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3
 By Tom Campbell...
It's story sharing season
N
early 30 years at this job and it's still
amazing to see what Michigan's fall
generates in the outdoors...spectacular
adventures, big bucks, huge fish, creating
wonderful memories and stories. And I
never grow tried of hearing, reading and/
or seeing them. Here's a few succesful deer hunters'
stories and a very unique fishing story. Please email
me your outdoor stories; wnw@pageone-inc.com
Jennie Jolly of North Branch took this MONSTER
23 POINT BUCK on October 28. It green scored
193 1/8 inches and weighed 180 pounds
dressed. She used an Excalibur crossbow.
SEASONS
Open All Year – Pike and walleye season on Lower
Peninsula Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair & St. Clair &
Detroit Rivers
Open All Year – Catch-and-immediate-release bass
season on all Michigan waters open to fishing
Now-Dec. 31 – Pure Michigan Hunt application
Now-Dec. 15 – Muskie season on Lake St. Clair, St.
Clair River and Detroit River. (additional rules and
regulations apply)
Now-March 15 – Pike and walleye season on Lower
Peninsula inland waters
Now-March 15 – Pike and walleye season on Upper
Peninsula Great Lakes, inland waters & St. Marys
River
Now-Dec. 31 – Catch and keep bass season on all
Michigan waters except; Lake St. Clair, and Detroit
and St. Clair Rivers
Now-Dec. 31 – Catch-and-keep season for large-
mouth and smallmouth bass on Lake St. Clair, St.
Clair River and Detroit River.
Now-Nov. 14 – Ruffed grouse season statewide
Now-Mar. 1 – Squirrel - Fox and Gray (black phase
included) season statewide
Now-Nov. 14 – Fall turkey season
Now-March 31 – Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe
hare season statewide
Now-Nov. 14 – Archery season statewide
Now-Jan. 31 – Raccoon hunting statewide
Oct. 15-March 1 – Fox hunting season statewide (red
and gray)
Now-Nov. 14 – Pheasant season Zone 2 and 3
Nov. 15-30 – Regular firearm deer season statewide
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
Dec. 2-11 – Muzzleloading season Zones 1 and 2
Dec. 2-18 – Muzzleloading season Zones 3
MJC MJC
ARCHERY ARCHERY
MACOMB OAKLAND
19744 15 Mile Rd
Clinton Twp. 48035
3001 Rochester Rd
Royal Oak, MI 48073
4 586-791-4600 248-589-2480
Second Chance Buck: Mike Hokenstad certainly
doesn’t believe in that ‘mid-Oct. lull!’ On Oct. 14 Mike
was bowhunting in Oakland Co. when this monster
buck walked directly under his stand and…he missed,
an almost a straight down shot. The buck only went
15 yards and stopped, giving Mike time to get another
arrow and take a second shot. The buck weighed 190
pounds, had a 20 ½ inch inside spread and green
scored 154 2/8.
You Can’t Make This Stuff Up…We were fishing in Kent
Lake in Oakland Co. A big pike hit the lure right at the Without a
canoe and broke off. Odd, I thought as I was using doubt Jake
a 12” steel leader. About an hour later and near the King took
spot where the pike broke off I hooked a pike and one of the
fought it to the boat. When I grabbed the pike to most unique
remove the hook the pike shook loose and slipped out deer, this
of my hand but my lure from the earlier pike impaled 10-pt. with
in my finger. I didn’t see the lure on the far side of its a unique
mouth when I reached down to grab it. The lure was webbed
a Red Eye Junior that my father gave me over 50 years double
ago. Sitting in the back of a canoe with my laughing main beam.
daughter in the bow, I was on my own to get out of He took this
this mess. So I grabbed the pike again with my im- fantastic
paled hand, removed the hook and released it. Next looking
I cut the hook off the lure leaving as much hook as I buck ar-
could to help in removing it later. The fish is back in the chery hunt-
lake without a lure in its mouth, my Red Eye Junior is ing Oct. 27
back in the tackle box. My finger has healed up nicely, in Lapeer
and my daughter captured a once in a lifetime photo County.
Skip Otwell, Farmington Hills
2016 bear hunting season now complete
With more than half of Michigan’s counties Left: Laurie
open to bear hunting, bear harvest is an important Deitering on
her first ever
management tool to maintain a healthy bear popu-
bear hunt took
lation that is in balance with its habitat.
Nearly 6,900 successful bear applicants this Keweenaw
County bear on
received bear hunting licenses for staggered hunt- Sept. 26 hunt-
ing seasons that started as early as Sept. 9 and
ing with her
ended as late as Oct. 26. husband. Right:
“Michigan’s black bear season is designed to Ruth Buning
provide a quality hunt,” said Department of also on her first
Natural Resources bear specialist Kevin Swanson. bear hunt ever
“With many different hunting seasons kicking off took her Ke-
in September, we spread out the effort of bear weenaw bear
hunters and the end result is an impressive success the next day.
rate.” Unfortunately
the men did not take a bear on this hunt and the
Bear seasons are set by bear management unit, DNR that checked the bears were very impressed
with a quota of licenses available by area. that rookie hunters both took bears!
Michigan has 10 bear management units, with the
majority of bear licenses available in the Upper that bear hunters have had good success, and many
Peninsula, where the majority of the black bear have shared stories of their hunts at the mandatory
population is found. bear check or by phone calls and email. Within 72
“We estimate the adult bear population in the hours of harvest, every successful bear hunter must
U.P. to be approximately 9,700 individuals and the visit a bear check station, give information about
Lower Peninsula to be about 2,000 bear,” said their hunt, and a small non-functional tooth is col-
Swanson. “Because of the population differences, lected to determine the bear's age and to provide a
a majority of the harvested bear come from the DNA sample.
Upper Peninsula.” Don’t forget to apply for your 2017 bear pref-
Official bear harvest information will be avail- erence points from May 1 to June 1. Learn about
able in early 2017, when all bear harvest surveys the bear drawing with this video and sign up to
and mandatory bear check information is com- receive DNR email to stay informed and never
piled. Preliminary harvest information suggests miss an application period again.
5
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
 Young woman arrows
HUNTING trophy buck! PERSPECTIVE
Betty Sodders page 72
COYOTE HUNTING
Kenny Darwin page 12 Trespassers hurt
A magical month sport's public image
for a little lady Randy Jorgensen page 32
Michigan Meanders... Patrick Bevier page 90
Dear season
cottontails Fortunes shift in
Tom Huggler page 24 FISHING Whitetails of the U.P. the grouse woods
Tom Carney page 36
Past, Present and Questionable Future
First '16 elk season Icing prime time
page 33 WALLEYES By John Ozoga...page 26
Watching wildlife or
Gary Parsons/Keith Kavajecz
letting wildlife watch me
December... page 16 DNR seeks bear den
Hunting the hard ones FEATURE locations in L.P.
Fred Davis page 64

George Rowe page 34 page 25

First ice crappie
Mark Romanack page 20
Exploring Michigan's
HIGH PLACES
OPINIONS
10 Tips for late Darryl Quidort page 18 Using social media
season waterfowl to catch poachers
Mike Gnatkowski page 38 Jeff Pendergraff page 46 DEAR FISH DIARY...
Hitting Rock Bottom Asian Carp on
Mark Martin page 30 Working with a White House menu?
forester to improve Ron St. Germain page 74
your woods and wildlife Return to Grayling
Bill Ziegler page 66 Mark Sak page 53
Practical trends
for icing panfish Antler Point
Robert Dock Stupp page 42 Restrictions
GoPros and kayaks: Important changes Michael Veine page 81
Made for each other? for fur harvesters
Dave Mull page 76 page 57
Burt and Mullett Lakes It starts with
John Bergsma page 58
you and me doing
Trail Cam Contest Eagles on the roadway the right thing!
page 84-85 Jeff Pendergraff page 70 Joe Lunkas page 83
Fishing for whitefish
Land Roger Beukema page 61

management
Sporting Collectibles
Fishing for outdoor Top environmental GUNS/AMMO
magazine covers and outdoor
pays off Terry McBurney page 86
educators honored
Reinventing the page 78 Black Powder Shooting
Jerry Lambert...page 14 bottom bouncer Fun to shoot!
Mark Romanack page 62 Pumpkins: Fun to watch!
Not just for pies and DNA testing on Dennis Neely page 40
bait piles anymore cougars killed in U.P.
Jonathan Schechter page 92 page 79
Hunt cold fronts
Jerry Lambert page 44 Fish of a lifetime!
page 75 Gun Chat...
Make outboard motor Loon die-off on Appreciating the
maintenance a snap northern Lake Michigan 20 gauge
Pheasants in the Tom Carney page 93
Holly Wenzel page 80 Lee Arten page 60
long grass DNR sees success in
Tom Lounsbury page 50 fall walleye stocking
MDNR page 94
OUTDOOR NEWS DEPARTMENTS . . .
COVER STORY...
Try packing out Michigan's Trophy Page. . . . . . 68-69 Classifieds . . . . . . 96-97
your whitetail CWD BATTLE
Kenny Darwin page 54 MDNR page 8 Letters/Op-Ed . . . . . 80-83 Real Estate . . . . . . 98-105
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

COVER PHOTO 

Pack your deer out 
By Kenny Darwin P.O. Box 278, Imlay City, MI 48444

...page 54-55  www.facebook.com/woodsnwaternews

6
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 Michigan continues to battle
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
Prepared By MDNR

T
he discovery of an eighth free-ranging
Michigan white-tailed deer with chronic
wasting disease this summer was a disap-
pointment to Michigan Department of
Natural Resources wildlife officials.
However, DNR deer and elk
specialist Chad Stewart said there was a little bit of
good news associated with that discovery.
“DNA testing showed that the latest infected
deer was related to four of the other previously
identified infected deer,” Stewart said. “So far, all
eight have been related to each other somehow,
most very closely.
“The overall numbers are still very low, so
we’re optimistic we can have some success in
keeping this disease confined to a relatively small
geographic area.”
Michigan’s first brush with CWD—an always
fatal neurological disorder that infects members of
the deer family—occurred in 2008 when an infected
3-year-old doe was discovered in a captive deer
facility in the southwestern Lower Peninsula.
That facility was depopulated and none of those
deer tested positive for the disease.
The disease was next confirmed in May of 2015, A map showing the CWD Core Area and CWD Management Zone in the Lower Peninsula. MDNR photos
when a 6-year-old free-ranging doe was killed in In-
gham County. The deer, which was exhibiting signs local law enforcement, they put it down, and upon health section supervisor. “Our CWD management
of CWD, was dispatched by local law enforcement. testing, she came up positive.” plan outlines our surveillance and response ac-
“It displayed everything associated with CWD,” The DNR had been ready for such an occur- tions.”
said Chad Fedewa, the DNR wildlife biologist who rence. The DNR enlisted the help of the U.S. Depart-
covers Ingham County. “It was extremely emaci- “We knew at some point we might be faced with ment of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services for deer
ated, showed neurological symptoms, and had no combatting chronic wasting disease in Michigan’s removal in the township. Of the deer harvested, two
fear of humans. People reported seeing this deer to free-ranging deer,” said Kelly Straka, DNR wildlife more turned up positive for CWD.
“If we’d have been closer to hunting season,
we’d have just asked the hunters to do it (the kill-
ing),” Stewart said. “But we didn’t want to let it go
for six months without doing anything about it.”
Over the next several months, the DNR con-
tinued to test deer, including road kills, in a nine-
township area surrounding Meridian Township
(located in Ingham County). No additional deer
testing positive for CWD were found.
To increase sample numbers, the DNR instituted
mandatory testing of all hunter-killed deer taken in
those nine townships, which were designated as the
CWD Core Area.
“Once the hunting season began, we went
through a lot more samples from hunter-harvested
deer without finding any (infected animals),”
Fedewa said. “We felt pretty good. But in Decem-
ber, we found two positive (infected) deer from
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

southern Clinton County, an area where we hadn’t

found them before.”
One of these deer was turned in at a DNR check
station as a result of mandatory testing in the CWD
Core Area. The second was harvested outside the
core area and was turned in voluntarily.
Both deer were not showing any symptoms of

