a short demonstration.
were going to enjoy another outdoors
The traps I sold him were duke dog
adventure together. Since both of them
proof a favorite of mine. I showed him
already like hunting, shooting, and fishhow to squeeze back the catch wire and
ing this would be an added bonus. They
set the trap dog to the trigger. He masmay even see an increase in their turkey,
tered with ease after the first lesson.
quail and pheasant, since his farm is
Next I showed him how to stake the
along the Spoon River it may help protrap by wrapping the 1/8 inch cable
tect some ducks.
around a small tree or using a wolf fang
He took a drink of his coffee, looked
disposable earth anchor, which is easily
17
drove into the ground. It is attached to

the 1/8 inch cable. The last step was to
simply lace a j-hook through the swivel
on the end of the trap chain and the eye
of the cable, then crimp them with the jhook pliers.
After that was said and done I told him
to put a little oatmeal or a few small
marshmallows in the trap with a couple
drops of fish oil. Im confident he will
have some coons in his traps very soon.
Im also sure he will want to expand his
knowledge on trapping. I hope this simple set helped some of you or if you still
have questions on this set or a maybe
another set feel free to stop down and
ask.
Until next time. God bless and I hope
your traps are full.
We are a pawn shop and a whole lot
more with a large line of trapping, reloading, and firearm supplies to short
term pawn loans or if you invest in gold
& silver we buy sell and trade all the
above.
Thank You & Semper-Fi!

Brandan Mathus, Owner
Route 24 Gun & Pawn
309-633-1050
903 Mckinley, Bartonville
www.24Gun&Pawn.com
018_001.qxd 11/25/15 12:45 PM Page 1
18
I JUST BOUGHT A
MUZZLELOADER; NOW WHAT?
December 2015
BY MIKE ROUX
MikeRoux.com AmericasBestHuntingSupplies.com
Every year thousands of hunters
purchase their first muzzleloading
guns. Some of these guys have
used black-powder guns in the past
by borrowing them from friends.
The vast majority however have no
actual experience with frontstuffers. Assuming that you might
be one of these thousands or know
someone who is, here are few invaluable tips and priceless advice;
I am going to start a bit before the
title might infer. We should really
start by discussing what muzzleloading gun you should purchase.
For the sake of this article we are
going to assume we are talking
about muzzleloading rifles used
mostly for deer hunting. I have extensive experience on this topic.
I have taken over 5-dozen whitetailed and mule deer with muzzleloaders. I have shot and hunted
with smoke-poles from many different manufacturers. In fact, my
first muzzleloader was a .50-caliber Hawken I built from a kit. I
have never been so proud in the

deer woods as the day I shot my
first deer with a gun I had finished
and assembled myself.
In my decades of testing blackpowder rifles I fallen in love with
only one.
THOMPSON/CENTERS Encore .50-caliber is by far
the finest muzzleloading deer rifle
I have ever used. There are many
different versions of this gun but
the Pro Hunter is my personal favorite.
The overall design of the Pro
Hunter is second-to-none. The T/C
Omega is close, but the feel of the
Pro Hunter Encore is as good as it
gets. This gun shoots great, cleans
easily and is as dependable as any
centerfire rifle. I have never had a
misfire from any of my Encores.
Regardless of the gun you choose
I recommend using #209 shot-shell
primers for your ignition choice.
Some inline muzzleloaders still use
percussion caps. I do not think you
will be happy with these. I have
WANTED
TO BUY:
INDIAN
RELICS
OF ALL
KINDS
APPRAISALS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
Contact Brian: (217) 642-5379

(217) 871-5379 bwrage@abelink.com
Welcome to...
The Brick Tavern

Where even the ducks come to party!
OPEN DAILY!
Stop in and try our
Famous Brick Lemonade
or Bloody Mary!
309-546-9013
Rt. 78 Bath, IL
Finding the very best components for your muzzleloading program is

one of the most important parts of the process for a beginner.
(Photo by Mike Roux)
had percussion caps fail me in bad
weather conditions. Not so with
#209 primers. I do suggest you replace your primers each season.
There are several good propellants from which to choose. For
many years I shot loose powder and
did pretty well with it. However
the convenience of powder pellets
cannot be beat. Again, after years
of testing I discovered Pyrodex to
be the best. I shoot their .50-50
pellets which means each pellet is
equivalent to 50-grains of loose
powder and fits into a .50-caliber
barrel.
You will need to practice enough
to find out what load matches the
bullet you choose to shoot. Although many muzzleloader experts
maintain that 2 pellets are more
than enough for deer hunting I disagree. I shoot 3 Pyrodex pellets for
more velocity and a flatter shooting, harder hitting shot.
Since we just mentioned bullets
you will need to find out which
projectile best meets your specific
needs. Again all I can do is give

you the benefit of my years of research and practice. I shoot a
unique 250-grain .50-caliber Flex
Tip bullet by HORNADY. This
special bullet comes in a sabot
sleeve designed for rapid loading.
The SST-ML Lock-N-Load Speed
Sabot system is the slickest loading
system on the market. The sabot
actually has a tail that allows you
to slide your Pyrodex pellets onto it
for a really fast reload. This HORNADY system is the only way to
go regardless of your gun.
Now that we have successfully
built your new muzzleloader program lets take a quick look at
some tips to save you time and aggravation. The first best piece of
advice is simple but of utmost importance; put the powder in first!
Nothing will slow-down a trip to
the range or a hunt quicker than
dropping the bullet before the powder. There is just no easy way to
get the bullet out. The HORNADY
Lock-N-Load system will help you
019_001.qxd 11/23/15 12:48 AM Page 1
December 2015
prevent this
Mike Roux relies on his
unfortunate
THOMPSON/CENTER
accident.
Pro Hunter during
Next and
both firearm &
just as crucial
muzzleloader
deer seasons
is cleaning
throughout
the
country.
your muzzle(Photo
by
Nancy
Roux)
loader.
Be
sure to have
all the right
components
and
clean
your gun early and often.
There is no
such thing as
too clean
for any gun
but this is
even
more
critical with a
m u z z l e loader. Also
be sure to follow the manu f a c t u r e r s
recommendations when it comes to seasoning
and find it a great way to extend
your barrel.
your season and maybe end-up usIt may sound complicated but
ing your muzzleloader for predaonce you are into developing your
tors and even turkeys with a
own program you will have a ball
smoothbore shotgun barrel.
The Armory
Buy Sell Trade
Guns
Guns Ammunition
Ammunition Army
Army Surplus
Surplus MREs
MREs Knives
Knives
Bayonets
Bayonets Reloading
Reloading Supplies
Supplies Military
Military Collectibles
Collectibles
1406
1406 State
State Route
Route 13-127
13-127 Pinckneyville,
Pinckneyville, IL
IL 62274
62274
Located
Located next
next to
to the
the Pinckneyville/DuQuoin
Pinckneyville/DuQuoin Airport
Airport
618-559-0424 thearmory1945@yahoo.com
OPEN
OPEN 10-6
10-6 M-F,
M-F, 10-4
10-4 Sat.
Sat. (After
(After hours
hours by
by Appt.)
Appt.)
Come See UsFind a Great

Selection of Bait, Tackle
& Fishing Supplies!
Charlie Hogg Owner

130 South Division Carterville, IL
Like Us On
FACEBOOK!
(618) 985-8277
CrappieProShop.net
19
SEND ASO YOUR TROPHY PHOTOS!

Email: asoCathy@gmail.com
US Mail: ASO Magazine
1408 Downing Ct. Tremont, IL 61568
Congratulations to
Dylan Carpenter
of Bloomington
with his first bow kill.
Great job Dylan!
020_001.qxd 11/23/15 1:05 AM Page 1
20
The Meandering
Murrays
By Bob Murray
bigmur2@aol.com
Deer Me! Deer Me?

There are deer hunting stories out
there that challenge the imagination.
Who of us hasnt seen the guy with the
doe estrus on him get his as whipped by
that big buck that didnt care what the
dude looked likehe just smelled
something he wanted to get intimate
with. I mean most of us guys have been
there. We just didnt have antlers and a
swollen neck.
So what havent we seen? Have we
seen the guy that purifies his body and
soaks his cammo in anti-smellish washing powder and goes all season without
seeing nary a four legged creature bigger than a tree rat? Sure we have. Hes
sitting right across the bar from the guy
that hasnt washed himself or his
cammo since last year and got out of
his stand to answer natures call and

ends up staring a ten point square in the
eye while he is pulling up his Carharts.
Do we know some dude that put too
much work into his stand to make it
comfortable only to have gone thru the
entire season with shots that were just a
bit far, then one day awoke (from a
sound sleep) to a monster buck walking right under his stand with absolutely no possible shot. Sure we have.
Do we know some gal that anyone
would want to marry because she fishes like a guy and probably better, but
never hunted? Yep. Her first time out
she bags a wall hanger and you go;
UhNice shot. Maybe it was a kid and
not some equal opportunity advocate,
but none the less you are the one that
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December 2015
put em on the hot spot. Right?

Then there is the occasion when you
got to go on a dog drive and sat listening to the dogs howl behind you knowing that they were going to drive a monster buck out from behind you. Also
knowing that you were in a part of the
country that still allows driving deer
with dogs, but did it because you knew
it was going to be outlawed in the very
near future. Then while you are sitting
there with some part of your anatomy
in your hand while four deer crash from
the woods on your right and one blasts
across the cut to your left, you miss the
one point two second opportunity those
wily hounds worked so hard to give
you. There you sit ------ in hand and
knowing that one of the other guys
probably would have nailed two before
they cleared the cut. Of course this is all
hypothetical.
With the harvest being as low as it
has been in the last couple of years,
everyone needs to pay attention to the
deer that you harvest and the ones that
you just happen to observe. We all
know the diseases that are affecting the
deer populations, particularly in the
northern territories. I find it a bit disconcerting to see the apparent lack of
herd management by hunters up here in
the North Country. In the South there
are aggressive herd management programs that encourage practices that
develop bigger and healthier animals
and they are in conjunction with the

DNR. They also provide early detection of any negative health issues that
may arise.
The fragmented hunting seasons
seem to discourage a consistent attitude
of deer herd management practices.
How many hunters up here think about
a no hunt zone that gives the animals
a place to escape from the chase?
Does your land owner support a harvesting schedule that balances a good
buck/doe ratio that will produce a better
hunt years down the road?
SoWhat am I saying? First there
are manymany great stories out there
that will never be repeated. Second we
need to take our hunting heritage in our
own hands, because I dont think the
government, performs a very good job
at it. On the other hand they are an
excellent resource for info on how to do
it yourself.
After this season is over, if you have
an area that you hunt on a regular basis
and have some control over the property, contact the DNR for information on
how to develop your herd for your
future hunting enjoyment and that of
those that follow you. As distasteful as
you may find it help the DNR by
reporting accurately the kills that you
have from the area you hunt.
Save a backstrap for me and remember to pack out what you pack inIn
simpler termsKeep it clean out there.
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021_001.qxd 11/23/15 1:20 AM Page 1
December 2015
DEC. 2015
&
JAN. 2016
CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
For more info:
dnr.illinois.gov
December 1
Final day to apply for first
lottery for 2016 Spring
Turkey Permits
DNR.illinois.gov/hunting/turkey
December 3-6
Second firearm deer hunting
season, DNR.illinois.gov/
hunting/deer
December 8
Late-winter and CWD deer
hunting permits available
over-the-counter from DNR
Direct license and permit vendors
DNR.illinois.gov/LPR/Pages/
LicensePermitVendors.aspx
Online applications available for
non-resident 2016 Spring Turkey
Permits
December 11-13
Muzzleloader-only deer
hunting season
DNR.illinois.gov/hunting/deer
December 15
Final day of duck hunting
season, North Zone
DNR.illinois.gov/hunting/
waterfowl
December 18
Pere Marquette Bald Eagle
Days, Grafton
(reservations required)
DNR.illinois.gov/Parks/
Documents/BaldEagleDays
PereMarquette.pdf
December 22
season, Central Zone
waterfowl
January 15
Pheasant, quail and partridge
seasons close, South Zone
uplandgame
December 31-January 3
First segment of late-winter
antlerless and CWD deer
hunting seasons
DNR.illinois.gov/hunting/deer!!!!!
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January 12
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January 14
Final day of Canada goose
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waterfowl
Bridgestone NEW LOCATION!
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January 11
Deadline to apply for second
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Turkey Permits
DNR.illinois.gov/hunting/turkey
December 19
Breakfast with Santa at
Starved Rock Lodge
StarvedRockLodge.com/events/
GCR Tire Center
3335 East Enos

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January 8
Pheasant, quail and partridge
seasons close, North Zone.
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January 15-17
Final segment of late winter
antlerless and CWD deer seasons
January 17
Final day of archery deer
hunting season
January 24
Final day of the duck
hunting season, South Zone
waterfowl
January 30-31
Eagle Watch Weekend,
Starved Rock State Park, Utica
January 31
Final day of Canada goose
hunting seasons, Central,
South-Central and South zones
waterfowl
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022_001.qxd 11/21/15 2:45 PM Page 1
22
CWD IS A SCAM THAT IS

HURTING THE TRADITION
OF HUNTING!
by:
TedNugent.com facebook.com/tednugent
Lord knows how I really hate to write these
types of negative articles, but in this real world
of constant politicalfluctuation, in order to
maximize the good in our beloved hunting
lifestyle, caring people must never back away
from our we the people duties to fight the bad
and ugly that constantlythreatens it.
I wont bore you with the gory details of how
chronic wasting disease was 1st discovered/created by Colorado bureaucrats back in 1967, or
the technical scientific terminology gobblygook,
but a cursory review of the documented facts
surrounding this controversial condition found
in deer should raise the hackles of all honest
hunter/conservationists and deer lovers nationwide.
CWD has never negatively impacted any deerherd or deerhunting anywhere, whereas just a
few short years ago, much to the anger of Wisconsin deerhunting families, the Wisconsin
DNR, in their bizarre unsupportable over-reaction, slaughtered a fewhundred thousand deer
in that historically traditional deerhunting
state. CWD didnt hurt the Wisconsin herd, the
DNR did!!
And now, continuing the same insane mistake, the Michigan DNR is doing the same horrible thing after finding a single doethat tested
positive.On their insane march to destroy another couple thousand deer,only two morecas-
es of CWD have been found as of this writing.

CWD-3, bureaucrats-1000s. Who is the real
enemy of deerhunters and deer?
And now Texas! I thought Texans knew better.
Dear God in heaven! What is going on here?
CWD didnt kill thousands of deer. The government agency sworn to protect and manage this
precious resource and paid by hunters killed
thousands of deer.
I dare anyone to attempt to explain this in
honest, logical, scientifically supportable
terms. Aint gonna happen. Cant be done.
CWD was 1st identified/created in a Colorado
testing facility operated by the state. CWD did
NOT come from deer farms or hunting ranches.
It was first discovered in wild mule deer.
When a deer at an Iowa deer farm was found
to be positive for CWD, the Iowa DNR came in a
killed every deer on the family property, destroying their livelihood with no believable explanation whatsoever.
Compare this action to the game department of
South Dakota when the highest incidence of
CWD was found in their Wind River park elk
herd. When the infected elk herd outgrew the
carrying capacity of that high fence state preserve, South Dakota simply lowered the fence to
allow the exposed elk to escape into the Custer
National Park.
Iowa violently over-reacted with ZERO science or

evidence to support their actions, destroying
the private property of a family, while the state
of SD admitted that the CWD exposed elk posed
no risk to wild herds of deer and elk.
Hey bureaucrats, which is it? A dangerous
wildlife threat or no threat at all? Good grief.
CWD doesnt pose a threat to deer. EHD, blue
tongue, rabies, brusellosis, anthrax and other
real diseases and bureaucrats have indeed hurt
wildlife and deer. Why the hysteria over a nonthreatening disease/condition?
I love deer. My life has forever been dedicated
to optimize the health and bio-diversity of deer
and wildlife. My lifetime earnings have been
dedicated to perfecting wildlife habitat for
game and nongame species because I am a reasoning predator and gungho steward.
Like millions and millions of American deerhunting families and real wildlife lovers, deer
and all wildlife bring us prime quality of life.
Since CWD has never hurt wildlife in the big
picture, but government bureaucrats have, I
would highly recommend caring people do everything in our power to protect wildlife from real,
tangible threats.
I implore my deeranddeerhunting.com BloodBrothers to watch this entire CWD documentary
by Keith Warren. Then dare bureaucrats to attempt to deny it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_ltc3dNsPk
CWD is a scam and for the life of me cannot
figure out why it is being jammed down our
throats. Stand up and fight for what you believe
in my friends. It really is us against them. Do it
for our beloved deer and lifestyle.
December 2015
EHD & Blue Tongue, viral diseases,

impact farmed & free-ranging
whitetail. Though they are distinctly
different, these diseases are
sometimes impossible to tell apart.
It is carried by biting infected
insects. These insects spread the
disease when they bite deer.
Environmental conditions impact
the severity of an outbreak & dry
periods tend to be the worst.
Learn more at: deermanagement.us
TedNugent.com
facebook.com/tednugent
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023_001.qxd 11/21/15 5:47 PM Page 1
December 2015
FAETHS FOWL PLAY
(877) 55-BIRD-HUNT
Office: (319) 372-2792
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faethsfowlplay@hotmail.com
2470 235th St. Fort Madison, IA 52627
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A couple fine young men finishing up

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Preserve. Faeths has many great
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Welcome to the Club

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23
024_001.qxd 11/23/15 1:33 AM Page 1
24
HUNT WITH A
KLUTZ FOR
BETTER SUCCESS
by Dave Shadow
davidsha@consolidated.net
Alright, I think Ive got this all
figured out. If youre hunting with
an efficient and capable fellow
hunter, maybe you should trade
partners in favor of a hunting klutz.
Before I embark on this slipperyslope let me establish one fact first.
This in no way relates to any of my
past or present hunting associates.
Any resemblance is purely coincidental. If I dont get that established, I might wind up one of
those unsolved mysteries or

freak hunting accidents.
Most all hunters and outdoorsmen realize that there are many criteria necessary for successful
hunts. One of the large factors determining success is the absence of
our human odor at the hunt site.
Another is the necessity to be very
quiet since deer have much improved hearing over that of humans. A very large category involves not being seen by the wary
quarry. Some of this involves camouflage clothing but mostly it is the
movement or lack of it that determines success. Deer key in on
movement with unbelievable accuracy. You may not even see the deer
that is watching from across the
field or woods. If he sees movement, you probably wont see him
either. The utter disregard or inability of the hunting klutz to
cope with these needs can be
used to your advantage.
If you pick a hunting partner that
has no sense of direction and cant
find his way to his tree-stand in the
dark, this can be useful to you. I
once hunted close to a guy who had
no sense of direction. He not only
couldnt sense north, south, east,
and west but even up and down
was a stretch. Put your stand in the
opposite end of the area and slip in-
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to it very quietly. Soon all the deer

in his end of the woods will now be
in your area. See how this works?
Next, pick a partner that stinks!
One that uses no scent eliminator
and cover scent. Or maybe one that
pumped gas into this truck on the
way to the woods. How about a
smoker or one who spends some
time with his favorite dog while
wearing his hunting clothes? Any
of those should increase the deer
population in your area while decreasing his likelihood of success.
While hunting one of my spots I
witnessed a prime example of this.
This property has a property line
thru the middle with two different
owners. I hunt one side and apparently another hunter hunts the other. My stand is perched on a hillside with great view of the property. I can see over the hill and thru
the woods almost all the way to
grandmas house. I had entered
my stand a bit early this afternoon
to allow things to calm down before prime time. Just about the
time things should get good, this
klutz roared over the hill on a fourwheeler and rode right up to his
end of the woods. He bailed off and
entered the rather narrow portion
of the wooded area to access his
stand. Soon after he was out of
sight two deer slipped out of his
December 2015
area and cut down the hill and

bailed into the creek just below my
stand. Then about dark-thirty he
jumped back on his machine and
roared of into the setting sun. He
just couldnt find any deer!
Another example involved a
hunter setting in the stand wearing
a white shirt and chain-smoking. I
didnt stick around to see the results of that hunt but Im pretty
sure I know. Another klutz scene
involved a hunter with a motorhome which he drove all the way
down into the woods. About a halfhour before first light on opening
day of firearm season he bailed out
of the Pace-Arrow with a chain saw
and proceeded to cut firewood so
that he could have a real hunting
camp breakfast. No deer anywhere
close to that fiasco.
Thats enough examples. You get
the idea Im sure! Most of this is all
meant in fun but Im sure you can
see how other hunters can benefit
your success rather than just being
a frustration. Sometimes one of
these guys can screw up your hunt
but many times if you can plan
ahead a bit you can use their inadequacies to your advantage. Observe
good hunting practices yourself
and use those bad practices of the
klutz hunter to your advantage. I
wish you good hunting!
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025_001.qxd 11/23/15 1:51 AM Page 1
December 2015
Entangled Deer:
Fight to the Death;
Entangled Deer
Die in Battle
by Dave Shadow
Even after my many years of wandering the woods and waters of our
great country and seeing the processes of nature, I still become amazed
and sometimes saddened by some of
the developments. Even though I can
accept this as one of those unexplainable things that happens in nature,
this is certainly one of the saddest. I
know its no different than a turtle
getting stuck on its back and unable
to recover or the beaching of a large
whale, but it seems different when
its a part of our local activities. This
is even more saddening to an avid
bow-hunter who has been spending
countless hours in the woods looking
for a deer of this quality.
These two monster whitetail bucks
became mortally entangled during a
sparring contest designed to determine the pecking order in the mating processes of the deer. Normally
the sparring is not intense enough to
one of his antlers is embedded very

deeply into the eye socket of the other one. This severe entanglement
made it impossible for them to recover.
Secondly, coyotes found the unfortunate condition and used it to their
advantage. Its unclear whether this
occurred before or after their demise.
This process, even though its also
25
normal makes me an even more

dedicated coyote hunter. These occurrences and the visual sightings of
bucks chasing does gives proof to
our prognosis that the whitetail rut
was just around the corner.
Good hunting!
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become entangled to this extent.

They usually just rattle their antlers
and push around a bit and one runs
away from the conflict. It may be that
the massive size and compatibility of
these two caused a more intense confrontation. Both deer appear to be
ten-pointers and their body size was
judged to be in excess of two hundred pounds each.
Trying not to be gross, just pointing
out the extent of this misfortune, I
must point out that one deer has the
antler tine of the other deer embedded deeply into his ear canal while
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Quail & Pheasant Hunting
026_001.qxd 11/21/15 8:55 PM Page 1
26
December 2015
OUT EARLY FOR MUSKIES
Southern Fisheries offer a Great Jumpstart

By: Colby Simms with Ray Simms
Photos by: The Colby Simms Outdoors Team
Opportunities for tremendous muskie
fishing exist across the southern range of
the muskie world. When many talk
muskies, they automatically picture a
Canadian vacation. Or maybe, they think
of fishing in popular lakes and rivers across
the upper Midwest or northeastern United
States. But, despite the significant increase
in information about southern muskies the
last couple decades, its still amazing how
many anglers we meet that are surprised to
hear that muskies exist in places like Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Some of the very best muskie fishing in the
entire world is available in places where
many dont even realize muskies swim.
*Extended Season
One of the many great things about
southern muskie fishing is that it continues
long after waters freeze further north, and
through closed muskie seasons, where natural populations are present. Since the majority of southern fisheries are mostly or entirely dependent on stocking, closed seasons are not required, and were able to
chase these apex predators much longer
than others.
While we give muskies a break in the
heat of summer, when water temperatures
can present dangers to the species, were often able to fish muskies during most or
even all of the winter period. During most
years, we never see anything more than a
skim of ice, if at all. Weve targeted
muskies with success on a number of bodies of water across various southern states
for many years. Weve also been fortunate
to call Southern Illinois Kinkaid Lake our
home water for most of our lives, where
weve run the regions largest guide service
for over a decade, and seldom experience
times when we cant get out on Kinkaid for
a wintertime muskie hunt, and the same is
true of other waters in the lower Midwest
and the south.
*Factors for Success
The more dedicated local anglers in the
Internationally renowned fishing pro &

media personality Colby Simms caught
this giant cold weather muskie on a
CSO School N Shad at Kinkaid Lake.
southern range often make numerous trips
out in search of big skis from December
through February, and usually dont have
to break ice to do it. But, despite the small
number of locals that fish in winter for other species like bass, crappies, and walleyes,
there are even fewer anglers chasing the
king of freshwater, so we often have the
muskies, and sometimes even the whole
lake, all to ourselves. Winter fishing is quiet and peaceful on many southern waters,
and it can be productive as well. Even
though activity levels of muskies usually fall
as waters dip into the mid to low 40s and
the 30s, the significant decrease in fishing
pressure helps to offset that.
Some muskies surely never see a lure for
weeks or even months at a time. So, when
you put yours in front of a pair of jaws,
theres an increased likelihood it will elicit
a response in the form of a follow or strike.
Still, southern winters are often mild, and
weve spent many a day catching muskies
in t-shirts. During mild winters, or anytime
027_001.qxd 11/21/15 8:56 PM Page 1
December 2015
27
Pro Staffer Chris Shannon prepares

to release a nice winter ski he caught
on a Colby Simms Outdoors Hatchet
Shad in southern waters.
Open water winter muskie fishing awaits anglers in the south.
southern regions receive extended periods

of warmer weather, especially including
plenty of sunshine, water temperatures rise,
often into the 50s, and muskies can put the
feed bag on, producing hot wintertime angling. Big muskies are highly susceptible at
this time, with warming waters and virtually no fishing pressure. Yes, even on beautiful warm southern winter days, youre still
unlikely to see many anglers, as most winterize and store their boats and gear during
this season. Thats fine with us! Well take
big fish and an empty lake anytime.
*Tactics & Techniques
While warming periods can trigger aggressive behavior, its usually best to fish
slowly. If waters climb into the 50s, sometimes moderate or even high speed presentations can produce, so its always good to
experiment, but this is definitely the exception rather than the rule. Even well into the
50s, a slow approach can still be the best
way to go, but when waters are cold, its absolutely required for success. In the 30s and
40s, a moderately slow speed is often the
ticket, but some days its more like a crawl,
and you almost cant fish slowly enough.
Even when we stress the importance slowing down, our clients often fish much too
fast and need a little extra reminding to
crank at a snails pace.
Casting, trolling, and jigging all work.
Its easier to cast and retrieve at an ultra
slow speed than it is to troll, and weve even
had occasions when we needed to troll with
the electric motor because the lowest speed
of the outboard was still pushing the boat
too quickly. But, even slow trolling covers
open water well, with tight wiggling
crankbaits such as the Super Ciscoe and

Mag Shad, schooling baitfish style spinnerbaits like the Hatchet Shad and School N
Shad, and flat sided minnowbaits like
Czars. Winter trolling often mimics methods for walleyes more than those for
muskies and pike. When you spot clouds of
baitfish with large arcs around them on
sonar, its always worth stopping to drop a
spoon like a Rattlin Scale, a single blade
spinnerbait such as a Hatchet Spin or

Thump N Spin, or jig & plastic combo like
an Esox Cobra Magnum and swimbait, to
work up and down.
Casting is effective, especially when
muskies are holding in and around cover.
Southern muskies are more likely to utilize
rock and wood cover than weeds in winter.
Large beds of dead and decaying vegetation
pull oxygen out of the water, making areas
with little grass more attractive. Boulders,
ledges, riprap, timber, stumps, and brush
hold fish. Slow rolling skirted spinnerbaits
that mimic schools of baitfish, with three
to five blades and swimbaits, like the
School N Shads and Hatchet Shads, is our
deadliest tactic in winter. Wide swinging
glider jerkbaits with action tails, like the
Soft Tail Phantom, can also be effective
with a casting presentation. It never hurts
to bump the cover either. Banging the nose
of a lure into a rock or tree can trigger awe
inspiring violent strikes!
*Boating & Safety
Remember in winter, youre likely to
never see another soul and this can be a
Contd. on next pg.
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028_001.qxd 11/21/15 8:54 PM Page 1
28
MUSKIES
Contd. from previous pg.
dangerous time. Make sure your boat,

trolling motor, and outboard are all serviced and working well. We have the mechanics at Harrisons Sport Shop check our
boats and motors each season, to keep
them in peak running condition, something even more critical in the cold. As a
former wilderness survival class instructor,
I cant emphasize enough that you cannot
count on technology.
Cell phones are great and should be carried on every trip, but they break, the batteries die, especially in cold weather, they
get accidentally stepped on, or dropped in
the water, and on remote sections of many
waters they dont get a signal at all. Even on
some of the less remote waters with homes
and marinas, many still have wilderness areas. Always wear a life vest when fishing
alone. In addition to a first aid kit and other required safety equipment, keep plenty
of extra warm clothes, insulated boots, and
a rain suit on board, despite the forecast,
along with food, water, and a flashlight.
We never launch a boat in winter without
a good survival kit. Its probably the most
important thing to pack.
*Get Out There
The only real mistake, is not taking time
to get out into Gods great outdoors and
experience the wonder and magnificence of
the natural world, and the amazing creatures that call it home, like the mighty
muskie. In this fast paced and often hectic
world of today, we can draw on these experiences in the wild, these experiences with
wild creatures, to find the power that we
Remember to
donate a
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US Marines for the
Toys for Tots Drive.
This is a great
program that
brings lots of joy
to kids in need.
Find toy drop
locations on their
website at:
ToysforTots.org
need for living, until we can, once again,

get back to the real world that we long for,
the natural world that our souls cry out for
every day that were away from it. It can be
like the air in our lungs or the fuel in our
tanks, restoration for the human heart.
Dont let life pass you by. You can kick that
case of cabin fever, by chasing your favorite
fish on southern waters this winter. Get out
there
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December 2015
Beautiful Photography by Bruce Brown.

It was Sun. morning, Nov. 8Lots of fog in the Illinois River
Valley. Fog is the photographer's friend! Right near the Henry
Bridge, I sighted these birds, the very calm water, and the even
lighting & snapped a shot. A lady walking by with her dog looked
at the scene, and said, Wow, that will make a really good picture!
But then, I walked about 20 yards south, the fog changed, the light
changed & the birds 'regrouped'. One stirred the water to make a
little ripple in the area & with the changed light, the changing
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029_001.qxd 11/23/15 4:25 AM Page 1
December 2015
KEEPING A
FISHING LOG BOOK
By Bob Park, Owner/Maker

Raptor Premium Spinnerbaits
raptorpremiumspinnerbaits.com
(309) 694-1774
If you are anything like me, you have
had one of those days while out on the
water where you cant seem to Buy a
fish for love nor money. No matter what
lure you use, or special technique that
you saw on TV and tried to use, they fish
just plain dont seem to be on the same
page and you chalk it all up to a bad day
on the water! Believe it or not, a situation such as this can easily be reversed
and what starts out as a disastrous day of
fishing can end up as a successful fishing
trip. This is simply done by patterning
the fish a phrase we have all heard
from everyone from Hank Parker to Bill

Dance to Al Lindner to Roland Martin
and the list goes on and on. Butbefore
you can pattern the fish, you must first
learn to make a record of you experiences, both good and bad by making a
Fishing Log.
How does this Fishing Log help me to
pattern the fish and become a better
fisherman? The answer is easy a Fishing Log is a permanent record outlining
the various aspects involved in the catching of the particular species you are after. This could include things such as
water clarity, wind, water and air temperatures, dates and times of day, lure or
bait used, and structure just to name a
few.
Your own Fishing Log can contain as
much or as little information as you
wish, but bear in mind, the more information you track and record, the more
useful your log will be in the future. The
main purpose of the log is to remind you
later just why the fish were caught and
compare the facts with similar conditions you find when on the water at
some future date. Past history and successes can directly influence future experiences by repeating what you did when
catching fish under similar conditions
if conditions on some future fishing trip
are very similar to a past experience, it is
very possible that by utilizing lessons
learned on that earlier day, you can
again repeat the success by using the
29
same bait, lure, or presentation on that

future excursion.
To put it into Laymans terms, if you
caught a mess of Big Bass on a Mean
Green colored raptor Premium Spinnerbait along a weed line, 10 feet deep,
on a warm, sunny day with water being
clear, surface temps in the 80sthen
you should repeat this pattern when the
same thing occurs again in the future,
and you will more than likely catch a
bunch of Big Bass again!
Setting up the Fishing Log is easy, you
can find a multitude of types online and
print off pages to use as needed, or you
can set up your own as I do. The following is the main things I record in a book
I have and refer to often
Date
Body of Water
Amount of time spent fishingfrom
when to when
Weather conditions sunny, cloudy,
partly cloudy or raining, etc.
Wind direction and speed
Temperature of both air and water
Time when each fish was caught
Size of the fish or fishes
Depth and clarity of water
Cover and/or structure you were fishing
Lure or bait used and be sure to include size/weight and color
Type of retrieve fast or slow

straight retrieve or pauses, etc.
Try to be as specific as you can when
keeping track of all this information.
And if there are any other special little
facts that are pertinent to the notation,
leave a space at the end for them some
entries I have included have been like
Contd. on next pg.
Hunting & Fishing

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Zip Lines
Hiking & Bicycle Trails
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030_001.qxd 11/23/15 4:24 AM Page 1
30
BOOK Contd. from previous pg.

loads of baitfish on the point or first Big
Bass coughed up a crawdad, and fish
holding under matted
grass by corner of
dock and shore.
Another benefit to
keeping the log is it
allows you to keep
track of how many
more or less fish you
catch in total from
year to year. With this
in mind, the benefits
and patterns will take
two or three seasons
of fishing information
to begin to take shape
and be easily recognized. So be patient
and keep tracking the
info as it will pay off
in the long run. Patterning fish via the
use of a Fishing Log
gives you a definite
edge, as most good
tournament fishermen if not ALL good
tournament fishermen know. Keeping a
log is a must for these
guys and the successes
you see them achieve
on those TV shows are not by accident,

they are a direct result of doing their homework and keeping a Fishing log.
Give it a try and you will be surprised at
December 2015
how fast you become a better fisherman.

Youll see all your achievements, failures
and habits all come into play and it will become a Great Predictor of future success
and fewer failures on the water.

Until next month, Good Luck, Good
Fishing, and well see you on the water
somewhere soon!
Top: Congratulations to Bill French with his beautiful 41 inch musky

from Site M on October 6, 2015WOW what a monster! Great job!!!
Thanks to the best bait shop in Beardstown, Toms Bait,
for sharing Bills TrophyCaught & Released!
Find local Fishing info. Call: 217-323-BAIT (2248)
Left: Congratulations to Bob Henson of Peoria holding his
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031_001.qxd 11/21/15 9:54 PM Page 1
December 2015
31
YOUNG HUNTERS CHECK 14,095 DEER DURING

MISSOURI EARLY YOUTH PORTION
NOVEMBER DEER HARVEST

UP FROM LAST YEAR
The Missouri Department of Conservation

(MDC) announced that
young hunters ages 6
through 15 checked
14,095 deer during Missouri's early youth portion of the 2015 deer
hunting season, which ran
Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Top
counties for the early
youth portion were
Franklin with 338, Osage
with 337, and Howell with
Young hunters check 14,095 deer during the
2015 Missouri early youth portion. Top counties 288 deer checked. Last
year's harvest total for
for the early youth hunt were Franklin 338,
the
early youth portion
Osage 337, and Howell with 288.
was
18,091.
Photo by David Stonner,
The total for the
courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
firearms deer urban zone
portion, which ran Oct. 9 12, was 401 with the top three counties being Greene with 106, Jefferson with 57, and St. Charles with 43. The 2014 total for the firearms deer urban zone portion was 599.
For the latest deer harvest totals by county and portion, visit the MDC website at
extra.mdc.mo.gov/widgets/harvest_table/.
Archery deer hunting continues through Nov. 13 and again from Nov. 25 though Jan. 15,
2016. Up next for deer hunting in Missouri is the November portion of firearms deer season,
which runs Nov. 14 through 24. That will be followed by the firearms deer antlerless portion
running Nov. 25 through Dec. 6. The firearms deer alternative methods portion will run Dec.
19-29 followed by firearms deer late youth portion on Jan. 2-3, 2016.
Get more information on deer hunting in Missouri through MDC's free 2015 Fall Deer &
Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet available where permits are sold, from
MDC regional offices and nature centers, and online at mdc.mo.gov.
Building on a strong opening weekend harvest, Missouri hunters went on to check a total of 167,205 deer
during firearms deer season Nov. 15 through 25. The number exceeds last years harvest of 157,273.
The MDC reports the top harvest counties were Howell, with 3,418 deer checked; Franklin, with 3,338 and
Texas, with 3,170.
This years harvest is 6-percent larger than last years figure and 10 percent below the previous 5-year
average for the November portion of firearms deer season. When added to the previous, urban, and early
youth portions of this years firearms deer season the November portion harvest brings the year-to-date total to 185,890.
Twenty-five days of firearms deer hunting remain in the antlerless, alternative-methods and late youth
portions of deer season. Archery deer season runs through Jan. 15.
The white-tailed deer is Missouris most popular game species and one of the most prolific, with an estimated population of more than 1 million free-ranging deer statewide. Missouri has nearly 520,000 deer
hunters and almost two million wildlife watchers who enjoy deer.
Activities related to deer hunting and watching annually contribute $1 billion in economic activity to state
and local economies, and support more than 12,000 Missouri jobs. Many Missouri meat processors, taxidermists, hotels, restaurants, sporting goods stores, and other businesses rely on deer hunting as a significant source of revenue.
The Show-Me States white-tailed deer resource also helps feed needy Missourians through the Share the
Harvest (STH) program. STH brings together thousands of deer hunters, more than 130 participating meat
processors, the Conservation Department, the Conservation Federation of Missouri, and numerous supporting organizations to channel ground venison to tens of thousands of hungry Missouri families each year
through donations to local food banks and food pantries. Since 1992, Missouri hunters have donated more
than 3.1 million pounds of venison to the needy through STH.
Thousands of private landowners manage their land for deer and deer hunting, and rely on deer and deer
hunting to maintain property values.
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032_001.qxd 11/21/15 10:25 PM Page 1
32
December 2015
MDC: MANAGED DEER HUNT

MAKES HUNTING POSSIBLE
FOR DISABLED HUNTERS
By Candice Davis
Deer season is an exciting time for Missouri
hunters. But for those who are mobility impaired, it
can be a frustrating time when it's difficult - or
sometimes impossible - to participate in the hunt.
This is why the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the Army Corps of Engineers and the
National Wild Turkey Federation work together to
host the annual mobility impaired managed deer
hunt at Wappapello.
Of this year's 19 participants, 15 hunters successfully harvested a deer this past weekend. In order to be selected for the hunt, hunters must be mobility impaired, requiring the aid of braces, crutches, or a wheelchair to be mobile.
"We're pleased that so many of our hunters were
able to experience the harvest," said Meagan Duffee-Yates, MDCwildlife biologist assistant.
Tracy Whitlow, of Qulin, and his

father, Dennis Whitlow, pose
with his spike buck.
Arlen Summers, of Silva, and his

friend, Mike Mathis (left), pose
with Arlen's deer he harvested.
Chris Hyche,
of Sedgewickville, with his
first deer harvest.
Arlen Summers, of Silva, was one of the hunters.