8 Staff at the Michigan Depar tment of Natural Resources Disease Laboratory ready to examine a deer kill. Michigan battles CWD page 10
9
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
 Michigan battles CWD:
from page 8
CWD and looked perfectly healthy.
USDA sharpshooters then began collecting
deer from areas surrounding those positive deer in
Clinton County.
“Ultimately we picked up one more positive up
there in Clinton County and one more in Meridian
Township,” Stewart said.
As a result, the DNR expanded its Core CWD
Area to 17 contiguous townships and its CWD
Management Zone to include two additional coun-
ties—Ionia and Eaton—which abut counties with
CWD-positive deer.
A Core CWD Area is determined by plotting
a 10-mile radius around the location where a deer
positively confirmed with CWD has been found.
In addition and at a minimum, any county with a
boundary that is intersected by the Core CWD Area
radius is included in a CWD Management Zone.
The CWD Management Zone includes Ionia,
Clinton, Shiawassee, Ingham and Eaton counties.
Stewart said he remains “cautiously optimistic”
that the disease can be contained and, hopefully,
eliminated by dramatically reducing the deer popu-
lation in the CWD Core Area, which is the only
strategy that has proven effective when CWD was
discovered elsewhere in the United States.
“Certainly, the number of positive animals we
found was more than we were hoping for and that
they were separated by a total of about 13 to 15
miles across the landscape was disheartening,”
Stewart said. “But we’re very comfortable and
satisfied by the number of samples we had in the
first year. Our hunters did a good job of complying
with the new regulations. Our staff did a great job
of collecting road kills, and we had good support
from landowners allowing us on their property.”
The DNR found eight infected deer out of more
than more 5,900 tested from the CWD Manage-
ment Zone.
“That’s somewhat encouraging. That gives us
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
This summer Michigan Depar tment of Natural Resources workers picked up lots of road-killed deer for
10 testing for chronic wasting disease. MDNR photos
A hunter checks a deer in at a Michigan Depar tment of Natural Resources check station in the L.P.
a reason to continue our aggressive approach,”
Straka said. “We’re trying to find and remove all of
the CWD-positive animals on the landscape.”
This deer season, hunters in the 17 townships in
the core area are required to have their deer tested
for CWD. There are five DNR check stations locat-
ed within the CWD Core Area. All of these stations
will be open seven days a week during the archery,
firearm and muzzleloader deer hunting seasons.
The DNR is issuing disease control permits to
any landowner with at least 5 acres in the CWD
Core Area and offering damage control permits
elsewhere in the CWD Management Zone.
“Last year when we found CWD, we opened
early antlerless deer hunting in the original three
counties of the CWD Management Zone (Ingham,
Shiawassee and Clinton),” Stewart said. “This year,
we added the two additional counties, Ionia and
Eaton, to the early antlerless season.”
Baiting and feeding of deer is not allowed in
the five-county CWD Management Zone to avoid
unnaturally concentrating deer in these areas. Ant-
ler restrictions on the second-buck tag have been
removed in the CWD Core Area in an effort to
improve hunter success.
Unlike most wildlife diseases, CWD is not
caused by bacteria or virus, but rather by prions—
mutated proteins. Animals can pass those prions
through feces or bodily fluids (urine or saliva) and
prions have been found to persist in the soil for
extended periods of time.
The DNR is not speculating on how the Merid-
ian Township deer were exposed to CWD, though
careless disposal of a carcass of an infected animal
is a potential means.
Hunters are reminded that they may not bring
anything home to Michigan but boned-out meat,
antlers and the cape of animals taken in states
where CWD has been found.
CWD has never been linked to humans, pets or
livestock. It has been found in deer, elk, and moose
in the United States and Canada and was recently
detected in reindeer in Norway.
The DNR has been conducting town hall
meetings in areas where CWD-positive animals
have been found, and has dispensed a great deal of
information about the disease and the elimination
strategy.
In the Upper Peninsula, a campaign to “Keep
the U.P. CWD free” was initiated in fall 2015 and
is continuing.
The information and education campaign—
which has included billboards, information sheets,
bumper stickers and other efforts—is designed to
educate the public about the disease and the impor-
tance of keeping CWD from spreading into Upper
Michigan from Wisconsin or other states.
This year, the DNR has been testing deer from
counties in the U.P. closest to the Michigan-Wis-
consin border. No infected deer have been found.
The DNR has agreed to test any deer that hunters
submit for disease testing.
For more information on CWD, visit www.
michigan.gov/cwd.n
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11
 COYOTE
HUNTING
Recent studies indicate coyotes kill at
least one whitetail deer fawn per day in
the 30 day period after fawns are
born. Another central Pennsylvania
study shows coyote predation
accounts for 47% of fawn mortality in
forested areas. Michigan’s Upper
Peninsula deer population is at an all-
time low and much of the decline is
related to booming coyote populations...
I
t has been common knowledge among deer
hunters that the coyote population has grown
until they are a nuisance. If a hunter shoots a
deer and it lays overnight, the next morning the
backstraps, hind quarters and meat is devoured
by packs of coyote. One U.P. fawn predation
study shows 44% of fawns are killed by coyote
within the first 20 days of birth. At this rate the U.P.
deer herd will have a difficult time recovering and
Michigan deer hunters are concerned about Lower
Peninsula deer recruitment too. Formally abundant
deer populations have declined, principally because
of recent increases in newborn mortality rates. It
looks like between coyote predation and poor man-
agement decisions, Michigan’s whitetail
population is on a death slide downward.
There is not much we can do about deer
management policies from Lansing that
perpetuate unlimited doe harvest and
multiple buck tags. But many sportsmen
are taking aim at coyote in an attempt to
control booming populations and now is
the perfect time to hunt them. Whether
they are on a late season doe drive
or purposely pursuing coyote, hunt-
ers are fast recognizing the need to
By Kenny Darwin
harvest as many coyote as possible.
Ed Reihl from Beal City has been allowing
coyote hunters on his property for several years.
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
“Without their help the coyote population would
be out of control. But by harvesting coyote we
have better spring recruitment of fawn deer,” Reihl
explains. “Some of the local hunt clubs have coyote
weekends and every member is expected to partici-
pate and do their duty to control predators. Some-
times they use calls and set up, other times they use
dogs and intercept coyotes trying to flee the hunting
area. Last winter they killed 11 coyote in a 4 square
12 mile area. That will give you an idea just how many
Coyotes are Mother Nature’s perfect predator, armed with long sharp canine teeth, reflexes like a cat,
soft paws for silent stalking and they move silent as the wind. Michigan DNR officials have expanded coy-
ote season to year-round to address complaints from spor tsmen and over-predation of fawn deer. The
DNR is also considering use of .223 rifles for night predator hunting.
coyote are in northern Michigan and the population play out of attracting coyote and provide fast-paced
keeps growing.” shooting fun. Most modern calls run on batteries
Unfortunately last spring was a banner year and are remote controlled. Hunters can select from
for coyote recruitment and the population in mid- hundreds of sounds including injured rodent, rab-
Michigan doubled overnight. Many females gave bit distress, fawn distress, coyote greeting, coyote
birth to four pups and ideal weather helped pups to howls, coyote frenzy and many more. Electronic
quickly grow. Come fall breakup the young coy- calls are lightweight, compact, durable and have
ote separates from parents and in the Okemos and high output speakers and volume is controlled
East Lansing area coyote are at an all-time high. In with battery operated remote. Several come with a
Okemos, Meridian Township management motion decoy that looks like a crazy critter, wood-
deer hunters are seeing coyote nightly, in pecker or cat tail that waves and spins to attract
just about every township park or woodlot predators from short and long distances.
and reporting sightings on Facebook. In Electronic predator calls project sounds great
some cases hunters are seeing more coyote distances and pull the wariest predators out of
than deer. hiding, day or night. Just pick a setup location and
I was amazed last spring when coyote place the call some distance between you and the
howls came from a neighborhood woodlot. speakers so incoming predators are not looking at
The howls sounded like a coyote running you when they try to spot the source of the sound.
after game and soon a young doe Long range remote control helps you to adapt to
pranced across Lake Lansing Road. varied hunting situations by allowing you to place
Minutes later I was astonished to the call away from where you are set up. Powerful
see an adult male coyote with huge speakers and experimentation with a wide range
bushy tail dancing down the four lane paved street of sounds help you to become the ultimate coyote
in pursuit of the doe. The scene got my blood boil- hunter at lightning speed.
ing and for an instant I thought about waking the Coyote are slippery critters and you need to
neighbors to the sound of my 12 ga. My point is it give them due respect if you want to connect. Hunt-
appears Michigan’s coyote population is fast boom- ers are wise to use a stealthy approach to fool wary
ing and the impact on the deer herd will be pro- predators. When you select a calling setup, plan
found. Hey, it is time we all take up arms and make your entry with care and use terrain, brush, rolling
an effort to fight back. Go coyote hunting soon! hills or large trees to block your approach. Avoid
Beginner predator hunters are a bit confused slamming car doors or loud talking and load your
about tactics that work. But many are choosing gun with care, make certain to avoid being herd by
electronic callers and motion decoys to hunt coyote predators before you enter the woods. Make every
both day and night. Electronic calls make child’s effort to stalk or sneak silently to setup locations
and avoid breaking branches, crunchy leaves or
snapping twigs as you move into position. Reach-
ing your destination without alarming coyotes is
key to hunting success. Some hunters use similar
scent control used for deer hunting and spray boots
and clothing with scent neutralizing products to
stay somewhat scent free and help keep from be-
ing detected by the predators with ultra-keen sense
of smell. Predator hunting right now is a great way
to better manage your whitetail herd.
If you are hunting locations with populations
of rabbit try rabbit distress calls. Other choices are
rodent squeakers and some hunters like to close
calling sequences with rodent calls. Savvy hunters
often mix coyote calls with rabbit calls and they
increase the volume to draw animals from long
distances and lower volume as they end calling
sessions.
Some hunters stick with coyote greeting or
feeding calls mixed with howls to pull brush
wolves from swampy liars. Changing coyote
vocalizations can bring fast results but give crit-
ters a good dose of each and wait several minutes
before you move to a new calling position. Plan on
hunting each setup location for at least 45 minutes
before moving. Plan on beginning each calling
sequence with soft tones before gradually turning
up the volume to frantic and loud.
Select each calling position with care. Look for
areas with enough cover to conceal your human
outline yet offer visibility. Smart callers use an
electronic decoy to capture the attention of ap-
proaching coyotes. This adds realism to your setup
and focuses the attention of incoming predators on
the decoy rather than you. The trick is to be con-
cealed using modern camouflage clothing, boots
and guns so you can move and aim without being
Fresh snow can make coyote hunting productive
day and night. The white blanket helps hunters to
spot prey and coyotes are eager to respond to
calls when they are cold and hungry.
Placing brush, tree or obstacle at your back will break up your outline and prevent coyotes from circling
downwind. In thick cover use a 12 ga. shotgun loaded with #4 buckshot or F loads. Modern predator
hunters use por table, lightweight electronic callers with hundreds of sounds and volume controlled by
battery operated remote. Author photo
detected. Wear white camo in snow, green when
hunting conifers and brown camo patterns in brush,
tall grass or around trees. Try to hide behind natural
cover to break up your human form but keep clear
shooting lanes in all directions.
When setting up on open fields select some
form of natural barrier to your back. Tall grass,
fence posts, large tree, brush, rock pile or deep
ditches can be used to conceal your hide and at the
same time give you clear view for open shots.
Always set up downwind of likely coyote hid-
ing locations like swamps, standing corn, thick
brush, fallen trees, cattails, cedar swamps and
more. Coyote will frequently try to circle down-
wind of sounds that attract them or moving decoys;
although sometimes they charge decoys full speed
ahead and the shooting can be fast and furious. But
the idea is to choose a calling location that prevents
critters from circling downwind and picking up
your human scent.
One thing about coyotes is they are always
moving. Expect critters to penetrate your shooting
zone from a variety of directions and they often
come prancing past at moderate speeds. A sharp
bark or yelp can stop them, get their attention and
offer a stationary target.
Some hunters carry two guns, a rifle for long
distance shots and a shotgun loaded with #4
buckshot, BBB’s or T shot for moving animals
that prance into close range. Night hunters use rim
fire rifles like .22 magnum or .17 caliber but the
weapon of choice for most day time hunters is the
.223 and .22/.250.
It is time for conservationists and savvy deer
hunters to step forward and take an active role in
reducing coyote numbers. The goal is to minimize
fawn loses due to predation. We all should be
actively involved in creating a healthy deer popula-
tion with the highest newborn fawn survival rates.
In addition if we hunt coyote now it will reduce
predator numbers that could potentially kill adult
deer during brutal conditions of winter.
I’ll never forget the grizzly scene of two adult
coyote circling an adult doe stuck in deep snow on
Larry Eifert’s farm south of East Lansing. The dogs
waged their tales like they were playing or friendly
but when the doe was not watching they would
charge in, rip at the deer’s underbelly and soon
I could see blood through my 10x50 binoculars.
The doe tried to frantically run but the snow was
deep and it had a crusty layer that supported the
webbed feet predators and they would quickly cut
off any escape and continue ripping the deer’ soft
underbelly. Finally one dog went in for the kill and
latched onto the deer’s throat as the helpless doe
bawled at the top of her lungs.
I surveyed the kill scene the next morning. The
deer’s hind quarter was partially eaten, blood cov-
ered the snow in every direction and to this day the
appalling sight is a grim reminder that coyote can
easily kill adult deer.
I set up close to the carcass made a few calls
and soon the deadly duo came prancing my direc-
tion from a nearby thicket. They were probably
thinking an intruder coyote had found their cache.
I dumped the first with my 12 ga. at 20 yards
and the second took a couple direct hits before it
disappeared over a hill. I’ve never hunted out of
vengeance or spite but in my book these two preda-
tors had it coming and they got more than they
bargained for. To this day I still have dreams about
the coyotes with gnashing teeth violently attacking
the helpless doe.
I hate to portray coyotes as bloodthirsty beasts.
They are simply predators and their job in nature is
to kill but I’ve encountered coyote dragging fawn
deer across open fields, seen them dance with fawn
legs cradled in their jaws and witnessed a gruesome
attack on a helpless baby fawn covered with spots.
The sound of the bawling baby deer and the sight
of the adult coyote ripping at its entrails made my
blood boil. At the time I was hunting turkeys but
quickly settled the 12 ga. sights on the predator and
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
gave him a rump full of high power turkey pellets.
My point is this, Michigan’s coyotes are rais-
ing hell with deer populations across the state and
herd recovery is dismal because of unchallenged
spring attacks on fawns. Like it or not we all need
to take an active role and wage war on coyotes. If
you want more deer and turkeys it is time to get out
your camo, predator call, grab weapon of choice
and head outdoors. Please take time from your
busy schedule to hunt coyotes soon.n 13
 L AN D
management
PAYS OFF By Jerry Lambert

P
roperty owner / habitat manager / conser-
vationist / deer hunter, Kris Ambrose, ful-
filled a long term goal on October 9, 2016.
He killed a trophy buck after dedicating a
great amount of time to managing a one
hundred acre parcel of land that he owns in
southern Michigan’s Calhoun County.
Ambrose’s land management plan started with
tree and shrub planting. He then added several fruit
trees and planted screen cover for designated travel
routes. Next he added food plots and set aside large Kris Ambrose’s buck is a
sections as established sanctuaries. He also made massive 12-pointer that
designated entry and exit routes for when he would has a gross green score
actually hunt. right around 170 inches.
In 2015, Kris got a single trail-camera photo-
graph of a big buck on November 14, but when he
didn’t see it or get another photo of the trophy-class
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

14
whitetail, he concluded that the buck
must have been killed by another
hunter. During the summer of 2016,
Kris placed his cameras out on his
property and waited until September
to check them. When he gathered
around the computer with his fam-
ily to “see what they got” he was
pleasantly surprised to see that the
big buck had lived and returned to his
property. Kris says, “You would have
thought that I had won the lotto with
the way I reacted at seeing the big
bucks picture. I nicknamed him ghost
since I only had two photos of the big
buck.”
During the second weekend in
October, a cold-front moved in. This
is a great time to find deer up on their
feet during the daylight hours. On
Sunday evening, Kris wanted to hunt
a stand near the Kalamazoo River but
changed his mind once he was a field
because he didn’t want to disturb
the thick cover that it was near so he
picked another stand that he had in a
tall birch tree.
Once he was settled in, Kris
started coughing due to a cold that he
fighting. He saw some does run away
and thought that he had scared them
off. However, this was a temporary
disappointment because a few min-
utes later he heard another deer in
the thicker cover. He could distinctly
hear the whitetail pawing the ground.
Kris says, “I did a grunt sequence.
The deer moved towards me and I
could see him through the brush and
Kris Ambrose took this Branch County buck in 2009 that has a net
score of 165 5/8 B&C.
I instantly recognized his profile. It
was him! He was in some real thick
willows and started tearing them up.
I then doe bleated and he moved into
a small shooting window that I had.
He was broadside at twenty-six yards
when I let the arrow fly. He went
down right where he was standing. I
hit him in the spine. I called my wife
and told her my good news. After
that I walked over to where he was
laying and just sat on the ground and
reflected on what had just happened.
It was a real emotional experience.”
The buck is a massive 12-pointer
that has a gross green score right
around 170 inches. The net score
will probably place it in the 160
inch range and it will compete for
Kris’s personal best because he shot
a Branch County buck in 2009 that
has a net score of 165 5/8 Boone and
Crockett points.
A few days after we talked Kris
emailed me and had this to say, “I
have been blessed in so many ways…
I knew that I wanted to make my
property the best in the area for the
surrounding deer herd. It has been a
365 day per year endeavor but four
years later to be able to harvest a
giant Michigan whitetail from my
private land has made every ounce of
sweat and blood worthwhile. I need
to say thank you to my wife, Kate. It
is her constant support and encour-
agement that has made these past
four years of property management
dreams a reality.”n
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
15
 Next Bite…By Gary Parsons and Keith Kavajecz
Icing prime time walleyes
N
ot long after you put your hunting gear
away for the year, the lakes begin to glaze
over with the first layer of ice. If you stop
down at the local watering hole, you are
likely to hear someone mention that they
drove past a lake and “saw some nut” out
on the ice. It never fails. Each year, as soon as the
lakes firms up, people begin to get feverish about
getting out. As tempting as it might be to get a line
in the water, this is also the time when you need to
slow down and use common sense.
Most ice fishing accidents happen right after
the lake freezes over. We prefer to wait until there
is 4-6 inches of ice before venturing out. Even then,
there are safety precautions to take. If the ice seems
a little bit iffy, be sure to use a spud to constantly
check the ice depth out as you go out. If it is less
than four inches, turn around and come back when
it is a little thicker.
We also recommend using a Nebulus Emergen-
cy Flotation Device. This product can be a lifesaver
should you break through on your sled. At a mini-
mum you should have life jackets along. If there
is not a lot of snow, it can be very easy to slip and
fall. Wearing a good pair of ice spikes will give you
solid footing.
So when is the best time to chase after winter
walleyes? While it varies from year to year and lake
to lake, often the best walleye fishing begins late
in December. This bite can stay hot until the end of
January. On larger bodies of water such Lake Erie
(when it freezes), due to competition, the walleye
don’t have a tendency to become lethargic and tend
to stay active longer.
As much as we would like to portray ourselves
as being tough guys, we absolutely hate getting
cold! This is why we fish out of a Clam X200
shack. You could heat this thing with a candle! One
of the great features of this shack is the built-in
light bar that allows us to see inside after dark. This
is important since a lot of the best ice fishing for
walleyes is often after the sun goes down.
There are several ways to catch walleyes
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
through the ice, whether it be jigging, dead sticking
or using tip-ups. When it comes to jigging, there
are lots of options in the rod department. If you are
looking for a low-end rod, the Bass Pro Shops Ex-
treme Arctic Angler ice fishing rod is a great choice
for the money at $10! We personally like to fish
with high-end rods. Our favorites are JT Outdoors
Shiver Sticks and jigging rods.
One of the best reels we have found is the Bass
16 Pro Micro Lite Elite MEX10F. It is super light-
weight with a great drag system. It has a foldable
handle to easily fit in ice bags and can be paired
with both high and low-end rods.
In addition to jigging, this is also the time of
year to set-up multiple lines, such as tip-ups and
JT Outdoors Hot Boxes. What we like about the
Hot Box and 36” JT Outdoors Snare Rod set-up
is that we can stand up to reel the fish in and our
hole doesn’t ice over. The rod itself is a high-grade
fiberglass with a super slow action. This provides a
parabolic action, which allows the rod to load ultra-
subtly.
When the fish grabs the bait, the spring bob-
ber and rod loads the fish. When the fish begin to
feel this tension, they react by trying to swim away,
which in turn puts further load on the rod and the
fish end up setting the hook themselves! The length
and long bend of the rods give plenty of time for
anglers to get to the hole and land the fish. Not only
can no other method or set-up match the sensitiv-
ity of this system, but it gives anglers the ability to
So when is the best time to chase after winter
walleyes? While it varies from year to year
and lake to lake, often the best walleye fishing
begins late in December.
spread out lines as they would tip-ups, yet be able
to fight the fish with a rod instead of pulling it up
hand over hand.
For bait, we like to use sucker minnows that
are 4-5 inches long or Gold Shiners. Lake Shiners
also make great bait if you can find them. We use
8-10 pound Berkley NanoFil with an 8 lb Berkley
100 percent fluorocarbon leader, on the snare rods.
A lot of people use Dacron with tip-ups because it
doesn’t tangle as much as other alternatives but they
also use the fluorocarbon leader.
Location is key when it comes to finding
walleyes under the ice. Look for a large bay with
lots of weeds extending out into deeper water.
Green weeds are what you want to focus on finding,
especially if they are sporadic. The walleye tend to
follow pan fish into these weeds.
The weed edge is important, as it is a fish
highway. When jigging, drill the hole on the outside
of the weed bed so you don’t get a glide bait, like a
Moonshine Shiver Minnow, tangled on the weeds.
This “minnow-like” jigging lure has a dramatic
side-to-side darting movement when jigged, giv-
ing you great horizontal coverage of the area under
your ice hole. The Shiver Minnow comes in vari-
ous sizes and colors, including long lasting glow
patterns that are excellent during the prime times of
dusk and dawn.
If you aren’t having luck with a Shiver Minnow
or blade bait, try jigging a fathead or crappie min-
now on a 1/32oz. or 1/16oz. jig.
Another place to look for winter walleyes are
shoreline connected humps and points with weeds
on top or weeds and rocks. The fish will often sit on
top of these in the afternoon and evenings. If we are
fishing an area that is 18-25 feet deep, we will set
up for jigging in 21 feet of water, then spread out
tip-ups or Hot Boxes with Snare Rods in shallower
areas and on top of weeds.
While a lot of people like to fish shallow for
walleyes, they can be easily spooked in the winter
by the noise you make just walking around. This is
just one of the reasons we like drilling holes with
the new ION X auger. This piece of machinery is an
absolute beast when it comes to drilling holes, but it
is quiet too.
Don’t be frustrated if you head out on the ice
at three in the afternoon and don’t get any action.
It is common for it to be quieter that time of day,
but right before sunset, the tip-ups and Snare Rods
will start to go nuts! You have to be on your toes,
because in any moment you could get your Next
Bite!n
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 Exploring
Mic hig an’s HIGHEST PLACES
M
ount Arvon, located in
the Huron Mountain By Darryl Quidort the raven flies. Since we were in the
area, we decided it would be fun to
Range of Baraga County,
von, but it was nice to have it in case climb Mount Curwood, just in case
we did need it. The road became fairly
is designated as Michi- the USGS changes its mind again.
narrow, but we never met another
gan’s highest point. The Heading that way on the logging roads
definition of a mountain
vehicle so it didn’t matter. got us slightly lost, so it was back to
is pretty vague though. Some sources
The visitor center has placed signs L’Anse to start over on a different ap-
say, “rising over 1,000 feet from sur-
at the tricky corners to help guide visi- proach.
tors to the mountain. By following the
rounding levels”. Others say, “rising Tracy, at the visitor center, had
2,000 feet above sea level”. At 1,979
directions and signs we soon found given us someone’s old written direc-
the small, grassy parking area near the
feet of elevation, Mount Arvon falls tions but warned us that some things,
a measly 21 feet short of true “moun-
top. A short walk up a foot trail took like roads, might have changed. We Darryl at the summit of Michigan’s
tain” status. However, Mount Arvonus to the summit of Mount Arvon. started out on Dynamite Road (really) highest point. Author photos
is about 1,300 feet above the level of
A nice, blue sign assured us we with new hopes and the old directions.
nearby Lake Superior, if that counts.
had reached Michigan’s highest point. There were no signs this time and the didn’t appear to have been used lately
Anyway, here in Michigan we con- Next to the official U.S. Depart- directions said confusing things like, but it did pass near my destination.
sider Arvon a mountain. ment of Interior Geological Survey “Veer left. Y in road veer right.” Once As I walked, the higher ground was
Our quest to climb Mount Arvon benchmark sat a picnic table and a we were directed to an, “intersec- to my left. When I noticed a faint foot
began at the Baraga County Visitorsmall charcoal grill. A nearby mailbox tion of 3 roads. Road on right is hard trail leading uphill I went to check it
Center in L’Anse where we picked contained a notebook for visitors to to see. Move up, veer right and you out. A small, very faded American flag
up a pamphlet containing the driving
sign their name and the date. It was will see the road on right. Take center tied to a tree told me this must be it.
directions. The first part of the 27 mile
interesting to see where the various road.” A short climb later I found the USGS
trip from L’Anse was on paved roads,
visitors were from. There’s even a What? benchmark, “Mount Curwood”, and a
then gravel, then logging trails. Active
group called the High Pointers Club,
logging is in progress in the area and
whose goal is to reach the highest
a maze of logging roads wind through
point in each of the 50 states. I figured
that part of the Huron Mountains. the note, HP-20, next to a name meant
With my wife, Dawn, watching that he had conquered 20 states high-
the written directions and me watch-
est points. I guess this was HP-1 for
ing the mileage as we drove, we us.
From the summit, a short walk
worked our way through the tangle of
two-track trails. It had been raining
takes you to an area where there is a
and the roads were wet and muddy great view out across the forest, as
it falls away below the mountain, to
in places, rocky and steep in other
places. I wouldn’t say that you need
the shore of Lake Superior and on
four wheel drive to reach Mount Ar-
over the huge expanse of the lake
into infinity. The view is breathtak-
ing. However, there wasn’t always a
view. The mountain is actually private
ground, owned by Weyerhaeuser Tim-
ber Company, but open to the public.
In recent years the timber company
selectively cut the side hill to open up
the impressive view that visitors now
enjoy. That activity also improved the
road to Mount Arvon.
A day trip to the summit of Mount
Arvon is a great experience which The author’s wife fills out the visitor’s register book at Mt. Ar von,
is do-able for just about everyone to Michigan’s highest point at 1,979 feet of elevation.
enjoy. Dawn and I recommend it.
Mount Arvon wasn’t always The roads to Mount Curwood pile of rocks holding up a stick with
considered to be the highest point were rougher and less traveled than an old coffee can on it. Inside was a
in Michigan. Government Peak, 60 the roads to Mount Arvon. There water soaked notebook in which visi-
miles to the west in the Porcupine were several rock outcroppings to tors had signed their names; but not
Mountains, was designated as Michi- climb, where our four wheel drive felt lately. There was no spacious view
gan’s highest point up until the 1950s good, and a couple of hills where we from the top of Mount Curwood, just
when a USGS re-survey gave Mount couldn’t see the road over the truck a view of the surrounding trees.
hood until we topped over and started As I stood there, alone in the si-
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Curwood that honor. For the next 30