After trying two blind locations and seeing a doe on
opening morning, and an eight-point buck that wasn't in place for a good shot, he was able to harvest a
button buck on the last day.

Kelly Barfoot, of Campbell, was another participant. He harvested his button buck Saturday
evening. He was sitting in a blind that had a lot of
deer sign, according to Yates. Barfoot's position in
his blind allowed him to watch a doe move up the
hillside in front of him, but it never presented a shot
that he was comfortable with. He was also able to
watch a bobcat move past his blind. Finally, in the
early evening, he was successful in harvesting a
button buck when it walked up from behind his
blind.
These stories may sound like typical deer season
stories, but these experiences are especially treasured.
"Without this managed hunt, these hunters
wouldn't be able to have this experience that many
of us take for granted," Yates said, adding that she
and others who work at the event aim to help the
hunters have a similar experience to that of mobile
hunters.
"It's very difficult for a mobility-impaired hunter

to get into the woods during the regular firearms
deer season, so we work to give them an opportunity away from that," she said. "Here they're able to
get out into the woods, be in a blind and have a
chance to hunt like everyone else."
But Yates said the hunters aren't the only ones
who benefit from the annual managed hunt.
"To see a smile on their face is our end goal," she
said. "When they harvest a deer it's even better
and knowing we've focused our attention on getting
them out into the woods and allowing them the experience to hunt just like any other hunter is why
we're here."
Yates said this event falls right in line with the
MDC's mission to help people discover nature.
"That goes for everyone," she said. "Even someone with a disability should be able to get outside,
enjoy nature and have the opportunity to hunt. Experiencing the outdoors shouldn't be a luxury; it
should be available to everyone."
For more information on deer hunting in Missouri, go online to mdc.mo.gov.
(Photos all taken at the mobility impaired managed hunt at Wappapello in Mid-October 2015.
Courtesy of MDC.)
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033_001.qxd 11/21/15 10:55 PM Page 1
December 2015
MDC TO RECEIVE $2.4

MILLION FROM USDA FOR
WETLANDS ON PRIVATE LAND
By Joe Jerek
This October, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) announced the Missouri
Department of Conservation (MDC) will receive
$2.4 million for projects that protect, restore,
and enhance wetlands in Missouri. The projects
will be funded under the Wetland Reserve
Enhancement Program (WREP) administered by
the Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS). Missouri is one of only six states to
receive WREP funding this year.
The WREP provides financial assistance to
landowners interested in restoring the hydrology and improving wildlife habitat on their
Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easements.
MDC, in cooperation with Ducks Unlimited, will
provide an additional $700,000 in matching
funds -- bringing the total investment in wetland restoration to $3.1 million over the next
three years.
"This is a fine example of how we will accomplish much more by working in partnership than
any of us would be able to accomplish individually," NRCS State Conservationist J.R. Flores
said. "The newer wetlands provide a wide range
of benefits to wildlife and the land. NRCS is
pleased to be working with landowners and our
partners to get more of these wetlands on the
land."
According to MDC, wetland restorations completed in the early 1990s were primarily
designed to provide uniform water levels within
a single-ring levee.
"Wetland restoration techniques have
improved drastically over the past 25 years,"
said MDC Private Land Services Division Chief
Bill White. "WREP provides a great opportunity
to enhance these older sites and restore them in
a way that better mimics natural wetland sys-
"The successful partnership between NRCS,

MDC, and our private conservation organizations ensure Missouri landowners receive the
best opportunities available to improve the
wildlife habitat and natural resources on their
properties," said White.
This photo of a wetland

restoration in Carroll County
shows the new restoration
approach using shallow,
landscape-based wetlands on
the right next to the old-style,
deeper, straight-lined wetlands
on the left. MDC to receive
$2.4 million from USDA for
wetlands on private land
tems. Wetlands that provide diverse water levels and vegetation provide wildlife habitat for a
larger suite of waterbirds including ducks,
geese, and shore birds."
MDC and NRCS have a successful history of
restoring wetlands through the WREP. In past
years, WREP has helped restore thousands of
acres of existing wetlands in a number of north
Missouri counties. The current WREP is expanded so landowners with WRP easements located
within 30 counties across the state will now be
eligible to apply for funding to enhance their
wetlands. The eligible counties are: Bates,
Boone, Buchanan, Butler, Cape Girardeau,
Carroll, Chariton, Cooper, Dunklin, Henry, Holt,
Howard, Johnson, Knox, Lafayette, Lincoln,
Linn, Livingston, Mississippi, New Madrid,
Pemiscot, Pike, Platte, St. Charles, St. Louis,
Saline, Scott, Shelby, Stoddard, and Vernon.
NRCS, MDC, and Ducks Unlimited will work
together to provide assistance to private
landowners to restore and enhance at least
10,000 acres of wetland habitat on existing
WRP easements.
33
Missouri landowners may apply for the new

WREP this winter.
For additional information, contact your local
NRCS office or MDC Private Lands
Conservationist. To find local MDC contacts, go
to mdc.mo.gov under LOCAL CONTACT.
HUNTERS CHECKED 6,158 TURKEYS DURING

MISSOURI'S FALL FIREARMS SEASON
By Joe Jerek
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announced that hunters checked 6,158
turkeys during Missouri's fall firearms turkey season, which ran Oct. 1 - 31. Last year's fall
firearms turkey harvest total was 5,680. Top harvest counties for the 2015 fall firearms turkey
season were Dent with 210, Greene with 159, and Franklin with 148.
Fall archery turkey hunting continues until Nov. 13 and then resumes again from Nov. 25
through Jan. 15, 2016.
For fall firearms turkey harvest results by county and type of bird, go online to the MDC website at extra.mdc.mo.gov/widgets/harvest_table/.
Males, and some females, have a

tuft of hairlike feathers (called a
beard) in the middle of the
breast. A popular gamebird, the
wild turkey is found in mixed
forests and grasslands statewide.
They forage by scratching in the
leaves beneath hedgerows and
leafy areas in forests. Photo by
Jim Rathert, courtesy MDC.
034_001.qxd 11/21/15 2:27 PM Page 1
34
FOUR DAYS
ON THE
MERAMEC
RIVERAN
ADVENTURE TO
REMEMBER
PART 2 by Bill Cooper
Outdoor writer/photographer
Ron Kruger and I had talked
about making a several day fall
journey down the Meramec for a
couple of years. At last we were
afloat.
Our first day on the river
proved a leisurely affair as we
both relaxed and became acclimated to the natural environs,
which we both love so much.
Crystal clear waters revealed the
secrets of its depths, while bank
side colors bathed us in visual
pleasures.
We made camp early and began
scouting for deer sign across the
river. The nearest ridge to the
south lay beyond a dense pawpaw jungle thicket, much like the
river delta jungles of Vietnam.

Deer trails ran in all directions
through the thickets. Deciphering which trials were currently
being used consumed most of the
afternoon.
I jumped to large does from the
paw-paw thicket and elected to
follow the trail they used for
their quick escape. It turned out
to be a good choice.
The heavily worn trail lead to a
small slough at the base of a
sharply steep hill. I only climbed
a short distance up the hill before
encountering a junction of several trails coming from the four
corners of the earth.
A particularly tall, straight ash
at the edge of the slough became
my tree of choice in which to
place my climbing deer stand before daylight the next morning
too. The tree stood very near
where I flushed five turkeys on
my way into the area.
Back at camp Kruger told of
finding heavily used trails at the
east end of the paw-pay patch.
He already had his stand hung
and ready for the next morning.
We wiled away the remainder
of the afternoon telling tales
December 2015
A well-organized base camp served Cooper and Kruger well for a

four day hunt and fish camp on the Meramec River.
while fishing out in front of our
camp. Fishing proved ultra-slow.
A 15-inch rainbow trout would
have made a fine guest for dinner, but it didnt happen.
As we enjoyed our deer stew
by the campfire that evening, we
discussed our perceived evaluations of the quality of the Meramec River fishery. We both
fished the Meramec in the 70s
and 80s, when trout fishing enjoyed its hay day. We agreed that
the fishery has declined noticeably since that time.
The combined sounds of running
water, Barred owls and howling
coyotes lulled me to sleep quickly.
Then I woke up and
awake in my tent at 3 a.m. I went
out to the fire and was stirring.
Soon Kruger and Doc joined me
by the campfire. Kruger made
his famous river coffee ad I dug
for granola bars. We agreed to
meet back at camp around 10

a.m. for a big breakfast.
I angled trough the paw-paw
patch to the west, intercepted a
small creek and followed it to a
ten point of ten deer trail I had
marked the previous evening.
Within minutes I broke into the
slough opening and quickly
found the ash tree where I had
hung my stand.
First light peeked into the river
valley as I settled into my stand
for the morning sit. The woods
lit up with the sound of squirrels
barking and scampering through
the leaves.
A little later, I heard the unmistakable sound of heavy wing
beats up on the ridge. The small
flock of turkeys I had flushed the
evening before had roosted
there. A hen answered my few
soft yelps on a mouth call, but
led the small band farther west.
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035_001.qxd 11/21/15 2:26 PM Page 1
December 2015
Woodcock migrations had begun.

Doc found one along the river
sloughs for Kruger to bag.
Thirty minutes into my sit, I

bleated softly on my deer call. I
repeated the calling routine
every twenty minutes.
Shortly after making my third
series of calls, I heard heavy
steps on the ridge above, towards
a saddle between two ridge tops.
I stared intently in that direction,
but heavy vegetation made it difficult to see very far.
Minutes later, I picked out four
legs and a body, but could not
see the deers head. Ten minutes
later, the big doe finally moved.
I bleated again. I caught antlers
as a buck, just above the doe,
turned its head to look in my direction.
The buck glared in my direction,
trying to pinpoint the source of
the sound. I counted 8 points, a
respectable Ozarks buck, as wild
as they come. The buck would
Bill Cooper paddled across the !Meramec River from

camp to access several thousand acres owned by the
Missouri Department of Conservation.
have scored about 125. Not a giant, but I would have been more
than happy to take it home with
me.
After a long wait, the buck
broke from its trance and headed
down the trail in my direction. I
steadied my nerves and mentally
prepared for the shot.
Just when I was convinced the
buck would walk within shooting
distance, it paused, changed directions and angled up the slope.
It had approached to less than
forty yards, but still too far to
shoot. I watched, helplessly as
the buck walked out of sight.
Kruger relayed later that another hunting party roamed ten
ridge above us, perhaps spooking
my buck. Deer sighting diminished quickly, so we took up
squirrel hunting. Squirrels were
more plentiful than I had ever
35
Cooper caught a Meramec rainbow

near camp one afternoon on his
Rojos spinning rod.
seen. We managed to take several for meals at home later.

Our days on the Meramec
passed all too quickly. We had
bowhunted,
turkey
hunted,
squirrel hunted, caught smallmouth bass and rainbow trout.
The weather proved superb and

the campfire and night skies dazzled our senses. And drifting,
lazily down a free flowing river
lulled Kruger and me into a relaxed stupor that only two retired
guys can know
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036_001.qxd 11/23/15 2:54 PM Page 1
36
Building
for a Hunt
by Thane Hunt
Hunts Gun
Getaway, LLC
Illinois
Conceal
Carry
Instructor
With deer season here there are

many people looking to get the deer
of their dreams. Sportspersons with
disabilities are looking for the same.
This brings to question, how not to be
seen by the deer you are hunting! For
many, the use of a tree stand is not an
option, as they no longer have the
ability to climb. Many sportspersons
with disability tend to hunt out of
ground blinds.
One such sportsperson is Steven
Wallace. Last season he hunted from
a pop up tent blind. While this
allowed him to hunt, it did not give
him much space. Steven did not have
much room to move or stow the gear
that he needed for hunting. Steven
was also not able to have someone
else go hunting with him in order to
assist if the deer needed to be tracked
where his 4 wheeler could not go.
Steven looked for different hunting
blinds that were frame built instead
of pop ups. There were some that
had the room that he needed, howev-
er they did not provide the accessibility that was necessary. The ones that
he found stated they were accessible,
yet the ramps were at steep angles or
the blind did offer the needed room.
Having no luck in the commercial
market for a blind Steven decided to
build his own. Once he made this
decision, he also decided he wanted
to complete as much of the project as
possible. Steve was able to build the
blind necessary have the room that he
required. He was also able to design
the accessibility of the blind to his
specific needs. I asked Steven how
much of the blind he built himself.
Steve told me he was able to do the
vast majority of the work. Steven did
have some help with the roof and
moving the blind to his hunting spot.
Steven and I talked about the hunting he has done from his blind this
year. He stated that it has works
much better for him as it provides
him all the room that he needs. The
blind has made it much more comfortable for his hunts. I asked how
successful his hunts have been this
year. Steven said that he had been
out; however he had not seen any
deer that were big enough to take.
Steve is looking forward to the rest of
the season. He is hoping to get a
great deer to make all the preseason
work worth it.
Last month I wrote about the State
of Illinois Disabled ID card and the
Disabled Veterans ID Card and how
the person possessing these cards
could get free hunting or fishing
licenses. I spoke John Williams this
December 2015
1
month about the ID Cards. The
Disabled Veteran only needs to show
his Disabled Veteran ID from the
V.A. in place of a hunting license,
fishing license, or habitat stamps.
Persons who have the State of
Illinois Disabled ID card (P2O or
P2A) show the ID card instead of
hunting or fishing license. Persons
with the State of Illinois ID card can
buy the needed habitat stamps online
and print them off. Or they can
obtain it at a retail location. They do
need to sign the back of the stamp
since it is not affixed to a hunting
license.
If you would like to help host a disabled hunt or would like to share
your story please feel free to contact
me at Thane@huntsgungetaway.com
or call me at 309-338-0990. Train
Hard and Stay Safe.
2
3
1. Steven's blind.
2. Installation day of Steves blind
3. ATV transportation.
4. First day in the blind
037_001.qxd 11/21/15 11:38 PM Page 1
December 2015
37
LOCATIONS!
CANTON, IL
2091 N. Main St.

309-647-4416
GALESBURG, IL
3000 W. Main St.

309-343-0327
MONMOUTH, IL
ANIMAL HEALTH
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800 Tenney St.

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CHECK US OUT
ON THE WEB FOR MORE INFO
ON FARM KING STORES!
Hwy. 67 North
309-734-3810
FarmKing.com
609 N. Gear Ave.

319-752-7111
038_001.qxd 11/21/15 11:33 PM Page 1
38
Farewell WayneThanks for your contributions

over the years! ASO readers will miss you!
THE
MORNING
IS MINE
By: Wayne Baughman
wedance2@pikenet.net
There is a time for everything. I
am referencing the Biblical principles as stated in Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3, if you wish to review that portion of the Bible.
With this reference in mind I am
announcing my retirement as a column contributor to Adventure
Sports Outdoors magazine.
This has not been a quick decision. I have considering this for
some time. The reason is quite simple. I feel my contributions to the
publication have become to repetitive and have not met my own performance standards.
I have been with ASO for longer
than I can remember. Harry Canterbury asked me to join the columnist
team some 17 or 18 years ago. We
were at an information event spon-
Tr a d i n g P o s t
Area
Sportsman
Bar
OPEN 7 DAYS
Every
Tuesday
$1.50
A Can
On West Center St.

Oakford, IL 62673
Owner: Tim Wallace
217-635-5392
SEE OUR
BIG TROPHIES!
Pizza
Ice
CARRY OUT
Welcome
Bikers,
Poker
Runs
sored by the then Illinois Department of Conservation. I was at that

time writing for a local weekly
newspaper and I guess that is where
Harry picked up my some of my articles.
It has been a great experience and
I will be forever grateful to Harry
and Cathy for the privilege to share
some insights from my prospective.
If you have not already figured it out
I am quite opinioned. I dont care
for exaggerated materials in any
form. I believe in telling it like it really is. Anything less is misleading.
To expand on this philosophy I
share this experience.
About 10 years ago I had a young
outdoorsman in the mid 20s age
bracket ask me how to become an
outdoor writer. First off I said I was
not probably his best source of advice, that I became involved because up until my outdoor column
offerings at the local level my writing had been primarily business organization documents, however I
did have an opinion on what I
thought made consumable reading
material. Here is the advice I gave
him.
I consider good writing as a conversation among friends that have a
similar interest. I suggested studying the work of others. When I was
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a kid someone gave me a book written by Nash Buckingham. He was

an outdoorsman from Tennessee that
had the ability to paint a picture with
words that put the reader right in the
field with him. I probably read that
old book a thousand times savoring
ever description of Nashs field experiences. Every active outdoorsman have a story to tell. Sharing experiences is a great way to gain information and add to our bank of
knowledge. Listening is a key component of successful writing. Often,
in our haste to share our own experiences or opinions we miss valuable insight from others. I am sure
we all have ended a discussion only
to realize that we left empty handed.
I shared the opinion that writing
should be clean, that is, free from
exaggeration. Ill bet everyone has
read materials that just didnt seem
quite right, and that the story was
better suited for a novel. In that
same vein I dont care for articles
that over promote merchandise,
services or facilities. I become suspicious that the writer has personal
gain motives in mind. Certainly it is
appropriate to share success with a
given product or great satisfaction
with a service or a fulfilling experience at a location but to make that
the total focus of an article is
overkill. Leave that job to advertising specialists.
I suggested developing a list of reliable outdoor contacts. Folks such
CPOs, IDNR conservation staff
members, outdoor merchandise retailers, outfitters, taxidermists and
individuals that spend a lot of time
pursuing their outdoor passions.
My final bit of advice was write
some material and have it critiqued
by other writers and by several outdoor people. Accept constructive
criticism but if you have a format
that tells your story the way you
think it should be told stick to your
guns. Remember there always more
critics than artists.
Although this is my final monthly
column I may, with Harry and
Cathys permission occasionally
submit an article that shares something noteworthy.
Enjoy Adventure Sports Outdoors.
It is a great publication and I have
been privileged to be a part of it.
Thanks!
039_001.qxd 11/21/15 11:56 PM Page 1
December 2015
Bruce Rauner, Governor

Wayne Rosenthal, Director
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL
62702-1271
www.dnr.illinois.gov
IDNR NEWSBITS
News and Events
Upland Hunting: For information on prospects for
the 2015-16 pheasant, quail and rabbit seasons in
Illinois, check the IDNR website for the annual hunting prospects reports prepared by the IDNR Division
of Wildlife Resources. The links to the reports are
available through the IDNR website at: dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/uplandgame/Pages/PheasantQuailAndRabbitAnnualStatusReports.aspx
Remaining Firearm Deer Permits: Remaining Illinois firearm and muzzleloader deer permits are
available over-the-counter (OTC) from DNR Direct
license and permit vendors through Dec. 6, or until
quotas are exhausted. Find a vendor near you at this
link: DNR.illinois.gov/LPR/Pages/LicensePermitVendors.aspx
Late-Winter and CWD Deer Special Hunt Area Applications:Hunters may apply online through Nov.
24 for site-specific permits for designated IDNR
Special Hunt Areas for the Late-Winter and CWD
Deer Hunts.The online application system will be
available through the IDNR website at
DNR.illinois.gov. A list of Special Hunt Areas
CWD Special Hunt Area Sites:
Apple River Canyon State Park (SP)
Thompson/Salem Units SP in Jo Daviess County
Castle Rock SP in Ogle Co.
Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area (SNA)/Heidecke State Fish and Wildlife Area (SFWA)/Morris
Wetland in Grundy Co. Check-in by 5 a.m. *
Hanover Bluff SNA in Jo Daviess Co.
Lowden-Miller State Forest in Ogle Co.
Kishwaukee River SNA in DeKalb Co.
Rall Woods (Falling Down Prairie) SNA in Jo Daviess
Co.
Starved Rock SP includes Starved Rock SP, Mathiessen SP, Margery C. Carlson SNA, Mitchells Grove
SNA and Sandy Ford SNA in LaSalle Co.
Tapley Woods SNA in Jo Daviess Co.
Wards Grove Nature Preserve in Jo Daviess Co.
White Pines SP in Ogle Co. - Check-in by 5 a.m. *
Winston Tunnel SNA in Jo Daviess Co.
Late-Winter Special Hunt Area Sites:
Franklin Creek SNA in Lee Co. Check-in by 5 a.m.*
Sahara Woods in Saline Co.
* Permit hunters at these sites must sign in at
the site check station by 5 a.m.; standby hunting
available afterward, as space allows.
Permits for these sites are limited and will only
be available through the online application through
Nov. 24 (paper applications are not available).
Hunters may submit only one online Special Hunt
Area application. Unfilled 2015 site-specific
firearm, muzzleloader or youth permits for these
sites are not valid during the Late-Winter Firearm
season and CWD Deer season (except at sites where
standby hunting is available). Late-Winter and
CWD Deer season dates are December 31, 2015
through January 3, 2016 and January 15-17, 2016.
For a Late-Winter and CWD deer hunting information sheet, with details on sites open to deer
hunting with county permits during Late-Winter
and CWD seasons, check the IDNR website at this
link: DNR.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/LateWinterSHAHuntingPermitInformation.pdf
Archery Deer and Fall Turkey Permits: Illinois
Archery Deer and Illinois Archery Fall Turkey seasons are open through Jan. 17, 2016. Permits are
available over-the-counter at DNR Direct license
and permit vendors. Find a vendor near you at this
link: DNR.illinois.gov/DNRDirectMonitor/VendorListing.aspx
Archery, Firearm, Muzzleloader, and Late-Winter/CWD Seasons CWD Sampling: Deer hunters
statewide are encouraged to allow samples to be
taken for chronic wasting disease (CWD) sampling
from adult deer they harvest.Check the IDNR website at this link for locations that are serving as
CWD sampling stations, taking samples from entire
deer or deer heads through Jan. 17, 2016: DNR.illinois.gov/programs/CWD/Documents/CWDSamplingLocations.pdf
39
Donate to Illinois Sportsmen Against

Hunger: Hunters are encouraged to donate whole
deer to the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program to help Illinois families in need.Participating
meat processors turn the donated deer into ground
venison for delivery to food banks and charities in
Illinois.For more information on the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program, including a list of participating meat processors, check the IDNR website
at DNR.illinois.gov/programs/ISAH.
Spring Turkey Applications: Resident hunters
may now apply for the first lottery for 2016 Illinois
Spring Wild Turkey Season permits online.Go to the
IDNR website for more information at this link:
DNR.illinois.gov/hunting/turkey. The application
deadline for the first lottery for 2016 resident
spring turkey permits is Dec. 1, 2015.
Online Free Site Hunting Permits: Hunters are
reminded that Free Site Hunting Permits (windshield cards) to hunt upland, forest game and waterfowl at IDNR sites are available online from the
IDNR
website
at
DNR.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/PublicHuntingAreas.aspx.
Hunters are encouraged to follow the link to windshield card sites page. For information or assistance, hunters should contact the site where they
intend to hunt.
Hunting Regulations: For information on Illinois
hunting seasons and regulations, click here for the
Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations
2015-16: DNR.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/
HuntTrapDigest.pdf
For information on waterfowl hunting seasons

and regulations in Illinois, click on the Illinois Digest
of Waterfowl Hunting Regulations 2015-16 here:
DNR.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/DigestWaterfowlHuntingRegulations.pdf
ICF 2016 Calendar: The Illinois Conservation
Foundations annual Illinois Wall Calendar is now
available. Proceeds from the sale of the beautiful
2016 ICF Wall Calendar support a variety of youth
education programs in Illinois, such as outreach efforts at the Torstenson Youth Conservation Education Center, and the Torstenson Education Station,
a traveling trailer equipped with hands-on equipment that teachers and youth group leaders can use
to support a number of programs. Order the calendar through the ICF website at www.ilcf.org or by
phone at 217-785-2003.
2015 Schoolyard Habitat Action Grants: School
teachers and youth group leaders can apply for
grants of up to $1,000 through the Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant program, administered by
the IDNR and Illinois Conservation Foundation. Get
students involved in the planning, development, and
maintenance of projects to help native wildlife like
monarch butterflies. Funding is provided by the
Jadel Family Foundation, Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice
Foundation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
Partners for Fish and Wildlife program. The deadline
to apply is Nov. 30, 2015. Grant application information is available at DNR.illinois.gov/
education/Pages/grants.aspx
Follow the IDNR on
Facebook and Twitter!
Find us on Facebook!
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040_001.qxd 11/22/15 12:33 AM Page 1
40
Public Hunting &

Access Opportunities
Abound at 508-Acre
Forever Fields in
Illinois
Large-scale work day to be
held December 5th at 10 a.m.
to restore pheasant
hunting traditions
Pheasants Forever chapters in

Illinois are working diligently to
restore native grassland habitat in
Knox County on the 508-acre property, Forever Fields. Recently acquired
by Pheasants Forever to provide public hunting and access opportunities
for Illinois residents and non-residents alike, local chapters are planning a large-scale work day on
December 5 to finalize the restoration
of native pheasant and quail habitat.
"Since 90 percent of Illinois is privately owned and upland game bird
populations are below the long-term
average, Forever Fields provides an
excellent opportunity for wildlife and
recreational access," stated Scott
James, Pheasants Forever's Farm Bill
wildlife biologist in Knox County.
"Purchased by Pheasants Forever as a
reclaimed strip mine, this property is
undergoing renovation that will pro-
vide quality habitat for pheasants,

quail, and upland wildlife already
existing on the area for years to
come. Some have referred to this area
as 'a piece of South Dakota in your
own back yard,' and Pheasants
Forever is excited about the property's future."
Originally part of a 1,000-acre public lands purchase, the ongoing renovation of Forever Fields has generated 508 acres of reclaimed native
grassland and strip mine ponds which
have primed the area for regulated
activities such as birding, fishing,
hiking, upland hunting, waterfowl
hunting, dove hunting, and bow hunting. Unfortunately, the upland hunting will be poor for the 2015 hunting
season, as continued grassland
restoration efforts enter the! final
phases of reseeding.
Pheasants Forever is seeking volunteers to assist with the final stages
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of Forever Fields renovations during

a large-scale group work day on
December 5 starting at 10 a.m.
Volunteers will be assembling at the
south parking lot of Forever Fields,
located two miles east of the city of
Victoria at the corner of highway 167
and highway 180. For more information about the Forever Fields largescale work day or to volunteer independently, contact Scott James at
(309) 660-3147.
The grassland restoration of
Forever Fields was made possible, in
part, by the following contributors:
The Grand Victoria Foundation,
Illinois Clean Energy Community
Foundation, Illinois Department of
Natural Resources, the Natural
Resources Conservation Service,
Knox County Chapter of Pheasants
Forever, Rock Island/Henry County
December 2015
Chapter of Pheasants Forever, and

Pheasants
Forever's
Build-aWildlife-Area Program.
About
Pheasants
Forever:
Pheasants Forever, including its quail
conservation division, Quail Forever,
is the nation's largest nonprofit
organization dedicated to upland
habitat conservation. Pheasants
Forever and Quail Forever have more
than 140,000 members and 700 local
chapters across the United States and
Canada. Chapters are empowered to
determine how 100 percent of their
locally raised conservation funds are
spent; the only national conservation
organization that operates through
this truly grassroots structure. Since
creation in 1982, Pheasants Forever
has spent $577 million on 489,000
habitat projects benefiting 12 million
acres nationwide.
Take Precautions to Avoid Carbon Monoxide

Poisoning in Cabins, Boats and Campers
Check to be Sure Equipment is Working Properly;
Use CO Detectors in Enclosed Spaces
The Illinois Conservation Police remind hunters, boaters, and campers to be

aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) produced by portable heaters
and generators.!!As the weather cools, outdoorsmen and women often rely on
portable heating devices to stay warm during fall hunting and fishing trips. The
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) urges the use of carbon
monoxide detectors in enclosed spaces and recommends equipment be inspected to be sure it is operable prior to use.
Carbon monoxide detectors should also be used on your boat, cabin or in
your camper.! CO is colorless and odorless, and often isnt detected until its too
late, said Illinois Conservation Police Chief Rafael Gutierrez.
On Nov. 7, a man was hospitalized for CO poisoning after spending the night
on his boat docked just off the Illinois River in Jersey County. The victim was
taken by ambulance to Jersey Community Hospital and later airlifted to St.
Louis University Hospital. He is expected to survive. The mans boat had a
leaky exhaust system, and the CO detector was not functioning due to a loose
fuse connection.
Many carbon monoxide deaths occur during colder months when windows
and doors are locked up at night leaving little or no ventilation inside.
Carbon monoxide accidents can happen in boat cabins because, in most cases,
these areas are small enclosures, but there are other places where precautions
need to be taken.! Small hunting cabins, campers, and hunting blinds where a
kerosene heater or internal combustion engine may be used for warmth are also
places where people need to take precautions. In cabins or campers that have
not been used recently, check vents for leaves, nests or other obstructions.
Toms Bait Shop
403 Walnut St. Beardstown, IL 62618

Walking Distance from Beardstown Marina!
Live Bait Tackle Boating Accessories

Local Fishing Information
(217) 323-BAIT
041_001.qxd 11/22/15 12:32 PM Page 1
December 2015
WOOS
CORNER
BY WOO DAVES
LOVE THOSE
SMALLMOUTH
I always look forward to this time of

the year because BASS always carries
a couple of tournaments to the northern
lakes like Oneida in New York and
Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio. These
lakes are a smallmouth bass fishermens paradise and I love to catch
smallmouth. If you have never had a
chance to fish the northern lakes for
smallmouth you need to put it on your
bucket list of things to do because it is
an indescribable and awesome fishing.
A large unimaginable amount of three,
four, and five pound smallmouth bass
that fight like no other fish in the water.
I am really looking forward to this
fall to getting out on the lake with my
new Z-20 Nitro especially because
Zoom Bait Company has come out
with a line of hand poured triple laminated straight-tailed worms called the
Z-3 Swamp Crawlers that come in ten
different colors. Ive stocked up on my
favorites Morning Dawn, Z-3 Magic,
Desert Craw, Z-3 Edge, MM3 and
Sexy Shad.
Im so excited
I cant hardly
sleep because
Ive already
tore the largemouth up on
them and I
the
know
smallies are
waiting on
me. Now is
the time to
order some because they are selling
faster than they can make them.
Im going to fish these Z-3s on Bass
Pro Shops 6 and 8 lbs. test fluorocarbon line, a Johnny Morris 6 9 ML
spinning rod and reel. I will fish them
on a drop shot rig, nose hooking and
wacky hooking with a Mustad no twist
drop shot hook. I will also fish them
with a Hookset Lures Shakey head as
thats how I have been tearing the
largemouth up on the Z-3. I have
always been known for fishing a worm
for a long time. You cant beat a Zoom
Trick worm but I am telling you the Z3 Swamp Crawlers are quickly making
a believer out of me.
Hookset lures has come out with a
new rattling bait called the Royal Shad
which is a slow sinking lipless crank
bait that is catching a lot of large and
smallmouth. The Royal Shad is
becoming a staple in my tackle box. I
fish this lure on Bass Pro Shops 12
lbs. fluorocarbon line with a

J o h n n y
Morris
7
Carbon lite
m e d i u m
action rod.
When you
target smallmouth, they
move a lot
with the bait
and you want
to constantly look at your Raymarine
E-Series unit. You can actually see the
smallmouth on structures and around
the bait. Make sure you have your
Navionics chip for that area in your
unit, because it will show you all the
contour lines you need to follow. It will
also show you the humps and channel
swings that you need to be fishing. The
chirp technology that Raymarine
developed is giving you the most unbelievable picture on your unit that you
will ever see. A lot of the pros call it TV
fishing because you see the fish, you
see the bait going down and you see
the fish bite the bait. It doesnt get any
better than that. Smallmouths love
rock and they also love grass edges
especially if it is next to rock, so concentrate on these areas and you will
find fish.
One thing I have noticed about
smallmouth fishing over the years is
they really like the sun. You can be
fishing right over a bunch of fish and
go back when the sun comes out and
catch them. So if you fish a good area
or catch fish later in the day. So the
41
next day you go back first thing in the

morning and dont catch any fish, be
sure to go back to that area when sun
comes up. If Im fishing a tournament
on a lake with largemouth and smallmouth I will try to locate a couple
largemouth holes to fish in the morning
while waiting for the sun to come up.
To me there is no comparison to
catching a smallmouth and Ill take it
over a largemouth any day of the week
and twice on Sunday, so make plans to
visit one of the northern lakes before
you get too old and find out what you
are missing out on.
If you are looking for a way to make
money to support your fishing visit
www.just-icell.com. Need a new tow
vehicle visit www.hendrickcars.com.
Thank a soldier for a job well done
when you pass them in your travels.
May God Bless you with a big
Smallmouth!
WOO
SHOES
www.woodaves.com
MIDSOUTH TACKLE
Making Jigs Since 1978
128 CR 108 Jonesboro, AR 72404
870-935-4914
Toll Free 888-935-0189
Check us out on the web
www.midsouthtackle.com/shop.asp
Manufacturers of Quality Crappie Jigs

Made for Fishermen by Fishermen for 32 Years!
SMILEYS SPORTS SHOP INC.
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Full Service Archery Shop
See us on the web at: www.smileyssportsshop.com
2049 Ireland Grove Rd. Bloomington, IL
309/663-1133
042_001.qxd 11/23/15 4:04 PM Page 1
42
December 2015
Congrats to Ryan Smith with this nice catfish

caught out of Heritage Lake, Mackinaw.
Congratulations to Bo Bremner with his giant

22"!largemouth also caught at Heritage Lake!
WOW look what Sean Sauder caught

a 43 lb. flathead at a Tazewell Co. farm pond!
Thanks to ASO Rep Terri Sweckard for sharing these
fun fall fishing trophies with ASO! Contact Terri at:
309-241-6591 to place an ad in ASO Magazine!
LeAnn Fike caught this 15 lb.

catfish out of the Wisconsin River
in September while enjoying their
stay with ASO sponsor
The Rivers Edge Resort at the
DellsA great place to visit!
Home of the Annual Coyote Competition!
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January 29-30, 2016
043_001.qxd 11/23/15 5:14 PM Page 1
December 2015
43
See ya in the spring!
It Aint
Over
Yet!!
by
Daniel
Vinovich
The cold was setting into my

bones. You know, that wet cold that
overtakes your whole body. The shivers start at your shoulders and work
their way all the way to your toes.
You fight with everything. The line
freezing to the rod guides and gloves
getting wet from the splash of the reel
as it pulls the jerk bait thru the dark
water. Its quiet. So quiet you can
hear every turn of the prop on the
trolling motor. No life stirs. The trees
are bare of their leafy canopy. There
is no sunset, only a gray December
sky fading to black.
Suddenly, a long shadow appears
behind your bait. Although it is big, it
seems to slip through the water without making so much as a ripple. You
pause your bait. The fish makes a half
turn heading back where it came
from. A sharp snap of the rod and,
once again, the fish lines up on your
bait. This time, it is setting up for the
kill. The bait pauses. You give it a
twitch. No reaction. Another twitch,
this one followed with a long sweep.
Fifteen feet to the boat, you snap the
rod hard. The fish makes a halfhearted swipe at the bait, but no contact is
felt.
The retrieve picks up speed, snap,
snap, snap. Ice is flying from the rod.
Where is it? The dark water shows no
shadow. Five feet from the boat, still
no strike. You pause the bait again,
setting up for the last sweep. You pull
the bait to the right. Into the figure 8
you go, plunging the rod deep, almost
to the reel deep on the front side of
the 8 followed by a sudden upward
rip bringing the bait up seven feet just
under surface.
The bait is in sight now, or is it the
gray sky giving you just enough light
to see a mouth open and inhale the 6
inches of hook laden wood. GAME
ON BABY! The backset of the hooks
rips the frozen skin from your thumb.
The fish has taken 15 feet of line off
the free spool before you can lock
down the reel. You rear back and lay
it to her again.
This time, she knows she is hooked.
She launches 3 feet into the air and
lands on her side. The drag pulls out
in short burst. Run after run, she
makes each one shorter than the other. Shes close now, swimming back
and forth alongside of the boat. Slow-
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She ate it big time!

ly, she is guided into the net.
What a fish. A look up reveals no
one. No congrats or high fives. She
rolls trying to right herself exhausted
from the fight. Quickly, I dislodge the
hooks from her mouth. A quick photo
in the net does not do her size any
justice, long, wide, and fat. A perfect
alpha female. There is no need to
hoist her proud into the boat for there
is no one to show her off to.
As I lowered the net gently, guiding
her with my hand back to where she

came from, she was in no hurry to
leave. Slow side to side tail waves
pushed her back into the dark water.
She appeared as a shadow and left the
same way.
I secured the rods and lit up a cigar,
one I had been saving for just this
moment. The last fish of the year.
Even though the ice might not lock
up the lake for a few more days, my
Contd. on next pg.
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044_001.qxd 11/23/15 5:13 PM Page 1
44
YET

days are spoken for. Boat back on the

trailer, I pulled down the final strap.
At a last glance over my shoulder as
I pulled away from the ramp I
thought I saw a muskie roll as if to
say see ya next spring.
I have only a few openings left for
late fall, early winter Muskies for
2015, so dont give up the chance
at one last fish. You can get me at
309-267-8309, or by e-mail at
trolling@mtco.com.
I know it is not right to say
anymore but @#$%&^ them.
I WISH YOU AND YOURS A

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
December 2015
Mississippi
Huntin at
Billy & Marcie
Morgans
Marcie's son
Dave Eckert
with his
step-daughter,
Madison Willard,
and nephew,
Ian Dillion,
displaying their
deer killed on
youth weekend.
Zeus, a silver lab,
blood trailed
each deer!
OFallon angler catches state-record skipjack herring
By Lucas Bond
LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. James Lucas of O'Fallon became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he hooked a giant
skipjack herring on the Sandy Slough using a rod and reel. Sandy Slough is a Mississippi River backwater area located next to the
Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) Sandy Island Conservation Area.
Photo
The new "pole and line" record skipjack herring caught by Lucas on Oct. 25 weighed
courtesy
1 pound, 14 ounces with a length of 18 inches. Lucas used a white marabou Road Runner
of MDC
jig to catch the skipjack.
"My friend Alex Helms and I were fishing for white bass that day, and out of nowhere
I caught a giant skipjack," Lucas said. "The fish didn't put up much of fight, but thank
goodness my friend Alex was with me to net the fish, because once it was in the net it
spit out the jig."
Lucas' recent record broke the previous pole and line state-record skipjack herring
of 1 pound, 11 ounces caught on the Osage River in 2005.
MDC staff verified the record-weight fish using a certified scale in the town of
Defiance.
Lucas is pretty familiar with holding state-records. He also holds the state-record
for the skipjack herring in the alternative method. In 2009 Lucas snagged a 1-pound,
8.8-ounce skipjack herring on Sandy Slough and set the state-record.
"I still can't believe that I caught the giant skipjack," Lucas said. "I intentionally
snagged one in 2009 to set the state-record, but catching a state-record skipjack
with a rod and reel blows my mind. I never thought I would hold two state-records at the age of 24."
The young angler plans on making a custom replica of the fish.
Missouri state-record
fish are recognized in
two categories: poleand-line and alternative
Visit our website:
methods. Alternative
methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb
lines, bank lines, jug
for prices & hours
lines,
spearfishing,
We make 4 kinds of salami, bratwurst,
snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery,
Italian, jerky, hot stixs & mild stixs,
and atlatl.
deer donation information, maps & more!
Conservation makes
Missouri a great place
to fish. For more
information visit the
MDC website at
huntfish.mdc.mo.gov.
Have your deer processed by the best!

www.housermeats.com
H O U S E R M E AT S
217-322-4994
RUSHVILLE, IL
045_001.qxd 11/23/15 9:56 PM Page 1
December 2015
Fun Christmas Gift!
Victory Tailgate Cornhole Games

Founded in 2008, Victory Tailgate is
one of the largest manufacturers of custom cornhole games in the United States.
Victory Tailgate prides itself in its products having the highest standards of quality and durability, along with unlimited
graphic design and customization capabilities. All Victory Tailgate cornhole
boards and bags are 100% designed,
manufactured, and shipped from our
Orlando, Florida facility. Victory
Tailgate is proud to be licensed partners
with over 600 colleges, major professional sports leagues, and numerous iconic
brands.
This is truly a "you get what you pay
for" business and what you'll get from the
cheaper guys is cheap materials, ugly nail
and screw hole indentions, and a set that
falls apart soon after you buy it. There is
a reason why other dealers only show a
few pictures of their product! We've purchased them ourselves to compare and, at
our prices, there is no comparison. We
know from experience and we are confi-
dent that we have a superior

product.
You can also feel great that our game
boards are constructed right here in the
USA. There are quite a few dealers out
there that advertise they use quality US
craftsmanship. We have purchased boards
from some of these dealers only to find
that many of them are selling the exact
same boards that are made and shipped
from China that use press-board (MDF)
and other cheap materials.
Our boards are quality constructed
using 1/2" cabinet grade plywood. Not
the cheap stuff many other dealers use.
24"x 48" (2 feet by 4 feet) with the 6"
hole centered 9 inches from the top and
12 inches from each side. The play surface is framed with sturdy 2x4 boards and
folding legs for portability. The back
measures 12" off the ground and the
front measures 4" off the ground.
Standard Features:
Quality 1/2" Plywood Tops - Smooth
finish, excellent playability.
This is not like the plywood you buy at
the local hardware store!
Standard plywood tends to warp, may
have voids, knots, etc.
Top Choice Finish Grade 2x4s Superior to the basic framing

boards others use.
3 coats of high quality exterior
primer. (for painted sets)
4 to 6 coats (depending on
color) of high quality exterior paint. (for
painted sets)
Finished with clear gloss sealant for
protection.
Strong pocket hole joint construction.
Perfect 6" holes. No jigsaws here!
No visible screw holes or spackle on
any painted surface.
Strong, foldable 2x4 leg construction
with carriage bolts and wing nuts
Our legs won't snap in half when your
friend or kids accidentally stand on our
boards!
No tripping over our legs! Our legs do
not fold back behind the board.
We paint the sides and legs and touch
up our boards!
We touch up the joints, bleed, etc. to
give our boards a quality finished look.
Complete cornhole bag set included in
our price. 8 bags with 16 colors to choose
from.
Any color is available.
Other dealers limit you to a handful of
color choices.
We match any sports team, school, or
any other color!
45
Guy Harvey Games Available!
Our standard bags are made of quality

Duck Cloth canvas material measuring
6"x 6" and weighing between 15-16
ounces filled with whole corn kernels.
This is the regulation that all serious
cornhole players use. We also have all
weather bags for those who need more
wet weather protection. The difference is
those bags use plastic beads inside instead
of corn. They are regulation size. They
still have excellent playability.
Shop Now at VictoryTailgate.com
The Country Cabin

Taxidermy
Ed Estes, Owner
East Peoria, IL
FAST TURN-AROUND!
Located just outside Germantown Hills.
Please call for directions.
Home: 309-694-3010 Cell: 309-258-8371

Email: elestes06@yahoo.com
046_001.qxd 11/21/15 9:32 PM Page 1
46
FULL OF
STORIES!
by Dave Herschelman
Recently, my dear
mother Anna Lee
Herschelman, visited
our home here in
central Illinois with
the intent of riding
with me to the western Illinois country
where I have spent
the greater part of fall
and winter over the
last two decades in pursuit of the whitetail
and waterfowl. To give up hunting time in
October is always tough but mother comes
first. She is eighty-two years old and was
curious to see the haunts of my passions.
We had a really nice time visiting several
whitetail spots, some accessible by four
wheel drive only but she thoroughly enjoyed the adventure and may be in the market for a side by side in the future to allow
her travel opportunities by herself!
The trip was planned to coincide with
the optimum color change in fall foliage
but due to the slow burn of summer in this
El Nino type weather scenario the deep

hues and color changes were subdued but
still wonderful. Mother told of the year
1955 before I was born. The southern Indiana community where they lived in Vanderburgh County was being victimized by a
serial killer! Mom would spend the dark
hours of the night staying with her sister in
law, Alice Mae while both husbands,
brothers Charles and Wilbur, my eventual father, worked the late shift at the Faultless Caster plant located in Evansville.
She admitted they would visit the outhouse together taking a shotgun with them
for protection. She indicated they would
leave the gun leaning against the outside
wall while they were inside. I asked why
the gun was left out of reach if needed. She
indicated both laughed at the thought
themselves at the time.
As it turns out, the killer was actually
roaming their isolated area searching for his
next victim! Shortly thereafter, a group of
six teenage boys were driving the isolated
backroads at night when they saw a car
parked in a wooded lane. They pulled in
behind it and confronted the driver with
whom they had a heated exchange of
words. Later one if the boys informed his
father upon arriving home that night of
their encounter. The boys father after
hearing the story and a description of the

vehicle he was driving recognized the vehicle was in fact, that being sought after by
police as it had been identified being
parked in the drive of an earlier victim!
The police stopped the vehicle on Denzer Road not a half mile from where my
family lived and mom visited the outhouse
under armed condition. The individual
taken into custody was non-other than
Leslie Mad Dog Irvin the perpetrator of
the robbery and murder spree of the area!
His method of operation was to gain entry
to an isolated home or farm, then rob and
murder the occupants to avoid being identified! My sister in law, Trudy Herschelman (Helfert) determined her parents, Otto and Betty Helfert were visited by this
same individual at their rural isolated home
just prior but they did not answer or open
the door to this unknown individual!
Leslie Irvin was convicted for several of
the murders of the area and sentenced to
the death penalty. Loot found in his possession clearly implicated his involvement
in the six murders in Vanderburgh and
Gibson counties in Indiana and in Henderson, Kentucky just across the Ohio River! The case became much more complicated and is now considered a landmark
case for similar crimes, media coverage and
change of Venue implications. You can
easily read the history of this piece of histo-
December 2015
Anna Lee Herschelman
2525 N. Grand Ave. East Springfield, IL 62702

Toll Free 888-235-1059 217-522-2408
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Victoria, IL
Frontier 1860
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047_001.qxd 11/21/15 9:30 PM Page 1
December 2015
ry on line and I would suggest you do so.

I sat in amazement as Mother told this
historical story involving such heinous
activity within our neighborhood! Some
of the boys who had encountered the
killer that night in the isolated woods
were brothers to members of the church
our family attended.
Mother and I dined that evening at
Sheridan Lane Restaurant and Lounge
(at the old Country Club in Bath), near
Havana, IL to an exquisite meal. I commented to her of the difficulty in writing
articles for Adventure Sports Outdoors
as my stories are merely recollections

from my past and no way as exciting as
this tale from the past. She indicated her
thorough enjoyment in reading my stories of outdoor adventure and to not feel
as if you are merely fabricating history.
You are just full of sstories, she said!
After the wonderful visit and our
farewell, I headed back to the woods
with the aim of being much more careful
of strangers!
David Herschelman
November 6, 2015
Congratulations to Joe Hale

who tagged out in one day!
Woodford County buck in the morning
& a doe in the afternoonWay to go!
Thanks to Eric Hilst for sharing
these photos with ASO!
Wildlife Trees
Wildlife Habitat and

Conservation Specialist
Fruit
Fruit Trees
Trees
Potted
Potted Trees
Trees &
& Shrubs
Shrubs
Planting
Planting Services
Services
CRP,
CRP, WRP,
WRP, CReP
CReP Plantings
Plantings
Contact us for
current price list:
(217) 752-6829
HigginsOutdoors.com
View to East from Knuths Drive
47
048_001.qxd 11/23/15 7:30 PM Page 1
48
BAI
News
Brent
Thompson
BAI Range
at Hunting &
Fishing Days
By Ed DeVries
IllinoisBowfishing.net
Seasons greetings to all from the Bowfishing Association of Illinois! Heres wishing you and yours all the best this holiday
season! The BAI has just closed out another great year of bowfishing with the end of
the 2015 Bowfisher of the Year competition. This season long competition proves
year after year to be a member favorite.
From April 1st thru November 1st bowfishers can enter a picture of any fish harvested in Illinois waters on our contest
Facebook page. Pictures are taken next to a
ruler and points are awarded for each
December 2015
species plus for the longest three fish. We

had more fish entered in the contest this
year than ever before. CONGRATULATIONS TO Brent Thompson who came
out on top and is the 2015 BAI Bowfisher
of the Year! Here are the complete results
and final point standings along with the
size of fish entered in the 2015 contest;
Brent Thompson 31
Geno Grausam 27
Rick Urban. 23
Dave's Trading Post Inc.

,
333 Derby St. Pekin, IL 61554

(309) 353-7522
OPEN:
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Sat. 10am-3pm
10am-3pm
OPEN:Mon.-Fri.
Mon-Fri.10am-5pm
BUY SELL TRADE

Gold Silver Platinum Diamonds Guns
Indian Relics & Wood Decoys
Doug Melcher 19
Tony Infusino 18
Steve Fenoglio 17
Jake Swietek 16
Mike Faller 12
Chad Liptak 11
David Thacker 11
Jimmy Reszke 10
John Zerkle 10
Josh Swietek 10
Ed DeVries 8
Justin Swietek 7
Tim Crumly, 7
Allie Grant 6
Anthony Infusino JR 6
JR Swietek 5
Anthony Polansky 5
Chris Gosnell 4
Austin Adams 4
Tyler Gosnell 4
Bryan Melcher 3
Jerry Green 3
Nic Barker 3
Brian Paulsen 2
Pete Fleck 2
Troy Evans 1
Cody Hunter Kwalsczyk 1
Darryl Dunn 1
Scott Linton 1
Bowfin Rick Urban/Jake Swietek 29.00

Jake Swietek 28.00
Common Carp Brent Thompson 37.00

Steve Fenoglio 36.50, 36.50
Bullfrog Steve Fengolio 13.00

Tony Infusino 12.50, 12.50
Mirror Carp Jimmy

Reszke 31.00 Doug
Melcher 30.00
Nik Barker 30.00
Goldfish Rick Urban 19.50 Tony Infusino 12.00
Bighead Carp Rick
Urban 37.00 Jake
Swietek 35.00,
33.00
Silver Carp Tony
Infusion 31.00 Steve
Fenoglio 31.00,
30.50
Grass Carp Geno
Grausam 39.00,
37.00 Brent
Thompson 36.00
Longnose Gar Geno Grausam 55.00, 50.5

Tim Crumly 49.50
Shortnose Gar John Zerkle 38.00, 37.00
Mike Faller 35.00
Drum Geno Grausam 24.00, 23.50,
23.50
Shad David Thacker 15.50
Jake Swietek/Chad Liptak 15.00
Bigmouth Buffalo Doug Melcher 37.5,
Brent Thompson 37.00, Doug Melcher
35.50
Smallmouth Buffalo Mikie Faller 32.00
Jimmy Reszke/Doug Melcher 29.00
Sucker Brent Thompson 25, 24
Chad Litak 18.00
Spotted Sucker
Snapping Turtle Brent Thompson
14.5,12.5,12
We want to thank everyone for taking

part and also send a special thankyou out to
BAI area director Mike Faller for running
the contest. Its a lot of work and Mike did
a great job. We also have some great news
for the 2015 contest. Muzzy, makers of
THE BEST bowfishing reel money can
buy will be sponsoring next years contest
and the winner of the 2016 Muzzy Bowfisher Of The Year will win a complete
Muzzy Addict recurve bow/reel/rest and arrow kit! 2016 is already shaping up to be a
great year!
BAI 2016 TEAM OF THE YEAR COMPETITION NOW SPONSORED!
The 2016 BAI Team of the Year competition is now sponsored by Bad Ass Slingbows! We will have more info on prizes to
be awarded but wanted to take a moment
to thank Sam Wood, owner of Bad Ass
Slingbows, for offering to sponsor the competition!
049_001.qxd 11/23/15 7:28 PM Page 1
December 2015
WHERE TO BUY BOWFISHING

GEAR
Thinking about getting bowfishing gear
for someone on your Christmas list? Want
to get the best prices and advice from the
best people in the business? Then check
out
Rebel
Bowfishing
RebelBowfishing.com or Bowfishing Extreme www.bowfishingExtreme.com .
Both are small businesses run by people
who love bowfishing who offer the best
prices you can find on bowfishing gear. If
you live near northern Illinois you can also
stop in Rebel Bowfishings showroom in
Countryside Illinois.
Want to get someone started in bowfishing? Well there are loads of starter kits now
available. Muzzy makes one of the best recurve kits money can buy, the Addict Recurve bowfishing kit includes a 40lb take
down recurve, the new Muzzy XD spinning reel pre spooled with quality 150lb
spectra bowfishing line, a fishhook rest and
the new muzzy camo bowfishing arrow. All
for only $250! This set up is all you need to
get started bowfishing and is perfect for
Illinois River silver carp shooting.
If you already have a bow consider the
Muzzy reel kit which includes a quality
Muzzy reel, arrow, line, rest and reel seat
for about $125. Or take a look at the RPM
reel kit which also includes a quality reel, V
arrow rest, locker arrow holder, vice reel
seat and arrow for $99. Cajun Bowfishing
reel, a quality Cajun whisker biscuit rest
and two arrows for only $149. Any outdoors man or women who has been thinking about getting into bowfishing will love
these kits under the tree. Know a bowfisher? Then consider a Rebel Bowfishing or
Bowfishing Extreme gift card! Again, Scott
at Bowfishing Extreme or Mike at Rebel
Bowfishing will gladly answer any questions you may have so giveem a call!
CABELAS WINTER LEAGUE STANDINGS
The BAI has just started our annual Cabelas Winter League bowfishing competition and several fish have already been entered. The winter league is run just like the
Bowfisher of the Year competition...only
colder! Participants can enter a photo of a
fish taken next to a ruler at our FB page
where points are awarded for species and
size. Its a lot of fun if you can take the cold!
Here are our first standings;
2015/2016
CABELAS
WINTER
LEAGUE STANDINGS
ED DEVRIES 7 POINTS
GENO GRAUSAM 7 POINTS
TYLER HODAPP 4 POINTS
BAI AT THE CHICAGO OUTDOOR
SPORTS SHOW
Next month we will once again set up
our free bowfishing range at the Chicago
Outdoor Sports show in Rosemont Illinois
January 20-24, 2016. This is one of the
most attended outdoor shows in the Midwest and we have a huge area full of bowfishing stuff including an on land bowfishing range. We will have muzzy addict bows,
new muzzy spinning reels and Cajun Hybrid reels set up for all to try free of charge.
We are also in the process of setting up several other shows in the Bloomington and
Springfield areas so check our page at
www.illinoisbowfishing.net for up to date
info.
Thats about it for this month!
Again, Merry Christmas,
Happy Holidays and
Happy New Year to you all!!!!!!
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Authorities Looking For Person Who Poached Big Mule Deer
Game and fish authorities are

This mule deer was killed illegally on the
searching for the person who illegally
Berthold Reservation in western ND.
Fort
killed a giant mule deer on the Fort
Three
Affiliated Tribes game warden is
A
Berthold Indian Reservation last
holding
up the massive buck after it
shown
weekend. The investigation is spearfound
shot early Nov. 2015.
was
headed by the Three Affiliated Tribes
Fish and Wildlife Dept, but North
Dakota Game and Fish Department
enforcement chief Bob Timian confirmed the deer was taken on the reservation.
Timian said Game and Fish are
aware of the deer being taken and have
offered any assistance requested by the
Three Affiliated Tribes.
Our shared goal is to find people
who are taking game illegally, Timian
said.
A phone call to a Three Affiliated Tribes game warden was not immediately returned.
The Fort Berthold Reservation, southwest of Minot and east of Williston, borders Lake
Sakakawea in western North Dakota.
Last month, Game and Fish reported a spike in poaching incidents in the northwestern
part of the state in the Williston and Watford City areas. The cases involved whitetail deer,
mule deer and pronghorn. Only one of the six reported cases had been solved, involving
apronghorn buck and two doesshotapproximately fivemiles northeast of Watford City off
of N.D. Highway 1806. The individual was tracked down by a game warden and charges
are pending.
The Game and Fish Department says anyone with information on the incidents is asked
to call the Report All Poachers telephone number at 800-472-2121, or contact Warden
Keenan Snyder at 701-770-1072. Report All Poachers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any of these individuals.
Find more at: Mcfeely.areavoices.com
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050_001.qxd 11/23/15 10:04 PM Page 1
50
Fishing from a
Holey Boat
by Don Dziedzina
teresting or what can be considered

more fun is putting your ice fishing
techniques to work while fishing soft
water.
In the end of September I attended
Thanksgiving is behind us. Christthe Association of Great Lakes Outmas is coming sooner than you think.
door Writers' (AGLOWinfo.org) anBut what many outdoorsmen and
nual conference in Minneapolis,
women are looking forward to is first
Minnesota.!
AGLOW has media and corporate
ice. Yes, many of us are anxious to
members from across the country,
walk on hard water, drill a hole in the
reaching from New York to the
ice and catch some fish while sitting
on a bucket.
Dakotas and from Canada down to
Well, while theres still open water
Florida.! It's a great group of outdoor
on many of our lakes, you can still
communicators who meet annually
get out in a boat. But whats more inand it's more like a family reunion.
This year, the Minneapolis
Northwest area was a great
location for our conference.! It didn't take long for
me to learn that area offers
great fishing and more.
One morning at breakfast, Dave Genz came to sit
next to me and talk while
we enjoyed our first meal of
the day and some really
good coffee. ! Genz is
known as Mr. Ice Fishing
but I prefer to coin him as
the
Godfather of Ice FishDave Genz (L) and Don Dziedzina talk
ing.!
Genz is actually the
about Genzs new Holey Boat.!!
founding
father of ClamHoles in the boat allow Genz to use ice
Outdoors.com, the maker of
fishing techniques in open water.
fine ice shelters and other
ice fishing related products.

The Clam headquarters is
located in the Minneapolis
Northwest area about 15
minutes from our hotel.
As we talked, Genz told
me that he bought a new
boat, a G-3.! But this was
not just any aluminum jon
boat.! Genz had some custom aluminum welding
done to add on, of all
things, two 8 inch holes in
the floor of the boat.
Now this seems a bit odd so it
surely peaked my interest.! Genz
went on to explain that he wanted to
use all his knowledge and techniques
for ice fishing and apply them in
open water situations.! So with some
help from a friend who was able to
do some aluminum welding and design, two custom made holes were
made in the boat, complete with 8
inch tubes to fish through.! This
would be just like a hole drilled in
the ice.!
Plugs were also made to cap the
holes so the boat doesn't take on water while moving about.! Actually it's
pretty neat idea, actually ingenious.
I couldn't pass up wanting to ask
Genz if I could see the boat.! Too, I
told him that I'd love to do a TV
show for Illinois Outdoors fishing
out of it.! Genz jumped on the idea
and the next morning we went to
Lake Minnewashta, a local lake
that's just a little south of Minnetonka.
After a 3 minute boat ride, Genz
December 2015
Dave Genz fishes

out of an 8 inch
hole in his boat.
pulled up over a hump that came up

to about 12 feet of water.! Anchors,
bow and stern were dropped and I
soon learned we were on a blue gill
hot spot.! Genz pulled the plugs on
the fishing holes and handed me a 2
foot long ice fishing rod rigged with
an ice jig and some wax worms.
"Drop it down the hole and watch
the flasher.! When you see your jig
get to a foot or two off the bottom
watch for a gill to come up after the
jig." Genz said.
Being a courteous man he pulled
my plug first.! ! And by the time he
got back into his seat and had his
fishing hole opened, I had two 9 inch
blue gills in the boat.! This was
amazing.! ! Never have I ever seen
anything like this nor had a thought
of doing such a thing.... fishing from
a hole in a boat.
You can try doing this over the side
of the boat, but it just doesn't work.!I
tried it and failed. You have to have
the hole that extends below the water's surface.! Short ice rods and a
flasher make the package complete.
We must have caught 30 blue gills,
all nice keeper size, 8 - 10 inches
long from one spot in a couple hours
that morning.! I have to say it again,
it was amazing.!!
This was truly an experience that I
never expected on this trip. It was
fun to fish with Genz and catch some
fish from his holey boat. I cant help
but thing that once people see this
boat on my TV show or read about it
here in Adventure Sports Outdoors
their interest will be peaked too. I
think that people will be amazed to
see how we caught fish using ice
fishing gear and techniques in open
water and there will be an increase in
used jon boat sales.!!
Being in a rig like this showed me
that great fishing is not that far away.
DaveGenz.com
Read Dons blog at

www.illinoisoutdoors.com
051_001.qxd 11/23/15 10:56 PM Page 1
December 2015
This report represents some events

the OLE handled over the last
couple of weeks; however, it does
not include all actions taken by
the Office of Law Enforcement.
July 2015
(Weeks of June 28 July 13)
REGION 1 Captain Laura Petreikis,
District 1 Sgt. T. Petreikis
WHITESIDE Co
While on boat patrol on Pool 14 of the
Mississippi River, CPO Palumbo issued a
citation to a Goose Lake, Iowa, boat operator for operating a watercraft with an insufficient number of wearable PFDs of appropriate size on board.
During the same patrol, another citation
was issued to an Albany man for fishing
with no fishing license and written warnings for no sounding device on board and
no proof of registration renewal.
District 6 Sgt. Hank Frazier, WINNEBAGO Co
When CPO Fraser pulled in to a
Winnebago Co Forest Preserve he observed
a fisherman reeling in a catfish from a
Pecatonica River slough. The man was
pulling the fish on to shore when he turned
around and saw CPO Frasers marked
truck. Immediately after turning around,
the fisherman dropped the pole on the
ground and walked away with the catfish
still on the line. When questioned, the man
stated the pole was not his and he was just
watching it for his friend. Upon further

investigation CPO Fraser discovered five
untagged fishing poles and only one valid
fishing license among the four people in
the area. A verbal warning was given to the
man with the valid fishing license for failure to tag unattended fishing devices and a
citation was issued to the unlicensed fisherman who dropped the pole.
District 7, Sgt. Avery, KNOX Co
CPO Thompson and CPO Lazzell
worked a boat patrol in Knox Co in support of Operation Dry Water. At the close
of the weekend CPO Thompson issued 3
citations and 25 written warnings for boating registration and safety violations.
TAZEWELL Co
CPO VanZant cited two subjects for
fishing without permission of the landowner in Tazewell Co. He was contacted by the
owner of the property who was having
issues with people trespassing.
CPO Gerard completed an investigation
of unlawful possession of an
endangered/threatened ornate box turtle.
CPO Gerard seized the endangered/threatened turtle and has turned it over to one of
the State of Illinois licensed herpetologists.
Enforcement action was taken against the
subject.
REGION 2 Captain Brett Scroggins,
District 3 Sgt. Mark Simon
GRUNDY Co
CPOs Bergland and Wollgast investigated an ATV accident that occurred on the I
& M canal trail. ATVs are prohibited on
the trail. 2-juveniles had unlawfully operated the ATV on the trail and struck a
downed branch, ejecting one of the occupants. Both juveniles refused treatment for
minor injuries, charges pending States
Attorney review.
CPO Anderson issued a citation to a
fisherman on the Illinois River for fishing
without a fishing license.
KANKAKEE Co
CPO Vadbunker checked a subject who
was fishing without a license. A check
revealed that he had an outstanding war-
rant for unlawful possession of cannabis

and was considered armed and dangerous.
The subject was arrested without incident.
WILL Co
CPO Vadbunker was checking fishermen
at Braidwood Lake when she observed a
subject driving a vehicle without brake or
backup lights. A subsequent check of his
drivers license revealed that he was suspended. He was cited for driving while suspended and for driving without insurance.
District 4 Sgt. Bill Shannon, COOK Co
CPO Macias conducted security detail at
William Powers State Fish and Game area,
issued 2 citations for fishing with no license
and no PFD on board a boat.
CPO Whitchurch conducted enforcement on IDNR owned and managed property in Cook Co. A total of 4 citations were
issued for State Park violations along with
14 written warnings. Violations observed
and enforced were: alcohol violations, fishing violations and traffic violations.
PO Whitchurch was on patrol at an
IDNR owned and managed site during the
hours of darkness and well after the area
had been closed to the public. CPO
Whitchurch observed a vehicle being driven
off road to gain unlawful entry into the
area. The CPO then had to locate 2 subjects
who had left the vehicle. CPO Whitchurch
patrolled on foot until he located 2 out of
state residents who were fishing. He
informed the 2 subjects of the regulations
pertaining to use of the State Area. CPO
Whitchurch took enforcement action
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Area after posted closing time, unlawful
operation of a motor vehicle off roadway,
and for unlawfully fishing without a valid
non-resident sport fishing license.
DUPAGE Co
CPO Mooi went to court on an illegal
waterfowl hunting case. The subject pleaded guilty to unlawfully taking a Canada
goose with an air gun and unlawfully taking waterfowl out of season. The subject
was fined $650.00 plus court costs and
given one year of supervision.
LAKE Co
CPO Farber arrested two Chicago men
for failure to immediately release short fish.
The subjects were in possession of an 18
inch Northern Pike.
CPO V. Smith issued 2 written warnings
for fishing without a fishing license and no
salmon stamp, 2 written warnings for no
flares while boating on Lake Michigan, 1written warning for uncovered battery terminals, 7-written warnings for possession
of alcohol in a posted restricted area while
patrolling North Point Marina and Illinois
Beach State Park.
REGION 3 Captain Jim Mayes, District
11 Sgt. Brian McReynolds
MOULTRIE Co
CPO Barnes arrested a Bethany, Findlay
and Sullivan subject for possession of
cannabis and drug paraphernalia on the
Shelbyville Fish and Wildlife Area in
Moultrie Co.
Contd. on next pg.
January
8-9-10
Collinsville, IL
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052_001.qxd 11/23/15 10:53 PM Page 2
52
POLICE Contd. from previous pg.

SHELBY Co
CPOs Mueller and Greuel while on boat
patrol on Lake Shelbyville arrested a
Champaign man for operating a watercraft
under the Influence of alcohol with a .125
BAC after the boat made a wake in a No
Wake area.
CPO Moody cited 3 New Lennox men
at the Lake Mattoon Dam for pollution of
a waterway after they were observed leaving
a large amount of trash along the shore.
CPO Moody & Sgt. McReynolds investigated a pollution case in which a local
company had allowed substances to leave
their property which was causing the water
flowing into a creek nearly a mile away to
be bright red. Investigation continues with
assistance from IL EPA.
CPO Moody cited a Herrick man for
failing to pay camping fees after he continually would camp and sneak out prior to
paying at Hidden Springs State Forest.
District 19 Sgt. John Williamson,
DEWITT Co
CPO Schultz conducted a boat patrol
using the new Sea Ark work boat on
Clinton Lake. Numerous fishing and pleasure boats were checked resulting in seven
written warnings being issued.
VERMILION Co
CPO Cottrell located 2 people from
Indiana fishing along the Vermilion River
south of Danville. One individual fled to a
nearby vehicle while the second subject
attempted to hide fishing poles and other
gear along a nearby trail and wooded area.
CPO Cottrell was able to apprehend both
subjects along with their gear and both
were cited for fishing without a valid nonresident fishing license.
REGION 4 Captain Jamie Maul,
District 9 Sgt. Mark Wagner
ADAMS Co
CPO Myers received info from Scott
Ballard of a pet store in Quincy in possession of 5 live and 4 deceased Bark
Scorpions. Scott Ballard had retrieved
information from Facebook. A woman had
brought back a pregnant Bark Scorpion
and it had died giving birth to eight young.
Bark Scorpions are highly venomous. The
investigation is pending.
District 10 Sgt. Chris Stone, CHRISTIAN Co
CPO Cochran conducted a compliance
check on people he observed fishing. One
of the individuals did not have a fishing
license. While issuing a citation for fishing
without a license, the subject was subsequently found to be wanted on a warrant.
The subject was transported to the
Christian Co Jail.
MENARD Co
CPO Bettis, along with assistance from
Menard Co Rescue, Menard Co Sheriffs
Office, Oakford Fire Dept, and a volunteer
pilot flying a crop dusting plane, located
and rescued a boat accident victim from the
swollen flooded waters of the Sangamon
River near Oakford. The boat had struck a
railroad bridge and capsized, causing the
operator, who was the lone occupant, to be
washed a great distance downstream while
holding onto a floating gas can. The operator, who was not injured, was issued a citation for careless operation of a watercraft.
District 13 Sgt. Eric Manker, MADISON Co
While CPO Rolfingsmeier conducted a
compliance check on a fisherman at
Horseshoe Lake State Park, the fisherman
could not provide a valid sport fishing
license and was wanted on a warrant out of
St. Clair Co. The fisherman was arrested
on the warrant & issued a citation for fishing without a valid fishing license.
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REGION 5 Captain Tim Daiber,

District 14 Sgt. Jeff Cariens
FRANKLIN Co
Several District 14 CPOs patrolled the
waters of Rend Lake for the first annual
Blue Gill Festival. During this patrol CPOs
Jourdan and Johnson arrested intoxicated
boaters. CPO Johnson's OUI registered
.239% while CPO Jourdan's OUI refused
the requested tests. Both intoxicated operators were bonded out of the Franklin Co
Jail. Several thousand people attended the
event which coincided with the fireworks
also displayed at the lake.
Sgt. Cariens issued a citation to a man
who was running a bass tournament on
Rend Lake without a permit. The tournament was held at the Sailboat Harbor the
same time another permitted tournament
was going on. The additional boats and
weigh-in caused unnecessary congestion
and traffic issues around the boat ramps.
District 15 Sgt. Dave Hyatt,
LAWRENCE Co
While patrolling Red Hills State Park,
Sgt Hyatt and CPO D.Taylor, checked 2
fishermen fishing off the boat docks.
Neither of the 2 fisherman had a fishing
license on them. Further investigation
revealed one of the subjects was a sexual
predator. The sexual predator was arrested
and transported to the Lawrence Co Jail.
(Weeks of July 14 July 28)
JO DAVIESS Co
CPO Hoogerwerf patrolled Pool 12 of
the Mississippi River. Written warnings
were issued to 2 kayakers for no water
usage stamps. Another vessel was issued a
warning for no type IV throwables. A
Wisconsin man was issued a ticket for possession of a largemouth bass less than 14
inches.
MERCER Co
CPO Posateri responded to a fish kill in
the Main Ditch near 170th Avenue in New
Boston. The investigation is still ongoing.
December 2015
ROCK ISLAND Co
CPO Posateri responded to a fish kill on
private property in Cordova. The investigation is still ongoing.
REGION 2 Captain Brett Scroggins,
District 2 Sgt. Rich Riedel
LAKE Co
In early May, CPO Semenik arrested a
Lake Villa man for unlawful take of
Canada geese. The subject killed an adult
Canada goose and 5 goslings off his back
porch with a 410 shotgun. This month the
subject was convicted of the charges in
Lake Co Court. The subject was fined
$330 plus a $400 donation to the Illinois
Conservation Police Operations Assistance
Fund; total fines of $730 for the violation.
CPO Semenik arrested a Des Plaines
man for unlawful take of sport fish with an
illegal device on the Fox Chain O' Lakes.
The subject used a cast net to catch and
keep 37 sport fish. The sport fish included
one crappie, one yellow perch, and 35
bluegill and sunfish. The fish were stuffed
into a large bait bucket. Although a cast net
is legal to use for catching bait fish, any
sport fish caught in the net must be immediately released. A few of the fish were
released alive.
GRUNDY Co
CPO Wollgast was checking boats at
Heidecke Lake and found a boat with 2
fishermen that were fishing past closing
hours. One fisherman in the boat did not
have a license and both were in possession
of alcoholic beverages where prohibited.
One fisherman was under the age of 21. In
addition, several boating violations were
found. Citations were issued for the alcohol
violations and warnings issued for the boat
violations and for fishing past closing
hours.
CPO Reid and Sgt. Simon responded to
a fight in progress at Heidecke Lake involving knives. It was determined that a verbal
altercation between two groups of fisher-
053_001.qxd 11/23/15 10:54 PM Page 3
December 2015
men occurred where members of each

group were using racial slurs toward the
other. One group had a subject that had a
filet knife in his hand during the altercation
and another in that group picked up a large
rock from the rip rap and was positioned to
throw it at the other group. A subject in the
other group retrieved a knife and displayed
it during the altercation. No one was physically harmed during the altercation. 3 of
the participants were arrested for disorderly conduct. Grundy Co Sheriff Deputies
assisted the CPOs with scene providing
security during the investigation.
KANKAKEE Co
CPO Vadbunker was patrolling
Kankakee River State Park when she found
a male who advised that his 2 female
friends had just launched inflatable kayaks
into the flooded and closed Kankakee
River. They quickly became caught in the
strong current and the females told the
male to pick them up downstream. This all
was occurring at dark. CPO Vadbunker
contacted park workers to begin shoreline
searches and made arrangements to have
another CPO bring a boat to attempt to
locate the females. A short while later the
females were found within the park on the
shoreline. Each of the females was issued
citations for unlawfully boating in a closed
waterway, no PFDs, unlawful possession of
alcohol in a restricted area, failure to display a water usage stamp, and for being in
the park after closing hours. The male was
cited for unlawful possession of alcohol in
a restricted area.
CPO Vadbunker cited 2 subjects who
were fishing on the Kankakee River for
unlawfully possessing three smallmouth
bass in the protected slot of 12-18 inches.
WILL Co
CPO Honiotes investigated a TIP
(Target Illinois Poachers) complaint of taking undersized bass and over-limit of bass.
The complaint was unfounded.
While patrolling the I & M Canal in
Grundy Co CPO Honiotes came across a
group of 3 men & 2 young children walk-
ing with a large cooler, tackle boxes and

multiple fishing poles. When asked if they
had any luck, the men said they had caught
some fish, which were in the cooler. While
inspecting the fish in the cooler, which had
been cleaned, one of the young children
stated but good luck, because he wasnt
fishing pointing to one of the men.
Interviews were performed revealing all 3
men had been fishing. The man, who initially lied about not fishing, was issued a
citation for unlawful fishing without a valid
sport fishing license. The 2nd man was
issued a citation for unlawful fishing without a valid sport fishing license after
attempting to pass his brothers license off
as his own. The 3rd man was issued a citation for pollution of a waterway for throwing the fish entrails back into the water
after cleaning the fish. Further investigation is pending.
District 4 Sgt. Bill Shannon, COOK Co
CPO Whitchurch conducted enforcement on IDNR owned and managed property in Cook Co. A total of 5 citations were
issued for state park violations, Illinois
Vehicle Code violations, and a sport fishing
regulation violation. One subject was
arrested for operating a motor vehicle without a valid drivers license.
CPO Macias was called out to La Grange
on a wounded coyote. Upon arrival he
spotted a coyote under a residential deck
with its right hind leg at an odd angle.
Residents reported it had been there for a
few hours and was growling and menacing
area kids and pets. CPO Macias requested
a local Police Dept officer to be present in
order to dispatch the coyote. CPO Macias
removed the coyote by dismantling (with
the homeowners assistance) the deck and
bagging the animal. Upon closer inspection
CPO Macias determined the coyote had
been in a fight with another animal, most
likely another coyote.
CPO Macias was patrolling at William
Powers State Fish and Game area when he
spotted a man cleaning/filleting fish by
Stateline Road. The subject was throwing
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the entrails back into Wolf Lake, a violation of the fishing statute. CPO Macias
confronted the subject and asked where he
had filleted the two trout and one bass in
his possession. The subject told CPO
Macias he had filleted them in another
location and the entrails were inside a
trashcan. When CPO Macias checked the
trash can, there were no entrails to be
found. After a careful search, CPO Macias
noticed them in the water where the subject was fishing. The subject was written
for placing fish parts along a waterway.
REGION 3 Captain Jim Mayes, District
11 Sgt. Brian McReynolds
CUMBERLAND Co
CPOs Barnes & Moody assisted several
landowners with a timber investigation of a
possible unlawful cutting of timber. They
spoke to the timber buyer and determined
the contract and sale was made by one of
the owners of the joint ownership property.
MOULTRIE Co
CPO Moody checked a group of fishermen out of Missouri on the Kaskaskia
River at Denham Pit Access Area. CPO
Moody cited a man for failure to release a
short bass as well as issued multiple citations and warnings for fishing with no valid
fishing license.
SHELBY Co
CPO Moody cited a local business for
pollution of a waterway for allowing red
ink to enter a creek southwest of
Shelbyville.
Sgt. McReynolds responded to a complaint of subjects in the roadway at the
Copeland Bridge on the Kaskaskia River in
Shelby Co. A Neoga man was issued a citation for parking in a marked no parking
area.
District 19 Sgt. John Williamson,
MACON Co
CPO Wright and his intern were working fishermen late one night on Lake
Decatur and recognized one individual
who he had arrested earlier in the year for
no valid fishing license. CPO Wright again
checked the Decatur man and he was
found to be again without a fishing license
and also in possession of drug paraphernalia and cannabis. The Decatur man stated
that he guesses he is just a good customer
to the IDNR.
Contd. on next pg.
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054_001.qxd 11/23/15 10:52 PM Page 4
54
POLICE Contd. from previous pg.