years Mount Curwood was listed on
our road maps as the highest point
in Michigan. Then, in 1982, another
USGS re-survey awarded Mount Ar-
von the designation of being Michi-
The summit of Mt. Curwood, Michi- gan’s highest point, by being only 11
gan’s “forgotten” highest point, inches higher than Mount Curwood.
now discredited by only 11 inches Mount Curwood is only about 6
18 of stature. miles South West of Mount Arvon as
down. It had recently rained and when
our old directions warned of “wet-
lands ahead” I decided to park and
check it out on foot.
From the map I figured we were
within a mile of the summit of Mount
Curwood. I threw a rain jacket and
bug net in my daypack and started out.
The old lumber road I was following
lence of the northern forest, I decided
that I liked Mount Curwood best. It
was more remote and seemed wilder
somehow. Even though she had lost
her official “high point” status 35
years ago over a measly 11 inches, I
imagined that the timeless mountain
didn’t care about that at all. It’s more
peaceful this way.n
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 First Ice
Crappie
F
irst ice is something just about every hard
water fishermen looks forward to. In part,
first ice is magic because at this time of year
nearly nine months has passed since the last
time it was possible to stand on water. Ab-
sence makes the heart grow fonder and any
way the ice gets cut, hard water
fishing is a short season.
The other reason first ice
ranks so high among serious
anglers boils down to action. On
first ice anglers can routinely
expect to get better action day
in and day out. Certain species
just bite better on first ice and
crappies are one of the most
noteworthy species.

By Mark Romanack
There are
lots of theories
why fish bite
better on first ice than later in the season. From a
biology stand point, at first ice there is plenty of
oxygen in the water, but food resources are getting
picked over. Fish are forced to forage harder and
longer to find adequate amounts of food and that
plays well with angling efforts.
No Need for Live Bait
The first ice bite is so good, many angler
insiders target these fish strictly with jigs and soft or Panfish Minnow. Several colors produce fish
plastics. “Crappie are so aggressive on first ice there consistently for me, but the chartreuse/orange is
is no need to fish live bait,” says Jake Romanack, a especially hot.”
member of the coveted Rapala Ice Force Ice Fish-
ing team. “The latest generation of soft plastics de-
signed especially for ice fishing is absolutely deadly
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
The author’s son Jake Romanack is a member of the coveted Ice Force National Ice Fishing
Team and an ardent crappie angler. Mark Romanack photos
on crappie.”
A wealth of jigs and plastic combinations
will catch winter crappie, but Romanack has his
favorites. “I catch a ton of fish using the VMC
1/64 ounce Tungsten Tubby Jig,” adds Romanack.
“The VMC Tungsten Fly Jig is also a solid pro-
ducer on crappie. Both of these jigs fish best when
tipped with the one inch TriggerX Mustache Worm
Scent Helps
A lot of modern soft plastics have scent im-
pregnated right into them. Another option is to add
after-market scent products to plastics and jigs.
Pro Cure’s IceHole Ice Gels are ideal for adding
natural scent to fishing presentations. The Panfish
and Perch formula is made from dehydrated shin-
ers, smelt and shrimp blended with amino acids
and mixed into a gel that keeps the scent on the lure
where it belongs.
It only takes a drop or two of Pro Cure scent to
be effective. For best results re-apply about every
30 to 40 minutes.
Mobility is the Key
Because first ice crappies are aggressive and
willing to bite freely, anglers who fish plastic in-
stead of live bait save valuable time. A good place
hanging out. Ice fishermen still have to be willing to
cut a lot of holes to zero in on the best contours, fish
holding structure and weed edges.
“When targeting crappie, I find myself spending
a lot more time scouting for the places fish hang out
than actually fishing,” admits Romanack. “The time
commitment is substantial, but nothing is sweeter
than finding a pod of fish and making that first drop.
When you’re sitting over top of a graph that’s lit up
with fish it’s exciting. For me I love to watch my jig
falling on the sonar screen only to see a fish rocket-
ing up off bottom to intercept the jig. When that
happens you know you’re in the right spot!”
Flashers or Liquid Crystal Display?
Among ice fishermen there is the constant de-
bate about which type of fishing sonar is best. Old
school anglers are committed to using color flasher
units because they provide real time read outs that
enable an angler to not only see fish on the graph,
but to also see the lure at the same time. Modern
flashers are so sensitive it’s possible to detect fish
tight to bottom and even among weed cover.
Color flashers are very useful ice fishing tools.
The biggest drawback to fishing with flashers is the
angler must glue his or her eyes to the unit con-
stantly to interpret the rapidly changing flashes of
light.
Modern liquid crystal display (LCD) sonar
units are also real time, but that information stays
on the screen longer. The angler is treated to a two

Slab crappie like this one are biting like crazy at
first ice. Getting out early and often is the best
way to secure a mess of these fish for the table .
20
to spend that time is focusing on fish finding strate-
gies.
“The only practical way to find panfish through
the ice is to spend considerable time studying GPS
contour maps,” says Romanack. “Once I’ve identi-
fied a few spots that look promising, I navigate to
those spots on the ice and start drilling holes. Lots
and lots of holes.”
A GPS unit is invaluable, but it only gets an-
glers in the neighborhood where fish are likely to be
dimensional view of what’s going on down be-
low. Not only do modern LCD units show bottom
contours, they also readily mark submerged wood,
weeds, fish and even schools of baitfish.
Another useful feature on LCD units is the
Digital Depth display normally found in the upper
left or right hand corner of the screen. Because an
First ice crappie page 22
21
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
 First Ice Crappie:
from page 20
ice fisherman isn’t moving that Digital Depth num-
ber stays constant. When a fish is approaching and
enters into the outside ring of the transducer signal,
the Digital Depth number will fluctuate a little, giv-
ing the angler a few seconds warning that fish are
approaching.
In the end choosing either a color flasher or a
color LCD unit for ice fishing is a personal choice.
Both options help anglers put more crappie on the
ice.