REGION 4 Captain Jamie Maul, District
9 Sgt. Mark Wagner
BROWN Co
CPO Blakeley has been working a turkey
case for the past year. Recently, the Brown
Co State's Attorney filed 5 charges against a
subject: 1) Hunting without a valid permit;
2) Hunting without permission of landowner; 3) Hunting from a vehicle; 4) Illegal
transportation of an uncased firearm; 5)
Unlawful use of illegal shot size. The subject
pleaded guilty to hunting turkeys without a
valid permit and hunting lands of another
without permission. All other charges were
dismissed. The subject paid a total of $707
in fines and fees.
GREENE Co
CPO Goetten received info from CPO
Isaac Gerard and his intern regarding a subject who harvested an over the limit of
turkeys in 2015 and used his father's permits
to tag several deer over the last few years in
Greene Co. The subject was interviewed and
he admitted to the violations. He was issued
2 citations and an 8 point buck shoulder
mount was seized.
HANCOCK Co
CPO Wheatley was checking fishermen in
Pontoosuc, when he observed a family fishing. While checking licenses, one man did
not have one. He ran the man on IWIN to
ascertain his identity for the written warning
he was receiving. While doing so, CPO
Wheatley found the subject was wanted on a
Henderson Co warrant. He was arrested and
transported to Dallas City Police Dept
where he was extradited by Henderson Co
Sheriff.
District 13 Sgt. Eric Manker, CLINTON
Co
CPO Liebl & Sgt. Manker assisted the
Clinton Co Sheriffs Office in searching for
a missing man. The man left the night

before to check his trot lines. When he did
not return that evening, his wife went looking for him. She found his canoe floating
along the shore in some flooded timber with
no sign of the fisherman. CPO Liebl & Sgt.
Manker used side scan sonar to clear the
creek channel near the canoe. Divers were
called to search the shallow flooded timber.
The body of the fisherman was located in
the flooded timber just down from where
the canoe was found.
MADISON Co
CPO Rolfingsmeier while working sport
fishing enforcement at Horseshoe Lake State
Park, came across a fishermen fishing and
conducted a compliance check on the fisherman. The fisherman had a resident sport
fishing license, but a Missouri fishing
license. CPO Rolfingsmeier asked the fisherman when did he move to Illinois and the
fisherman informed him he moved to IL 3
days ago. CPO Rolfingsmeier saw that the
fisherman had a Mo fishing license and
asked the fisherman if he could see it and the
fisherman gave him his Mo fishing license.
After inspecting the Mo fishing license,
CPO Rolfingsmeier saw that the Mo fishing
license had the same address as his Mo drivers license. After conducting a sales record
search it was discovered that the fisherman
has been buying both resident fishing licenses for both states at a bait shop in St. Louis.
When questioned, the fisherman admitted
to using a friends address in Illinois to be
able to buy resident IL fishing licenses. CPO
Rolfingsmeier contacted an MDC agent to
investigate the bait shop in St. Louis. The
fisherman was cited for fishing without a
valid license and falsification of records to
obtain a resident IL fishing license.
CPO French and CPO Rolfingsmeier
arrested 2 male subjects fishing without permission on Metro Sanitation District Canal
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ST. CLAIR Co
CPO Rolfingsmeier, while working sport
fishing enforcement at Peabody River King
State Park, conducted a compliance check
on 2 fishermen coming back into the boat
launch. CPO Rolfingsmeier asked the fishermen if they had caught any fish and one of
the fishermen said they caught a bunch of
bluegill, a few catfish and a perch. CPO
Rolfingsmeier asked them if they caught any
bass and they said no. CPO Rolfingsmeier
inspected the contents of the live well and at
the bottom CPO Rolfingsmeier found a
largemouth bass. When CPO Rolfingsmeier
pulled out the bass one fishermen said oh,
say I forgot we I caught a bass. The CPO
measured the bass which was 12 in length.
Peabody River King State Park has a 15
minimum length limit on largemouth bass.
The fisherman was issued a citation for
unlawful possession of a short largemouth
bass.
REGION 5 Captain Tim Daiber, District
14 Sgt. Jeff Cariens
FRANKLIN Co
CPO Lay issued a citation to a Franklin
Co man for fishing at the Rend Lake
Spillway without a license.
CPO Diggins and CPO Lay conducted
boat patrols on Rend Lake. CPO Diggins
issued 2 citations for CPO Diggins responded to a trailer court in Franklin Co where a
complaint was received regarding a deceased
skunk left in a live trap. It was determined
that the park manager had set the trap and
failed to check the trap. The manager failed
to obtain a nuisance permit before setting
the trap. He was issued a citation for no nuisance permit.
GALLATIN Co
CPO Folden responded to a report of a
poached deer in Gallatin Co. CPO Folden
located the deer which had been shot very
recently. The 10 point buck with a kicker
still had blood running from the bullet holes.
This case is under investigation.
CPO Johnson investigated an approximately 140 class deer, in velvet, that was shot
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interviewed a subject and discovered intelligence to assist with the investigation.
District 15 Sgt. Dave Hyatt, EFFINGHAM Co
CPO Smith issued a written warning to a
subject for possession of a whitetail fawn.
The fawn was seized by CPO Smith 2 weeks
prior and taken to a rehabilitator. CPO
Smith was able to catch the subject at his residence where he was educated on Illinois
laws pertaining to possessing wildlife.
WAYNE Co
CPO Smith issued a citation to a person
for riding an ATV into Sam Dale Lake State
Park. CPO Smith issued a citation to a
watercraft operator for no life jackets aboard
his boat. CPO Smith issued a written warning to the ATV operator for operating it
without insurance. CPO Smith issued the
watercraft operator one written warning for
fire extinguisher, one written warning for
battery, one written warning for sounding
device, and one written warning for expired
registration.
District 16 Sgt. Kris Taylor, ALEXANDER Co
CPO Vasicek and Intern Newbold were
on patrol within Horseshoe Lake State Fish
& Wildlife Area. He located 5 subjects fishing. 4 out of the 5 did not have proper
licensing. One subject had a warrant for his
arrest for drug charges and extensive criminal history. He was taken into custody and
additional drugs were located on his person
during the search. Multiple fishing and drug
charges were issued.
JACKSON Co
CPO Mohrman was notified by Natural
Heritage Biologist Scott Ballard of a subject
posing for a photograph with a large dead
timber rattlesnake. The picture was taken in
the parking lot of the Kinkaid Lake Marina
and the posting on the subject's Facebook
page stated it was found near the marina.
The subject was tracked down and the 55
inch roadkill rattlesnake was recovered. The
subject was warned not to pick up endangered species along the roadway anymore.
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055_001.qxd 11/23/15 11:35 PM Page 1
December 2015
CAMPFIRE
CULTURE:
by Roland Cheek
www.RolandCheek.com
INCREDIBLE PERSONA
Like me, the guy grows long in
the tooth and he's a tad on the
pudgy side. He peers nearsightedly
over the tops of his glasses and his
cheeks are perpetually flushed by
spending large amounts of time
outdoors in all kinds of weather.
Unlike me, the guy has hairlots
of hair. But like my little, his lot is
white.
He laughs often and smiles a
bunch and if you ran a popularity
contest, he'd win hands down in
any land on earthwith the possi-
ble exception of Bashars Syria, or

maybe the ayatollahs' Iran.
But the queer thing about this bird
is his popularity is based on no
known public relations script. He
employs no Madison Avenue advertising agency, no political advisors,
no Gallup or Yankelovitch polling
service. Yet his popularity consistently exceeds that of Pope or
politician and Beavis and Butthead
combined.
He has, of course, a hammerlock
on the media. Word of him builds
steadily to a crescendo, always
reached in each year's waning days.
He's celebrated in song and verse;
stories are written about him; his
profile is favorably and often visited by artists of all stripes. Yet he
wears atrocious clothing that is
gaudily colored to attract attention.
His public appearances are
pompous and dictatorial.
Refreshingly, the guy eschews
corporate giants or politicians with
influence to treat with the commonest of commoners who stand in line,
sometimes for hours, to sit on his
knee and spill their woes. Wisely
this man with no talent for diplomacy slants his appeal to the young,
assuring a consistent cadre of sup-
port into perpetuity.!!!!!

Still, his popularity cannot be
well understood for he keeps his
tradesmen in bondage and uses animals harshly and without relief.
He, himself, works but one
evening per year. And while it cannot be argued that the guy in the
red suit works like a Trojan when
he works, one cannot but wonder
how Santa Claus supports the missus and himself during the rest of
the year? Is he on public dole?
Certainly there must be a horde of
creditors after the guy. I mean, the
heating bill along for a tawdry
shack in northern climes would
break J.P. Morgan ... before taxes.
Think for a moment the cost of
mail delivery to the rest of us taxpayers. Gearing up for hauling tons
of mail to the frozen North must
cost the U.S. Postal Service an arm
and a legour arm and leg.
Without mail delivery to the North
Pole, we could probably return to
the 3-cent stamp. Or at least the 29cent stamp.
What prompts this tirade?
The best reason:! I recently
passed through a shopping mall on
my way to an ice cream stand.
While entering I was accosted by
55
bell ringing, red-suited Santas

exhibiting forced smiles.! To top
that, I had to fight my way through
more tinsel-draped trees than
abounds in a snow-laden spruce
forest. What's worse is the line I
thought led to the ice cream counter, wound to the knee of a unionsuited, white-haired and long
bearded fat old guy who exhibited
a cheer he could in no way realistically possess.!
I know this because all his charm
melted like a July snowbank when
I reached the head of the line and
took my place.
"Does this mean I won't get my
Zeiss 10X50's again this year?" I
asked.
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056_001.qxd 11/24/15 9:34 AM Page 1
56
Gunsmithing with Kirby Schupp
December 2015
Suppose you were in a duck blind, and lost your balance toward the boat
gunwale. Of the two choices presented, falling overboard into icy water is
less desired than using your shotgun for an emergency pole. The normal
afterthought would be to upend the gun and pour out the retained fluids
The Shotgun Shop PO Box 212 Arnold, MO 63010
posthaste. Getting your buddies to stop laughing is another matter alto636-282-4379
gether.
Some designs of firearms are less susceptible to damage from retention
theshotgunshop@hotmail.com TheShotgunShop.net
of
wet muck and fluid, but all will benefit from comprehensive disassem12 years published in ASO Magazine!
bly and cleaning after such an occurrence and the sooner the better.
Unnecessary and continued delay allows corrosion to gain more than a
foothold. A flushing spray and wipe-down may mitigate the progression in the more easily reached recesses, but there can be no assurance that the deeper recesses have been untouched and thus unharmed or could
have similarly reduced damage from any spray that
might have reached. The initial opening of the buttstock for this subject item showed stark proof of the
folly of delay.
The recoil pad has a steel stiffener plate that suffers
from excess rust from continued moisture presence.
The water retention of a hollow synthetic stock can be
quite efficient since the factory normally doesnt install
drainage holes. Water may be able to enter through the
action spring tube but not have any way to exit, since
the hollow area can hold water like a boat hull. The
recoil pad screws were very difficult to break free of
the rust grip in the plastic, and wooden stock may very
well have had the wood tear free with the threads when
the screw is first rotated. I did have such an example
recently, and trying to soak screws with penetrant when
in that type of location is almost impossible due to surrounding parts that plug the tiny gaps that sprays penetrate.
These next pictures show the previously mentioned
steel stiffener plate rust and residuals left that contaminated the recoil pad recess of the stock. The interior
wall of the adjacent hollow area appeared vaporVehicle Title
sprayed with a rust fogger due to proximity to the rust& License Services
ing nut, spring tube, and pad plate.
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When corrosion progresses unchecked, a point

arrives where parts are mated so intimately that successful disassembly may elude (even) an expert.
Attempting to force a rusted nut, even after soaking
with penetrant, could, in extreme cases, cause a twisting distortion to the action spring tube, as well as crack
or split the nut with brute-force methods. Heavy rust
can reduce the strength present to a level insufficient to
withstand otherwise typical removal forces. The action
spring tube nut was definitely needing several liberal
doses of a high-grade rust penetrant (KROIL) before
the nut would yield to the beefy screwdriver. Similar
extreme situations had the stock nut so thoroughly
bound that the slot became a weak point and a chunk
came off one side from driver force, thus requiring a
tedious and careful application of metal removal to
057_001.qxd 11/24/15 9:33 AM Page 1
December 2015
split off the remainder and save the stock.

The synthetic factory stock construction has a gap around the action
spring tube for most of its length and provides a prime area for accumulating mud mixed with vegetation particles. A wooden stock would have been
likely to freeze to the tube with rust and wood fiber expansion, but this synthetic stock did not require monumental effort to dislodge and unscrewed
by rotation combined with tugging. This shotgun was factory camouflaged
with some amount applied to the action spring tube, and was sufficient to
make the rusting of the tube exterior less severe and more localized than a
standard non-camod gun would have exhibited. The spring retaining pin is
underneath the muck remaining on the threads in the close-up image on the
end.
Once the stock
was freed and the
action spring was
removed,
the
amount of internalized corrosion
was able to be
examined. The
spring retaining
pin was encrusted, even after a cleaning cycle in the ultrasonic machine,
but these minor parts are economical to replace. The nut exterior was showing considerable pitting that nobody would prefer, especially on the exterior of the firearm. The internal view of the nut shows a need for a good stiff
wire brush and another cleaning cycle prior to return to service. That view
might give you an idea of the amount of adhesion initially present.
Rust and pitting on spring coils is bound to increase drag during operation to at least some degree. Rust occurrence inside the action spring tube
requires special remediation, since the tube is not a normal replacement
57
item
best
replaced at the
factory at considerable cost
but worth doing
in factory set-ups
used in manufacture. If a pitted
spring must be
temporarily returned to service and has one end more severely pitted,
locate that end at the lesser motion end of the action to minimize any drag
increase.
After removal of the dried muck on the exterior of the action spring tube,
localized rust was pictured prior to removal with light pressure with steel
wool, to minimize removal of any of the remaining camo finish.
Compare that before picture to the one taken next.
Prior to reassembly of a mechanism that has had internal corrosion

cleaned as best as possible, consider application of resistant or barrier
products that protect against moisture. Conversion products that alter the
chemical makeup of the remainder rust may have use in these situations,
provided that the corrosion process is halted and no residue of chemicals
remains to affect adjacent materials. There must not be any side effect reactions (excess oil or grease against wood, for example) or reduction of function reliability (during climate change, for instance) when, for instance,
grease packing might thicken from a drop in temperature and cause malfunction.
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058_001.qxd 11/24/15 11:26 AM Page 1
58
STRICTLY MY
OPINION:
Fixing Illinois
Whitetail Management
By Les Davenport
Foremost, the present deer program
manager, a guy oblivious to sound wildlife
management, needs to be replaced with a
proven professional. Illinoisan deserve a
person who sees our whitetail population
as an asset, not a nuisance species. The
newly appointed Director undoubtedly
should be the first sent packing; after all,
he retained this guy who allowed our herd
to reach an all-time low.
If were ever to reset the whitetails glory years in Illinois, many changes need to
happen ASAP. Firstly, the statewide limit
on bucks should be one. Yes, one! Harvest it with any legal weapon, but one only antlered buck for residents or non-residents. When I asked our present deer program manager, on multiple occasions over
the years, why not change to a one buck
limit, his answer was, to paraphrase, Not
that many hunters kill two bucks.
Very true, the majority of deer hunters
dont harvest two antlered deer. But this is
not the issue. Simply allowing a two-buck
limit causes even experienced hunters to

be less picky on that first buck. A large
majority of archers and firearm hunters
will harvest something decent and then
hold out for what they consider a real trophy, a buck of a lifetime. Can you imagine
the thousands upon thousands of twoyear-old buck skull plates that are tossed
in the corner of a garage or nailed on a
shed walldeer that were never truly appreciated when shot. Why not leave these
bucks for our fledgling hunters and those
who sincerely enjoy the hunt solely for
comradery and venison?
A one-buck limit would encourage socalled trophy hunters to judge antlers
more effectively. And proficiency in determining antler quality induces restraint
that turns want-to-be trophy hunters into
true
connoisseurs of the sport. A two-buck limit also keeps too many hunters in the
woods for too many hours, therefore putting undue pressure on a resource that is
besieged by disease and lack of management.
In regard to non-residents, Iowa has the
right idea, as does other better managed
deer-hunting states. They allow a grand
total of 6500 out-of-state licenses for
bucks (combination bow and gun). Illinois total should approximate about the
same. Instead, our IDNR allows, for the
December 2015
most part, nearly

unlimited nonresident buck
tags. Non-residents can kill
two bucks per
year, one with
bow and one
with gun. This is
poor deer management at its utmost!
Im not against
non-resident
hunting or outfitting. It is my
firm belief that
any non-resident
A one-buck limit in Illinois would insure our
willing to invest fledgling hunters a better chance of filling their tag.
in Illinois by
It would also force experience hunters, especially
buying 40 acres
trophy seekers, to choose more wisely. Featured in
or more, should
this photo is Luke Davenport, the author's
have the same
grandson who lives and hunts in Ohio where a
rights and permit
one-buck limit is rule.
and license costs
as residents. After all, they would be paymost of which do not pay income tax they
ing property taxes just the same as resident
fairly owe. Low-grade outfitters deal in
landowners. Outfitters? Thats completely
cash and easily circumvent the IDNRs soanother bailiwick.
called monitoring system. Reward repOnly 6500 buck permits available for
utable outfittersthose with proven renon-residents would help eliminate the
sources and tax statementswith an allotsurplus of substandard Illinois outfitters.
ment of guaranteed non-resident buck liThis includes those with no principles,
censes. I live in an area of western Illinois
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059_001.qxd 11/24/15 11:21 AM Page 1
December 2015
tion should be
evaluated annually by a regional
deer biologist in
conjunction with
game
warden
and
hunter
Some
input.
counties with
likenesses could
be lumped and
micro managed
by a tri-county
structure.
There should
be no fewer deer
biologist than
five and at least
Each year Illinois' Whitetail Classic becomes less
one
game warden
of an attraction due to the state's depleting trophy
for
every of
status. Only improved deer management by proven
Illinois
102
professionals will ever turn this situation around.
counties. A mulAs of late, this has not happened.
tiple CPO force
is definitely needed in counties that deal
that is overwhelmed with outfitters. For
with high levels of deer and waterfowl
every one that is legitimate, five could
hunting.
care less about anything but padding their
With this type of management implewallets however possible. And this, for
mentation, a county experiencing a severe
sure, is promoted by our IDNRs lack of
population downturn, whether by disease
deer management.
or overharvest, could be cut to a permit
Secondly, permit issuance should be
issuance of one either-sex tag, for examexclusively on a county-specific merit
ple. In the case of overpopulation, more
which takes in consideration herd stabilipermit issuance and lengthened seasons
ty, increase or decrease. This determina-
BACKCOUNTRY HUNTS
59
could occur. Yes,

this responsible
management of
the
resource
requires hunter
integrity, game
warden legwork,
and field appearances by deer
biologist, but the
alternative
is
ugly; its what we
have in Illinois
todaymanagement by default.
The default factor is frankly
management by With a higher level of deer management in Illinois,
deer-vehicle colour youth have a better chance of staying involved
lision. And thats
in the sport. This is Jesse Stay of Mt. Sterling,
not even moniIllinois
and his great trophy of 2011. Fewer bucks
tored with any
of this category occur in Illinois every year,
degree of accucausing non-resident hunters to look at
rate repute.
alternative states to hunt.
When considour IDNR Directors of late are puppets of
ering the monetary income our IDNR
the Governor; they are not willing to
receives from all resident and non-resistand up for wildlife. Sportsmen need to
dent sportsmen, the above changes in the
voice their objections through clubs and
deer program could easily be accomorganizations that volley for wildlife
plished with suitable IDNR professionals.
improvement. Dont complacently stand
Too many of our wildlife funds are
by the sidelines. Every voice matters!
siphoned off to Chicago and not used for
Every opinion matters!
the betterment of wildlife. Too many of
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060_001.qxd 11/24/15 12:42 PM Page 1
60
MINNESOTA MEMOIRS
Let's Go!Shopping Today By Dave Evans
Readers of MEMOIRS might deduce that all life in Minnesota revolves around Nokay Lake, fishing,
gardens, and gatherings! And that
would be right! Mostly! Sometimes,
however, we make day trips to towns
and events in order to vary the activities during the May-September season. Most notable are "shopping"
trips to Walker and Nisswa, and
events in Aitkin, Deerwood, Pequot
Lakes, and Little Falls. The Antique
shops of Crosby also serve as a diversion!! All are unique as they
maintain part of that small town allure which is missing or disappearing
from much of America's landscape.
My earliest memories are of Nisswa, a small town about a half hour
north of Brainerd. When I was
still a boy, we
visited there because we had
heard of the
weekly
turtle
races, held in the
parking lot of a
furniture store.
Kids could bring
their own turtles
or borrow one
for the competition. The notable
shops were really
souvenir places
also selling moccasins:
The
Totem Pole and
Zaiser's. Since Maudie hanging
those early days, Nisswa has developed into a tourist destination with
shops for every taste and pocketbook. With the growth of Gull Lake
as a place of summer and weekend
homes, the town has grown to accommodate the variety of consumers, from the "ordinary" to the
wealthy. Some of the old charm remains, but now it is busy, busy during the Season.
Walker is about an hour north of
Brainerd, on the southern shore of
Leech Lake! I first visited there with
Bob Johnson to see Reed's Sporting
Goods store. Very Impressive! And
still is, even more so. Reed's handles
all the guns!for Ducks Unlimited, and
I had reason to visit there this year
for the THREE
guns I won
through DU!
But beyond
Reed's, Walker
has a bustling
downtown lined
with shops of variety in merchandise and expense.
Christmas Point
and Wild Rice
Co. Is a favorite,
and they have a
huge store in
Brainerd, Clothing, furnishings,
art, souvenirs,
diners, etc. are
available for a
out in the chair little time or a lot!
One of my favorites, The Shirt Shop,

is gone now, but what bargains!!
Hooded T-shirts for $1.98? And no
tax on clothing in Minnesota!
Aitkin's Sidewalk Sale Days has faded in quantity and quality, but a trip
to Butler's old department store was
worth the trip, Bean Hole Days in Pequot Lakes is a summer "must" for
many. I can't explain the process and
tradition of the preparation of THE
BEANS, but the fest is fun, and the
beans are tasty. The Craft Fair in Little Falls (Lindbergh's hometown) is
Much larger than Pekins Marigold
Festival's Art in the Park, Katie,
Kristi, and Bev have been venturing
there for several years. An all-day affair, the ladies leave early in the
morning and return late! Some Quality cabin things from Little Falls.
Crosby, home of the Ya Betcha Bar
and Grill, is also home to innumerable antique shops and some of the
finest bicycle trails anywhere, and
beautiful lakes formed from old
open-pit iron mines. We have visited
the Grill often, frequented the antique shops, and viewed the deepwater lakes (and fished them). We're
not so familiar with the bike trails,
which range in difficulty from easy
to travel at your own risk!!! Dairy
Queen in Crosby! That's Important!
Deerwood's Days, the usual small
town "festival," has lost some of its
appeal, but we purchased almost All
of our cabin's furniture from Deerwood Furniture! After looking elsewhere first, we always go back to
Deerwood for what we wanted! But
Roy's Cafe is gone, and has been for
years. A Real Piece of America
Gone.
Of course shopping almost always
include a trip to Mills' Fleet-Farm in
Brainerd! If Fleet doesn't have it, you
don't need it. Now with a shooting
December 2015
Nokay neighbors & good friend

Kristi and Bella paddleboating
range across the street, Fleet is a
store which does seem to have it All!
A map is helpful for first-time visitors!
Now that two months have passed
since closing, we have only five
more until OPENING!!!
Duck and goose seasons, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve,
college Bowl Games, NFL playoffs
and Super Bowl, spring training and
baseball's first month, and then
MAY!!
January15 is mid-way! But who's
counting! We used to wait for 50
weeks to return to The Lake! Now a
mere 7 months!
I was thinking about the old days
of the Hugo Larson Resort again
when I received pictures from Bob
and Muff showing hunting success,
especially for their grandchildren!
Life is good at the Lake, even now! It
won't be long before we turn onto
County 8 and be reminded that, "It
seems like only yesterday"!
Thanks, Mom and Dad!
MOTEL ALWAYS OPEN!
Big Musky Resort on the Chippewa FlowageFamily Fun year -round fishing, hunting, snow mobiling or just getting away.
Big Musky Resort 10211 W. Big Musky Rd. Hayward, WI 54843 715-462-3782 www.BigMuskyResort.com
061_001.qxd 11/24/15 12:40 PM Page 1
December 2015
61
Beautiful Nokay sunrise
Welcome to
Nokay
Thanks
Mom & Dad!
Cabin before the big dead tree was removed.
GREAT SELECTION OF BEER, WINE &

SPIRITS. LARGE VARIETY OF VAPING
& E-CIGS, FLAVORS & SUPPLIES!
DECEMBER SPECIALS
Miller Lite 12pk. 16oz. Cans ...........Only $8.99
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T REMONT CAR CONNECTION
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062_001.qxd 11/24/15 2:36 PM Page 1
62
NORTH ALABAMA LAKES ARE GREAT

FOR CATCHING BIG BLUE CATFISH
By: Brian Barton
If you are looking to catch a trophy-size blue catfish, the Tennessee River lakes in northwest Alabama are the place to go.
Muscle Shoals, Ala., fishing guide Brian Barton calls Wilson, Wheeler and Pickwick lakes
on the Tennessee River some of the best places in America to fish for big blues.
Every time I go fishing on the Tennessee, I expect to catch a 20 pounder, Barton said.
Thirty-to-40-pound blues (catfish) are pretty common and 50 pounders are not unheard
of. Theres a good number of 60 plus pounds fish out there, but they are really hard to catch.
A fish doesnt live that long and get that big unless they are pretty smart. Its pretty hard to
fool one that big and get them to bite.
For Barton, and other diehard catfish anglers along the Tennessee River, finding where
the really big ones live and figuring out what it will take to make them bite is a never ending quest.
Barton, a former teacher, helped pay for his college tuition by working as a commercial
fisherman. He studied the Tennessee River and spent many hours talking to veteran fishermen in order to learn where to place his trotlines to ensure bountiful catches of catfish. He
later worked as mussel diver, which allowed him to see the Tennessee River from down below and get an up close look at where the biggest catfish liked to hangout.
He now uses that intimate knowledge of the Tennessee River to help him find big catfish
for his customers.
Bartons favorite bait for catching blue catfish is large chunks of skipjack shad (a type of
herring that lives in the Tennessee River) He also uses other species of shad. He said a good
catfish angler keeps a cutting board and a sharp knife in the boat for preparing bait.
When targeting big blue catfish, Barton uses big bait, typically a 4 inches- to 6-incheslong chunk of shad. For smaller blue catfish, or channel catfish, Barton uses a small chunk
of shad, usually about 2 inches to 3 inches long.
In addition to using big baits, Barton uses heavy equipment when fishing for trophy sized
catfish.
He likes to use BnM brand Silver Cat or Magnum Series fishing rods rigged with 80-
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December 2015
pound test vicious

brand braided line.
A 2-feet- to 3-feetlong section of 40to 50-pound test
monofilament
leader is used to attach a Daiichi
branch circle fishhook to the main
line. He said the circle-shaped fishhooks
reduce the amount
of missed bites when
fishing is deep water. At times, espeBrian Barton with a 56-pound blue catfish
cially during the
caught on Wilson Lake.
summer, Barton
catches catfish at
depths of 60 feet or
deeper. Circle hooks
cause fish to hook
themselves when
they bite a bait and
begin to swim away,
rather than they anglers having to tug
on the line to set the
hook, which is difficult when fishing at
extreme
depths.
Barton likes to use
blood red colored
fishhooks.
Theres nothing
Brian lifts another catfish
else on the Tenfrom Wilson Lake.
nessee River that
fights like a big, trophy size catfish, Barton said. A lot of people dont realize you dont
have to go fishing in the ocean to catch a 40 or 50 pound, or even Barton fishes from a custom-built War Eagle brand aluminum boat, that is designed to navigate the swift water below Tennessee Valley Authority dams, where some of the biggest fish in the river live, and
to allow Barton and his customers land big catfish when plenty of room to move around on
the metal deck.
Barton said the possibility of catching a 40 pounds- to 50-pounds catfish brings anglers
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063_001.qxd 11/24/15 2:38 PM Page 1
December 2015
from throughout the

country to the
Tennessee Valley.
Susann Hamlin,
President and CEO
of Colbert County
Tourism
and
Convention Bureau
in Tuscumbia, Ala.,
said spring is the
most popular time
for catfish anglers
from other states to
visit Colbert County
to fish for giantsized catfish.
March and April
are my favorite
times to fish for catfish
on
the
Tennessee River,
Barton said You
can load the boat
with 20, 30 and 40
pounders. You can
catch big fish
throughout the year
with the exception
of the very hottest
part of the summer
when they are really
deep and usually
refuse to bite but
63
they best time to fish for them is in the spring.

Brian Barton can be reached at 256-412-0969 or brianbartonoutoors@aol.com. For more
information about fishing opportunities in Pickwick or Wilson Lakes, contact Colbert
County Tourism and Convention Bureau at 256-383-0783, colberttourism@comcast.net.
Brian waits for a catfish to bite as the

sun sets over the Tennessee River.
Brian Barton's boat is made

especially for catfishing.
Congratulations to Jenny Mueller for catching this 6 lb. bass

on Oct. 25 in Mulkeytown, IllinoisWOW!!
Way to go JennyIts a giant! AWESOME fishing!
Thanks to Janette Roule for sharing Jennys bass with ASO!
Brian waits for a catfish to bite as the

sun sets over the Tennessee River.
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064_001.qxd 11/24/15 8:34 PM Page 1
64
ASO ENDORSED
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Often referred to as fly-over land, there is
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I started this company because celebrating life in the middle is personal to me. My
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we tailgate in cold parking lots around the
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December 2015
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065_001.qxd 11/24/15 8:31 PM Page 1
December 2015
65
Congratulations to
Davie Swan!
He took this buck
early evening in
Dewitt County
on 11/6/15.
you want it to be.

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066_001.qxd 11/24/15 9:02 PM Page 1
66
www.LakeShelbyvilleGuide.com
C h r i st m a s I d e a s
fo r t h e
O utd o o rs m a n
By Steve Welch
I have had so much pressure from regulars to put

out my 2016 schedule that my first week I booked
half my walleye trips for May and June. I rig my boat
up to fish just for them from May 15th on through June
15th. Sometimes you can go a little longer. I am also
guiding on Kentucky Lake from March 20th on
through April 20th. Some of those trips are gone as
well.
630 McCawley Ave.

P.O. Box 75 Flora, IL62839
(618) 662-2641
www.carcorralpolaris.com
ILLINOIS LARGEST POLARIS DEALER

2013 Polaris Industries
Sportsman 500 H.O.
A gift certificate of a guided fishing trip for that special fisher person in your life is by far the best thing
they will have setting under the Christmas tree. All
you need to do is go to my online store and purchase
one and my wife will mail you a certificate to put under the tree good for a guided trip for two anglers.
Everything provided but your lunch.
Our online store is another place you can go to
stock his or hers tackle box with one of a kind lures
that you just cant go down the tackle store and purchase. These are all handmade.
Just because it is December does not mean that I
am not still out chasing crappie. We are supposed to
have a mild winter and you can still catch crappie on
through December and this is when they are bunched
up and we get the biggest fish of the year.
It is all about jig fishing and downsizing. I have
been fishing the big baits all through November my 2
and even 3-inch baits on heavier jigs the fish can see
plainly. The crappie are all about bulking up for win-
December 2015
ter. Once we get into December I switch over to my

smallest 3/32oz. jigs the 1 1/2 inch plastics and
even go down to light mono that falls slower.
The crappie have slowed down and the water temps
are in the high thirties but this does not mean they are
not active. I have seen plenty of days that the fish are
so bunched up that you can get thirty or more off the
end of a down tree. This is when we always get a couple over two pounds. Lake Shelbyville is more known
as a numbers lake that you can catch a million crappie but few huge ones. Well this is not the case in November and December. The big fish pull out of the
rivers and make their way back to the lake and if you
can intercept them your chances of a wall hanger is
pretty good.
I will be at several in-state fishing shows starting
with the Lets Go Fishing Show in Collinsville at the
Gateway Center on January 8, 9, 10. Then off to the
Interstate Center in Bloomington on January 22, 23,
24. Then we head way north to Tinley Park February
13 & 14 (Sat. & Sun.) Then lastly we go to the Elmwood Show March 5 & 6. We will once again be giving
seminars at all the shows and have a booth set up to
display our products and book trips for 2016.
You can visit my website at www.LakeShelbyvilleGuide.com and go to our store or stop in and check
out our fishing forum called Illinois Fish Talk. Feel free
to join and post anything you like about the outdoors.
MSRP: $6199
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Steve with a
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with a Wally Marshall
level wind reel.
It was almost 70 lbs.
and took 53 minutes
to land!
WOW!
067_001.qxd 11/24/15 9:19 PM Page 1
December 2015
Tyler, son of Doug Weber,

showing off some of the crappie
that were caught on their trip on
10/15/15.
67
Kurt Stirling and crew with a mess

of white bass and crappie from their
trip on Shelbyville on 10/09/15.
Dorian Lofton and friend Lee holding up

a stringer of walleye, caught along with LSG and
friend Rich, on Lake Shelbyville.
CONGRATS
TO
EVERYONE!
BOOK WITH STEVE!

217-762-7257
Cell: 217-840-1221
LakeShelbyvilleGuide.com
Terry Davis, with friends

Jake and Josh, and the
crappie caught from their
trip with Lake Shelbyville
Guide on 10/16/15.
Tom Pliura, his son Zeb

and friend John Holman
posing with their catch
of crappie on 10/25/15.
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After a full day of fishing, come to the Spillway Motel

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with hair dryer. All rooms have 2 beds....Ask for 3!
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Nearby restaurants.
Shelbyville, IL
BAIT SHOP ON SITE & MOTEL OPEN YEAR ROUND!
For Reservations: 1/2 mile to beach and 9th Street boat launch.
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INN
068_001.qxd 11/24/15 10:06 PM Page 1
68
December 2015
Illinois DNR New Conservation Laws in 2015
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ASO Rep Alan Johnson, with a coot,

& son Tyson, with a mallard at
Spring Lake. (Right) Tyson in the blind
with a beautiful American wood duck.
A Sales & Service Marine Dealer
1640 N. 12th St. Quincy jnjmarine@jnjmarine.com
www.jnjmarine.com
Industrial Park
Paddle
Boats
069_001.qxd 11/24/15 11:08 PM Page 1
December 2015
OUTDOOR
CONNECTION
By
Gerald
A.
Sampen,
O.C.
Salesman
Time to Hunt Waterfowl & Go to
a Winter Fishing Paradise
Remember: Outdoor Connection
offers fishing, hunting and outdoor
adventures over a large part of the
world. We book virtually any size
group or party; from a single moose
or bear hunter, a family fishing trip,
an Alaskan yacht cruise for 10, corporate group trips, incentive trips,
conventions and trips to help for
fundraising.
We represent over 300 lodges and
outfitters for your hunting, fishing,
and outdoor pleasure and remember
if we represent them weve been
there.
Gerald A. Sampen
(Outdoor Connection Salesman)
Provinces, we have also

quadrupled in size and are
dedicated to investing in
quality fields, equipment and decoys. We
strive for a superior
hunt for all of our
guests. For a hunting experience you wont forget,
come hunt with a top guide
Service! Hunts available in Minnesota, Missouri, North & South
Dakota, Texas, Manitoba and Ontario!
Successful goose hunting requires
experienced and professional guides,
as the birds youll be dealing with are
very intelligent! Our guides are the
most experienced in the area. Most of
the guides have been hunting their
entire lives in these fields. Together,
we have over 100 years of field experience, which is converted into success each and every day! Listen to the
guides provide a symphony of sound
designed to seduce the geese and
bring them right inside with wings set
to land. Rely on us to provide the
finest guides your money can buy.
Also, rest assured you and your party
will be taking home your limits before the guides take one bird. Let us
focus our experience and expertise to
ensure you and your parties hunting
success!
Minnesota Hunts
Regular and Late Season Goose
Hunts- This hunt gives you a two bird
daily limit. You will use top quality
heated pits with full visibility of decoying birds. All clients will enjoy
the new club house facility after a
days hunt. Bird cleaning as well as
lodging or hotel accommodations are
available upon request. Corporate,
small groups, individuals and people
with disabilities are all welcome!
Fall Goose Hunts- You will enjoy a
69
five bird daily limit in scouted wheat,

hay or sweet corn fields on this hunt.
Half and full day hunts are available
and please ask about our duck hunts.
People with disabilities are welcome!
Missouri Hunts
Spring Snow Goose Hunts- This
hunt provides liberal bag limits on
scouted fields. You will be using state
of the art electronic callers on large
decoy spreads. Your experienced
snow goose guides will get you the
highest bird ratio per hunter. Half and
full day hunts are available. Please
ask if you require lodging. Bird
cleaning is also available as well.
Fall Duck and Goose Hunts- This
hunt allows you a six duck daily limit, 20 snows and blues daily limit,
two Canadian geese daily and two
speckled bellies daily as well. Duck
hunts take place in steel pits on flooded corn fields and goose hunts are
done in lay down blinds. Lodging
and bird cleaning are available. You
will have the use of state of the art
duck decoys and equipment and experienced guides. As with all of our
hunts, people with disabilities are
welcome!
North and South Dakota Hunts
Spring Snow Goose Hunts- These
hunts offer liberal bag limits and
plugs are not required on your gun.
Hunts are conducted on large decoy
spreads and layout blinds. These
Contd. on next pg.
Duck Hunting, You Choose Where

and When! (MOH3/MNH2)
A waterfowl hunting experience
should include quality fields, experienced guides, top-notch equipment
and best of all sportsmens camaraderie. We shoot for all of the above.
Not only have we expanded into seven different states and two Canadian
502 East Laurel Ave.

Havana, IL 62644
309-543-2287
countryplaza@sunriseagservice.com
CountryPlaza.doitbest.com
OV E R 70 , 0 0 0 I T E MS !
R E N TA L
CENTER
SALES
SERVICE
PA R T S
R E PA I R
2 LOCATIONS:
3711 Amber Pinckneyville, IL 618-357-2711

477 Hwy 6 West Oxford, MS 662-236-7773
FINANCING
AVA I L A B L E !
Find Details & Pictures of Inventory at:
MooreBrothersAutoSales.com
070_001.qxd 11/24/15 11:08 PM Page 1
70
O.C. Contd. from previous pg.

hunts also offer the highest bird ratio
per hunter. You will be in groups of
eight per field, with experienced
guides there to help you. Half and
ask about lodging and bird cleaning.
Texas Hunts
Texas Duck, Goose and Hog
Hunts- Located in the heart of peanut
country in north central Texas, just an
hour north of Abilene. This area winters an excess of 500,000 to a million
geese! At sunrise, be prepared to
enjoy a morning full of close range
shooting as hundreds of geese hover
over the decoys. Its not uncommon
to see pintails, mallards and widgeon
mixed with Canadian, specklebellies

and snow geese. Also enjoy hog hunting!
Bird cleaning and lodging are
available.
Manitoba Hunts
Delta Marsh Fall Duck and Goose
Hunts- Hunt Canadian geese, specklebellies, snow geese and ducks with
experienced guides! You will have
the use of state of the art equipment
and decoys. Hunt all species of ducks
and geese in one hunt!
Ontario Hunts
Spring Snow Goose Hunts- Enjoy
liberal bag limits and no plugs on this
exciting hunt. You will be hunting in
groups of eight per field with experienced snow goose guides. Half and
ask about lodging and bird cleaning.
OCs Conclusion
These guys are serious. They follow the flights from Manitoba to
Missouri, and have several leases
negotiated throughout the flyway.
Jarrad and Mike are serious about

one thing-taking waterfowl. It was
about 2 minutes after legal shooting
hours when a huge flock came
through about 30 yards overhead,
and they made sure everyone knew
not to shoot-ethical guys! I had a
great time, shot some geese, and
would really recommend these guys
to anyone who is passionate about
taking waterfowl and has the flexibility to follow the flight. They are
where the birds are, and if you have a
client that doesnt need to be pampered, this is the place to send them.
Winter is nowhere in sight Fishing
in Belize (BZF1)
Our family-run resort on the beach
welcomes you to the best in adventure and accommodations. Whether
you opt for rooms in our gracious,
mahogany colonial lodge, or the privacy and comfort of our luxury
Villas, youll be right on the beach,
facing the sea, surrounded by the fragrance of tropical flowering plants
and the whisper of shady palms. Not
only will you find the serenity and
seclusion you are looking for, youll
have the convenience of being within
walking distance of town and its gift
shops, restaurants, bars and night
spots. Whether its arranging for a
The
n
i
b
a
C
Alan Thompson, Agent

623 E. Jackson Macomb, IL 61455
Bus.: 309-833-2400
Cell: 309-333-0100
www.Alansf.com
Max Thompson, Agent

108 N. Orange Havana, IL 62644
Bus.: 309-543-6248
Fax: 309-543-4899
www.Maxdthompson.com
December 2015
You can own the vacation home of your

dreams for less than you think!
massage on your own balcony, a private fly fishing lesson, day of diving
or snorkeling in our world famous
barrier reef, a round of golf on a private island, a cave tubing adventure
or jungle river cruise to a Maya
archaeological site, our experienced
staff is happy to oblige. Your hosts
live on the premises to ensure warm,
personal service around the clock.
Sounds like your kind of holiday?
Then join us for a fun-filled and
relaxing stay at our seaside resort!
Our family-run resort has enjoyed
an international reputation as a
world-class fishing destination for
over 30 years. Today our resort is that
and much, much more. We specialize
in fishing, and also offer the best
combination of eco, adventure and
luxury. Our resort caters to all types
of angler, specializing in light tackle,
salt water and fly-fishing with all our
activities concentrated on the sea,
both on the reef and on the flats.
Here, you can achieve the anglers
ultimate dream - a Grand Slam of
bonefish, tarpon and permit. Belizes
shallow water contains the only classic tarpon flats outside South Florida
and our flats are world renowned for
offering the opportunity to site cast to
Tarpon 12 months a year. You can
cast the lagoons for lady fish or
snook, go outside the reef into the
deep water for billfish and wahoo.
Troll the reef for king fish or barracuda. Jig the bottom for
snapper and grouper. The
choice is yours.
Our
courteous,
English-speaking guides
are trained to assist every
type of angler at every
The Cabin Features:
Rustic Pine Millwork

Six-Panel Pine Doors
Vaulted Ceilings
EL Baseboard Heat
Tile Floor - Kitchen/Bath
Cedar Siding or Log Siding
Pine Wood Floors
Pella Dbl. Hung Windows
866-937-5544 www.csihomesonline.com
Natural Hickory Cabinetry

Rustic Lighting
Modular Construction
Ready for Occupancy
Approx. 3 Days After
Delivery
Buyer Must Provide
Foundation & Hook-Ups
Building Top Quality Homes for Over 38 Years!
CSI Manufacturing, Inc.

PO Box 138 Cambridge, IL 61238
071_001.qxd 11/24/15 11:06 PM Page 1
December 2015
skill level. Were proud to introduce

The Fly Shop, the only Scientific
Anglers, Mastery Series Fly Shop in
Belize.
What about snorkeling and scuba
diving tours? If youre a diver, or
have diving companions, youve also
come to the right place! With our
own on site dive master, we can
arrange unforgettable diving experiences through Under Da Sea Tours.
With our convenient location close to
the reef, you can make your stay at
here the diving or snorkeling vacation of a lifetime!
Standard hotel room or luxury villa
on a private beach? We offer you a
choice of accommodations. But
whether you opt for rooms in their
gracious lodge, or the privacy and
comfort of the luxury villas, youll be
right on the
beach, facing the sea,
surrounded
by the fragrance of
tropical
flowering
plants and
the whisper
of shady palms. Our main lodge
is an intimate, 14-room hotel set
in a colonial style mahogany
building with a long verandah
overlooking the beach and barrier reef. The walls are graced
with local paintings, crafts and
tapestries. An exotic array of
tropical flowers and greenery
are tucked here and there as a special

Welcome to Paradise.
Monthly Fishing Guide:
January: On calm days you could
see as many as 50-75 tarpon, 20-90
pound range. Generally bone and tarpon fishing are good; reef fishing
good to excellent.
February: Fish are plentiful on the
flats if the wind isnt too strong.
Tarpon in the 20-90 pound range.
Bone and tarpon fishing are good but
weather dependent. Reef fishing is
excellent.
March: Plenty of 20-90 pound on
the calmer days. Plenty of bonefish.
Tarpon in lagoons. Reef fishing good
to excellent.
April: Lots of tarpon, 40-100
pounds and they are more aggressive.
Migrating tarpon start coming onto
the reef. It is a good month for permit
too. Usually large schools of small
permit and plenty of bones. Reef
fishing excellent.
May: Generally our hottest month,
with calm to light breezes. Its not
uncommon to see huge schools of
200-300 bones. Tarpon on both flats
and the reef. Reef fishing is good to
excellent.
June: Both fishing is excellent as it
always is from April through
October. Tarpon on both the flats and
reef. Reef fishing is good to excellent.
July, August and September:
Usually calm and
warm. Great fishing.
Lots of bones, lots of
tarpon to well over
100 pounds. We consider this the best tarpon season of the year.
The most and largest
tarpon have been
caught in Aug. & Sept.
The lodge record for
the most tarpon landed
in a single day was had in October

with 7 tarpon landed and another 5
jumped. The largest tarpon on fly,
165 pounds was landed in Sept.
October: Lots of tarpon, large and
aggressive. Bones are larger and
more aggressive too. Big schools of
jack cravelle are also on the flats now
and it is a good month for the larger
permit. Reef fishing fair to good. If
there is a lot of rainfall on the mainland, snook arrive on the flats in large
numbers.
November: There are plenty of 60100 pound tarpon on the flats. Jack
cravelle and bone fishing are also
good. Reef fishing good to excellent.
December: If the sun stays out
there are plenty of barracuda, bones
and tarpon (40-80 pounds), on the
flats. Jacks and ladyfish too. Full
moon brings grouper and snappers to
the reef to spawn. Reef fishing good
to excellent.
If you are interested in any of the adventures featured in this article or in

any of the other adventures that Outdoor Connection offers give us a call.
These adventures make excellent gifts for high school and college
graduations, weddings, holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, fundraisers, etc.
TIME TO BOOK NOW!
Your OC Salesman:
Gerald Sampen, 1571 Hunter Ct. Geneva, IL 217-376-3873
Your OC Agent:
Justin Montgomery 217-871-0524
jmontgomery@jamig.com MontysOutdoorConnection.com
SHARE
YOUR
PHOTOS
WITH
ASO!
Email:
asoCathy
@gmail
.com
US mail:
Mels Sporting Goods ASO
Magazine
Custom Built Bowstrings
HOURS:
M-F 10am-7pm
Pro Shop
1408
&
Sat. 9am-4pm
Indoor Range
Downing
NOW SELLING FIREARMS!
Court
Tremont,
520 S. Elm Flora, IL 62839
Illinois
618-662-8663
61568
Rt. 50 to Flora, Main St. South over tracks, right at 3-story Self Storage
71
Is your pond ready for next season?

We can help!
072_001.qxd 11/25/15 12:12 AM Page 1
72
Lure in Holiday
Cheer with Gifts Sure
to have Outdoor
Adventurers Hooked
Check out the following gift ideas to reel

in the perfect holiday season and guarantee
the sporting enthusiast in your life will
think of you the next time they hook a
wall-worthy trophy fish:
*American Recreation Coalition's 2015
Outdoor Recreation Outlook
The Rapala Shadow Rap Series:
Give the Gift of Fish-catching

Excitement with Record-setting
Lures, Top-notch Accessories and
more from Rapala the Most
Trusted Name in Fishing
Whether theyre a veteran fish-catching

expert or one of the 8.6 million new anglers
that wet a line for the first time in the last
two years alone*, this holiday season luring
in holiday cheer for the outdoor adventurers on your gift-giving list will be easy as
shooting fish in a barrel with the latest bestin-class gear from Rapala, the most trusted
name in fishing since 1936.
From record-setting lures to top-notch
accessories for unbelievable angling action
on the water, and on the ice, Rapala &
Respected Rapala Brands offers a seemingly endless selection of gifts to help your
friends and family catch bigger, better for
years to come.
The hottest lure to hit the water in years,

the new Rapala Shadow Rap Series will
have the angler on your holiday gift list
haulin in hawgs like never before with an
action the pros have dubbed the death
quiver.
As a minnow is dying, it struggles,
lunges in erratic jerking motions, then falls
with a slow, quivering fade just like the
Shadow Rap. This dynamic, lifelike action
MTM ARMS is a family owned indoor gun range that provides a wide range of
gun-related services for the entire family. The brand new facilities include a community room,
firearms showroom, family sitting area, and two separate ranges with a total of 10 shooting
lanes. The range is designed to handle all handgun calibers, small arms rifles, shotguns
(slugs only), and muzzleloaders using Pyrodex powder.
SEE OUR ONLINE STORE WIT H 1000S OF GUNS!

www.MTMArms.com LIKE US on Facebook!
Open 6 Days Closed Tues.
PO Box 313 Hig h Prairie Dr. Athens, IL
mtmarms@gmail.com 217-6 3 6-8000
Midwestern
Building
Supplies Inc.
Where Quality Matters!
The Building Contractors Headquarters

3 LOCATIONS:
508 East Pearl St. Tremont, IL 61568
Phone: 309-925-2911
2800 West Main St. Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone: 309-344-9171
240 North Bower St. Macomb, IL 61455
Phone: 309-836-8058
keeps the bait in the strike zone longer than

conventional jerkbaits, upping your friends
and family members chances of hooking
their favorite game fish.
Promising heart-pounding strikes with
each twitch of the rod, the Shadow Rap
swims in the 2 to 4-foot water column,
while the Shadow Rap Deep targets fish
staging 4 to 8-feet deep. Both models are
ready for action with premium VMC hooks
and 14 enticing color patterns.
Suggested retail price: $8.99
Premium Rapala Fishing and Hunting
Knives:
A high-quality blade is an essential accessory for any outdoors enthusiast. From
prepping a delicious fish fry after a successful day rippin lips, to expertly dressing the
bounty of an exhilarating hunt, Rapala
offers premium knifes ideal for your loved
ones next outings on the water and in the
wilderness.
Rapala Fish N Fillet Knives:
With more than 40 million sold to date,

the legendary Rapala Fish N Fillet is
responsible for more shore lunches than
any other fillet on the market.
December 2015
A product of pure craftsmanship, these

knives are designed with Rapalas iconic
birch handle and feature a progressively
tapered, flexible, full-tang European stainless steel blade that holds the razor sharp
edge experienced anglers demand. With
four blade sizes to choose from, theres a
cant-miss option for every fish-cleaning
chore.
Suggested retail price: $16.99 to $35.99
New Rapala Classic Birch Collection
Hunting Knives:
The sharpest choice for fishing is now

the sharpest choice for hunting. Rapala
has extended its outdoors expertise from
the fish camp to the field with the launch
of a new line of knives designed specifically for hunters: The Rapala Classic Birch
Collection.
With six expertly crafted models each
designed to meet a specific need the
hunters in your life will be thrilled to
receive a new set of razor-sharp stainless
steel knives that promise to take the
headache out of skinning or field dressing
wild game.
Roland Rich Ford, Inc.

Route 122 East Delavan, IL 61734
309-244-8249
VA L U E P R I C E D V E H I C L E S !
1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Club Cab 4x4 ............................$4730

1999 Ford F150 Regular Cab 4x4 ................................$2950
1999 Ford 250 X Supercab 4x4 ..................................$6900
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab 4x4 Diesel ..................$6740
2000 Ford F150 XLT Supercab 4x4 ..............................$4240
2000 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular Cab 4x4 ......................$5000
2000 Ford F250 Lariat Crewcab 4x4............................$9740
2001 Ford F350 XLT Crewcab Dully 4x4 Diesel ............$15,950
2002 Chevy 1500 Silverado LS Extended Cab 4x4 ..........$5950
2002 Ford F250 XLT Regular Cab 4x4 ..........................$5280
2007 Ford F150 XLT Supercab 4x4 ............................$10,370
2008 Ford F150 XL Regular Cab 4x4 ..........................$13,940
2010 Ford F150 XLT Supercrew 4x4 ..........................$23,840
2011 Ford F250 XLT Crewcab 4x4 Diesel ....................$32,840
2012 Ford F150 XLT Supercrew 4x4 ..........................$26,880
2013 Ford F150 Platinum Supercrew 4x4 ..................$35,330
2014 Ford F350 XLT Supercab 4x4 Gas ......................$34,870
2014 Ford F350 Lariat Crewcab 4x4 Diesel ................$47,880
LARGE INVENTORY OF LATE MODEL PRE-OWNED VEHICLES!
073_001.qxd 11/25/15 12:12 AM Page 1
December 2015
The Rapala Classic Birch Collection is

available at select outdoor retailers
throughout the Midwest and includes the
following varieties: the Classic Birch
Collection Skinner Knife; Clip Point
Knife; Drop Point Knife; Gut Hook Knife;
Caping Knife and Bird Knife.
Learn more about the new Rapala
Classic Birch Collection and find the nearest location to purchase these premium
knives at www.RapalaClassicBirch.com.
Suggested retail price: $29.99 to $39.99
The Storm Arashi Series:
ing action in any scenario.

New for 2015, the Storm has expanded the Arashi Series with the introduction
of the new Arashi Top Walker, a bait that
elicits exciting topwater strikes with an
attention-grabbing walk-the-dog presentation, and the new Arashi Deep 18 and
Arashi Deep 25, two deep-diving cranks
designed to hunt monster bass that prowl
deep down in hidden honey holes.
Available in six bold varieties and multiple sizes and 16 eye-catching color patterns, these unstoppable baits are the stuff
holiday miracles are made of.
Suggested retail price: $8.99
New MarCum iSeries Flasher Sonar
Units:
ers.
Serious anglers have long praised the

unrivaled quality of a MarCum flashers
resolution, a feature that allows ice heads to
get the best possible view of the action
below the ice. Now, with updates to its
most popular units, MarCum makes it easier than ever for cold-weather anglers to
clearly see the fish about to bite their lure,
a key factor that can make the difference
between landing and losing the next big
catch.
Suggested retail price:
LX-5i Dual Beam True Color Sonar
Flasher System: $499
LX-3TCi True Color Sonar Flasher
System: $399
VX-1i 3-Color Sonar Flasher System:
$299
Rapala and ICE FORCE Apparel:
73
When it comes to threads that offer both

comfort and functionality, theres no better
fit for the boat, ice house or even a night
out on the town than Rapala and ICE
FORCE apparel. Help your friends look
good when they tango with a toothy pike,
wily walleye or behemoth bass no matter
the season by gifting a new jacket, hoody,
hat, shirt or a bevy of other accessories this
holiday season. Available with overnight
shipping at Rapala.com (if ordered before 1
p.m. CST), Rapala and ICE FORCE
apparel is the answer to your last-minute
shopping needs.
Visit www.rapala.com for pricing.
Stop by your local sporting goods store
or visit Rapala.com to purchase cant-miss
holiday gifts. Be sure to check out Rapala
on Facebook at Facebook.com/RapalaUSA
for special offers, tips and techniques, new
product updates and much more!
Lolli Bros. Livestock Mkt Inc.
When its time for your favorite anglers

to head out on pig patrol, make sure their
tacklebox is locked and loaded with the
bass-slaying lures of the Storm Arashi
Series.
Equipped with a self-tuning line tie that
keeps the bait tracking true and rotated
hook hangers that prevent hang-ups, the
Arashi Series offers baits targeting hawgs at
every depth to deliver non-stop, bass-bust-
This holiday season, delight any ice fishing diehard with the high-tech, fish-finding
advantage of a new MarCum iSeries
Flasher Sonar unit.
Among the most advanced systems ever
built, MarCum has updated its top-of-the
line LX-5i Dual Beam True Color Sonar
Flasher System, LX-3TCi True Color
Sonar Flasher System and VX-1i 3-Color
Sonar Flasher System with larger displays
that prevent snow buildup and increase
viewing angles, allowing enhanced sight
lines from all sides on its traditional flash-
HAVE A PROJECT COMING UP?
Well be glad to
look at your next
job with you...
and it doesnt
cost to look!
HODGSON
Lumber & Land Improvement
Land Clearing
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Pond Construction
21046 CR 800 N, Kilbourne
309-538-4411 Todd Hodgson 217-473-1009
fax: 309-538-4279
Theo Hodgson 309-657-1468
Alternative Livestock
& Taxidermy Auction
Dec. 9-11
LolliBros.com
TALK STORAGE
602 N. Ferne Clyffe Rd. Goreville, IL (618) 751-3234
Owners/Operators: Timothy A. & Tamie L. Klein
t a l kd e e r 1 @ ya h o o . c o m
SELF-STORAGE SECURITY FENCE & CAMERAS
ACCESS AVAILABLE 24-7 TO CUSTOMERS
KEYPAD ENTRY OPEN STORAGE FOR BOATS AND RVS
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CALL our knowledgeable staff for help

with all your hunting and fishing needsLarge supply of hunting,
fishing & marine equip. Special orders available at no additional cost!
2014 North 2nd St.

Clinton, IA
563-243-4696
RandRSportsInc.com
Lots of
Firearms &
Discounted
Bows!
074_001.qxd 11/25/15 12:29 AM Page 1
74
HUNTIN
December 2015
DOGS
Welcome to the ASO Hunting Dog Section
SuperSniffers
Retrievers rely heavily on
their acute sense of smell to
find birds in densecover
By Gary Koehler
Many years ago I had a German
short-haired pointer named Nick.
He was the runt of the litter, but he
grew up to become 65 pounds of
solid muscle. We were living in
the far northwest suburbs of
Chicago at the time, and I was a
member of a small duck club that
just happened to share a property
line with a commercial put-andtake upland bird hunting operation. Pheasants, quail, and chukars
that eluded the day-shooters
sometimes ended up on the duck
club property, where they became
SALES
fair game.
Nick was a good upland dog,
but he also hunted ducks, at least
until ice-up, when the weather
turned brutally cold. Although
always ready to go in spirit, he
just wasn't built for the extreme
conditions of the late season.
One of my most memorable
duck hunting experiences with
Nick occurred during the Illinois
early teal season. I scored a double on greenwing drakes that glorious morning. One bird was dead
on the water. The second was crippled and made its way into a dense
stand of bulrush. Nick retrieved
the first downed teal, and then
turned his attention to the cripple.
I had no clue where the bird was
hiding. The rushes appeared to be
impenetrable, but the dog entered
the tangled morass and emerged
10 minutes later with the fugitive
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greenwing in his mouth.

That was an amazing retrieve,
made possible by the remarkable
bird-finding ability of a gun dog's
nose. Indeed, all dogs are blessed
with a sense of smell that is thousands of times more acute than
our own. Just how powerful are
our dogs' sniffers? Well, that's a
bone of contention among scientists, who have been studying the
matter for decades. Some
researchers argue that dogs' olfactory senses are 10,000 times superior to those of humans. Others
say 100,000 times.
And some insist that the number
is 1 million. Translating even the
minimal estimate into a simple
sight analogy yields mind-boggling results: what we would be
able to see at a third of a mile, a
dog would be able to see from
more than 3,000 miles away.
The biology behind a dog's
scenting ability is even more
extraordinary. Unlike humans,
dogs have airways that separate
the breathing and smelling functions, allowing them to sniff more
or less continuously. One study
revealed that a hunting dog holding its head into the wind sniffed
a continuous stream of air for up
to 40 seconds, or through at least
30 respiratory cycles.
While humans have only about
65 square inches of olfactory
membranes, dogs may have as
many as 900. And although we
boast about 5 million scent receptors in our noses, dogs far surpass
that with as many as 200 million,
depending on the breed. These
extraordinary differences are
magnified even further when we
consider that a dog dedicates
about 40 times more of its brain to
the process of smelling than we
do.
We can't imagine what it would
be like to detect odors in parts per
trillion. But retrievers rely on such
capabilities when they use their
noses to find wayward ducks and
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075_001.qxd 11/25/15 12:21 PM Page 1
December 2015
Great Gift Idea!
Pet Bed and Breakfast Owner

offers a Product to Help Keep
Dogs Healthy
Woof Woof Castle did not
have games in mind when
introducing their pet safety
product nicknamed,
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Having a pet Bed and

Breakfast certainly has its
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experience in the pet care
business would certainly support
such an endeavor, but this pet
care expert did not see this one
coming.
For Peggy Sue Soutner, the
owner of Woof Woof Castle, it
was just another day in her life
with her pet dog, Aussie. Until
the day when she and her
husband discovered their dog,
Aussie, had consumed some of
the waste contents in the cat
litter.
The dog quickly
developed pancreatitis and
became very ill. This event
inspired Ms. Soutner and her
husband to start thinking about
how she and other pet owners
could prevent this from ever
happening again.
The very simple but effective
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If your circumstance presents a
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powerful dog, Woof Woof Castle
suggests the following: for
smaller dogs, install the product
at a height that will be
preventative; and for the more
powerful dogs, two latches can
be installed.
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Hunting season safety tips for pets

Hunting season contnues throughout much of the United States. Many
animal lovers also love the outdoors. Whether you let your cats out by the woods,
go hiking with your dogs, go out hunting with dogs, or live by a hunting area,
remember how to safely share the woods while protecting pets.
I experience this conundrum every year, said Dr. Brian Collins, head of the
Community Service Practice at Cornell Universitys Hospital for Animals.I love to hike but I worry about safety in
the woods during hunting season. For people whose animals go into the woods or live close to hunting areas, there
are several things that can help minimize the risks the season brings.
Collins offers the following tips:
Outfit your dogs with bright clothing. Many sporting goods stores have blaze orange reflective vests for dogs. In
a pinch, tie brightly colored fabric such as bandanas around your dogs neck
Do not let dogs off-leash in areas where hunting or trapping occurs. Shooting mistakes can happen, and some
states allow body-gripping traps.
Do not let dogs chase deer regardless of the season. If your dog has this inclination, leashing at all times or
reliable voice control is necessary.
Wear a vest or bright clothing yourself. Avoid earth-tones. It is best for both of you to be very visible.
Make sounds when in the woods. Whistle or sing as you walk. If you hear shots, shout to make sure hunters know
youre there.
Consider avoiding hunting areas altogether. Take this opportunity to check out urban parks or take walks
through the village and sharpen your dogs heeling skills.
If your property borders hunting areas, do not let your dog off-leash in your yard unless they are under close
supervision.
Do not let pets eat carcasses. Dogs allowed to roam in hunting areas often find remains of deer carcasses and
can become ill from ingesting them.
Consider pets fears. Some pets become very anxious from the sound of guns.Its best to keep such pets away
from areas where theyll hear gunshots. If this occurs near your home your veterinarian may prescribe medication
to help keep your friend calm.
Thanks to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Vet.cornell.edu/news/hunting.cfm
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076_001.qxd 11/25/15 1:49 AM Page 1
76
December 2015
WATERFOWL 2015
Jenkins
Marsh/VanZelst
Habitat!Returning
DUs Jenkins Marsh/VanZelst

Farm project in Illinois is on its
way to becoming an outstanding
natural area and fantastic habitat
area for ducks that migrate
through the Illinois River Valley.
One of DUs flagship projects
of the Big Rivers Initiative,
Ducks Unlimited in 2010 purchased the 246-acre property
with funding support from
Illinois
Clean
Energy
Community Foundation, Grand
Victoria Foundation and Doris
Duke Charitable Foundation.
The marsh was celebrated as
DUs 75th anniversary project
for Illinois. The property adjoins
Upper Peoria Lake in north-central Illinois, a naturally occur-
ring lake along the Illinois River.

DUs goals are to restore the
site as a semi-permanent emergent marsh to provide habitat for
ducks during their fall and
spring migration. The restored
marsh will benefit lesser scaup, a
diving duck species that used to
be abundantly found on Upper
Peoria Lake during the fall
migration but has declined by
more than 90% because of
degraded water quality and wetland habitat conditions.
DU biologists and engineers
are developing a plan to restore
100 acres of emergent marsh
habitat on the property. An additional $500,000 in funding is
needed to complete that restoration. DUs plan is to transfer
ownership of the Illinois
Department
of
Natural
Resources for long-term protection and stewardship.
Meanwhile, part of the former
farmland is starting to rejuvenate itself. A portion of the land

now features wet meadow habitat associated with natural
springs that flow from the toe of
the bluff that overlooks the
Illinois River Valley. This
unique type of wetland is called
a fen and is very uncommon in
the river valley.
The project will protect this
natural fen for the benefit of
native grassland birds and wetland wildlife.
Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the
worlds largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving
North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats.
Established in 1937, Ducks
Unlimited has conserved more
than 13 million acres thanks to
contributions from more than a
million supporters across the
continent. Guided by science
and dedicated to program effi-
The Jenkins Marsh project in

Illinois already is starting to
return to a natural state.
ciency, DU works toward the

vision of wetlands sufficient to
fill the skies with waterfowl
today, tomorrow and forever. For
more information on our work,
visit www.ducks.org. Connect
with us on our Facebook page at
facebook.com/DucksUnlimited,
follow
our
tweets
at
twitter.com/DucksUnlimited and
watch
DU
videos
at
youtube.com/DucksUnlimited
Inc.
077_001.qxd 11/25/15 2:28 AM Page 1
December 2015
Shotgunning:
Snow
GooseGuns
Choosing the right shotgun
can increase your harvest
during the conservationorder
By Phil Bourjaily
The Light Goose Conservation
Order is an exciting time for waterfowlers. There are no bag limits,
and unplugged shotguns are standard equipment. But simply removing the plug from your firearm and
calling it a snow goose gun may be
little more than wishful thinking.
Tony Vandemore, waterfowl guide
and co-owner of Habitat Flats in
Missouri, offers the following tips
on how to choose the right gun,
chokes, and loads to make the most
of light goose hunting opportunities
in your area.!
Guns: Having a gun that will

cycle box after box of shells, in
dusty and muddy conditions, is of
prime importance. Vandemore's gun
of choice is the inertia-operated
Benelli Super Black Eagle, which
runs a long time between cleanings.
"I get about four hours of sleep a
night during the season, so I rarely
have time to clean my guns," he
says. "I just shoot them full of G96
oil every couple of days and tip
them upside down overnight. I
give them a thorough cleaning at the
end of the season."
A well-maintained gas-operated
semiautomatic will also work well
and offers extra recoil reduction.
But gas guns can jam during the rigors of snow goose hunting, which is
why Vandemore advises waterfowlers to carry a can of oil with
them in the field. "When it's really
dusty you can feel your gun's action
getting dry and slow. You can spray
in a little extra oil as needed," he
says.
Choke: By using electronic callers
and large spreads of full-body
decoys, Vandemore is able to provide his clients shots at normal
decoying ranges. He recommends
using improved-cylinder and modi-
fied chokes for close-in shooting.

As a guide, however, he prefers the
tighter-shooting Rob Roberts Triple
Threat (T3) choke, because he often
shoots cleanup as geese leave the
spread.
Ammunition: Less may be more
when it comes to snow geese, which
aren't as big or as tough as Canadas.
"I used to think bigger is better, and
that I needed to shoot 3 1/2-inch
shells," Vandemore explains. "But
3-inch shells are more than enough,
and have a lot less recoil." Each
spring he sees clients with blackand-blue shoulders after a day of
hunting, either from shooting too
many shells or shooting unnecessarily heavy loads. "You can have
some weird angles in layout blinds.
Every once in a while, if you are
trying to shoot straight up and a hair
behind, you may not have your gun
all the way to your shoulder and
you'll feel the recoil," he adds.!
Magazine Extensions: Magazine
extensions that hold up to four or
five additional rounds are available
for many popular shotguns.
Vandemore puts a two-shot extension on his gun. That increases its
total capacity to seven rounds,
which he says gives him plenty of
77
extra firepower. "It's difficult to get

off more than four or five good
shots on windy days, because snows
get out in a hurry after the first shot.
Having an extra shell or two left
comes in handy when a single or
pair peels back over the spread."!
Choosing the right gun and ammo
is only part of the equation. The
shooter still has to make the shot.
Vandemore says the number one
problem he sees is excited clients
"flock shooting."
"Even when there are thousands
of birds overhead, you still have to
pick out an individual goose," he
says.
SHOOTING FROM A LAYOUT
BLIND Shooting while on your
back in a layout blind adds to the
challenge of snow goose hunting. A
couple of tips are in order. To make
mounting and swinging easier,
angle your blind about 20 degrees to
the right of where you will be shooting (if you're right-handed). Some
older, less agile, and heavier hunters
like to dig their blinds a few inches
into the ground, which makes it easier to sit up. Finally, don't try to sit
up and shoot all at once, in a rush.
Sit up, pick a bird, mount the gun,
and shoot.
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078_001.qxd 11/25/15 2:38 AM Page 1
78
GEESE ON
A!BUDGET
Here's how to bag more
honkers without
breaking the bank!
By Wade Bourne
You see them on outdoor TV shows

goose guides driving monster pickup
trucks and pulling decal-covered trailers
loaded with full-body decoys, ATVs,
portable blinds, flags, and other gear. All
that equipment is useful, to be sure. But
make no mistake: the average hunter
doesn't need to haul around a ton of gear
to score big on geese.
Former world goose calling champions
Field Hudnall and Kelley Powers advise
hunters against mistaking these accoutrements of success as necessities for it.
Hudnall, who owns Field Proven Calls,
started goose hunting with his brother
when they were just old enough to drive.

"I had a Ford Ranger pickup, and we
carried our decoys in the bed in plastic
garbage bags," Hudnall says. "When we
got to our hunting spot, we'd each grab
a bag full of decoys, a gun, and other
gear, and then slog out across those
muddy northern Kentucky fields. We
were lucky if those bags made it through
one hunt, but they got the job done. We
shot a lot of geese despite our meager
circumstances."
Powers experienced a similar hardscrabble initiation into the sport. Like
Hudnall, he made his own decoys and
hunted geese from homemade blinds.
Both men believe that great goose hunting can still be a bargain if you scout
effectively, work persistently, and hunt
intelligently.
Here's their advice on how to experience quality goose hunting without
shooting holes in your budget.
Scout to Level the Playing Field
"In goose hunting, nothing is more
important than being set up on the exact
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spot where geese are coming to feed,"

Powers says. "This is why scouting is the
great equalizer. The big-rig guys don't
have any advantage. Whoever scouts the
best, finds the birds, and gets permission
to hunt them usually wins. If you're on
the X, you can shoot plenty of geese with
minimal decoys and equipment."
Geese will typically feed in the same
field for several days in a row, as long as
food is available and the birds aren't
scared off by hunting pressure. "If you
pinpoint a feeding flock in the afternoon, there's a good chance the geese
will return the next morning. Get there
early, set up before dawn, and wait for
the birds to come in after sunup,"
Hudnall advises.
In areas where there's a lot of hunting
pressure, waterfowlers should look for
smaller concentrations of geese. "Small
groups of birds aren't likely to draw
much attention from guides and other
waterfowlers," Hudnall says. "But these
more modest-sized flocks can provide
plenty of shooting for two or three
hunters. If you can pull a couple of
bunches over the decoys that may be
enough to fill your limits."
Scouting for geese in fringe areas is
another good idea. Geese sometimes
December 2015
feed where hunters don't expect to find

them, especially when hunting pressure
has scattered them away from traditional feeding areas. "Those birds can be a
boon for budget hunters," Powers says.
"You just have to drive the backroads
and keep looking for flying birds, then
follow them to where they're feeding.
There's no shortcut or trick to doing
this. You simply have to be persistent
and keep scouting to find them."
Hunt Geese Over Water
Another good place to encounter overlooked geese is on ponds and potholes.
"Canada geese, especially, hit these
places to loaf and drink after feeding in
the morning," Hudnall says. "Because
few waterfowlers hunt geese over water,
the birds feel secure, which means you
can usually lure in good-sized flocks
with just a few decoys."
One of Hudnall's favorite strategies is
to scout for pasture ponds where geese
are loafing. These ponds are usually in
areas where the big birds are feeding.
After finishing their morning meal, geese
often make a short flight to water to rest
during the midday hours. "I find these
places by following geese from feeding
fields to loafing ponds," Hudnall says.
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December 2015
"Or I'll ask anybody I can think of

farmers, mailmenif they've seen geese
working a pond. If I can find such a
spot and get hunting permission, I'll
have a nice chance for a good shoot."
To hunt a loafing pond, Hudnall usually sets just two or three floating decoys
on the water and a few more full-body
decoys along the bank. He then hides in
nearby cover or in a layout blind, waiting for the birds to arrive. When they do
come, the geese usually attempt to land
on the water outside the floaters.
Large lakes and rivers also offer plenty of opportunities, says Hudnall, who
has enjoyed many good hunts on sandbars and islands along the Missouri and
Ohio Rivers. "These places can be very
predictable," he says. "If you find geese
working a sandbar or a river chute one
day, they'll likely be back the next. In
my experience there's not much competition from other hunters on rivers and
lakes, and you can hunt these larger waters with minimal decoys and equipment. You just have to have a boat that's
dependable and seaworthy to get you
out there and back."
Shell Out Less for Decoys
Flocked full-body goose decoys are
hard to beat in terms of realism, but
they're expensive, bulky, and difficult to

transport. Powers recommends several
alternatives that are cheaper, less cumbersome, and yet just as effective as fullbodies in many goose hunting situations.
Shell decoys top Powers's list of musthave goose attractants. "They stack for
easy portability and offer a three-dimensional look," he says. "From above,
which is a goose's point of view, they
look as persuasive as full-bodies."
Today's commercial silhouette decoys
are another good choice. "Silhouettes
are lifelike and tough, and you can use
them exclusively or mix them in with
shell or full-body decoys," Powers says.
"They're a good way to increase your
spread's visibility without breaking the
bank. Plus, you can put a lot of silhouette decoys in a bag, and they're easy to
carry in a pickup or on your back."
Using fewer decoys is also a great way
to save money. Powers says there are just
two reasons to put out a large decoy
spread for geese. "If you're not on the X
and you want to pull passing birds off
their flight paths, then you'll need to set
up a big spread for visibility and drawing power," he explains. "The only other time you need numbers is when
you're trying to hide a lot of hunters in
the spread. Otherwise, if you're in the

right spot, a dozen decoys can be
enough for a good hunt."
Smaller spreads look natural to geese,
Powers adds. "Big flocks of feeding
geese start out as one small flock and
grow as more geese come in. A modest
spread looks like a feeding flock that's
just landed," he says.
According to Hudnall, budget-minded hunters should also scour the useddecoy market for bargains. "There's no
rule that says you have to buy new decoys," he says. "Manufacturers will from
time to time offer discounts on slightly
used decoys. Sometimes you can find
good deals on secondhand decoys online. I've seen hunters sell their old decoys on waterfowl forums and on Facebook."
Learn to Be a Good Caller
Another way to increase your chances
for success without spending a lot of
money is to hone your calling skills.
"You can definitely make up for a lack
of decoys with good calling," Hudnall
says. "One or two callers working together can be very persuasive to passing
geese. The calling gets their attention
first, and then the modest spread gives
them something to home to. This is
79
how my brother and I grew up hunting,

with lots of calling and just a few decoys."
Hunters don't necessarily need to
purchase an expensive call to make enticing goose sounds, either. There are
several moderately priced goose calls on
the market, and good calling lessons are
available free of charge on YouTube.
Hide the Old-Fashioned Way
In recent years, layout blinds have become standard equipment for hunters
attempting to hide from geese in open
fields, pastures, and other places that offer sparse cover for concealment. These
low-profile blinds may be highly effective, but they're not cheap, which is why
Hudnall considers them a luxury item
for goose hunters on a budget.
"There are other, less expensive ways
to hide from geese," Hudnall says. "I've
shot a lot of geese in years gone by while
lying on the ground under a piece of
burlap. Other cut-rate concealment tactics include digging a shallow pit, hiding beneath decoys set on tall stakes,
and using natural camouflage such as
cattails, willows, fencerows, and other
forms of native cover."
Support DU at Ducks.org
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080_001.qxd 11/25/15 3:41 AM Page 1
80
Mike OBryans lab Rocky retrieving a duck the morning

of Nov. 4th. Hes a great dogThis excellent photo
would make a great ASO cover!
INDIANA
OUTFITTER
ARRESTED AFTER
ALLEGEDLY
SCAMMING
NUMEROUS
HUNTERS
By Daniel Xu,
OutdoorHub.com
Imagine buying an exclusive one-year

lease to a pristine parcel of land, only to
find out that the propertyis actually owned
by a nearby casino, and you have just been
caught trespassing with a firearm. That is
exactly what hunters in Orange County,
Indiana experienced recently, and they accused their outfitter of scamming numerous out-of-state hunters by sending them
to properties he had no connection to.
According to the Indiana Department of
Natural Resources (DNR), officials arrested 36-year-old Samuel Hughes this week
on charges of theft after he allegedly drafted fake hunting licenses and duped his
clients intotrespassing on several properties
across the county.
The suspect, Mr. Hughes, had actual
documents that he had prepared himself
that was like a contractual lease with the
people who were looking to hunt on the
property. He had no contractual interest in
any of the properties so thats where the issue came into play, DNR conservation officer Jim Hash told WDRB.com.
December 2015
Officials advise hunters to

make sure they have permission
to hunt a property before
they get there.
Hughes owns Natures Ridge Whitetails
Outfitters in French Lick. Officials did not
clarify whether the outfitter had legitimate
connections to any properties, or if it operated purely byscamming hunters. Authorities did say that they have identified at
least eight different hunters who were believed to be victims of the scam, and there
may be more. Most of the hunters were
from out of state.
Officers investigation revealed that
Hughes never had permission to lease the
properties, and had drafted the written
contracts with unsuspecting out-of-state
hunters for fees exceeding thousands of
dollars, the DNR stated in a press release.
Indiana Conservation Officers executed a
search warrant on Hughes cell phone, and
during a subsequent interview, Hughes
confessed to his involvement in the operation. He was arrested without incident on
Monday.
Natures Ridge Whitetails recently took
down their website, Facebook page, and
other social media properties, although the
outfitters profile is still up on
guidefitter.com.
Indiana is a sleeper state for big Whitetails, and is coming up as one of the top
sleeper states in the Midwest, reads the
profiles description. Indianas fertile farm
lands and sound management practices
such as only being able to harvest one
antlered deer contributes to this states awesome Trophy quality. Add to this being adjacent to some of the Midwest top producing Whitetail States such as Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois. Indiana has settled into
a strong pattern of producing big whitetail
bucks. So come along with us as we fulfill
the unbridled passion for the outdoors.
The DNR is seeking additional information and is asking for hunters who were
clients of Natures Ridge Whitetails to contact the department.
Image courtesy Indiana Department of
Natural Resources
081_001.qxd 11/25/15 4:17 AM Page 1
December 2015
Massive Wolf Rumored to

Have Been Shot in Michigan
Actually from Canada
by Daniel Xu, Outdoorhub.com
Once again wildlife officials are
out on rumor patrol, putting to rest
speculation that a massive gray
wolf had been harvested in
Michigan. This image of a hunter
and a very large wolf appeared
recently on social media along with
the description that it had been
taken near Clare, Michigan.
Officials with the state
Department of Natural Resources
(DNR)debunked those rumors on
Thursday.
Were aware of a photo making
its way around social media channels claiming to be a wolf shot and
killed near Clare, Michigan, the
DNR stated. The photo was actually taken at a game
ranch in Canada. We appreciate people bringing this to
our attention. Because this photo does not depict a
Michigan wolf, we ask that people refrain from reporting this photo to the Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline.
Its great to have outdoor enthusiasts doing their best
to notify us of possible illegal activity, but wed like to
free up our hotline phones for reports of poaching,
hunter harassment or other violations, especially as we
approach the start of the firearm deer season.