Auger Wars
Historically power ice augers have been
built on heavy frames supporting a cold blooded
two stroke motor. These days ice augers can be
powered by two stroke, gas friendly four stroke
and propane powered engines. Some of the most
unique, lightweight and portable ice augers are ac-
tually powered by lithium batteries. Once an angler
has used a battery powered ice auger, the smelly
two stroke augers of yesterday quickly find them-
selves in a garage sale!
For those who fear a battery operated auger
can’t cut holes quickly or in thick ice, think again.
Not only are these augers lighter in weight, they cut
faster than fuel powered augers and a typical lithi-
um battery will cut 50-plus holes before needing a
charge. A second battery can be purchased, charged
and carried on the ice for the guy who needs to cut
100 holes a day!
On first ice when the ice typically is only a
few inches thick, one battery on a lithium powered
It takes about four inches of solid ice to safely suppor t an angler, six to eight inches of ice to
suppor t a small quad or snow machine and eight inches or more to suppor t larger ATVs like
this Argo.
auger is going to cut more holes than two anglers venturing onto early ice.
can fish in a day. It’s also critical to carry ice spikes to aid an an-
gler in getting back onto ice. Another critical piece
A Few Words on Safety of gear is a 50 foot length of nylon rope that can be
First ice is thin ice and that means anglers must used to help an angler who has fallen through the
be extra careful when venturing onto a frozen lake. ice from a safe distance.
A spud is an essential piece of gear used not only Last, but certainly not least never fish alone.
for checking ice thickness, but also the character of When venturing onto early ice, fish with a buddy
the ice. who can get help should an emergency occur.
A number of manufacturers are selling ice Michigan has some amazing first ice fishing op-
fishing clothing built with closed cell foam that is portunities for crappie. From the far reaches of
designed to float an angler should the ice give way. the Upper Peninsula to the Indiana line, Michigan
For those anglers who don’t own one of these float rarely has a shortage of ice or crappie to catch for
suits, wearing a life jacket is a good idea when that matter.n

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 Michigan Meanders...By Tom Huggler

Deer season cottontails

I
t was nine o’clock and I was just
wrapping up Saturday morn-
ing chores when my friend Tom
pulled into the yard. Tom is a vet-
eran rabbit hunter. Even though
the firearm deer hunting season
was open through this Thanksgiv-
ing weekend—and I had yet to bag a
buck—Tom’s phone call the evening
before had me thinking rabbit hunting.
“If we get that snow the weather-
man predicted, I’ll be out in the morn-
ing,” he had said.
Now, big, soft flakes still settled
atop the two inches already on the
ground. My friend’s big grin let me
know conditions were just right for
hunting cottontails. We stood near
Tom’s car, engine ticking as it cooled,
and discussed plans.
“The sun is supposed to pop out
before noon,” he said. “We should
have no problem finding action.”
I was ready for some action. Dur-
ing most of the last 13 days I had been
babysitting a line of buck scrapes not
200 yards from the house in hopes
of nailing the eight-pointer that had
made them just before the season
opener. Someone else must have shot several rabbits each but always in tight cover that forced hasty shots.
The author tracked bunnies through sapling thickets, clumps of dog-
wood, brush-covered fence rows, and grapevine tangles. They jumped
him, though, because he never showed
up. The long wait was wearing me
down.
Tom and I sipped coffee and I
changed into hunting clothes. By
then the snow had stopped and the
sun came out, right on schedule. The
rabbits, we quickly learned, were
out, too. Their queer Y-shaped sets
of prints dotted the new snow every-
where along the borders of my prop-
erty. Having no dogs, my partner tried
to weed out one set from a maze that
wound in and out of the brushy fence
line. I slipped into the woodlot where
I had been buck-posting and found a
set of tracks to follow.
The abrupt change from fall to
winter was dramatic. Just the evening
before I had sat here, listening to
barred owls call each other, and heard
a rabbit skipping through dried oak
leaves. Now the leaves looked and
sounded like crunched Frosted Flakes.
Twenty minutes later I joined Tom
at the end of the fence row. No rabbits
yet for either of us. He was jumping
on a brush pile I had stacked up in the
spring. Just as I put down my shotgun
to dig out the camera from my game

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 L ACK FRIDAY
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pouch, a sleek cottontail squirted out.
Unnerved, I suppose, Tom fired three
The best thickets can produce nothing
some days, yet he’ll find rabbits in
WEEK thru
quick rounds and the rabbit escaped. cover so scant you would think they LONG! NOV 27th
“Thought you were going to couldn’t hide there.
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 WHITETAILS OF THE U.P.
Past, Present, And Questionable Future

W
hite-tailed deer in Michigan’s Upper
Peninsula (U.P.) are on the decline and
By John Ozoga
in serious trouble. If you hunted deer
in this northern region during the 2015
rifle season you know what I’m talking
about.
This sharp decline in deer numbers and deer
hunting success is not unique to Michigan’s U.P.
According to a report by the Quality Deer Manage-
ment Association, the national antlered buck harvest
declined by 8 percent between 2003 and 2013, but
most sharply (18 percent) in the Midwest.
These are discouraging figures, indeed, but the
broad regional data do not come close to revealing
the seriousness of this problem on extreme northern
deer range. In states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and
Michigan, the buck harvest dropped by 20 to 27
percent during that 10-year period.
Buck harvest figures for Michigan’s U.P. are
even more dismal. The “2015 Deer Hunter Camp
Survey Report” for Michigan’s U.P. tells the story:
only 14 percent of the hunters reported harvesting a
buck in the U.P. during the 2015 firearm season and a
couple of Deer Management Units (DMUs) reported
buck hunting success rates as low as 3 percent.
Michigan DNR survey results indicate a 17 percent
buck hunting success rate in the U.P. during the 2015
firearm season.
These figures are reminiscent of the late-1960s
to early-1970s when the U.P. deer population prob- Historical repor ts show that 80,000 deer were taken within 10 miles of Lake Superior in 1879,
ably dropped below 200,000 head. 1880, and 1881. Here tagged deer awaiting transpor tation piled high on baggage car ts at Trout
Lake Railroad Depot. Photo from The Evening News , Sault Ste. Marie, Jim Dwyer Collection.
Reasons resulted in a roller-coaster trend in regional deer numbers throughout the U.P. Hence, the whitetails’
The specific reasons may vary, but the results are numbers, but the lows have become lower and so winter habitat must provide a favorable balance of
similar across northern deer range: deer populations have the highs. food and shelter, in order to buffer the adverse effects
are steadily declining because annual deer recruit- In my view, other management practices de- of prolonged food shortage and ever present threat
ment rates fail to keep up with deer mortality rates. signed to decrease antlerless harvest, kill more from predators during winters of deep snow.
This simply means that not enough newborn fawns predators, or improve summer range will have little The recent decline in U.P. deer numbers is gener-
survive annually to replace those deer that die from long-term impact on deer abundance if the winter ally contributed to three consecutive tough winters.
all causes. range cannot support them. Granted, this northern region does not provide the
It’s my contention that the real bottle-neck here in There are a number of consequences northern most friendly environment for wintering whitetails—
the U.P. is inadequate deer wintering habitat. Deer liv- whitetails suffer due to inadequate winter habitat, especially so in the past couple of decades. How-
ing in northern portions (i.e., heavy snowfall) of this including higher than normal winter losses due to ever, I can’t accept the notion that improving winter
region typically migrate southward, to areas of conifer malnutrition and predation. The hidden loss—exces- habitat for U.P. whitetails is an exercise in futility—it
cover that provide shelter and receive less snow. This sive newborn fawn mortality—comes later. all comes down to determining priorities relative to
so-called “yarding” behavior sometimes involves Depending upon sex and age composition, 30 forest management.
long-distance migration of 50 miles or so, and results percent or more of the deer herd may die during a For those that have given up on deer hunting in
in high density deer concentrations during winter. severe winter. More importantly, greater than 50 the Michigan’s U.P., I’d suggest you look back at
Many of these historic deer wintering areas, percent of the newborn fawns may die as a result. historical deer records for this region to more clearly
more recently referred to as “deer wintering com- Because does malnourished during the late stages of assess where we’ve been, where we are, and where
plexes,” no longer support deer, not even during pregnancy fail to produce milk, they are more likely we might be headed in the future, relative to deer
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

winters of only modest severity.
In addition, the shelter quality and/or food
resources in many (if not most) of those areas cur-
rently being used by wintering whitetails have been
severely degraded due to overbrowsing, fragmenta-
tion, and lack of regeneration.
This means the deer carrying capacity of winter
range has steadily declined. As a result, regional deer
numbers may rise during a series of mild winters,
26 only to plummet during one severe winter. This has
abandon their young or give birth to weak, stunted
individuals that die soon after birth. Naturally, preda-
tors (i.e. scavengers) like coyotes are quick to take
advantage of this springtime food source.
Although many (including some resource man-
agers) will disagree with me, I believe such problems
can be remedied with careful planning and wise
habitat management.
Clearly, winter weather severity and the quality
of deer wintering habitat determine prevailing deer
hunting opportunities.
An understanding of the past will help lay a firm
informational foundation for initiating management
strategies necessary for U.P. deer population recov-
ery. And, as they say, “hindsight is perfect.” So, we
should be able to avoid making some of the same
mistakes made in the past.
However, be aware of this species’ extremely
flexible, adaptive, and unpredictable behavior when
stressed—for example, like moving into town.
Pre-Settlement Whitetails
Whitetails have lived in the northern Great
Lakes region for roughly 10,000 years, arriving soon
after the last glaciers retreated. Since the species
evolved in a more southerly environment, it’s im-
portant to recognize that deer wintering behavior is
a relatively recent adaptation, and not a deep-seated
genetic trait.
While some biologists suggest that deer were
scarce to nonexistent throughout this northern region
prior to 1850, careful analysis of pre-settlement
vegetative conditions indicate otherwise. Apparently,
towering virgin pines did not blanket the region.
Instead, the forest cover was broken by wind-
falls, wild fires and insect infestations, creating a
mosaic of varied habitat that supplied, albeit spotty,
favorable food and cover for deer year-round.
The best estimates indicate the U.P. pre-settle-
ment habitat could support about 15 deer per square Clearly, winter weather severity and the quality of deer wintering habitat determine prevailing
mile, or somewhere in the neighborhood of 240,000 deer numbers throughout the UP. Jordon Browne photo
deer in the 16,000 square mile peninsula. And his-
torical events recorded in the archives dating back to According to famous photographer and natural- extended from Nov. 1 to Nov. 25, with a bag limit
1736 support this notion. ist George Shiras III, there were few whitetails in of five deer (either sex). That year, 14,500 licenses
It’s interesting to note, however, although white- the deep snow country along the south shore of Lake were sold and an estimated 12,000 deer were har-
tails lived along southern portions of Michigan’s Superior in 1850. However, he reported that 80,000 vested. Fewer than 13,000 hunters bagged about
U.P., some historians suggest there were no deer deer were taken within 10 miles of Lake Superior 12,000 deer in 1899, most of them in the U.P.
along the south shore of Lake Superior (i.e., in the in 1879, 1880, and 1881. At the time, there were no By 1900, white-tailed deer were scarce to non-
high snowfall zone) prior to the Whiteman’s arrival. seasons or bag limits and most deer were taken by existent throughout much of the United States; they
market hunters. Shooting deer primarily for hides were rarely hunted, because they were rarely seen.
Clear-cut and Burn was big business during summer. In the Northeast, Southeast, and lower Midwest,
where deer were formerly abundant, they were now
According to Michigan DNR wildlife Biolo-
gist, Robert Doepker, winter temperatures in the late
The Crash viewed as little more than a curiosity. By 1900, ex-
perts estimated only about 500,000 deer remained in
1800s until 1940 or 1950 were considerably warmer The period of deer abundance in Northern all of North America, others place that figure closer
than during the previous 1,000 years. This period of Michigan was short lived. Wildfires repeatedly to 350,000.
warmer winter weather corresponds with unprec- swept vast areas of cutover lands, while market By some estimates, there were still 50,000 deer
edented forest harvesting, burning and land clearing hunters continued to take an unlimited number of left in Michigan by 1900, most of them in the U.P.—
in Michigan’s U.P. deer using snares, traps, and guns. Habitat devasta- which I suspect was an ultra-conservative estimate.
Logging in the late 1800s produced habitat tion, combined with unregulated hunting, reduced The bag limit was lowered to three deer in 1901,
diversity more favorable for whitetails throughout deer numbers by the 1800s. two deer in 1905, one deer in 1915, and one buck in
northern Michigan. Logging followed by wildfires Serious deer hunting restrictions were not 1921. Despite low dear numbers, U.P. deer hunters
created openings that produced hardwood browse, imposed until the late 1880s. More counties were continued to harvest 5,000 to 10,000 deer annually.
as well as shrubs, grasses, and herbaceous plants. In closed to deer hunting, hunting seasons became At any rate, if you wanted to hunt whitetails in those
response to better nutrition, deer populations flour- progressively shorter, and more restrictive measures days, you came to Michigan’s U.P.
ished. governing how deer were taken and used were ad- It’s noteworthy that the primary predators of
By 1870, it was estimated that northern Michi- opted in 1881. (It’s noteworthy that no U.P. county deer, such as wolves, bobcats, and black bears are
gan may have had about one million deer. If so, the has ever been closed to deer hunting). native to Northern Michigan, and likely played an
U.P. probably had in excessive of 400,000 deer at The first Michigan deer hunting license, selling important role in pre- and early-settlement times in
the time. for 50 cents, was required in 1885, when the season the U.P. Coyotes did not arrive until about 1906.