Wolf hunting is a controversial issue in Michigan,
especially after the state held its first wolf hunting
season in 2014. Last December, a federal court ruling
returned the states wolf population back to the
endangered species listalong with wolves in
Minnesota, Wyoming, and Wisconsin.
The federal court decision is
surprising and disappointing,
Russ Mason, DNR Wildlife
Division Chief, said at the time.
Wolves in Michigan have
exceeded recovery goals for 15
years and have no business being
on the endangered species list,
which is designed to help fragile
populations recovernot to
halt the use of effective wildlife
management techniques.
Although the DNR protested
the decision, the state is
required to halt wolf hunting until
the species is once again off the
list.Therefore, the harvestof
such a massive wolf in Michigan would not only be
shocking, but possibly illegal as well. Several lawmakers are currently working to overturn the federal court
decision, including Senator Ron Johnson (RWisconsin) who recently introduced a bill to remove
the wolf from the endangered species list for the Great
Lakes regionandprevent federal courts from putting
it back on the list.
Image from Twitter
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082_001.qxd 11/25/15 5:03 AM Page 1
82
Great Hunting
by Shae Birkey
Well, lets just say its been a

busy hunting season. And I dont
necessarily mean in the way that
most people think that its been
busy. Have I done a ton of actual
huntingwell, not by my typical
standards I suppose, but its still
been busy. On October 21 my wife
and I brought our second little boy
into this world. Did I say we? I
meant she, because I had very little
to do with the whole process, to her
much deserved credit.
This is the second little one who
she gave birth to during hunting
season! Does it sound like Im
complainingbecause Im not, I
promise. Im just pointing out the
fact that during a typically very
busy time of the year things are
even busier and time is a thing I
could use more of to properly balance my life of work, family, and
hobbies. Most all of my hobbies
involve being outdoors. The good

thing is that Im already involving
my 3 year old in outdoor trips and
have been doing so since he was
old enough to hold his own head
upright in a backpack.
We started by taking trips to the
woods for hikes with the dogs
which has evolved to having him
tag along during training sessions,
creek walks, hikes, and even a few
upland hunts in which he carries
his own toy shotgun and the dogs
point birds that I then flush for him
to shoot. He thinks its all pretty
cool and I think its even cooler.
Does this mean he will huntof
course it doesnt! I can only hope
that it does lead to an appreciation
and love for the outdoors.
I have had an opportunity to get
out and do some amount of hunting
this year. Squirrel season opened
with the annual Squirrel Day festivities with friends doing some
hunting and then family time at the
old Girl Scout Camp at Lick Creek
Game Preserve near Pekin. Squirrels were abundant as they have
been since
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love hunting these little dudes so

the more the merrier I say. And
when it comes time to take my son
I know hell be just as fascinated in
hunting them as I was.
My twist on hunting them these
days involves a well-trained hunting dog on heel during the stalk
and then a whoa as I creep the last
few yards for the shot and retrieve.
My dogs have actually saved me
from losing some crippled squirrels
on more than one occasion.
Dove season opener involved the
usual crew of folks on a private
farm near Pekin, along with some
great food and some great people.
The weather, as is typical of the
opener, was miserable hot. The
story at many spots was that the
birds just werent here but as is also typicalyou just had to be in
the right spot. We enjoyed a good
shoot, as many others did, over private sunflower fields. Dove season
and dogs dont mix in my world.
Not unless the weather is under 65
degrees and I have a consistent
source of water for them. Ive
heard too many stories of dogs
overheating and at least one dying
because of it. Not worth the worry
or the dog getting a face full of
feathers that come off too easily.
The one thing a dog can be useful
for this time of year dove hunting
is a final sweep of the field before
leaving for downed birds that nobody can find.
Duck season begins for many of
us hunting teal but my usual public
hunting spot was over full with water making teal hunting conditions
less than ideal. These little guys
December 2015
prefer the shallow water/mudflat

habitat to deep water and can be
awfully hard to scout for given
their propensity to sit in the marsh
grasses during most of the day.
Catching a flight at first light
and/or last light is your best bet.
Other than a slow teal opener and
the Banner IDNR youth hunt we
guided, Ive only gotten out one
additional hunt, which was fantastic in many ways. I was invited to
a private land hunt in what I would
call a quintessential central Illinois
hunting areaa strip mine lake
with adjoining potholes, ag, and
prairie/brome fields intermixed.
That kind of place has the look and
feel of a North Dakota pothole
hunt.
The local Canada goose population and an unhunted piece of
ground made for some fun as well
as the great company, great dog
work, and even some mixed bag
ducks and a speck thrown in. Im
hearing that the mallards are just
pulling into the Dakotas within the
last week so weather in that area
and Wisconsin is needed to get us
going on the big ducks.
Upland season has only been a
youth pheasant hunt for me and the
dogs. Our local NAVHDA hunting
dog chapter donated some manpower, dogpower, time, and effort
to the Clinton Lake IDNR event as
is our tradition and this year was as
much fun as years past. I sure love
showing youngsters what a good
dog can do in the field. Successful
guiding for these events takes a
confident handler, good dogs, and
ability and willingness to keep the
083_001.qxd 11/25/15 5:01 AM Page 1
December 2015
hunt safe AND fun. Missed shots

WILL happen and should be
expected.
Positivity is the key to success as
well as a reminder that hunting is
NOT just about making a kill. The
rest of the season looks like some
guiding on private clubs, a wild
pheasant hunt or two on private
ground, and maybe a couple hunts
on good public ground for quail
(which is perhaps the ultimate fun
in my upland mind).
Last, but not least, we come to
deer. Ive spent a total of 6 individual hunts in a tree stand or
ground blind thus far (all but one
being morning hunts). Where I
hunt with my father in Fulton
County the rut is really getting
going (as of November 10 Ive had
multiple pics of big boys being
harvested over the past 3-4 days).
Based on trial cams and sits it
looks like our 100 acres is holding
only one or two mature does with
twins and a young buck or three.
Over the last week, weve had
multiple seekers showing up
including a nice non-typical and a
thin-racked but tall 10 pointer.
Other than that, weve gotten a lot
of young buck pics. My estimate
is that we are 2 bucks for every
doe on our property/surrounding
properties that feed into ours this
year. Im considering not shooting
any mature does but instead per-
haps taking a young doe for the

freezer.
Dad and I try our best to shoot
only mature bucks and manage our
property to the best of our abilities.
There is no question that every
year is still a learning experience
and weve been hunting deer for
20 years now.
I read a lot when it comes to outdoors subjectsfrom conservation
to wild game cooking to tips and
tricks, so when I come across a
good article I like to share. This
one from Outdoor Life magazine
online is one of those worth sharing. This guy has come up with an
equation for when the best time to
hunt deer is based on various factors (mainly weather-related).
http://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/hunting/2015/11/rut-revisitedhow-hunt-right-place-righttime?cmpid=enews110915&spPod
ID=030&spMailingID=23947957
&spUserID=ODY3OTE0ODc1NT
kS1&spJobID=680879436&spRep
ortId=NjgwODc5NDM2S0
I hope everyone is having a great
season also but back to the beginning of my story here in that this is
one of my best seasons yetnot
because of time spent in the outdoors but because of another addition to our familyone that I can
only hope will follow in my footsteps and the footsteps of others in
our hunting family
(L-R)
Bill
Langan
& Tom
Williams
with Mike
OBryans
lab Rocky
after a
good day
of duck
hunting!
83
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OBryan
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See ASO-TV Sat., Dec. 26 at 5:30pm on WTVP,

PBS Ch. 47 & on YouTube.com/ASOMagazine.
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084_001.qxd 11/25/15 5:19 AM Page 1
84
Congrats to
15yo Rachel
Waterfield of
Morton for
taking her
first deer on
the first day
of youth deer
season. She
had been in
a stand with
her grandpa
Charles for
about 1-1/2
hours when
the doe came
into range.
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085_001.qxd 11/25/15 5:28 AM Page 1
December 2015
85
Congrats to
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with his
beautiful
18-point
buck taken
11/2/15.
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086_001.qxd 11/25/15 6:05 AM Page 1
86
The Trumpet Call
The snow queens & kings

arriveLet the party begin!
By Margaret Smith,
Executive Director,
The Trumpeter Swan Society
Suddenly, a thrilling bugling

call comes out of the east.
Against the mornings clear blue
sky, five huge white swans
come in like jumbo jets. Trumpeting as they greet other swans
Trumpeter Swans have a fierce

wild beauty that is thrilling to see
and experience. TTSS' website has
the best places across North
America to see Trumpeter Swans.
below on the open river, they

put their legs and feet out like
landing gear; pull back their
wings in perfect white arches
filled with wind, and land on the
river with great splashes in their
wake. Wow, what an experience.
Im very lucky because I live
just a few miles from one of the
most publically accessible
Trumpeter Swan wintering areas
in the Twin Cities metro region.
Trumpeter Swans began to ar-
December 2015
rive at their Trumpeter swans

wintering ar- have a distinctive
eas in mid to black bill and mask.
late November. Many
are wary of
people, having spent the
summer and
early fall in
remote wetlands to the
north.
In winter, Trumpeters gather
in large groups on open rivers,
ponds and lakes. Its a party atmosphere. Gone are many of
the territorial displays that were
essential in summer on their
nesting grounds. Now swans
mingle together, chase each other sometimes, and gather to rest
on the ice. Their resting bodies
look like cotton candy rocks.
It is easy to recognize the first
year cygnets- they have gray
feathers and even sometimes
pinkish bills that havent yet
turned completely black. They
are as large as their parents.
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Families stay together in

groups. Older four-year old single swans may find a mate
among the wintering crowd by
the end of winter. But for now,
it is a large raucous gathering- a
symphony with other musical
notes, flat or melodious, coming
from geese and ducks and other
waterfowl that share the waters.
I love seeing the swans in winter. The low winter light is captured in the swans translucent
wings in a magical way. Swans
begin to signal they want to take
flight by first one swan, then
two, then three and four begin-
Ted Nugent
517-750-9060 TedNugent.com
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087_001.qxd 11/25/15 6:04 AM Page 1
December 2015
87
SHARE YOUR PHOTOS IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS WITH ASO!

Email: asoCathy@gmail.com
US Mail: ASO Magazine, 1408 Downing Ct., Tremont, IL 61568
ning to bob their heads in unison. It is a sure sign to get the

camera ready to capture their
spectacular takeoffs into the setting sun as they head for night
roost areas.
The Trumpeter Swan Society
websites home page has a See
Trumpeter Swans handout of
some of the best places in North
America to see Trumpeter
Swans. Sign up for the Societys
Enewsletter to learn where there
are even more great wintering
sites. Trumpeter Swans will be
at their communal wintering
sites from November through
February. It makes a spectacular outing to see them up close
and in large flocks. Come and
join the party!
To learn more about Trumpeter Swans, please visit
www.TrumpeterSwanSociety.or
g
A Trumpeter Swan
in full regal display.
Cygnets, now around
7 months old, still have gray
feathers. Towards the end of their
first winter, they begin to have
more & more white feathers as
they become adolescents.
All photos by Richard Sonnen.
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088_001.qxd 11/25/15 6:24 AM Page 1
88
December 2015
Here they come

I'm next!
Waldo & Wapsi
WATERFOWL
HUNTING - ITS ALL
ABOUT THE DOGS!
By Dan Gapen Sr.
Memories about all of those soft-eyed
Labradors bring a lump to my throat. It began centuries ago when a brown-eyed pup was
deposited on my doorstep by Jan Skrypek, a
lady of French/Italian ancestry. The soft tiny
bundle of black fur instantly cuddled in my
arms, looked up, whimpered and snuggled.
Moments later she fell sound asleep. Who
could deny that action? Wapsi had a home. I
was smitten! Even my yellow lab, Waldo,
couldnt resist the new addition to our home,
try as he might. Wapsi, after a week or so, was
able to endear herself to the tough old male.
Within a couple weeks she was snuggled up
against Waldos belly, both sound asleep before my puffing wood stove.
Waldo, one of those stocky, blunt-headed
yellows was a tough old guy who loved to

break ice and chase down snow geese. During
his reign there were a number of fly-in trips to
the heart of black duck country on the Ogoki
River system in Northern Ontario. These saw
the dear old fellow ease the burden of snow
geese retrievals on Hudson and James Bay.
Here he endeared himself to the native guides
who offered me several free trips if only Id
turn my four- legged partner over to them.
That I couldnt do even when the anti was increased to $1,500.00.
My waterfowl partner wasnt for sale. A
similar offer was extended on a trip with Jim
Zumbo, hunting editor of Outdoor Life magazine, at a goose camp at the mouth of the
Kaskaskia River on Hudson Bay. Though
Waldo was short of leg he would run a mile to
chase down a crippled goose. This, I believe,
was the endearing quality which the natives
saw in my buddy. Miles of hard walking were
saved, miles which the goose guides would
have had to make.
During the old boys later years he passed
on these traits to Wapsi

who eventually was able
to beat Waldo to the cripples. Many a retriever saw
the old boy slow down
and stop as the black
streak passed him on the way to retrieve a
goose. Even so, he didnt seem to mind after
a while. Maybe age and arthritis were factors.
Hed stop, turn around and slowly walk back
to me while Wapsi ended up bringing the bird
back.
In the end Wapsi was there for the old fellow when one morning her barking woke me
up and brought me to the door. Waldo had
passed on in his sleep. There sitting beside
him was his buddy Wapsi. As I descended the
steps Wapsi lay down, whimpered, and rested
her muzzle on the old guys front paws, probably remembering the days when she snuggled
up to him as a pup. Waldo was 13 years old.
Next to come was Willow, a yellow lab,
who always had an urge to wander. She was
nearly as fast as Wapsi but could never quite
keep up. In the end, as she wandered on a
road in front of my forty acres, someone stole
her.
For the life of me I have never been able to
understand the mental state of someone who

would steal anothers dog. Willow disappeared one week before the waterfowl season
opened.
Bobber Anne, my constant companion
during the last 25 years, loved Waldo. He
loved to ride with her in the passenger seat of
the company van Anne made her sales rounds
in. Were you to attempt to remove the old
guy hed take on a look of belligerence, as if
this seat was his and he was entitled to it as
sales manager of the company.
Next to come was another gentle black lab,
a gift from Anne on my birthday. Much to
Wapsis disfavor, another female in the house
wasnt appreciated. Never having had any
kids of her own, Wapsi soon began to tolerate
the new child whom I named Smudgie. In the
end she bestowed much of what Waldo had
passed on to her. Being a long-legged dog,
Smudgie took to the long goose retrieves like
a duck to water, so to speak. Of all my labs
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089_001.qxd 11/25/15 6:23 AM Page 1
December 2015
Three of Daddy's favorite

waterfowlWhat's next?
Smudgie became the queen of snow goose
hunting, my favorite waterfowl sport. In the
end she developed a condition which created
seizures restricting bodily movement. Eventually I was forced to have her put down, and
Smudgie the queen of snow geese fell comfortably asleep and entered another world. I
cried for days vowing never to have another
soft-eyed Labrador, no matter what the color.
But, as life has ways of curing hurt,
Thumper came to me one summer day. The
company shipping agent, Wendy Johnson,
who raised labs came in one morning claiming she had a seven-week-old yellow she
would have to put down. I asked why. It
seems the fat little pup had been seeking out
her mothers feeding source, which turned out
to be fathers you-know-what. Instantly, the
old boy chomped down on the pups head,
shook her hard and tore her face up and open.
Scarred the way she was, the little one wasnt
saleable. I offered to take a look and instantly
fell in love with the squirmy little pup. I could
just have her face sewn up. Thumper entered
my life. Today, twelve years later as I write
this column Thumper is still with me. The
scars remain and shes developed a tumor on
her left side. Its a tumor the vets told me
would cost over $1,000 dollars to remove
without any guarantee she would live through
it, or that it wouldnt return. I said no to the
operation. Both of us are of the age where
every day we have left together is a blessing. I
just couldnt subject either of us to the questionable results of such an operation.
Both Thumper and I have slowed down on
our desire to hunt waterfowl as it once was but
well be there on opening day, a bit slow on
our reactions to the new hatch of waterfowl
the Ol forty produced this year.
Any of you who have seen Anne and me
during the winter sports shows will probably
have noticed Thumper. Shes the gentle kidloving yellow lab lying on her mat beneath the
show table at my feet. If the sports show management doesnt allow dogs, I wont go to that
show. Both our days are numbered and neither of us can be separated from one another.
The Ol' Man & Smudgie

After all Thumper is the only woman Ive had
in my life who loves me for what I am, not
what she wants me to be.
Until next time this is the Ol Man, Dan
Gapen Sr. hoping you Savor Relax and Enjoy
our great Outdoors. Its yours to save and
protect for generations to come.
Waldo, after the hunt, at rest!
Ol'Man, I'm the only woman in

your life who loves you for what
you are, not what I want you to
be. I get the birds for you even
though I'm not too pretty!
89
090_001.qxd 11/25/15 6:39 AM Page 1
90
The Right Pitch

for Panfish
By J ason Mitchell
When it comes to presentation discussion concerning bluegills, tungsten has dominated the discussions
over the past few years. Tungsten
jigs have become so popular because
tungsten is much heavier than traditional lead. An angler can either go a
couple different directions with tungsten. You can use a much smaller
profile or size with tungsten or you
can use the same mass or size as traditional lead but increase the sensitivity because of the increase in weight.
The extra weight also seems to not
only increase sensitivity but also
seems to give more action or kick to
traditional soft plastics and also displace water better for putting out a
cadence that calls fish in. If you want
to see a very well thought out line up
of tungsten for bluegill, check out
Dave Genzs Clam Tackle Drop
Series of tungsten jigs.
Typically, the Drop Jigs are the
answer for most fish. Heavy enough
for getting back down through the

water column fast. A great choice for
the first drop down the hole. Cut
through slush good, maintains sensitivity outside in the elements when
wind is pushing the line around.
Sensitive and fast yes there is not
much not to like about tungsten.
Until fish start to stall out before they
get to you. As anglers, we have to
balance between efficiency versus
effectiveness. This balance becomes
extremely evident with sunfish.
Tungsten rocks when fish are in at
least a neutral mood and want to eat.
Often, the first look fish give you is
often going to be the best look and
after you wear out your welcome,
you will see fish stall as they come in
on you. No acceleration or rise in the
water column. When fish get tough
they peddle real slowly up to the
presentation and analyze it from further away, essentially stopping off the
lure. Fishing pressure is the usual
culprit for creating much more difficult to trigger fish.
There are situations where you
wont get bit if you use line heavier
than two-pound test. There are bites
that require extreme finesse. The
action on the jig has to be controlled
with the most delicate dabble to float
December 2015
the jig without Tungsten jigs like the

Pictured is
any twisting or Dave Genz line up of
the author
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jigs can make a even more by
big difference in knowing when
catching some to incorporate
fish.
When additional
things get really elements of
move finesse.
tough,
away from tungsten and incorporate presentations
that drop or hang
slowly
down
through the water
column. Imagine
pinching a wax
worm and dropping it in the
hole. The wax
worm
falls
painstakingly
legal, a very effective method is to tie
slow down the hole and takes forever
a small wet nymph a few feet above
to drift slowly towards the bottom.
the jig using a loop knot tied inline.
This ultra slow descent usually snaps
This method is extremely deadly over
the self-restraint of any bluegill in the
the tops of weeds. Simply lay the
area.
bottom jig on the weed stalks and let
How can you mimic this descent?
the wet nymph do the slow descent
There are a couple of options. Where
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091_001.qxd 11/25/15 6:38 AM Page 1
December 2015
on semi slack line. Sometimes referred to as a Michigan Rig in some

parts of the country, this ice fishing
variation of a drop shot rig can also be
modified to use a plain hook and soft
plastic.
In water less than ten feet, another
option to accomplish this descent is to
simply free fall a small plain hook
rigged with a soft plastic so that the action is smooth and sliding as the plastic falls through the water column. No
quivering or pounding to get the lure
to kick and dance, the action is simply
the slow descent that is painstakingly
slow but seductive. An ultra slow drop
will catch the most difficult fish left in
a school, even catching fish that have
been hooked or rolled just previously.
Because this presentation wrinkle is
slow and sometimes tedious, this is not
necessarily the best strategy to start in
a hole or spot and is definitely not the
best choice for finding fish.
What this finesse tactic will do however is round you out as a more complete angler. The more tools and presentations you have to throw at fish,
the more effective you will be. On a
typical school of fish, we will often
start out using tungsten and then as
conditions get more difficult and we
start to wear out our welcome in a
spot, we can pull more fish off the spot
with some of the finesse tactics described in this article. In some areas
where there is intense fishing pressure,
anglers have to shift to some of these
strategies much sooner.
If you have yet to embrace the new
tungsten jigs, I strongly encourage you
to do so and also recognize the situations where tungsten can be put to the
best use. A pitcher however has to
have more than one pitch. The slow
fall finesse game is the change up ball.
Master both pitches and you are on
your way to striking out a lot more big
bluegill and sunfish this winter.
Washington State Officials

Confirm New Opah Record
Jim Watson
holds up a rare
opah caught off the
Washington coast.
Opah! Officials with the Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife announced on Tuesday Nov 17
that the state has a new record opah, thanks to a visiting angler from Idaho.
Jim Watson of Couer dAlene caught the vibrantly red fish with anchovies 45 miles offshore
of Westport in September. The fish was weighed at 35.67 pounds and measured 37-7/8 inches in length.
Catching the fish was a lot of work, but fun.They really fight, and it took a while, Watson
told officials. The captain and crew came unglued, because you just dont see these fish very
often.
Opah, also known as moonfish, are rarely found in the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest.
The disc-shaped fish generally stick to tropical waters, but in warmer years will occasionally
venture north.
Scientists recently discovered that the species is the first fish to be entirelywarm-blooded.
This may explain why the opah fares better in cold waters than most other tropical fish. Opahs
can weigh up to 600 pounds and roughly a third
of their mass is edible meat.
It was not like any fish Ive tasted, but it was
really good, said Watson. Every bit of it went
to good use.
The states previous record opah was a 28.18pound fish caught by Rick Shapland in 2013, also off Westport. When OutdoorHub first covered
this story back in October, it was revealed that
the same deckhand who helped Shapland catch
his record fish also assisted Watson as well.
Talk about getting struck by lightning
twice, saidMark Coleman, who owned All Rivers
& Saltwater Charters and was present during
Watsons catch. Weve been waiting for this
one for a long time! Good work there Jim Watson!
Read more at: OutdoorHub.com
91
092_001.qxd 11/25/15 6:56 AM Page 1
92
HIGGYS STAND
By Don Higgins
CRP Tree Plantings

for Wildlife
It was nearly 20 years ago that I

signed up some acreage on my
property for a CRP (Conservation
Reserve Program) tree program. A
couple of years later I really got involved with this form of wildlife
habitat improvement by buying a
tree-planter and offering my services for hire as a conservation tree
planting contractor. Soon this
hobby became a full-time business.
Over the years I have planted literally millions of trees on a wide
variety of conservation and
wildlife habitat projects across the
Midwest. Last year alone, my crew
and I planted over 280,000 trees in
7 states. These experiences as both
a landowner and a contractor give
me a very unique perspective on
the value of CRP tree planting projects as wildlife habitat.
The tree-planting on my own
property continues to become better and better habitat with each
passing year. With minimal labor involved in maintenance

the first couple of
years, I was then
able to step aside
and let Mother
Nature take over.
The resulting habitat is top-notch as
weeds, shrubs, briars and a host of
other vegetation
fills in the space
around the young
trees. By simply
doing nothing this
acreage continues
to become better
habitat as time passes. Whats
more, I expect this trend to continue for many years to come with
very little effort on my part.
There are multiple CRP programs
which utilize tree plantings as part
of the required conservation improvement. Since the rules and
regulations regarding these programs vary from one locale to another, I will spare the details. You
can visit your county NRCS office
to learn if some of the acreage on
your property qualifies. If it does,
you will receive an annual payment
December 2015
Don Higgins shot this

mature buck a few years
ago as he chased a hot
doe through a CRP
tree planting site.
Don believes the
habitat created by
these conservation tree
plantings is some of the
very best deer habitat in
Illinois, providing
whitetails with both
food and cover.
from the government for
enrolling your acreage as
well as cost-share assistance to offset the cost of
planting the trees. It is truly a win-win deal as you
get paid to create incredible wildlife habitat on your
own land.
Typically, bare-root seedlings or
potted trees are planted on these
projects. Bare-root seedlings are
generally planted on a 10 x 10
spacing requiring 436 seedlings per
acre, although some foresters prefer a tighter 10 x 8 spacing. Potted
trees are spaced further apart and
typically require roughly 50 or so
trees per acre. An IDNR regional

forester will provide the landowner
with a management plan detailing
such things as the number of trees
required and suitable tree species. I
have worked with many of the regional foresters in Illinois and
found them to be very professional,
knowledgeable and willing to customize a landowners plan to their
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te
December 2015
specific desires, within reason. For

example, a landowner planning a
future timber harvest may want a
higher number of walnuts planted
on his site compared to someone
looking to improve deer habitat for
future hunting purposes.
While planting the required
seedlings or potted trees is not a
complicated process, an experienced tree planting contractor
should be able to offer some valuable advice while likely also
increasing the survival rate of your
trees. When I talk with a landowner regarding their tree planting
project I ask several questions to
get a feel for their goals and
desires. With this in mind I can
make specific recommendations to
help them achieve their goals.
I wish that I had possessed the
knowledge I now have back when I
first signed up for a CRP tree project all those years ago. I would
have definitely done some things
differently. This is especially true
regarding tree species selection
that I used on my project. Today I
have a firm grasp on how various
species grow on these project sites
and what can be expected from
them as they mature. For example,
I once thought that getting acorns

from an oak seedling required a 2025 year wait but that is not correct.
I have seen some oak species start
producing acorns as quick as 5
years.
If you have plans to do a CRP

tree planting project or know
someone who does, get in contact
with me. The added expense of hiring an experienced contractor is
really not that much more than
M I N N E S O TA W I N T E R S
93
doing it yourself since it is partially covered by the cost-share assistance. The benefits can pay off for
generations.
Don Higgins
www.higginsoutdoors.com
by Diana Storrs
Minnesotans love their snow. Its true. They are in their glory in the midst of the coldest winter on record. They revel in recordbreaking snowfalls. You would find this hard to believe if you have talked with a Minnesotan at any length. When you meet, the first
topic of conversation is the weather. If there happens to be something truly important, such as ones own imminent death or the
recent death of a spouse, for example, this may be spoken of first. In such a case, the weather is always second to be discussed and
with much more relish than the former topic.
However, the remarks are of a negative nature, delivered with a small shake of the head and downcast eyes. A newcomer would wonder why these people continue to live here if they find it so unpleasant. Someone facing their first Minnesota winter does so with dread
and trepidation. Tales of frozen cars that are unable to start, or cars that slide off the road to plunge into massive snowdrifts cause untold anxiety. What about
those treacherous lakes whose ice should have held but did not, causing the hapless fisherman to find an icy grave? These mishaps result in a great flurry of activity among the search and rescue folk. They gather with somber haste, eager to try that shiny new rescue vehicle. Among themselves, they consider these retrieval
exercises rather than rescues. A chilling thought.
One would think, listening to these remarks, that the general attitude toward Minnesota winters is adversarial. This is not true. I believe Minnesotans respect
their winters and enjoy them immensely. There are two reasons why they may be so reluctant to show their true feelings. The first is it simply is not in their nature.
They are a reserved lot and reticent. They experience the exhilaration of the first snowflake and they glory in the crisp, pristine air that nips the nose and lungs. But
it is unseemly to outwardly demonstrate these emotions.
Secondly, I believe their reserve is deeply inbred, born out of the real hardships suffered by the ancestors who settled this land. In order to survive and ultimately
thrive, those early pioneers had to struggle on in the face of cold, hard winters. To complain about the conditions would have been to no avail, for there was no relief
but what they could provide for themselves. To express their misery and hardship would be an open invitation to succumb to them. So was nurtured the innate traits
of these hardy folks of stoicism, reserve, and great respect for the nature of the land in which they have chosen to live.
Minnesota's history of nearly continuous meteorological record keeping stretches back nearly two centuries to 1819 when Fort Snelling was settled. By 1871 the
first official government observations were taking place in the Twin Cities and by the early 20th century most state-wide stations that exist today were in operation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Minnesota_weather_records
Most snow for the season: 170 inches, winter 1949-1950, Grand Portage State Park. Lowest Temp.: 57 F (49 C) Dec. 31, 1898, Pokegama Dam
094_001.qxd 11/25/15 7:13 AM Page 1
94
December 2015
After the Shot: How to Find,

Dress, and Extract Your Harvest
by Derrek Sigler
We put a lot of thought and preparation into harvesting a big game animal. Camo, boots,
rifles, bows, food plots, treestandsthe list
goes on and on. But you also have to prepare
and gear up for the post-harvest. As the old
saying goes,the real work starts after the
trigger is pulled.
In the field and at home
You have to have a good knife to go hunting.
You shouldnt even consider going without
one. When it comes time to dress out your
game, specialized knives make the chores that much easier. A good skinning knife can be worth its weight
in gold when it comes to getting the hide off your animal. The Havalon Baracuta Blaze Skinning Knifemay
be the perfect skinner at $66.99. Havalon has made a name for themselves recently by producing razorsharp knives that utilize replaceable bladesyou never need to worry about sharpening anything.The
blades, available in a five-pack for $15.99, snap in quickly and firmly. A bright-orange ABS handle keeps
the knife light, easy to find and with a sure grip. Itll make quick work of a whitetail, elk, or other critter.
Ever try to hoist a big-bodied deer to the rafters so you can start the butchering process? Every do it by
yourself? Its not easy. In fact, its almost impossible to do by yourself. Youve probably thought it would
be nice to have a winch up in the ceiling to make the job easy. Fear not, Cabelas Electronic Cable
Hoistsare available to make the job a snap. They have a five-foot corded, waterproof operating switch. You
can choose from the lighter-duty 440-pound model, the 880-pound model, or the heavyweight 1,320pound unit. Prices range from $109.99 to $199.99. Every hunter should have on hanging in the garage.
There are certain things you need to have with you to safely field dress your deer. The Hunters Specialties Game Cleaning Kitcombines these things in a handy kit. For $19.99, you get a field dressing bag,
scent-eliminating cleaning wipes, field dressing gloves, and a Butt Out 2, for dealing with the dirty side of
field dressing a deer.
Every year we all hear about a hunter who suffered a heart attack trying to drag his buck out of the
woods by himself. Even if youre in perfect health, the task is not an easy one. The Cabelas Deluxe Game
Cart,at $109.99 is a cheap way to make that job a little easier. With a 500-pound capacity, the cart is
also equally good at other tasks, like hauling firewood or hauling gear into deer camp. Big wheels, sturdy
construction, and a collapsible design make this one of those tools youll find new uses for and be happy
you have around.
After youve field dressed your game and quartered it up, hauling it out can be trouble. Get some Alaska Game Bagsto protect your valuable harvest. These breathable bags protect that hard-earnedmeat
from insects, dirt and the elements. At prices from $3.39 up to $25.49, thats cheap insurance.
Lost and found
Ever notice on the hunting shows how, whenever the host takes a shot, the animal appears to just drop
right in its tracks and theres no real tracking involved? How often does that happen for you? The reality
is that everyone has to track one sooner or later. On TV, its all careful editing.You can use a Primos
Bloodhunter HD Blood Trailing Spotlight. This light uses XM-L LED lights to amplify any amount of blood on
the ground, making trailing your deer much easier after dark. For $59.99, its cheaper than that sinking
feeling you get when you lose a deer. Regret is expensive.
When youre hot on the trail of that buck you just shot, you need to keep track of where youve been.
HME Products Trail-Marking Ribbonis a cheap ($3.99) wayto mark your trail as you look for blood and
the deer. Its also great for marking your way to your stand. The bright-orange color stands out well and is
easy to pick out in any light.
Saving bucks for chasing bucks
Need a cheap alternative to a hernia? The Cabelas 4-Wheel Hoistcosts $22.49 and provides a 7:1 ratio for hanging your deer and hauling it up. It has a 4,000-pound capacity and comes with 60 feet of
heavy-duty rope.
Game carts save your back, and help haul your game out of the woods. At $59.99, the Herters Game
Cart is an economic way to get your game out of the field and back to your truck or home.
This article was produced in cooperation with Cabelas. OutdoorHub.com
095_001.qxd 11/25/15 7:43 AM Page 1
December 2015
A DAY TO REMEMBER
95
BY NORM KELLY & BRUCE BROWN

PHOTOS BY LISA MANCUSO
On a beautiful
Sunday afternoon I
went over to
Springdale
Cemetery to honor
our veterans buried
at there and every
other place in the
Poppies placed at Springdale Cemetery,
World. Bruce had
VETS Day Event.
put together a program that included
some
patriotic
Americans.
His
wife, Lisa, took over
the camera and precisely at 2:30 the
program began.
Bruce had quite
Peoria's American Legion Post 2
an assemblage of
readies for the Rifle
people there including the Midwest Central Illinois Young Marines and members of the American Legion Post #2; who later
fired their rifles in a salute to our fallen. There were two buglers; Bob DeGise, an Iwo Jima veteran and a
15-year-old named Briana Varvil. They did what is called Echo Taps which was impressive. The Peoria
Barbershop Men did a wonderful patriotic job with several songs and were warmly greeted.
Bruce Brown did a segment from In Flanders Field, backed by the musical group called Bog Side Zook.
In Flanders Field is a world-wide piece that is used countless times to honor the men of WW1. Actually
it was written in 1915 by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrane who was a physician, not a combat soldier.
Flanders field is located in Belgium and is the final resting place for 386 of our fallen WW1 soldiers.
Bruces version of this poem, actually it is in the form of a rondeau, was a touching performance I can tell
you that.
May 3, 1915
In Flanders Field
the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row
That mark our
place; and in the sky
the larks still bravely
singing,
Marine Cpl Bob Degise waits 'under the gun' to
Fly scarce heard
close the Springdale Cemetery Event with TAPS. amid the guns bellow.
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among the tombstones at
Springdale Cemetery The
Bogside Zukes play
in the background.
Bruce also spoke the words from Where
Have All the Flowers Gone, accompanied by
the Bog Side Zook. It is an old Pete Seeger
song that became hugely popular in America.
Where have all the soldiers gone, long time
passing?
Where have all the soldiers gone, Long time
ago?
Where have all the soldiers gone? Gone to
graveyards everyone.
Oh when will we ever learn? Oh when will
we ever learn?
Briana Varvil, with the Peoria

Barber-shoppers, and the Young
Marines, listen to 'Where Have
All the Flowers Gone'.
Where Have All the Flowers

Gone was the theme of the
Veteran's Day Event at
Springdale Cemetery - the lyrics
narrated by ASO contributor
Bruce Brown, as a Young
Marine stands by.
It was a moving event put together with care and
emotion by Bruce and his friends. I have been going to
these events since I got out of the US Air Force in 1955.
I have spoken at some of them and was moved by many
of them. The sad thing is that very few of the over
113,000 Peorians ever come to them. Frankly it saddens me and irritates me at the same time. After all,
from the Civil War and through the Korean and
Vietnam wars Peoria has lost 1,454 young men to
these wars. Now wouldnt you think that at least some
or even one of the relatives or friends of these fallen
heroes would take the time to show up and show their
respect for there fallen warriors?
Of course I have seen them at the memorials but not
very often. The same is true for the police memorials.
I know because as stupid as it sounds, I got to a point
where I actually counted the folks that attended and
frankly I am ashamed of those numbers. Also, whenever I saw a person or small group of people that looked
like they were in their twenties, which was rare, I
always spoke to them and thanked them for coming.
Oh when will we ever learn?
Thanks to Norm, Bruce & Lisa for your dedication in
honoring our US Veterans!
096_001.qxd 11/25/15 9:08 AM Page 1
96
GRAPE STOMP AT
KICKAPOO CREEK
WINERY!
by Lisa Mancuso
Photos by Bruce Brown
On a perfect, beautiful August Sunday afternoon, I got to ride shotgun

with Bruce to The Kickapoo Creek
Winerys 9th Annual Grape Stomp.
Thirteen 3-woman teams, including
The Lucky Lucys, 3 I Love

Lucy ladies, dressed up as Lucy and
Ethel, complete with head kerchiefs,
stomped grapes for 5 minutes to see
if their team could produce the most
juice.
Please note, there were no 3-MAN
teams: dont know why. Tradition, I
guess. Folks, if you think this is easy,
youd be wrong. It is harder than it
looks. Those grapes are slippery,
round little devils. Plus the ladies are
stomping barefoot and the grapes are
December 2015
Lucky for me, Bruce was busy taking

pictures, so I got to taste many of the
wineries fine wines including a really
nice green apple wine. Food, tours of
the winery which is especially pretty this year because of all the rains
weve had and live music by the
East MacQueen Street Band, made
for a memorable visit to Edwards,
Illinois.
And the stomp!
Check out next years event &
more Holiday Happiness at KickapooCreekWinery.com
still attached to those prickly stems.