Recovery
Forest fire control improved in the 1920s. The
scorched cutover forest lands gradually recovered,
producing excellent food and cover for whitetails
year-round. By the 1930s, 40,000 or so hunters were
harvesting around 20,000 bucks annually, from a
deer population approaching 400,000.
During the late 1940s and early 1950s, U.P. deer
experienced less winter stress than normal and ben-
efited from logger-felled browse during winter. Win-
ter deer-kill was minimal and pregnant does, surviv-
ing winter in good physical condition, successfully
reared a high proportion of their fawns. (Note, this
occurred despite the presence of notorious fawn
predators, such as coyotes and black bears). As a
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

result, by 1949, U.P. deer numbers gradually but

steadily increased, approaching 700,000 (an average
of 40 deer per square mile).
Meanwhile, the number of firearm deer hunters
in the U.P. reached 100,000, annually, and stabilized
at the level (or higher) for the next six decades,
despite rather dramatic annual changes in numbers
Logging followed by wildfires created openings that produced hardwood browse, as well as of deer available for harvest. In a 10-year period,
shrubs, grasses, and herbaceous plants. In response to better nutrition, deer populations
flourished. Betty Sodders photo Whitetails of the U.P. page 28 27
 Whitetails of the U.P.:
from page 27
1940 to 1950, more than three million bucks were
harvested—averaging over 27,000 bucks annually
Bust of 1970
The U.P. firearm deer harvest declined sharply
during the 1960s, to an average of about 17,700
buck, annually. Without concerted management of
deer wintering habitat, the productive “brushy” habi-
tat had grown into pole-sized timber, greatly reduc-
ing range carrying capacity for deer. In addition, an
overabundance of deer simply ate themselves out of
house and home.
No antlerless deer were legally harvested in the
U.P. from 1921 to 1955. Thereafter, special seasons
allowing the harvest of antlerless deer by permit
holders was initiated in an effort to balance deer
numbers with available food and cover resources.
Although these special seasons created an up-
roar among hunters they did little more than salvage loss of nearly 200,000 deer in the U.P. alone—an
a portion of the herd that was doomed to starvation
during tough winters. During the 1960s and 1970s,
annual over-winter deer mortality due to malnutri-
tion and predation typically outnumbered the legal
harvest. In addition, annual newborn fawn mortality of their newborn as well—coyotes and bears merely 2007-08 and 2008-09, and again in 2013-14 and
must have sky-rocked.
By 1972, there were fewer than 200,000 deer
left in Michigan’s U.P. and the annual buck harvest
dropped to a modern all-time low of less than 10,000 surveys determined that about 110,000 deer perished dipped to about 247,000 deer, close to that calcu-
annually during the 1971-1973 period. Surprisingly,
deer hunters remained faithful to their sport.
Another Population Boom
An unusually long string of mild winters pre-
vailed from mid-1970s to the early 1990s, when
12 of 16 winters were considered mild relative to
their impact on whitetails. During this period, deer
numbers in the Southern U.P. built from extremely
low in the 1960s to ridiculously high in the 1990s—
many areas had in excess of 100 deer per square
mile.
Other factors also came into play during this
period favoring deer population growth, such as a
250 percent increase in pulpwood harvest, much of
which occurred during winter. There was also a 15-
fold increase in the acreage of corn grown for grain, vest more than doubled during the next 3 firearm
which deer scavenged. Supplemental feeding and
baiting for hunting purposes also became popular.
Although this produced short-term benefits,
long-term consequences were on the horizon. By
1995, the U.P. deer herd reached an all-time peak
of more than 700,000 probably double the desired
number. That year, hunters in the U.P. harvested a
record 115,501 deer (including 47,633 antlerless
deer) during the firearm, archery and muzzleloader
seasons combined.
Despite the record high harvest, however, more
than one-half million deer were left to crowd into
winter habitat capable of supporting less than one-
half that number. Given the circumstances, the stage 15 years ago. Remember, one of the most important
was set for the disaster that followed.
Disaster In The 1990s
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
Snow cover and cold temperatures triggered
deer migration to wintering habitat throughout the
U.P. during November 1995. Deep snow quickly
followed, locking deer in heavy cover by late De-
cember. There was no let up, holding a ridiculously
abundant deer herd in conifer cover that had been
browsed-out and heavily fragmented by excessive
logging, until late April, or in some cases until early tective conifer cover used by wintering whitetails,
May.
28 Spring surveys conducted by Michigan DNR
Spring sur veys in 1996 conducted by MDNR confirmed an estimated loss of nearly 200,000
deer in the UP alone—an average of roughly 12 deer per square mile died, nearly twice the
1995 record hunter har vest. Jordan Browne photo.
biologists confirmed early predictions: an estimated numbers throughout the U.P. When hit with a hard
winter, the deer herd no longer bounces back quickly
average of roughly 12 deer per square mile, nearly in response to a couple of mild winters, simply be-
twice the 1995 record harvest. Although data were cause the poor quality deer wintering habitat is not
not available, it’s safe to say that surviving malnour- conducive to such sudden response.
ished pregnant does probably lost 60 to 70 percent Most recently, back-to-back severe winters in
scavenged the dead and dying. 2014-15, erased short term deer population gains
The next winter was only a trifle easier. And, following easy winters.
although the wintering herd was smaller, spring In 2009, for example, the deer population
during the 1996-97 winter. Satellite groups of win- lated for the region before European settlement. The
tering whitetails that had formerly survived in poor firearm buck harvest of 19,178 that season was the
quality shelter quickly vanished.
lowest harvest by U.P. deer hunters in three decades.
Since then, the firearm buck harvest success rate has
Wild Fluctuations averaged about 23 percent, annually, compared to an
average success rate of 33 percent during the period
In the short-term, these data show how fast a 1985-2008.
northern deer herd can respond to either favorable In 2014 and 201 5, the U.P. firearm buck harvest
or unfavorable circumstances. For example, the U.P. was even lower, 14,734 and 13,276, respectively.
deer herd increased from 395,000 deer in 1987 to Due in part to heavy pre-firearm-season snowfall,
700,000 or so in 1989, a 44 percent increase in just only about 73,000 hunters participated in the 2014
two years. Conversely, following tough winters, as hunting season. However, even with mild weather,
occurred in 1995-96 and 1996-97, herd size dropped only about 76,000 hunted the U.P. in 2015.
from roughly 725,000 deer to 474,000 deer, a 34 These hunter participation rates are similar to
percent decline in two years. those in 1945. Historically, we’ve witnessed rather
Given easy winters, the annual U.P. buck har- dramatic ups and downs in U.P. deer numbers, but
never before have we experienced such a dramatic
seasons. In 2000, 41 percent of the hunters harvested corresponding drop in hunter numbers.
a buck, resulting in a harvest of nearly 51,000 The winter of 2015-16 was one of the easiest
bucks—many were convinced the worse was over, for whitetails in this region for many years, assuring
but not so. maximum winter deer survival as well as excellent
newborn fawn survival in 2016. Given a couple
Most Recently more consecutive mild winters, we are likely to see
modest gains in deer numbers and hunter success.
Since 2000, U.P. deer numbers have undergone
But one tough winter will wipe out all such gains.
minor periods of “boom and bust”—governed chief-
ly by the severity of winter weather. However, given
the poor condition of deer wintering habitat, deer
The Future
population lows have become lower and so have the Currently, there are probably fewer deer in
highs, leading to a steady decline in regional deer Michigan’s U.P. than there were during pre-settle-
numbers just as some of us had predicted more than ment times, despite over 100 years of deer manage-
ment. Needless to say, those hunting this northern
factors leading to the overabundance of U.P. white- region are not particularly happy, and many are
tails in the early 1990s was the preponderance of
mild winters (12 of 16) leading up to that period.
choosing to hunt elsewhere (or possibly not at all).
Things are not likely to change a great deal for
Hence, back then, high quality wintering shelter was U.P. deer hunters in the near future, because deer
not necessarily a critical factor and the winter deer numbers here will continue to be governed by the
herd had access to an abundant food supply provid- severity of winter weather and poor status of deer
ed by winter logging and resultant growth of natural wintering habitat.
browse. Nonetheless, there is some hope for a brighter
A reduction in logging activity, maturing forest deer hunting future in Michigan’s U.P. Finally, there
cover, clean corn harvesting, fragmentation of pro- are some comprehensive plans to more effectively
manage critically important deer wintering com-
and more frequent severe winters (12 of 21 since plexes throughout this northern region—a subject
1996), have contributed to a steady decline in deer deserving considerably more discussion.n
 Michiana Boat & Sports Show 2017
January 27 – 29, 2017
Century Center
120 South St. in South Bend, Indiana
Friday Noon – 8 • Saturday 9 – 9 • Sunday 9 – 4
Free Trout Pond Fishing
Admission $5 per Adult • Age 12 and under FREE
Parking is $5 per vehicle in the Century Center Parking Lot

Vendors Seminars and Speaker Schedule Vendors

Fay’s Marine
La Porte, Indiana
(BaylinerBoats, Lowe Boats &
Pontoons, Crestliner Boats,
Apex Compact Pontoons,
Fourwinds, Excursion
Pontoons).
Huber’s Marine
La Porte, Indiana
(Lund Boats, Sweetwater
Pontoons, Aqua patio Pontoons,
Sanpan Pontoons, Hurricane
Deck Boats).
D & R Sports Center
Kalamazoo, Michigan
(Tracker Boats, Tahoe Boats, Sun
Tracker Pontoons, Nitro Boats,
Triton Boats, Ranger Boats).
Starboard Choice Marine
Edwardsburg, Michigan
(Mirro Craft Boats, Tahoe
Pontoons, Polar Kraft Boats)
Pier 33 Marina
St. Joseph, Michigan
(Chaparral Boats, Robalo Boats
and Pre-owned Brokerage
Services)
L&R Marine L.L.C
Shipshewana, Indiana
(Starcraft Boats and Pontoons,
Qwest Pontoons)
Eagle Lake Marine
Edwardsburg, Michigan
(Godfrey Hurricane Deck Boats,
Sweetwater, Aqua Patio and San
Pan Pontoons)
Lake Drive Marine
Coldwater, Michigan
(Lund Boats, Lowe Boats,
Phoenix Boats, Skeeter Boats,
South Bay Pontoons).
Mark Romanack – Host of Fishing 411 TV and an outdoor communicator for over Erie Marine Sales, L.L.C.
30 years, Mark Romanack has dedicated his life to teaching fishermen and Sheffield, Ohio
women to become better anglers. He has written 1000s of articles, produced (Warrior Boats, Hewescraft Boats)
countless technical videos and has been filming TV for ten years.
Julia Davis—Captain Juls fished as a Professional Walleye Tournament Angler for 10 Krupp’s Power Sports
years. She’s competed on the FLW Walleye Tour, Professional Walleye Trail Edwardsburg, Michigan
(Can-Am ATVs, Can- Am SSV, Ski-doo
(PWT) and Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC). Juls is also a senior moderator at snowmobiles, Sea-doo watersports)
www.walleyecentral.com. She has learned the Western Basin secrets from
some of the best anglers on the lake. And, now she would like to pass on what Gates Chevy world
she has learned to you! Mishawaka, Indiana and
Jake Romanack – Co-host of Fishing 411 TV, Video Editor and a USCG Captain. Taking Gates Automotive Group
his passion and knowledge of fishing to the next level, Romanack is also a South Bend, Indiana
Chevy trucks and SUVs and
great communicator and teacher of the sport. Toyato trucks and SUVs
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27 Clear H2O Tackle, LLC
7 p.m - Ice Fishing with Jake Edwardsburg, Michigan
Fishing Tackle, Hunting Gear
8 p.m. - Intro to the Fishing World, Charting and Fishing Lake Erie with Julia and More
www.clearh2otackle.com
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28
2 p.m. - Mark, Jake and Julia Host Free 2-hour Walleye Fishing Seminar
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29
1 p.m. - Lake Michigan Steelhead, Coho and Salmon fishing with Mark
2 p.m. - Follow-up to Intro the Fishing World, Charting and Fishing Lake Erie with Julia
Other Topics to be discussed with additional speakers include:
• Bass, Crappie and Pan fishing by local club members
• IDNR will discuss Indiana regulations and have an open discuss with the general
public.
• The state Biologist will discuss the topic of local water conditions and other topics
related to the outdoors.
Other vendors include O’Donnell Docks, Canadian
• The South Bend Power Squadron will discuss boating safety and required items Lodges, R&R Extreme (ATV’S), Lake Erie and Lake
need to pass a coast guard inspection. Michigan Charters, Clear H 2 O Tackle, Fluid Fun
Canoes & Kayak, fishing clubs, (Michiana Walleye
• Dealers will discuss rigging boats and the use of electronics. Association, St. Joseph Bass Masters, Michiana Trail
Riders) Karts are Us, just to mention a few. Last
These times and schedules will be posted on the Michiana Boat & Sports Show year we had 64 small vendor booths that sell and
Facebook and Michiana Walleye Association.org website after December 1st.
support all aspects of outdoor activities’.

Fishing for a Chance to win a $2,500.00 Scholarship

At the Michiana Boat & Sports Show
Catch a tagged trout and win a chance to
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

have your name drawn out of the Old Bait Bucket for a $2,500.00 Scholarship.
The Drawing will be on January 29, 2017 after the show. Need not be present to win.
**Details and rules will be posted on Michiana Boat & Sports Show site on Facebook and on the Michiana Walleye Association Facebook site after December 01, 2016
ADDITIONAL SMALL VENDOR SPACE AVAILABLE, 8’ X 10’ $120, CONTACT DALE BRINDLEY AT 574-286-6311 OR daledbrindley@comcast.net
29
 HITTING ROCK BOTTOM
Does your lure make noise? If not, just whack the lake’s bottom...By Mark Martin
What grabs your attention
more than noise? Not a lot.
The same holds true with
fish. In fact, fish, no
matter the species, rely
on the very sounds forage
make to help them zone in
on their next meal...
To increase the efficiency of walk-
ing on ice, as well my own safety,
I use ice cleats on the soles of my
Ice Armor Onyx boots; all the while
keeping my footsteps as quiet as can
be. Although the traction on the sole
of the extremely-warm Onyx is excel-
lent, the added grip of spikes of any
easy-on/easy-off traction aid allows
me to be the most proficient I can
be. Especially on smooth, slick icy
surface. And cleats with short spikes
are much quieter than the large fang-
like spears found on some ice walking

N
aids.
ow let’s talk ice fishing. In
this sport, you are very lim- Now, Rather Than Later
ited in the areas you’re able As quickly as possible, I walk hole
to fish within a waterway. to hole and check for depth and to see
Only to the areas directly if there are any fish below me with
below the holes you drill, my Lowrance Hook-5 Ice Machine - a
to be exact. To get the attention of portable sonar and GPS, made with
any fish that may be nearby, but not the avid ice angler in mind.
directly under you, your lure has to What I am looking for besides
make a lot of racket to get noticed. fish (obviously) is hard bottom areas
As you know, there are lures of of any kind; especially those adjacent
all sorts on the pegs of the walls of to a drop off or a hump. These areas
your favorite bait-and-tackle shop. are easy to find as hard bottom shows
Some are finished with noise-making up as a thin, brightly-colored line on
devices built within; some are boister- the color readout. And, of course, I
ous in shape alone, while other share can figure out which way the bottom
a little of both. And all declare they falls off by paying attention to the
attract fish from afar. depth of each hole. But with an SD
But sometimes it takes more than card filled with Navionics mapping in
just the ordinary wiggle and jiggle of the unit’s card reader, the process is a This nice walleye whacked the author’s lure just after it rapped rocks
one of these lures to get a fish to bite.no-brainer. on bottom. David A. Rose photo
Often, it’s how aggressively you fish, Once hard bottom is found on 10-pound-test Fluorocarbon line. I fish missed the lure. In the case of a
and, where in the water column your sonar, I can confirm what, exactly, it’s connect the two via a small Berkley missed strike, I’ll drop the lure to bot-
lure is that will trip the triggers to made up of via my MarCum Recon Ball-Bearing Swivel. And when ice tom immediately and rap it on bottom
make fish feed. 5 Plus Underwater Viewing system fishing, I always connect my lure to quite a few times, then lift it up and
Sometimes, however, you have – a compact underwater camera with the fluorocarbon by a Berkley Cross- let it set for a few seconds; most of
to hit rock bottom to make it into the 5-inch waterproof hi-resolution, 800 x Loc Snap, rather than a snap swivel, the time, fish will either hit it as the
big-fish-catching league. 480-pixel color screen. as the latter adds too much hardware lure flounders on bottom, or, as it sits
With my MarCum, I can see and bulk to the rig. motionless.
On The Softer Side firsthand the composition of the lake’s Banging on bottom works well
Early on in the day, before getting bottom. And what I’m often look- with all my favorite lures whether Rock Rappper
loud with my lures, I’m careful to be ing for, especially in dingy water, or, they are metal jigging spoons or Drawing attention to your lure
the opposite of noisy; I try to be as when the bite’s been off and the fish hard-bodied baits. Personally, I like is often as easy as hitting the rock
stealthy as can be. are known to be lethargic, is rocks, be Northland’s UV Macho Minnow— bottom with it. But remember to be
Before the crack of dawn, I crank it gravel or large boulders. painted in six different ultra-violet stealthy in your approach, and then
up my ultra-quiet StrikeMaster Honda The reason? Simple, really. I’m hues, including glow-in-the-dark. It’s let your lure be the loud device. Drill
35CC Lite and drill as many holes as I looking for rock bottom so I can bang a heavy lure and raps well against a lots of holes quickly, check for depth
can muster. This way I’m sure to have my lure off the hard surface every so hard bottom. And speaking of rapping, and bottom composite, then fish. If the
at least punched one hole over struc- often. A real attention-getter to fish Rapala’s Jigging Shad Raps and Jig- fish leave or you get a strike but miss,
ture before the bite starts. that aren’t right under me. In fact, the ging Raps work wonders for creating drop your lure to bottom and let it
The 10-inch Honda 35CC Lite banging of a lure on rocks can be so chaos on hard bottoms, as well. knock the bottom. The strike that oc-
only weighs 26 pounds, yet, has a lot loud that, from within the confines So, when’s the right time for curs next might just rock your world.
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