Ouch!
This year, for the first time, 2 teams
actually tied, each producing a little
over 7 pounds of juice. The winning
teams received a $100 gift certificate
to the Winery. And, of course, bragging rights.
For our $10.00 admission, we received 3 wine tasting drink tickets.
#1) Lisa enjoys Bruce's 'Wine Tasting Tickets' while HE took Pictures!
#2) The Kickapoo 'Wine Stomp' featured more than Wine.
#3) West MacQueen Street Band with the 'Sounds'.
#4) Just before the start, a team does the 'Energy Huddle'.
#5) 'Lucky Lucys' contemplate the grapes & the 'Stomp'.
#6) Spectators aplenty as the 3 women teams did the 'Grape Stomp'.
#7) Grape 'Stompin's are poured into a bin during the contest.
#8) It was 'just possible' to shoot these pics WITHOUT getting 'juiced'!
#9) The 'Grape Busters' stop 'stomping' as the 'cease stomping' whistle blows.
2
#10) Slippery Grapes, Little Stems...Stomp! Stomp!
#11) A perfect day, a large crowd, made for an excellent 'Grape Stomp'
#12) Shannon McClay rinses her 'Grape Stompers' after the competition.
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097_001.qxd 11/25/15 9:17 AM Page 1
December 2015
12
9
10
11
CHANGING TIMES
I officially
became
a
bowhunter in
1986. My husband
introduced me to
archery when
we began dating so that
wed have an
activity
in
by Marlene
common. He
Odahlen-Hinz never nudged
me toward the
line of bowhuntingI stepped over it
voluntarily and it turned out to be a
giant jump for me.
In 1993 I became a volunteer
bowhunter education instructor for the
Minn DNR. I joined a team where I
assisted in presenting classes around the
St. Paul, MN metro area. As I became
more comfortable with the material and
as my field experience gradually grew I
moved into becoming a lead instructor
with a team of my own.
In the past 22 years Ive seen many
changes in the program beyond the
obvious evidence of more grey hair
among my fellow instructors. If a pro-
97
gram is to remain relevant than it must

continually be updated.
CLASS SIZE
The most significant change Ive
seen over the years is in class size.
They kept getting bigger. This is
because each year more states are
requiring bowhunters to have proof that
theyve completed the course before
they are issued a hunting license.
Currently 14 states, 2 Northwest
Territories and 1 Canadian province
require this proof of competency.
Hunter education is offered in all 50
states, 10 Canadian provinces and 13
countries.
Minnesota is not one of those states
where completion of the course is
mandatory. But most organizations,
like the Metro Bowhunters Resource
Base (MBRB), do require the certificate. Any bow hunter who applies to be
part of a deer-culling project must furnish proof that theyve taken the
Bowhunter Education course before
they can participate. In recent years this
has been probably the single most contributor to increased class size.
AGE
Im definitely seeing more kids taking these classes. Much of the thanks
needs to go to the National Archery in
Contd. on next pg.
098_001.qxd 11/25/15 9:16 AM Page 1
98
TIMES Contd. from previous pg.

Schools Program (NASP) for piquing
the interest of some of these youngsters
to take that next step towards the
woods. There are currently over 500
schools in Minnesota that have instituted this program and more are being
added each year. Organizations like the
Kiwanis, Minnesota Deer Hunters,
area archery clubs and the National
Wild Turkey Federation, to name a few,
support camps where boys and girls
can take bowhunter education. Most
recently has been the popularity of state
trap shooting leagues, which serves as
a feeder program for kids who might
develop an interest in bowhunting
down the road.
GENDER
The gender make up of classes has
definitely changed. When I began
teaching, most of the classes were
100% male. It was rare to have a
woman in class and rarer still to have a
woman instructor. Even today, the
chance of having a woman instructor is
only 2%. Groups like Women in the
Outdoors and Becoming an Outdoors
Woman have done so much to promote
shooting sports and teaching women
how to enjoy the outdoors. Now 1520% of most classes have female par-
ticipants. Some of them are wives or

girlfriends wanting to share their husbands or boyfriends interest in
bowhunting but there are also more single women and even single mothers expressing an interest as well in hunting.
Statistics gathered by the Minn DNR
shows that the number of bowhunting
licenses issued to women has increased
each year. Last spring I got the shock
of a lifetime regarding bowhunter education30 people registered for my
class and only ONE was male. Now
that went down as a first in my book.
INSTRUCTORS
In 1991 Mn held the first class certifying instructors. Since then nearly
1,500 Minnesotans have gone through
the instructors course. According to
state records 420 of those are still active.
I was curious about how many
women had completed the instructor
course and 90 women had been certified as of 1991. Two of us are still active.
Instructors must keep informed on
changing laws and area regulations as
well as advances in equipment. Each
year new archery tackle becomes available to bowhunters and that means
knowing how to properly use these accessories.
In 1969 when Bill
Wadsworth
began the
program,
manufact u r e d
portable or
l a d d e r
stands were
nonexistent
and
not
m a n y
hunters had
any idea of
what a 5point harness was.
Bill Wadsworth showed early instructors like Dick Philips how, by using a
rope, bowhunters could tie themselves
in a tree. Now every manufactured
stand comes with a safety video.
When I started hunting I sat on a tree
limb or cross piece my husband had
place between a tree trunk and a sizable
limb. Comfort was minimal and movement was extremely limited. Now I
look for stands with padded swivel
seats.
STUDENT MANUAL
Todays Bowhunter, The Responsible
Bowhunters Guide has gone through
several revisions since it was first printed. The official manual used for the
class has been revised 31 times. It has
gone though many changes just during
the 22 years that Ive been an instructor. Each revision reflects the advances
in technology and changes in state laws
and regulations.
As I compare the manual I received
as a student in 1989 with the most recent manual I currently use I see many
updates as well as a few exclusions.
The most noticeable update has been
the addition of color and graphics. Side
bars are full of graphs and additional
material that emphasize more clearly
the information being presented. Examples of expandable broadheads are
now shown and advantages of using a
GPS for tracking.
Gone are the directions for how to
make Wadsworth steps as are the two
pages of recipes and the step by step illustrations on how to field dress a deer.
The graphic showing the different cuts
of meat and the instructor evaluation
form are also missing.
The weight of the paper is lighter and
it now has a glossy sheen to it. The type
is smaller allowing for more topics to
be presented in a condensed space.
One of my first manuals had information for 80 pages that were later compressed down to 46 pages.
As archery tackle changes so does in-
December 2015
formation provided in Todays

Bowhunter. It is a constant work in
progress.
TEACHING AIDS
The pamphlets and manuals given to
class participants have continued to improve and be revised. Three-D cut
away targets now show students the location of vital organs has replaced
those early 4 foam deer and bear replicas. Instructors used to push long pins
into one side of these small foam animals to show a class how to select an
aiming spot when hunting whitetails
and bear.
As technology changes so does the
method of presentation. VCR tapes
gave way to power point presentations.
This helped instructors to systematically cover all the required material efficiently and effectively.
ON-LINE OPTION
Recently
the
International
Bowhunter Education class are offered
online. The cost is $30 payable on
passing the final exam. Its designed to
take 1-2 hours to finish the 8-unit
course; however, actual completion
time depends on each students personal schedule. Online or telephone support is available 7 days a week.
At one point a field day was required once the instructional portions
of the program was completed. However, after talking with several state
DNR administrators where bowhunter
education certification is mandatory to
buy an archery license, the field day requirement has been waived.
Because of this online alternative to
actual classroom instruction, more individuals are signing up and buying
archery licenses. Technology has put
convenience at their fingertips.
Is virtual better than hands-on instruction? We will just have to wait
and see how well the next generation of
bowhunters do.
Until next month, take your daughter,
granddaughter or niece bowhunting.
099_001.qxd 11/25/15 9:29 AM Page 1
December 2015
The Not-so-Great
Escape
by A.K. Thompson
I believe I have discovered the reason

the dinosaurs went extinct and, no, it
has nothing to do with a giant meteor
smashing into Earth its something far
more simple.
Last month I found myself examining
the chicken house looking for things
Id need to do in order to prepare for the
up-coming winter months. The first
orders of business went smoothly
muck out the soiled straw, buy a new
bale, seal up any cracks where a cold
draft might make the ladies uncomfortable. My dad and I set up a light timer
to ensure consistent egg production
throughout the dreaded time change
and all the obnoxious Hell it causes; I
started my routine of taking the water
jug with me each morning, for soon the
water will freeze every night. I bought a
bag of Calf Mana to ensure protein levels dont fall below normal during the
molt, because feathers are something
like 85% protein and they need that
licorice-smelling supplement to keep
their plumage full so they stay warm.
Quite the list animal husbandry, even
something as simple as a few laying
hens, takes time, planning and care. I
thought I was done. Then, mid-morning
on Veterans Day I noticed something
that made me think, huh, this could
cause a problem later on.
I was staring at the amassing heap of
fallen leaves that had gathered into a
thick blanket over the wire roof of the
outdoor run. Surely I should knock
those off a heavy snow and down she
goes!
My tact left much to desire.

I simply started beating the wire
upwards, leaves nicely cascading to the
ground. At the same time, the chickens
went into an absolute panic. Youd think
they were listening to Orson Welles
broadcast of War of the Worlds in 1938.
Absolute Hell broke loose and the
chickens their wings flapping violently, had what can only be described as a
series of grand mal seizures, three of the
birds managing to slip through the gaps
in the tarp.
They had escaped, what Im sure
their tiny brains interpreted as, a complete nuclear meltdown.
The list of expletives which escaped
my mouth is unnecessary. Im sure you
can assume the colorful contents of my
speech in this moment.
I immediately nose-dived through the
same gap the chickens had managed to
squeeze through. I was fumbling
through a sea of leaves, grasping wilding at the freaked-out hens. One of my
Rhode Islands literally flew the coop
and got over the fence the other two,
which I got hold of and tossed back
through the gap, continued their frenzied run and burst through the door,
which I had dumbly left ajar.
Another torrent of unladylike adjectives burst from my lips. Im sure that
didnt help my case. The chickens must
have thought (if they are capable)
Dang, shes as scared and upset as we
are!!! RUN!!!!
And run they did into the thicket
which surrounds the neighbors property miles of heavy woods and thorn
bushes just ask my shins. Shaving my
legs still stings thank God its winter

soon and I can abandon that silly western tradition altogether.
So, what was I to do?
Surely chasing chickens has never
been a successful endeavor accomplished by anyone grandma had a
long pole with a hook on it oh, how I
wished I had one of those! So, I went
into the coop to offer a sincere apology
to the remaining three hens, Henrietta
tucked tightly into the lowest nesting
bunk, her counter parts, Barred Rock
and Rhode Island staring down at me
from the rafters. Their cold gazes cutting my like a knife.
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99
Oh, Im so sorry ladies!!

The first thought to enter my mind
was, Thank God Henri didnt have a
heart attack!
And so I turned to the thicket. I managed to squeeze myself through the
barbed wire fence and land like a sack
of potatoes into a spread of sticker
bushes. I thought, whats worse the
care I took not to get pricked on the
barbed wire, or the smart pain of collapsing onto a bed of thorns? Either
way, I got eyes on my birds. They were
clucking like mad, walking around like
they had arrived on Mars.
Contd. on next pg.
100_001.qxd 11/25/15 9:27 AM Page 1
100
ESCAPE Contd. from previous pg.

I tried cooing. I tried my regular
chick-chick-chick. Nothing worked. I
chased them back through the fence,
and as soon as I arrived back on my side
of the fence, they went the opposite.
Heck, Ill do this all day, I thought.
And so, I went back to the house and
retired to the couch. Completely disappointed with myself I should have
known better I sat there thinking of a
strategy. I came up with a brilliant one
Wait.
And so I waited till morning, and a
spread of feathers graced the field. At
least one gone, I thought. The blame
quickly shifted from myself to the
dumb birds. They gotta be dumb why
not just come home?! At work the next
day I told my friend Brittany that I
knew why the dinosaurs went extinct
birds and reptiles being their closest relatives, are dumb as a bag of hammers.
We laughed, but still I wanted my
beloved ladies to return home. The next
morning greeted me with a sweet,
familiar cluck, and there was my other
Rhode Island strutting around the coop.
Surely shell gladly prance her way
back into the coop, I thought.
WRONG.
I think she was still mad at me for
upsetting her delicate nature. As soon as

she caught sight of me she put forth the
most complex array of clucks and guttural groans Ive ever heard. This lady
was pissed off and confused. And so, I
searched every reach of my brain, went
back thousands of years to animal
behavior, and figured if I opened the
coop door and she heard her other lady
friends cackling about the mornings
goings on, shed walk right in it took
some time (enough for me to be late to
work, thank you very much), but with
my back turned to her, and with some
gentle coaxing from my own human
clucks (which Im convinced they say
Pontoons
Customer Service Index #1 at Watkins Marine for 08, 09, 10 & 12!
to each other,
She must be
joking),
and her lady
friends
morning
coos, in she
went. I softly
snapped the
door
shut
and went to
work.
Amen, all
the way into
town.
And so, at least one lady remained
aloof. Upon my return to the homestead, my number one chore was to let
the dogs out. Having recently become a
foster dog mom, I had a new pup on a
leash, needing to use the potty. Thats
when I spotted my little Barred Rock,
standing, dumb as a pole, outside the
coop. I prayed to God to not have her
bolt at the sight of the dogs, caustically
waiting for the new pup to poop. As
soon as her business was done, I took
her and Red into the house, went
promptly out the back door and straight
to the coop. And there she was, missing
the entirety of her tail feathers, clucking
around like a weirdo. If there were such
a thing as a chicken translator I imagine
it would be repeating, WTF? Why did
you scare me? Where am I? Im hungry.
Im mad at you.
I gently set foot through the leaves,
entered the coop and stood behind the
door. She could hear her lady friends,
happily pecking at the treats of left over
corn on the cob and pasta salad. I stood
silent as a stone and listened to her foot
falls across a sea of crunching dried
leaves, until she came through the door
December 2015
and was safely inside.

Whew.
Another one
doesnt bite
the dust.
Where is
your
tail,
girlie?
I
asked. She
did not reply,
but if chickens had eyebrows Im
sure shed
have given me that Really? look. Im
proud of that chicken she must have
run fast enough to get away from a fox
or a coon. Good girl.
I have not caught sight of the other
hen, but 5 outta 6 aint bad. It was my
fault this folly. I might be wrong about
the dinosaur thing, but Im pretty sure
chickens are 50% smart and 50%
dumb. Where that leaves me, I dont
know, but I believe Ive been scolded,
though no technology exists to prove
my theory.
A.K. Thompson is a fiction writer
and teacher who makes her home in
southern Illinois. She holds a Master's
Degree
in!
Writing
and
Consciousness! from the New College
of California, and an MFA in Creative
Writing from Southern Illinois
University. She has served as an
Assistant Editor for the!Crab Orchard
Review.! ! Her work has appeared
in!STORY Magazine, Surreal South -An Anthology of Short Fiction and
Poetry, The Smoking Poet,! and The
Chiron Review among others. Friend
Dirt Church on Facebook! Email
A.K.: akdirtchurch@gmail.com
101_001.qxd 11/22/15 1:30 PM Page 1
December 2015
YOUNG HUNTRESS IS
AN INSPIRATION
by Jason Houser
Y o u t h
firearm seasons are held
across
the
country
in
most states to
allow young
the
hunters
opportunity to harvest a whitetail
before they have been pressured by
archers and firearm hunters. This is a
good time for the youngsters to hone
their hunting skills, enjoy the outdoors, and hopefully harvest a whitetail.
Josephine Josie Warren from
Paxton, Illinois is no rookie when it
comes to deer hunting, or any hunting for that matter. Josie harvested
her first whitetail and turkey in her
home state of Illinois when she was
just nine years old. Now at the ripe
old age of 13, she has tagged three
deer, and already this year earlier in
the spring, harvested two trophy
longbeards. Now her sights where
set on a trophy whitetail during the

2015 youth firearm season held
October 10th through the 12th.
Saturday morning, her step-father
Robert Bobby Hartbank and Josie
decided to head to a farm where Josie
killed her first whitetail four season
ago. Knowing the deer were bedded
in a nearby corn field, the duo decided to set up along a travel corridor
between the corn field and a grove of
acorn trees. The acorn crop was
good, and hopes were high that a nice
buck would make his way to the
acorns.
Josie is not limited to what she can
shoot. That is something I encourage
that all new hunters have, young or
old. If you are reading this, and you
are an experienced hunter that sets
limitations on the animals you harvest, that is fine. Just do not expect
new hunters to do the same. A beginning hunter can quickly get bored
with the sport if they are not able to
harvest an animal, and once they are
bored and gone, they are probably
gone for good.
Knowing she could harvest any
deer she chose, she decided to wait
on a buck that would score above
130-inches. Even though there were
no limitations set on the deer she
101
Josie with her two

Nebraska birds from this
spring. One Merriams
and one Eastern.
could harvest, there were limitations

to what she could get a shoulder
mount of. You guessed it, 130-inches.
The first outing was not a complete
washout. Two bucks showed themselves, but they were not what the
young hunter was looking for.
The next morning found Josie, her
sister, and Bobby splitting firewood,
instead of in a treestand. Time was
running out. Even though the youth
firearm season continued into
Monday on Columbus Day, Bobby
would have to work, and not be able
to take Josie hunting.
Around midday the firewood was
spit and stacked, and the two worked

on hashing out a plan for the evening
hunt. There were a couple options.
They could stay close to home, or
make a drive about 80 miles south to
a hunt a 160 acre farm. Josie quickly
made the decision to make the drive
south.
Bobby was unsure about this decision, but it was Josie's hunt and they
got in the truck and headed south. A
southeast wind made it impossible to
hunt out of the only tree that had
stands that would accommodate two
hunters. This is when Josie jumped
into action and began constructing a
102_001.qxd 11/22/15 1:29 PM Page 1
102
INSPIRATION
ground blind using maple saplings

and old logs from a logging operation
about 20 years ago.
With the blind built, the two had a
good view of a natural funnel along a
steep ravine coming up out of the
bottoms. The ravine was cut very
steep for about 200 yards, Bobby and
Josie were hunting a faint buck trail
that was the only access up and down
out of the bottoms for 200 yards
because its wasn't as steep as the rest
of the ridge. They were also near the
edge of standing corn field where the
deer spent most of their daylight
hours. Bobby has hunted this particular area for more than 20 years, and
knew Josie had made a good decision
with her blind placement. He has
never seen anything less than mature
bucks in this area, and he hoped the
same held true on that day.
Within the first 15 minutes of the
hunt, 2 mature does meandered by.
Bobby reminded Josie that she would
be unable to hunt the following
morning, and if she wanted a doe for
the freezer, now would be good time.

Josie held onto her hopes of harvesting a wall buck, and let the does
continue on their journey unscathed.
A little concerned about where the
does came through, Josie decide
decided to pick up and move a mere
ten feet. This was a decision that
would pay off later.
The young huntress had a good
view of the bottoms below her that
Bobby was not able to see. At 6:19,
the exact time for the sun to set, the
two hunters heard the distinct sound
of deer crashing in front of them.
Josie was instructed to get her shotgun up and ready. Time was running
out, and there would not be an opportunity the following day to fill her
youth tag.
What they saw next was a surprise.
Four bucks came out of the cornfield
nudging does. It was still a little early in the season for rutting activity,
but what they saw piqued the hunter's
interest. The deer worked their way
from the corn field to nearby acorns
that were on the ground.
By this time, Josie had her youth
model Remington 870 shotgun shoul-
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Josie poses with

her buck that had
a green score of
161 5/8
dered, finger ready to take the safety

off. As the deer approached closer
and closer, the young lady reminded
herself to breath, and went over the
mental checklist to prepare for a shot
that Bobby had instilled in her from
the beginning of her hunting career.
The lead buck was quickly judged
at being a buck of the caliber Josie
wanted, and Bobby agreed. With
time running out, things were going
to have to happen quickly. If the deer
continued on the path they were taking, they would practically be in the
hunter's laps. Thankfully that is just
what they did.
With only 20 yards separating the
hunter and the mature buck, Josie
shouldered her gun, touched the safety off, and placed her finger on the
trigger guard.
The monster whitetail was facing
head on, there were no obstructions
between the hunter and deer. She
reminded herself to breathe and not to
concentrate on the huge rack facing

her. What might have only been
about 10 seconds, seemed like an
eternity to Bobby. Josie was waiting
for the perfect shot, but throughout
the waiting, Bobby became worried
the buck was going to bounce off,
never to be seen again that night.
With her breathing under control,
and the sights of the shotgun settled
on the chest of the massive whitetail,
Josie moved her finger from the trigger guard to the trigger, squeezed the
trigger, much to the delight of Bobby.
The two could tell immediately the
buck was hit hard as he ran off as
crimson blood flowed freely from the
chest.
The buck quickly vanished from
view as he passed through the hardwoods, but he was still within hearing distance. A few seconds later
they heard the deer stop, and then
crash off through the woods again.
The two hunters stayed put, along
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103_001.qxd 11/22/15 1:28 PM Page 1
December 2015
with the other 3 bucks and does.

The whitetails that were with the
lead buck stayed in the area, and put
on a show, as well as a learning
experience for the two hunters. The
3 bucks, a 1-1/2 year old, 2-1/2 year
old, and another buck that was number 2 on Bobby's hit list continued
to dog the does. Tired of chasing
the does, the small 1-1/2 year old
buck decided to take his aggression
out on a 6-inch diameter tree. This
just goes to prove wrong that only
big bucks rub on big trees. The bigger of the 3 bucks, a 140-inch class
8 pointer, constructed a scrape.
These things are rarely seen by a
hunter, especially a 13 year old
hunter. Bobby used this time to
teach the young hunter about deer
behavior, and how it can be used in
hunting.
Firm believers that if you are
unsure of where the deer was hit,
wait 8 hours before picking up the
blood trail, the two hunters exited
the area. Being careful not to bump
the deer, the 2 hunters circled wide
around the area where they thought
the shot buck was, going almost 1
miles out of their way to avoid
jumping the wounded animal.
Walking back to their truck,
Bobby called his dad and brother,
both avid hunters. Upon reaching
the road, Bobby's father was there
waiting on the 2 hunters. Talking
amongst themselves, the hunter and
trackers decided that a deer shot in
the chest at such close range had to
be a dead deer. There were no
doubts in their mind that the heart,
lungs, or both had been taken out.
Bobby knew he was too emotional to be the lead man on the tracking
job, so his brother took point. After
waiting two hours, it did not take
long for the blood trail to be picked
up. The blood trail was easy to follow, and it did not take long to find
Josie's big buck.
The crashing they heard earlier
when they thought the buck continued through the woods after a brief
pause was actually the buck rolling
down a steep ravine to his final resting place.
Josie immediately ran to her
biggest buck she had ever harvested, or seen alive for that matter.
Only having seen the buck for about
10 seconds before she pulled the
trigger, she was surprised to see the
head gear this buck carried, as were
the others. The high-fives and hugs
were given freely as the realization
of what the
y o u n g
hunter just
a c c o m p l i s h e d
flooded
through
t h e m .
Bobby,
a
man standing 6-foot,
2-inches in
weighing in
250
at
p o u n d s
described
h i m s e l f
looking like
a baby laying
down
beside the
giant whitetail.
With the
time getting later and later, the rush
was on to get the brute out of the
ravine. But the question was how.
This was not a small deer by any
imagination, and the ravine was
nearly vertical. The 3 men slid
down to where the buck rested.
They began the task of getting the
brute onto flat ground. After many
1-2-3-heave sequences, the buck
was in a position where Bobby's dad
could get their truck weaved
through the trees, and the buck
loaded.
T
h
e
Remington
870 youth
model delivered a perfect shot to
the heart on
this
buck.
The
buck
dressed at
250-pounds
and
green
scored 161
He
5/8.
sported an
inside spread
of 21-inches,
and an outProud
side spread
Bobby with of 25-inches.
Josie & her It just so
beautiful happens that
the shotgun
buck!
Josie used to
harvest this buck, and her other 3
deer, is the same gun Bobby shot his
first deer with 23 years ago.
Remember when Josie decide to
move 10-feet when the 2-does had
come in earlier in the afternoon? If
she had not made that move, the
buck she shot would have been
blocked from view by a tree.
Sometimes we just have to trust our
instincts like this young huntress
did.
Bobby, an accomplished hunter in
his own rights, having taken several
103
bucks that have qualified for recognition within the Pope and Young
Club felt that it was important for
Josie to make the decisions on this
hunt as she wanted.
Bobby explained, It felt right to
let her make as many decisions as
she wanted. Her young perspective
and attention to detail is something
lost in a lot of experienced hunters
that have set their ways, in watching
her and listening to her justification,
I learn things I took for granted over
the years.
This successful hunt was made
possible by Josie. She chose to hunt
this particular area when her stepfather thought that another area
might be better, she allowed does to
walk by hoping for an opportunity
at a nice buck, she made the critical
move of 10-feet when she was not
comfortable in that certain location,
and finally she made the perfect
shot on a buck that would make
most grown men tremble in their
boots.
It is not often that a young hunter
gets to enjoy the thrill of harvesting
a deer with family there to enjoy the
experience with them. It does not
matter if the deer is a monster buck
like the one Josie harvested, or a
small button buck. What we need to
do as parents, step-parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles is get kids
involved in hunting. The future of
hunting depends on it.
BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR

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104_001.qxd 11/24/15 4:15 PM Page 1
104
Real Estate Chatter

By: Mary Ann Vance
Now that we
have Thanksgiving
behind us for another year our
thoughts are on
Christmas. The
weather has been
good to us so far
lets hope it continues. For all of
you who are traveling for Christmas please be care
and stay safe. We want to wish all of you a Merry
Christmas and we hope you enjoy your family!!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ON BUYING A FORECLOSURE
Preparing to Buy a Foreclosure:
If youre a buyer considering a foreclosure purchase, be sure youve evaluated the advantages
and disadvantages of this type of transaction first.
Buying a foreclosure requires careful budgeting,
the right real estate team, and the mental resolve
to see the purchase through.
Pros of Buying a Foreclosure:
The primary reason to consider purchasing a
foreclosure is the potential for a great deal. The
foreclosing lender typically doesnt want to hold on
to the home and may be willing to offer the property at a discount to get it off their books.
Those willing to take the risk can use a homes
foreclosure status to their advantage, buying a
larger property or in a more desirable neighbor-
And Auctions!
hood than otherwise possible. Youll find foreclosures in every price range from starter houses to
luxury mansions and occasionally the property is
in great condition, ready for you to make it your
home.
In the best scenario buying a foreclosure is also
financially advantageous since the price you paid is
below market rate. If the value of the home appreciates and you decide to sell, your investment could
return even larger gains.
Cons of Buying a Foreclosure:
Homes in any stage of foreclosure may require
significant repairs just to make them inhabitable.
Pre-foreclosures are typically assumed to be a better bet in terms of home condition, but dont forget
that a homeowner is in pre-foreclosure because the
owners could not keep up with their monthly mortgage payments. This might mean that they also did
not have the funds to perform regular maintenance
on the home or repair serious issues that arose
during their occupancy.
Homes that reach the real estate owned (REO)
phase of foreclosure are often in the worst structural condition. Foreclosure is a lengthy process, so
a REO property has likely been sitting empty for
months or sometimes years with little maintenance
or care.
The result is things like mold buildup, broken
pipes, and vermin or bug infestations. Evicted
homeowners might have sold valuable appliances or
done deliberate damage to the home. Uninhabited
houses can also fall prey to thieves and vandals.
While in some stages youll have the opportunity
to inspect a foreclosure property prior to finalizing
the purchase, these homes are typically sold as-is;
that means no repairs can be requested as a con-
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tingency of the sale. In addition, homes in the auction or REO stage of foreclosure will not include a
seller disclosure, which would have alerted you to
additional problems that a typical inspection might
not uncover.
When buying a home in foreclosure you might
become responsible for any debt connected to the
home. You could be looking at significant sums
owed for unpaid tax obligations, construction
loans, or home equity lines of credit. Take the time
to understand the financial burdens youre assuming above and beyond your mortgage obligation.
Current inhabitants can also become problematic if they refuse to vacate the property. Legal
eviction takes time and money, and disgruntled
previous owners or tenants could take out their
frustration on your new home.
The process of buying a foreclosure property can
be a long and frustrating one. Expect extra paperwork and slow response times. In the case of REO
properties, it is not unusual to wait several weeks
after making an offer to receive a reply either way.
If youre buying a short sale youll be waiting on all
parties with an interest in the home including the
current owners, the primary lender, and any lienholders to approve your bid. Occasionally it takes
months to receive this approval.
While lenders do want to offload the property,
many are also trying to get top dollar. Understand
that your contract may be canceled for any reason
and at any point up to closing. If a better offer is
presented its possible to lose the home.
Financing a foreclosure purchase can be complex and might require the use of non-standard
loan products. Some lenders do not offer mortgages for distressed properties, so youll want to
December 2015
start by identifying those that do.

A conventional mortgage will be limited by the
appraised value of the property; this can be problematic for foreclosed homes as the state of disrepair can lead to extremely low valuations. Conventional loans also typically have requirements regarding the condition of the property and might not
approve your loan without certain repair contingencies, creating a catch-22 since foreclosures
are commonly required to be sold as-is.
Any delay in the acceptance of your offer can also impact financing. Most lenders have time limits
on rate approvals. Waiting for a response could result in less favorable mortgage terms if your approval expires and rates increase.
Foreclosure properties attract a lot of interest
because of the incredible value they can provide. In
addition to other homebuyers seeking a primary
residence, you will be competing with investors who
often make all-cash offers.
Homes in the auction stage of foreclosure are
particularly attractive to seasoned investors because they often present the best opportunity to
acquire property at a significant discount. Those
who are unaccustomed with investigating foreclosed homes or unsure of local property values
might find it difficult to compete or worse, end up
overpaying for an undesirable home.
I maintain a staffed office in

Tremont, Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm.
Evenings & weekends by appt.
Mary Ann Vance
(309)925-3545
Toll Free: (800)331-8444
mvance@maryannvance.com
maryannvance.com
READ ASO ONLINE IN 2 DIFFERENT FORMATS!
ASOMagazine.com ASOMagazine.net
105_001.qxd 11/25/15 3:04 AM Page 1
December 2015
The Past, Present

& Future
By J ack L. Hart
ph. 309-888-4071
jacklhart@msn.com
I recently read a
book written by a
young man who
was a free spirit
who ended up
spending several
years living in
Alaska in the
1970s
and
1980s. He worked for a few
years as a park ranger and spent
most of his time traveling and
working in south eastern Alaska
in Glacier Bay National Park
which is the home to numerous
glaciers which fascinated him

and his friends as they would
travel by kayak in Glacier Bay.
He had a great interest in the
wildlife he observed and their
safety. As he traveled he was
concerned that this last part of
the West would no longer be the
same and that this great state as
it once was would be no more
due to the influx of many people
from the lower 48 and all the
commercial fishing and the
clear cutting of majestic timber
in the past 30 years and the
huge influx of the tourist trade
and the numerous cruise ships
carrying thousands of passengers.
He loved being out in the
wilderness feeling the peace
within his heart and soul as he
enjoyed the tranquility given by
the quiet of the surrounding
Illinois
Fish &
Feather
Expo
Jan.
29
30
31,
2016
INTERSTATE
CENTER,
BLOOMINGTON!
BOOTHS
AVAILABLE!
wilderness.
He thought about the hectic
life that most individuals had to
suffer thru and how he wished
things were different. To illustrate how he felt he wrote the
following and I quote, To boot
up meant to put on your boots,
and not turn on your computer.
A mouse was that lively and
pesky little varmint and not a
tool utilized in operating that
computer. Software was those
warm socks. Hardware was that
canoe, boat or kayak that was so
vital in traveling the isolated
waters enabling one to enjoy the
wilderness and all of its inhabitants. You slept on the ground
until you became uncomfortable
trying to sleep in a bed. You
breathed fresh air until you
found yourself suffocating from
being indoors too long. True
wealth was not a matter of
adding to your worldly possessions but subtracting from the
sum of your desires to experience and see as many wildlife
areas as possible. You should
remember that gifts are not taken, they are received, and best
of all are given.
As I read his comments,
which were very thought provoking, I thought about those
good ole days back in the
1940s and 1950s living in
Southern Illinois and how
things have really changed over
the last 50 years. Yes, much
progress has been made over
those years making life much
easier for most of us but is that
what we really want. I came to
the conclusion years ago that
man is simply too smart for his
own good. In fact, we are so
smart that we become stupid.
105
As I watch the local and national news I am continually

amazed by all the new gadgets
that are invented. It was reported recently that they have now
manufactured a car that requires
no driver. It is computer driven.
I am also perturbed and worried
about how much of our personal and business life is so dependent on this age of technology ruled by the world of computers. We are so smart but yet
so dumb that we cant fight off
the wide world of cyber hackers
as is illustrated by the numerous
cases shown and discussed on
the national TV networks resulting in millions of dollars being
stolen from banks and/or their
customers whose accounts were
hacked by this invisible army.
What else may happen in the future that may come back to
haunt us and others in the
world.
I am a lot like, Kim Heacox,
the author of the book The Only
Kayak. I love being outdoors
and in the country and I love
going to my tiny wilderness in
Fulton County. I do it to get
away from all the traffic and
noise in the city. I love to seek
the quiet and solitude that is
found in and among the trees. It
is good for my soul giving me,
for a while, peace of mind as I
sit in the timber on the ground
with my back up against a tree
trunk listening to the sounds of
the songbirds and watching and
counting how many squirrels I
can see and count as I watch the
slow current move by in the little creek that provides home to
those minnows and frogs. Yes, I
love and cherish this time spent
at my wildlife sanctuary.
106_001.qxd 11/25/15 9:37 AM Page 1
106
Ice Fishing Tools

By Ted Takasaki and Scott Richardson
As we look forward to ice fishing, the image of sluggish, finicky fish in crystal-clear water comes to mind.!But thats not always true.!There are also times
when fish are faced with dirty, dingy water or low-light conditions below the
hard surface of a frozen lake.!This is similar to differing conditions during openwater season.! The fishs challenge is to find food no matter what.! Our challenge turns toward finding ways to make them bite.!New ice-fishing tools can
help.
Sometimes all it takes is to sound the dinner bell.!Ice anglers can do just that
by utilizing sound within their lures.! There are many lures available today
which feature super loud brass rattle chambers in order to draw fish to the bait.
There are situations (especially in dirty or stained water and in low light),
where erratic, noisy baits are best.! Despite evidence to the contrary, some
anglers cling to the notion that sound scares fish away.! But, if walleyes and
other fish were spooked by sound, they wouldnt snap at lures trolled in the prop
wash of boats during open-water season, which they often do.!When sight-feeding is impossible, sound and vibration help them find food with their lateral
lines.!Fish are curious.!They "hear" the rattle as the angler shakes it, and they
swim closer to investigate.! An aggressive, noisy presentation will often only
help to trigger them to strike.
Start ice fishing in the same manner you would approach your favorite lake
during open water.!Check in with bait shops and use a lake map to search out
potential spots.! For walleyes, check shallow places that feature hard bottoms
early in the season.!Look for rocky areas near shore with the fastest break to the
deepest water in that section of the lake.!Later in the winter, move to deeper
structure like mid-lake humps, similar to where they can be found in summer
patterns.! As ice-out nears, check spots near spawning areas.! No fish?! Dont
stick around.! The more you move, the more likely you will locate active
schools.
For panfish like bluegills, check out basins that still host green weeds early in
winter. Jig aggressively for walleyes to prompt reaction strikes.! Try quivering
your jig for panfish.! This makes the jig to appear as though it were swimming.! Again, sometimes the fish want it dead still, so a bobber is key.! Go
through a vast array of different actions to figure out what the fish want that day.
December 2015
St. Croix has recently

Ted with a beautiful perch caught on a
come out with some new ice
bright, sunny, finicky-bite day. Venoms
fishing rods that we cannot ultra-sensitive floats were the ticket to a
believe!! The Avid Glass good catch under challenging conditions.
series are super limber, but
super sensitive rods that are
light, yet have strong backbones in order to get the fish
in and out of your ice fishing
hole.! Quivering your jig is
really easy with these glass
rods and makes the lure
come alive!!The tips of these
glass rods are also ultra-limber, thus acting as a built in
spring bobber.
Always use your flasher or
other sonar to look for specific targets. Cut your search
time even more by using a
combination
sonar/GPS
mapping unit, such as
Humminbirds new Ice
Helix 5.! Use LakeMaster
mapping chips as you walk
or snowmobile your way to
the tip of a point or hump,
then start drilling.! This will
cut your drilling time in
half!! The Ice Helix features
a 5-inch diagonal, 480V x
800H HD display with 1500
nit brightness for eye-popping, crystal-clear images.! This new screen gives you easy viewing, even in
harsh sunlight so common to the bright winter environment.
Underwater cameras can also help you identify specific species of
fish.!Instead of fishing marks that are suckers, you can move to areas that have
the walleyes that you are looking for.!The challenge is that underwater cameras
work only when you have a relatively high degree of clear water.!They do not
work as well in dirty or dingy water.
Fish in cold, clear water are often neutral or negative.!Fish in those moods
must be coaxed into biting.! The best
tactic is to slowly dangle a wax worm
or maggot in front of their eyes and jig
it gently.!A fish may watch such a bait
for several long minutes before
deciding to inhale it.! They may shy
away if a jig is presented too aggressively.
When the bite is like that, a bobber
rig, that lets the bait just dangle there,
can be the perfect presentation tool.
Making the bobber ultra-sensitive is
often the ticket to coming home with
the makings of a fresh fish dinner.!
My favorite tool for these situations
is the Venom adjustable float.! By
simply moving the foam up or down,
you can easily fine-tune the sensitivity of the float to match the weight of
your bait. You can see more about
how this works at venomfloats.com.
Ice fishing can be an enjoyable way
to spend the winter.! Try utilizing the
tools of the trade in order to
increase your success!
107_001.qxd 11/25/15 9:57 AM Page 1
December 2015
SAFE GUN HANDLING
Are your shots intentional?
by Annette Moore
MSN, NRA Basic Pistol Instructor, NRA
Personal Protection in the Home Instructor,
NRA Personal Protection
outside the Home Instructor
g
o
Nov. 5th Inaugural Meeting for The

Well Armed Women was a great success
with 25 participants! Annette Moore
(Chapter Leader) presented to the group
followed by a welcome reception hosted
by CI Shooting. Next meeting is
Thursday, December 3rd, 6:30 pm.
The positive uses of firearms comes in many forms such as hunting, competition and protection of self
and loved ones. The outcomes should be enjoyment of the activity and living to talk about it. The worst and
unintentional outcomes are injuries and fatalities. When I think of unintentional outcomes, the words negligent discharge, come to mind. To sum it up, a person unintentionally pulled the trigger. This takes me to
the fundamental rules of safe gun handling.
One of the primary rules is to keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. This action is
performed with the intention of being safe for the shooter and others around them (near and far vicinity).
Any gun: real ones, those for training (blue gun, red lasers, etc.), air guns, toy guns. All of them, why is this
important? Remember the term once you learn to ride a bike you never forget how? It means once you
learn how to perform an action and repeat it over and over the same way, you tend to do it that way without
even thinking about it. So apply this to safe gun handling. You learn how to handle your firearm properly and
then it will become second nature. If you dont learn how to do it properly, you or someone else can suffer
serious or fatal injury.
In practice, safe gun handling means making a conscious effort of always treating every firearm/gun as
if it were loaded, always keeping your firearm pointed in a safe direction (dont point it at anything you are
not willing to destroy) and always keeping it unloaded until you are ready to use it.
The times when I give instruction to new shooters at the firing line, I remind them after follow-through to
take their finger off the trigger before putting the firearm down, I sometimes hear an abrupt reply, oh, Im
doing it, when I clearly see that the conscious effort to do so is not there. The operative word is conscious; an individual performs the action on purpose. Nothing pleases me more than to stand alongside
another shooter who performs a safe move such as the finger along the frame of their firearm until ready to
fire.
Come to The Well Armed Womens next meeting

Thursday, December 3rd, 6:30 pm at CI Shooting,700 Wylie Dr.Normal.
107
Florida High School Prank Ends with Deer Hung on Flagpole

By OutdoorHub Reporters
Students at FloridasBrandon High School had a rude surprise waiting for
them Monday morning after a dead deer was found hanging from a flagpole.
The scenewas discovered by students as they made their way to class
Monday morning. They were welcomed by a dead four-point buck hanging by its
hind legs from the schools flag pole. Authorities believe the deer was placed
there as a prank, but they are still not unsure why someone would do something
like that.
Aside from being quite shocking, the perpetratorsmay have committed several crimeswhile performing their prank.
First, the deer does not appear to have a game tag on it yet there was a bullet hole in the carcass. This means that the deer was potentially poached.
Officials are also reviewing security footage to identify the individuals responsible because they were also illegally trespassing on school property.
The students also bloodied the flagpole typically used to fly the American
flag.
Hunters will also realize how wasteful this disgusting prank was. Any hunter
would have been grateful to fill their freezer with the meat from this buck, but
instead it was wasted to shock students.
Reagan Hunt, a student at Brandon High School, took the photo of a dead
deer found hanging from the school's flagpole. Image from TBOcom on Twitter.
108_001.qxd 11/25/15 10:07 AM Page 1
108
New Activities Introduced at Timber Ridge

Outpost & Cabins near Garden of the Gods
There is more fun to be had at Timber Ridge Outpost this fall than just staying in treehouses and log cabins. Archery Golf, Kayak Rentals and Private
Guided Walking Hikes through the Shawnee Forest are being offered to guests
and non-guests alike.
A new Archery, Golf course has been set up to challenge experts and beginners alike. Players compete to see who can shoot arrows closest to the flag on
an 18-hole course. Lowest score wins.
One of the big changes this year will be providing caddies to players, said
Elizabeth Canfarelli of Timber Ridge. In addition to helping our guests, we
are trying to provide work experience for local teenagers in an area where jobs
are scarce. Our caddies will be trained to help archers and monitor safety.
Kayak Rentals have been available at Timber Ridge for the past year, but
the company now has a US Forest Service Guide permit allowing drop off and
pick up service to the local bodies of water in the region.
We are very excited about our new Private Guided Hikes, said Canfarelli.
Visitors can choose from several hikes of various durations and lengths.
Each hiker is provided use of a Day Trekking Pack and Walking Poles and can
customize private walks, such as searching for mushrooms or learning to
identify trees and other flora or hiking trails that only the locals know about.
Our Local Naturalist Guide has an extensive background that includes zoo
keeper, wildlife rehabilitation, vet technician and more. Wild Mushroom
Foray hikes are guided by our local Certified Mycologist
To learn more about Archery Golf, Kayak Rentals & Private Guided Hikes,
visit
Timber
Ridge
Outpost
&
Cabins
on
line
at
www.TimberRidgeOutpost.com or by calling 618-264-9091.
About Timber Ridge Outpost and Cabins: Timber Ridge Outpost and Cabins
is Illinois 1st and only Treehouse and Log Cabin Resort nestled in the trees at
the edge of the Shawnee National Forest. It is open all year round. All units
have full kitchens and baths, free Wi-Fi and TV and other luxury amenities.
December 2015
Ti mbe r Ri dge O utpo st.c om

Stay in a Tree HouseHow cool!
Sales Rep: Gerald Sampen 217-376-3873

Agent: Justin Montgomery 217-871-0524 jmontgomery@jamig.com
www.MontysOutdoorConnection.com
109_001.qxd 11/25/15 10:21 AM Page 1
December 2015
109
Gateway Centers Lets Go Fishing Show

Attracts Over 8,000 People to Collinsville, IL
January 8-9-10, 2016
Gateway Center is thrilled to host the Lets Go Fishing Show which is the
largest fishing show in the region. This family friendly event maintains a
focus on fishing and is taking place at Gateway Center in Collinsville, IL on
January 8, 9 and 10 in 2016. The 23rd Annual Lets Go Fishing Show is The
Show for Fishermen. In 2015, the show drew over 8,000 people to
Collinsville over a 3 day period. The 2016 Show will be bigger and better
than ever before! There will be more than 100 vendors with fishing equipment, bait, tackle, resorts and more. Attendees will be able to shop for great
discounts, win prizes, enjoy kids games, and learn from free seminars, interactive activities, live demos, and educational displays.
The 2016 Lets Go Fishing Show will feature: - Over 100 exhibitors showcasing a wide variety of fishing tackle, rods, reels, trolling motors, depth
finders and much more at discount pricing - Boat dealers with the hottest
fishing boats with dealer incentives - Q & A sessions with Elite Series
Champions Todd Faircloth and Brent Chapman - Free seminars full of helpful tips on fishing for bass, crappie, trout, catfish, muskie and other species Reel in a fish at the Cabelas Free Fishing Pond - Plan your next fishing
adventure with Resort Reps and Fishing Guides - Live Animal Exhibit from
Treehouse Wildlife Center - Fishing Simulator from Illinois Department of
Natural Recourses - National Lure Collectors Club Antique Lure Display &
Free Appraisals - Sports lounge with Fishing Buddy Beer & Wing Specials
- Win prizes including rod & reel combos and an All Inclusive 4 Night
Fishing Trip in Canada courtesy of Zup's Fishing Resort & Canoe Outfitters
All activities are included with admission. Tickets will be available at the
door with regular prices $7 for adults; $3.50 for ages 6-15; children 5 and
under are free. On Friday, seniors age 60 and above will be admitted for only
$5. Parking is free. Hours are Friday: 11:00 AM to 8 PM; Saturday: 9 AM 7 PM; Sunday: 10 AM to 4 PM. Gateway Center is a multi-purpose convention center located in Collinsville, IL that hosts various events. The
Center is located 10 minutes from downtown St. Louis, on Highway 157,
just north of I-55/70, in Collinsville, Illinois. For information and complete
scheduling, you may call 800-289-2388 or visit the web site at:
www.l e tsg oshows.c o m
ROTH AUCTION SERVICE INC.

Jim & Theresa Roth
161 Roth Auction Road
East Peoria, IL 61611
Auction Center Phone:
800-200-6784 309-266-6784
Jim: 309-696-7025
Rothauction300@comcast.net
- - - - - - - - - - THURSDAY EVENING AUCTIONS - - - - - - - - - -
December 3, 2015 4 PM
Peoria Estate - 50's 60's Vintage items - Craftsman 24" Metal
Lathe - Furniture - Collectibles - Tools - Longaberger - Pottery
- 1/18 the Diecast Sprint Cars - Furniture - Chicken Crates Windmill - more. More See Auction Zip #24145 for listing
and pictures
December 17, 2015 4 PM
Firearms, Tools, Furniture and More! Last Auction of the
Year at Auction Center, 161 Roth Auction Rd., East Peoria, IL
Serving Central Illinois since 1960. Auctions held on Thursday Evenings at our
modern 7000 Sq.ft indoor facility. A Fleet of Cargo Trailers is available to move
your collections, antiques, furniture, etc. to our Auction Center. Federal Licensed
Firearms Dealer 33720412 to sell Firearms at Auction. Member Of The Certified
Appraisers Guild Of America and CAGA Certified Personal Property Appraiser.
Illinois Auctioneer License 440.0000304.
w w w. R o t h A u c t i o n . n e t
110_001.qxd 11/25/15 10:36 AM Page 1
110
Annie Ottos Corner

Wishing you and your family
a Merry Christmas!
Christmas is right around the corner. Im

just trying to the tie some ends together. We
just finished our 22nd annual Haiti Benefit
Auction, it was a success. Always a lot of work
but, we support 10-12 missions that go to
Haiti and it is always a good feeling to help
out each one as much as possible. The
Auction had some beautiful quilts, sold 3 tractors, tools and lots of nice items. If anyone has
some ideas to help with our auction next year
in October just let us know. We are always
looking for that unique item to sell.
Melvins sister in Missouri hosted our family for Thanksgiving. Plans are to have our
family Christmas early this year as we are planning to be in the sunny south on Christmas
Day. Dont know how that is but weve heard
enough wed like to try it!
In October we experienced a call that no
one likes to hear, your child or grandchild has
been in an auto accident. Lisa, Elvas oldest

daughter was in a vehicle that lost control.
She was seriously injured with broken bones,
scratches and bruises. So sad that one out of
the five did not survive. Lisa was in a hospital
7 hours away for 4 days, she is doing better
now. She attended her friends funeral on her
18th birthday.
At Ottos Canvas we as a family business
will all chip in and do each others work to get
all done. Elva has been extremely busy with
boat covers so nice to chip in and lighten the
load. At a time like this you find out how
important family and friends are.
On the Conklins side; we are getting people geared up to go to Conklins biggest event
of the year which is a National Convention at
Branson Missouri February 4-5-6. Are you or
someone you know need an attitude adjustment? You may want to attend this event;
either for your business or just life in general;
Great Speakers & Workshops.
Learn more about Conklin on their website: www.conklin.com/2016NC. Check out
a video on the National Convention 2016
Highlights. Or give us a call Melvin and
Annie, be sure to leave a message!
APPLE GRUNT
OVER 60 YEAR OLD RECIPE!
9x13 baking pan
1/2 cup sugar
2-tbl shortening
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1-cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1-tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp soda
1/2 Sour Milk or Butter Milk
1-1/2 cup chopped apples
Cream sugar and shortening add egg
and beat add milk add dry ingredients
and mix chopped apples in last put
crumbs on top.
Crumb consisting of:
6 TBLS Brown
1/2 TBLS flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 TBLS Butter
Mix until crumbly; Bake 375 for 30
to 40 min.
Serve Hot with milk or ice cream

FREE PARKING!

Interstate Conference Center
IllinoisFishAndFeather.com
Larry Andris (309) 452-9646

llandris@aol.com
December 2015
HOLIDAY MASHED POTATOES

About 1 gallon 6-8# potatoes peeled
and chucked add enough water to cook
until soft, drain water.
Put into mixer or mash with masher
until blended add:
8oz. Cream Cheese
2-tsp Salt
1 stick Butter
2 tbsp. hidden valley ranch dressing
mix (optional)
Mix and mash again then add at least
2-cups milk and mash again. You may
want to add more salt and milk; it
depends on the potatoes.
(If you have leftovers these can be
reheated again.) Feeds around 20 people.
Melvin & Annie Otto

1749 State Hwy 133
Arthur, IL 61911
Ottos Canvas:
217-543-3007
Conklin: 217-543-5197
www.Conklin.com
PROPERTY
FOR SALE
Hunters or
Horses
3.3 Acres Located
in Henderson
County, near
Putney Landing on
Mississippi River.
50 feet East of Big
River State Forest.
Nice Home,
2 car garage &
Out Buildings
Asking $85,000.
Call 309-221-0983
111_001.qxd 11/25/15 2:53 AM Page 1
December 2015
Mountain Lions May

Return to the Midwest
Sooner Than You Think
By Daniel Xu, OutdoorHub.com
A startling new study by researchers
at the University of Minnesota and
Southern Illinois University Carbondale predicts that mountain lions, long
an icon of the West, will be recolonizing
Midwestern states within the next 25
years.
Increased sightings of the big cats in
states such as Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, and Kansas show that at least
some have already moved in.
We didnt just look at where they are
now, but where they could go, study
author Michelle LaRue, a University of
Minnesota research associate in the
College of Science and Engineering
Department of Earth Sciences, stated in
a press release. These are predictive
models, but we feel that our study could
be an important tool for conservation of
this species and education about a large
carnivore that can sometimes incite
fear.
Four breeding populations already
exist in North Dakota and Nebraska,

and the cats are present in South Dakota as well. Over the next quarter century, the mountain lions are expected to
push slowly east across the American
heartland and reclaim a range where
they have been absent for over 100
years. Cougars were!historically one of
the most widespread! land animals in
North America, but the appearance of
European settlers reduced their range to
only a fraction of its former size.
The reason cougars used to exist
across the country and now they dont is
because of people, said study co-author Clayton K. Nielsen from Southern
Illinois University Carbondales Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory
and Department of Forestry. Now that
this large carnivore is expected to come
back into new areas, we need have a
clear plan for education and conservation.
In the study, which was published in
the journal Ecological Modelling, researchers identified at least eight patches of habitat that are suitable for mountain lion colonization. They predict that
in 25 years, seven of the eight habitat
sites will have been fully reclaimed!by
the cats.
Not everyone is happy about their return. Cougars are large and powerful
predators, which means they can be

dangerous. That could make life a little
more hazardous for outdoorsmen and
women. Livestock owners are also worried what they could mean for business.
Groups such as the Cougar Network,
an advocacy group for mountain lions,
are planning to do a poll on attitudes regarding! the species in coming
years.!LaRue, who is also the executive
director of the group, says that there
must be human acceptance of the
species if the mountain lions are to
move in peacefully.
111
We now have the information necessary for government agencies to plan

for ecosystem-based management and
societal attitudes toward the recolonization of this predator, LaRue said. Given that cougars are expected to inhabit
areas where they havent been for more
than 100 years, this will pose considerable challenges for wildlife managers
and the general public in the future.
Image from Jon Nelson
on the flickr Creative Commons
AUCTION Tuesday, December 15 1pm

At Sullivan & Son Auction/Events Center, 8 Miles South of Carthage, IL on 336 Expressway CHARLES K. ROSE ESTATE Michelle Loewe, Executor.
The Rose Estate Farm is located in the East Half of Section 36, Keene Township, Adams Co. IL. From Loraine, take Highway 61 east 4 miles to Bigneck
(County Blacktop E1850th St.) then 2 miles south and 1/2 mile east on N2400th Ave. The farm contains 80 acres, more or less, with approximately 26 acres of tillable
farmland, 18 acres of CRP and 36 acres of timber. The tillable portion of this farm is mostly level with Keomah, Clarksdale and Rozetta soils, and sells subject to a
farm lease for the 2016 farming season. The cash rent of $180.00 per acre will be paid to the buyer. The buyer will also receive the yearly CRP payment of $128.00
per acre, which continues through 2021. The timber contains many nice hardwood trees and possibly some marketable size White and Black Oak trees. This is a
very nice tract of timber with abundant deer, turkey and small game. Prospective buyers have full permission to walk (or drive if the ground is suitable) over the
tillable and CRP acres. Out of respect to a family member who is currently hunting this farm, we ask that you contact the Auction Company before entering the timber.
Sullivan & Son Auction/Events Center 217-743-5200

1995 E CR 650 PO Box 68 Carthage, IL 62321
SullivanandSonAuction.com auction@sullivanson.com
112_001.qxd 11/25/15 11:13 AM Page 1
112
Gift List for Outdoorsmen
It doesnt seem possible, but it is that

time of the year again when people are
shuffling around through catalogs and
stores, while doing some clicking online
in their favorite cyber-store in hopes of
finding that perfect gift for the outdoorsmen on their list. Each year this column
tries to make a few suggestions that may
help.
Coast always has something that will be

great to fit in a sock, or small package - remember the old saying - small packages
can hold the best gifts. In this case I
would suggest the new HX5 LED flashlight, which is an extremely bright 4-inch
long unit that has a clip in a direction to
place on the bill of a cap or, as I discovered,
a pocket flap. Another Coast flashlight
(A8R) has an improved switch, and is
about the size of a pen. This light is
rechargeable, and, like all Coast lights, very
bright. Rounding out the offerings from
Coast is the new RX350, spring assist,
knife. It has a clip like the older models,
with the improvement of being a changeable clip to be moved from end to end and
side to side, making it customizable to use
in the persons preferred manner. More information on these and other Coast prod-
ucts
can
be
found
at
www.coastportland.com.
Knives bring to mind knife sharpeners,
and what better company to select than
Work Sharp. They make a fantastic electric unit that has 3 different grade belts,
and can sharpen tools as well as knives, but
that is old news. The newest item from
Work Sharp is the Guided Sharpening System and its Upgrade Kit. The System has
6-inch diamond plates that fasten into a
bracket that tilts as the knife is drawn
across the surface so that it will go with the
contour of the blade and point. It also has
guides for 17 and 20 degree sharpening.
Another item in the box is a ceramic rod
sharpener, also with an angle guide. As for
the upgrade kit, it contains an extra coarse
220-grit plate; extra fine 800 grit plate; and
a leather stropping plate. All of these can
give knives, tools and fish hooks a supersharp edge. For further details, and to see
a video, go to www.worksharptools.com.
There are so many rods on the market
that it is difficult to select just one. However, one that has been doing a great job for
me when fishing Rat-L-Traps and Blitz
Blades is Berkleys Buzz Ramsey Series Air
Rod in the 86 casting model. True, it is
a Salmon/Steelhead rod, and targeted for
trolling, but using this rod for crankbaits
has added a lot of fun to fishing this style
of lure. It has also provided a lot more dis-
December 2015
tance when teamed with a Garcia Revo reel

for fishing from shore, or over schools of
shad when fish are in a feeding action. For
those interested there are also shorter 79
and 82 models, with a few longer up to
106.
Find more information at
www.berkley-fishing.com.
Rods bring another idea to mind rod
covers. Rod ArmorZ makes some of the
best, and they are made in the USA. There
are casting and spinning models in a multitude of colors available. Check them out at
www.rodarmorz.com.
Since lures were mentioned I guess it is
time to throw out some ideas in that line of
thinking. These are always welcome gifts.
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113_001.qxd 11/25/15 10:59 AM Page 1
December 2015
Some lures can be multi-species such as the

Rat-L-Trap, Echo 1.75, Blitz Blade, and
one of the best in this category a Road
Runner. The confusion may be in sizes and
colors, but if a person stays in the 1/16, 1/8
and ounce sizes, with colors of white,
shad and chartreuse, they will normally hit
a good one. While these definitely will
catch bass you may want to look at some
others that are targeted towards that species,
such as one of my favorites, the Blitz Spyder
Finesse Jig; Mad Bug Lures Dragon
Hopper swinging jig head; and in the soft
plastics line, Big Hawg Baits 3 Swim
Shad, 3.5 and 4 Tubes and 3.75 Mud
Bug. Websites to check these out are
www.ttiblakemore.com, www.blitzlures.
com,
www.rat-l-trap.com
and
www.bighawgbaits.net.
Not to forget the anglers who use floats,
Bill Lewis Outdoors/Rat-L-Trap has a new
product called Rocket Bobber. It is perfectly balanced, and manufactured for long
casts. See more, including a video at
www.rat-l-trap.com/rocketbobber.php.
Rodmaster has a great product for shore
anglers. Im a person who will carry 4 to 6
rods, and normally get

them tangled along the
way. Rodmasters Rod
Caddy and Storage System
will take care of this problem for up to 4 rod/reel
combos. It would also be great for using in
boats without rod compartments and holders. Find further information and videos at
www.rodmasterusa.com.
Something to add to lures and other baits
is KickN Bass Fish Attractants. These are
available in bass, crappie, catfish, walleye
and trout scents. However, you can use
each scent for other species, for example trout for catfish, bass for crappie and visaversa. More information can be found at
www.kicknbass.com or their Facebook page
at www.facebook.com/KicknBass.Fish.
Attractants.
Lets turn the attention to some ice fishing ideas. For ice drills I have three suggestions Jiffy Ice Drills Pro4 and Pro4 Lite
models, which are propane powered units;
and the new K-Drill made exclusively for
use with a power tool drill, especially the
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Red Lithium, which
is part of the complete kit. In

fact, the drill alone would
make a great gift to use year
around. Check these out at
www.jiffyonice. com and
www.icefishingtoday.com/ icefishing-products/k-drill-electric-ice-auger-system/.
Vexilar flashers are always a
fantastic idea for the ice angler,
especially the FLX28, but there
are also accessories for those
who already own a Vexilar unit. One is the
FL Digital Depth Indicator (DD-100)
which is the first digital display to show
depth at all times when your Vexilar flasher
is on, while still being able to get the status
of your battery with the touch of the button. Another is for the anglers with Vexilar
underwater cameras that want to record
video for future play back. This is the
DVR100, with a remote control for still
shots and video. It uses up to a 32GB
Micro SD card. For further information go
to the Vexilar website at www.vexilar.com.
One company that has so many ice fishing gift ideas on accessories, rod/reel combos and newly designed ice shelters is
Frabill. So instead of going through them
all, and to save space check it all out at
www.frabill.com.
Frabills sister company, Plano, has just as
many gift ideas for more than just fisher-
113
men. Storage items are always a great gift.

I do have a suggestion of looking at the full
line of KVD Elite tackle bags. My favorite
is the 4870 model, but there are a lot more
to fit about any size needed. Go to
www.planomolding.com to check out these
and other product lines for fishing and
hunting.
Hopefully some of these ideas have
helped with your gift list, and perhaps provide further ideas through the companies
websites.
If you have any questions visit the Dans
Fish N Tales website at www.dansfishntales.com or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dansfishntales where you can
send messages and click on the Adventure
Sports Outdoors link. Have a wonderful
Christmas filled with Gods blessings.
Until next time, get out on the water and
enjoy a great day of fishing.
DansFishnTales.com
SAT. DEC. 5 @ 9AM (Blizzard Date: Mon. Dec. 7)

Farm, Construction, Outdoor & Tool Consignment Auction!
Held at Performance Auction Park
SAT. DEC. 12 @ 10AM (Blizzard Date: Mon. Dec. 14)

Antiques, Collectibles, Personal Property Auction!
Held at Performance Auction Park
SAT. DEC. 12TH 9:00 AM Residential Real Estate Auction!

3 bedroom ranch home w/ attached garage
13518 137th ST W., Taylor Ridge, IL
Located in Edgington, IL. Martha "Jo" Muncie, Seller
SUN. DEC. 13 @ 12NOON (Blizzard Date: Tues. Dec. 15)

Vintage John Deere Tractors, Combines, Farm
Machinery, Tools & RV Auction! 2618 N 1700 Ave.,
Orion, IL. Richard & Ann Dennhardt, Sellers
CALL US TODAY TO PLAN YOUR AUCTION!
SAT. JAN. 9 @ 10AM (Blizzard Date: Mon. Jan. 11)

Large John Deere Farm Toy & Antique Toy Auction!
Performance Auction Park
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SAT. JAN. 16 @ 10AM (Blizzard Date: Mon. Jan. 18)
Outstanding Antique & Collectible Auction!
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114_001.qxd 11/25/15 11:24 AM Page 1
114
HORIZONTAL JIGS, KNOT

ADJUSTMENTS, AND THE KICKER
ITS ALL ABOUT CADENCE.
IT ALL BEGINS WITH POUNDING.
Since the late 70s, Dave Genz has been seriously fiddling with the fine points
of presenting a bait to fish under the ice. The goal, always, has been to replicate
that rapid, kicking, vibrating life that real prey items have.
When your presentation has that life to it, says Genz, it draws fish in. It
gets them in the mood to eat your bait. The secret sauce is a rapid series of
microscopic movements sent from your rod to the bait, enhanced by thin, tight
line that doesnt cushion the movements. That jig has to respond to everything
you do, says Genz.
Of all the factors adding up to your bait going into a fishs mouth, Genz
believes that this is the most important. Since the earliest days of the ice revolution, he and his friends have been using the Genz pound, done by rapidly
vibrating your wrist while jigging. We used to talk about how it looks like
youre nervous when youre doing it right, he said, laughing. The trick is to
try to learn how to make movements that are short enough. You dont want the
jig to travel up and down; you just want it to look alive. You move the jig up or
down by raising or lowering the rod as you pound it.
When done to a jig thats designed to hang in a horizontal posture, the jigs
eyelet becomes a pivot pointand the rear section of the jig kicks up and
down, sending out realistic vibrations that excite fish. Picture it in your mind:
the rear section (where the hook point and live bait or plastic are) kicks up and
down, like a buckin bronco. The jighead remains more or less in place, but
vibrates rapidly in response to your fast, extremely short movements.
Its a realistic, exciting action. One of the true keys to consistently catching
fish through the ice. Thats my go-to presentation style, says Genz. Its what
I start every day with. I might have to slow things down, change things up, but
thats always my starting point.
December 2015
Its All About Cadence

Several years ago, while thinking of a word to describe the
fine-tuning process he goes
through with his presentation
each day, Genz settled on
cadence. I really want to get
people to understand the importance of cadence, he stressed.
In other words, how the bait
moves. How fast it moves. What
kind of feeling it gives off.
As mentioned, he typically
starts the day showing fish the
Genz Pound. More often than
not, it does the trick. Calls fish
in, gets them to chase the bait (or Jigs designed to fish horizontally are
at least approach close), then
just the starting point! You have to
forces them to suck it in, to see match them with fresh line thats thin
for sure whether its something to
enough to allow the jig to perform
eat. And you have to keep doing
well, and the knot has to be moved
it once the fish is at the bait, toward the hook point. Lastly, using a
urges Dave. When the fish gets
good rod and small, rapid wrist
right up to the bait, thats when
movements,
you put life into the bait.
most people stop doing the
(Photo:
davegenz.com)
cadence. You have to keep it
going, so they keep coming, so they keep chasing it, and grab it.
On those days when a hard pound isnt the answer, Genz experiments by
slowing down the cadence.
Ill do that before I switch baits, he says. Instead of thinking you have to
change (jig) color, change the cadence first. Sometimes they want it slower. But
I always try to keep that kick going, even when the cadence slows down.
Thats a challenge, for sure.
115_001.qxd 11/25/15 1:05 PM Page 1
December 2015
Importance of Jig Design

In order to produce the Genz Pound
with the kick, there are several musthave features in the jig itself, and the
real kicker that well talk about in a
minute.
First, the eyelet on the jig (the thing
you tie the line to) has to allow the jig to
adopt a horizontal posture in the water,
if rigged to do so. A horizontal posture
means the hook sits perpendicular to
your line. This is determined by what
type of hook is used, and by the kicker
well talk about in a minute.
(You can pound any jig, including
vertical jigs. But you cant produce the
buckin bronco, hook-kicking motion
unless the jig is horizontally oriented.)
Genz has forever talked about the
quest to find small jigs that fish heavy
for their size, so we can get our bait
down into the fish zone quickly, and
back down there quickly after reeling
up. It also has to do with the desire to
pound the bait and maintain the feel of
each cycle, so bites can be detected by
noticing the feel has changed.
But one problem weve always
encountered, he says, is that, as the
jighead size went down, the hooks got
so tiny we had a hard time putting on
more than one maggot, or wax worm,
and most plastics were too big for them,
too. Weve needed small jigs that fish
heavy, but with bigger hooks, that have
a wide enough gap so you can put six
maggots or two wax worms on there
and still have enough hook to stick the
fish when it bites.
With precision, Clam declared war on
the small hook problem, releasing its
XL series jigs.
That got us going in the right direction, notes Genz. That, and the fact
that all the jigs in the Drop series feature
tungsten heads. For their size, theyre
much denser, and heavier, than other
jigs. That allows you to make small jigs
that fishes heavy, and now we have the
right hooks on them, too.
Importance of Knot Position
Now, we come to the real kicker that
means everything when it comes to producing the pound with the kick: knot
position.
You can tie on a horizontal jig, but it
behaves like a vertical jig because of
how the knot sits on the eyelet. Or, you
can swivel the knot around so it points
toward the hook point, and that same jig
holds a horizontal attitude in the water.
Its a night-and-day deal.
Thats why were always talking
about swiveling the knot around, says
Genz, to keep the jig horizontal. Every
time you snag up on something, get a
bite but dont hook the fish, or catch a

fish, the knot goes back to that vertical
position.
It has to become a habit, says Genz,
to rotate the knot back toward the hook
point before putting the line back down
the hole. Watching my brother, Jerry,
fish this winter, he automatically adjusts
his knot every time. Hes 80 years old,
but many times at the end of the day, he
had the best quality fish in the group. He
does really well, and thats a big part of
it.
Over the years, Dave has developed a
streamlined technique for rotating the
knot.
Grab the knot between your index
finger and thumb, he says, and rotate
the rod. You dont have to put the rod
down and grab the line. The rod does
the work for you, so you can do it quickly every time.
Meaningful Experimentation
Were going to talk in detail about it
later this winter, but the new frontier in
Genzs study of cadence is experimentation with knot positioning and pace of
the pound.
When you bring the knot all the way
around on the eye, toward the hook
point, he says, that gives you the most
vibration. Thats the position I use most
of the time. But now Im working on
what happens when you dial the knot to
different positions on the eye.
Genz long ago learned to experiment
with speed of the cadence to find what
fish want on any given day. Now, knot
adjustment is bringing a new wrinkle to
the testing.
Best Cadence Jig Ever?
Genz and Clam never consider any
product final. The pursuit of refinement
is never ending. Such is the case with
jigs, and new for 2015 is the Drop-Kick.
The name gives away what this jig
does, says Dave. First, the head is
made from tungsten, so its part of the
Drop series. And its designed to make
it easy to get that kicking motion when
youre pounding, so we added kick to
the name. With this jig, you can change
the cadence, and the kick stays in there.
115
Genz has ants in his pants about the

jigs release, because its been three
years in development. We wanted the
tungsten head, but we wanted to shape it
in a certain way, so it shows up easily on
electronics, and it behaves right in the
water, he said. And we had to make
the right hook for it. Most tungsten jigs
have the eye opposite of the eye on
American jigs. The Drop-Kick has the
eye set for maximum rotation of the
knot.
When you study the jig, you see the
interesting, squarish top edges. The
larger flat surfaces give you a better
sonar echo, Genz explains. I can see it
no problem on my Vexilar, even when I
turn down the gain. But we also
tweaked the shape so it maintains that
kicking motion, even at slower speed
cadences. This is the jig Ive wanted forever. Its the closest thing weve ever
made to a perfect jig for the way I like to
fish.
The Drop-Kick comes in hook sizes
12, 10, and 8, big enough for easy rigging of plastics, and for putting on plenty of maggots or waxies. This jig, says
Genz, will be on some of my rods all
winter.
Note: Dave Genz, known as Mr. Ice
Fishing, was the primary driver of the
modern ice fishing revolution. He has
been enshrined in the National Fresh
Water Fishing Hall of Fame and
Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame for his
contributions to the sport. For more fishing tips and to order his new infopacked book, Ice Revolution, go to
www.davegenz.com.
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116_001.qxd 11/25/15 2:45 AM Page 1
116
PinkOutdoors.com
A Buck to Remember
by Keli Van Cleave
In early September during archery season, we looked

across the plains and watched herd after herd of antelope and mule deer from two to forty; Wyoming land
once held by force by the native Cheyenne Indians.
It takes little imagination to see it now as it was then,
but the land has changed in the last 100 years. Uranium
exploration sites, oil wells and wind farms, with turbines that turn their heads to the breeze like 300-foot
tall daisies are strung across the skyline.
In other ways, the plains havent changed at all. Old
wagon ruts are visible in more than a few places. In the
canyons, mule deer carve out their beds to find shade in the treeless prairie. On
the flats, herds of pronghorn float in waves of heat mirage.
As we always do when we are scouting, we looked over a ridge at 14 mule
deer bucks before Michael saw the one. He had seen this buck before. He was
with a big 54, but the tall four-point frame with the matching points in every
direction was the one we would soon go after.
November deer season kicked off for the first time in years with no snow. This
is also the first season to get to our area and see other hunters. After looking at
a couple nice mule deer bucks and several hundred antelope, I went to bed the
first night with visions of antlers in my dreams. We were out at daybreak the
second morning and the wind was calm.
Theres a buck. Michael swiveled the spotting scope. A big three-point.
Just as he said that I spotted his buck with the others. We gathered our gear and
guessed where the bucks were headed. We guessed correctly and watched them
bed down. After seven long hours of them getting up to feed and bedding back
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down we decided to move in on them. With a ridge between us, we began the
stalk, hunched over together in the sage we crawled. I literally thought this
would take days.
The bucks, aware
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hilltop, began to
stand to their feet.
Michael eased into
the shot to connect on
a wide and typical
mule deer buck, one
of the nicest bucks we
saw this season.
At first glance, the
Wild West prairie is
bleak and desolate.
But through the spotting scope and in the
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the
oak-brown
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Wind blows across
Michael with Timberline
the tops of the mounOutdoor Productions
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Wishing everyone a wonderful Holiday Season and my Mom a Happy Birthday!
117_001.qxd 11/13/15 9:49 PM Page 1
December 2015
117
118_001.qxd 11/13/15 9:50 PM Page 1
118
December 2015
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December 2015
119
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December 2015

ASO Magazine Dec. 2015

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ASO Magazine Dec. 2015

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ADVENTURE SPORTS OUTDOORS THE VOICE OF THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN

Special Buys on Most Guns in Stock!

Reloading equipment & supplies Firearms

Pistols, Rifles, ShotgunsWeve Got It All!

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ADVENTURE SPORTS OUTDOORS THE VOICE OF THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN

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ADVENTURE SPORTS OUTDOORS THE VOICE OF THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN

PEORIA, IL - 1519 W. Pioneer Pkwy. (309) 691-7510

The Ultimate Plate, All-Welded, Aluminum Boat

All-Weld, Custom-Designed, Plate Boats

With Stereo, fits 2 people.

Lots of ABOVE GROUND POOLS!

CENTRAL POOL SUPPLY

Oquawka Boats &

RR #1, Box 105J

OQB Marine Shop

1222 Hwy 164 East Oquawka, IL 61469

SUZUKI EVINRUDE HONDA

EXPERT BOAT MAKERS

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A1 ALs Pheasant Ranch, SD

Five fathers & sons from Houston, TX

ADVENTURE SPORTS OUTDOORS THE VOICE OF THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN

Book your hunt at: www.A1Als.com

DEC. 2015 ISSUE #229

Published monthly by: Red Nose, Inc.

Deadline for ASO editions is the 10th

You need to be informed!

Its 5 in the morning sitting in the

miles an hour and I plan on going

15% OFF ALL

726 E. War Memorial Dr.

Also Safety Toe Styles

2027 S.W. Adams St., Peoria, IL (309) 674-4400

one sweet lady who had us over

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ADVENTURE SPORTS OUTDOORS THE VOICE OF THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN

GUIDE TO ASO WRITERS

7 .......Mom's Recipe: American Wild Boar Christmas Ham

WATCH ASO TV Sat. Dec. 26 5:30pm

On Rt. 9 at the Danvers Y, Danvers, IL 309-963-8300

Dont Miss An Issue!

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ADVENTURE SPORTS OUTDOORS THE VOICE OF THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN

Mary Ann Harrell

After a week, remove from the

the glaze ingreuntil

WATCH ASO TV on the Final

The new Browning A5 uses kinetic energy for powerful, short

12 gauge, with available adjustable comb

Gas-operated autoloader Power Drive Gas System

THE BEST TARGET SHOTGUN EVER BUILT. Built

Central IL Browning Headquarters 911 W. Jefferson St. Morton (309) 263-8032

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP! Gas Pumps

Get ya some Agatuccis Pizza Tonight!

Sales, Trades & Repairs

Funneman Frontier Arms, LLC.

16971 E. 2000th Ave Effingham, IL 62401

OPEN: T-F 9am-5pm SAT 8am-12noon Closed SUN & MON

TREMONT OIL COMPANY