of torque and thrust behind it. Couple of my Clam portable shanty, I can whacking rocks with your bait? Mark Martin is a professional
its lightness, and power, with the actually hear the lure smacking the I like to thump bottom every few walleye tournament angler and
ultra-sharpness and shape of Strike- surface. minutes until a fish is either spotted instructor with the Ice-Fishing Fish-
Master’s blades and I’m able to drill This especially holds true when on my Lowrance or on the MarCum, ing Vacation/Schools (fishingvaca-
holes 10 inches in diameter quickly, I’m using line with very little or and then fish it as I normally would tionschool.com), who lives in the
efficiently and quietly. This allows no stretch. And that’s one of many off bottom. But tapping hard bot- southwest corner of Michigan’s
time for the environment to settle reasons I use 12-pound-test Berkley tom works well when a hole’s gone Lower Peninsula. Check out his
down under me well before the sun FireLine, which I use as my main line, dry and the fish have left the area, as website at markmartins.net for more
30 rises up over the horizon. and then a 1-foot leader of Berkley well, or when I get a strike but the information.n
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 Trespassers hurt sport’s public image
E
ver wonder why hunters
sometimes seem to rank
somewhere between Hillary
Clinton and Donald Trump in pub-
lic opinion polls?
All my life I’ve defended hunt-
ers, our rights, our freedoms and
our traditions. As a publisher of an
outdoor publication which cele-
brates our pastime, I was recently
forced to reconsider some of my
positions.
This season I saw unethical
behavior, an unwillingness to
respect others, and I suspect, ques-
tionable hunting tactics.
For several seasons now, I’ve
leased a piece of property near my
home for its hunting privileges. I
understood the land had been
vacant for several years. I’m not so
naive as to think others haven’t
been hunting the property without
permission. I did
believe that by simply
asking them to observe
our lease, they would
abide by it.
I was wrong.
I worked hard to
get the lease and paid
good money for it. My
By Randy Jorgensen
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DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
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32 www.GladwinGunVault.com
hunting partner and I take great care
of the property to make sure we
don’t spook the wildlife, and we
deliberately leave some areas alone
so we can hunt closer to the rut.
Surely, you can understand our
frustration when a few days into the
bow season we saw a man, woman
and kids out for a fall afternoon
stroll. I’m all for quality family
time, just not smack dab in the mid-
dle of bow season. There’s no doubt
their laughing, joking, busting
branches and skipping rocks on the
peaceful lake that lies on the prop-
erty disturbed my hunting and the
whitetails that bed in that area.
A few days later, a neighbor told
me he saw some fellows putting up
a treestand on the property. A sim-
ple note attached to the stand
should take care of it—or so I
thought.
Approaching the deer gun open-
er, my hunting partner observed the
same group of five or so building a
ground blind. Our polite requests
were again ignored.
What amazes me is that they
failed to realize that their careless-
ness in the woods not only spoiled
the hunting for me, it also alerted
all the deer in the area and spoiled
the hunting opportunities for them
HOURS
10:00am - 5:00pm
SATURDAY
10:00am - 3:00pm
as well.
As we suspected, on opening
day of gun season, I found someone
in a ground blind who only days
before we had asked to leave.
Walking up to him at midmorn-
ing on opening day I said, “You
know this is private land and you
don’t have permission to hunt
here.”
Acting surprised by my state-
ment, he replied, “Oh, I’m sorry, I
thought I was on my uncle’s proper-
ty. I must have walked one fence
row over too many.”
“We have asked your group
politely before, and you guys knew
this was private property. Get your
gear and get off this property now!”
I instructed them sternly.
“Don’t come back and make
sure you tell your buddies to stay
off the property as well, “ I contin-
ued.
He left in a hurry.
But it didn’t stop his buddies.
They continued to hunt the property
as they pleased. Twice more, either
I or my partner ran into them and
insisted they leave. Each time, they
insisted they didn’t know they were
on someone else’s property. Of
course, they did.
They finally resorted to hunting
the property’s edges and shot at
anything that moved, wounding a
seven pointer, which I saw limping
but never recovered. No doubt, the
deer had been wounded by a quick
shot taken at a distance. A shot they
had no business taking.
The rest of the season I heard
shots that I knew were long range,
running deer and showing no regard
for the animal. If they’d been able
to get a slug into the animal, I doubt
it would be a humane kill, rather
leaving the animal to die on his
own in the brush.
I have never shot at a whitetail
when I was not absolutely certain I
could make the shot. For some
hunters, I fear that is the exception
to the rule. Their philosophy is to
shoot now and hope for the best.
If we are going to protect this
fine sport from the anti-hunters, we
better start with ourselves. Don’t
trespass, don’t take wild shots, and
please respect property lines.
I can’t defend people who think
only of themselves and have no
respect for the game they hunt or
the great tradition of the sport.
Let’s teach our youth the
proper ethics of hunting. We may
someday lose our hunting rights
if we don’t.n
First ‘16 elk season a success
T
he MDNR announced that Michigan’s first wild herbivore in Michigan (moose being the larg-
elk hunt of 2016, which ended Oct. 3, had est) at 350-900 pounds. This means they eat a lot
a hunter success rate of 85 percent. One of plants, and elk don’t distinguish between private
hundred state hunters had 12 days to fill agricultural crops, state forest land or planted wild-
their elk license, with 30 any-elk and 70 life food plots. In addition, many elk hunters have
antlerless-only licenses issued. waited for decades to get drawn for a coveted elk
“It’s hard to believe the first hunt period is in license. A successful hunt is not only very important
the books,” said DNR wildlife biologist Jennifer for achieving management goals but also for the
Kleitch. “Overall, we had good weather to hunt, no satisfaction of the hunter.
notable law issues and good success. The last few “I never thought I’d be chosen,” said Emily
days were the wettest, which slowed efforts just a Schaff of China, Michigan, who hunts both deer
bit.” and turkey and had drawn a bear tag years ago. “My
The first hunt period of the elk season is stag- mom got a cow tag when I was in fifth grade, and
gered and open for a total of 12 days, from Aug. I always wanted to do it. I’ve made all my friends
30-Sept. 2, Sept. 16-19 and Sept. 30-Oct. 3. This and family apply for their elk license now!”
early hunt period is open only in areas outside the Learn more about the elk lottery by visiting
core elk range, helping to control the distribution or mi.gov/elk.
locations of elk. The management goal for elk hunt- Several unique hunting groups appeared at this Emily Schaff of China, Michigan, har vested a
ing is to control the number of elk and their loca- year’s elk orientation in Vanderbilt, which every 5x5 bull elk on private land nor th of Hillman.
tions and also the herd composition, or the male-to- hunter must attend to learn about their upcoming (Pictured with Cody Baker).
female ratios. Hunt period 1 targets elk outside the elk hunt. The 100 hunters in the first elk hunt period try State Forest. A third elk hunt period is an option
location where the DNR wants the majority of the included a husband/wife duo, brothers, a third gen- if the needed hunter success is not met with the
population to be. eration in a family that already had twice drawn elk first two hunt periods, although, in the past several
“We work very closely with elk hunters to give licenses in the past, several hunters with disabili- years, this third hunt has not been necessary.
them the greatest chance at success as possible,” ties, and many other rare situations. Only Michigan The goal for Michigan’s elk population is be-
said Kleitch. “The 100 elk hunters are essentially residents are eligible to hunt elk in Michigan, and tween 500 and 900 elk, which has been determined
serving as wildlife managers during this hunt, the application period runs annually May 1 through to be the optimal population for habitat, recreation
which is managed in such an intense way, we can June 1. and a healthy herd. Currently, Michigan’s estimated
get the locations of known elk and work with pri- The second elk hunt period, Dec. 10-18, will elk population is over 1,300, and regulated hunting
vate landowners who want assistance in getting the have a new group of 100 state hunters who will be will be used to reduce the population. To learn more
elk off their land.” hunting all open elk management units, which in- about elk, including elk education opportunities in
Kleitch explained that elk are the second largest clude the core elk range in the Pigeon River Coun- the classroom, visit mi.gov/elk.n

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M-13 LINWOOD, MI 989.697.5341 33
 December Deer Hunting Tactics...By George Rowe
Hunting the hard ones
M
ichigan hunters have three
opportunities to take a
deer in December and
none of them provides
easy hunting. First, of
course, the archery season
extends through the month and closes
on the first of January. The muzzle-
loader season starts December 2 and
runs for 10 days or longer depending
on the zone. Finally, there is a late
antlerless season, on private land only,
in select DMUs, from December 19
through the first of January.
If you watch the deer hunting
shows on television, you get used to
seeing the scenes with bucks – often
several bucks- wandering around in
the open in broad daylight. Those
folks are not hunting in Michigan and
they are not hunting in the last part of
the firearm season or in the December
hunts. Our deer on both public and
private lands are pressured pretty hard
in the firearm season and, every year,
they just seem to disappear after the
third day of the season. They are still
out there, at least some of them are,
but they are hard to come by. Con-
sider a few of these factors to improve
your chances of connecting with a late
season deer.
Lower Your Sights
If you have saved an antlerless tag
for the late season or if you can still
shoot a young buck, your chances of
scoring are vastly improved. If the
only tag left is that restricted one, you
are going to have to work really hard
to score. The larger bucks are the first
deer to crawl in a hole, it seems, and
they can be very difficult to find in the
late hunting. Many of them are gone,
of course, now residing in a freezer
somewhere, but the young bucks and
the does are still around in good num-
bers, in most areas.
Find The Food
By the end of November, most of
the rutting activity is over and both
does and bucks can turn their attention gan, deer migrate to cedar swamps as sense, at least for some folks, baiting
to nourishment, rather than concen-
trate on passing along their genes.
The bucks may be in really bad shape, nace area, where the deer move many season. And, of course, the law limits string-and-stick set and for the muz-
physically, and especially the more
mature bucks, from the rigors of the
rut. A mature buck might lose 20 per-
cent of his body weight and virtually
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
all of his stored fat while chasing does Counties, as some deer move out of
relentlessly in November. That deer
really needs to feed well to get ready
for the next physical test – winter.
The does too will be feeding less
during the rut and they are certainly
ready now to put on the feed bag.
If you can find good food, in late
November and December, you will
34 certainly find the deer. It some areas, deer can even eat the cedar, if it is of is gone. While your bait might attract satisfied.n
some does and fawns and perhaps
even a yearling buck, it would be
unrealistic to expect a big buck at the
bait. A mature buck might check out
the area, periodically, if there might
be a receptive doe around and there
will be some mating in December, for
yearlings and even, in some areas, doe
fawns.
Stand Hunting
While taking a stand is the method
we all prefer during the early hunt-
ing, it is much less productive during
the late season. The deer are almost
wholly nocturnal and they just aren’t
apt to wander around much in the
daylight. If you hunt much during
the late season, you will discover
that the afternoon hunt is much more
productive than spending a morn-
ing on stand. The deer retire to their
day beds before first light but they do
get hungry in the afternoon and their
hunger will force them to begin to for-
age before it gets dark. Plan to spend
your stand hunting time in the late
afternoon.
If you have some treestands out
there, you might plan to give them up
in favor of ground or brush blinds.
With the leaves gone, many tree stand
situations would leave the hunter
exposed in a very obvious fashion
and, of course, with the leaves gone
Nice bucks like this mature eight-point are hard to come by in the late sea- and visibility enhanced by snow, you
son but there are lots of young bucks and does. Author photo really don’t need to be elevated now.
it will be acorns or beechnuts. If the right variety. You can be safer and warmer on the
those hard mast crops are in short As soon as there is a significant ground and still get the job done.
supply, however, you may have to
look for crop fields that have corn or
heavy snow, check to see if the deer
are on the move and try to intercept Drive Safely
something remaining in them. them or begin hunting the cedar Small one or two-man drives can
In non-farm areas, the deer will be swamps to which they have moved. be very productive in December. This
looking for certain grasses and weeds Migrations of some sort probably take
tactic will only work well, however,
that are especially abundant and/or place in most northern Michigan hunt-
if the driver or the manager of the
nutritious. With snow on the ground, ing areas. The deer will move some-
drive knows the cover intimately and
it shouldn’t take much walking to dis- what, even if it is simply to a nearby
can thus position the stander(s) along
cover where the deer are feeding and cedar swamp or other wintering or the exit routes from a particular bit
plan your hunt accordingly. yarding area. of cover. Standers located well away
from the bedding area are the most
Mind The Migration Baiting likely to get a good shot, expecting
In some areas of Northern Michi- While baiting seems to make some the deer to slow down somewhat from
their initial hard-running flight.
soon as there is significant snow. This on a large scale is almost certainly Late season deer hunting is chal-
is well-documented in the Saint Ig- counter-productive during the late lenging and especially so for the
zleloader hunters. It is doubly satis-
miles to the cedar swamps along the the amount that can be used. Why
fying to take a deer with a primitive
lake shore. It also occurs, to a lesser should a deer that can easily get a weapon in December. While most
extent, in Antrim and Charlevoix meal during the hours of darkness, archers put their bows and arrows
at a handy bait pile, risk exposing away when the firearm season starts, a
the farm areas to take shelter in the itself in daylight? A baiting technique few will stick with it in December, es-
cedars along Lake Michigan. The co- that might work would be to put out pecially if they have access to a farm
nifers provide an area with somewhat just a little at the same time every or two with little pressure. The archer
warmer temperatures, shelter from the day, perhaps in the morning or in the who takes a nice buck in December
wind and less snow on the ground. middle of the afternoon, hoping some has really accomplished something
The boughs catch the snow and it then deer will develop the habit of coming and, for that matter, any hunter who
melts or evaporates rather than build- to the bait early, competing with other braves the winter weather and takes
ing up on the ground. In a pinch, the deer and hoping to get there before it a deer of any sort should feel very
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35
 Don’t expose
your secret spot
Don’t
useexpose
the
outpost
your secret spot
use thefeeder
For tunes shift in
the grouse woods
the stealth

outpost
Blends into
the stealth feeder
Surroundings 2014 – My grouse and ing pants. About 15 years
woodcock season was short- old, these pants have been
AS SEEN ON ened severely when each of through a lot of grouse cov-

Blends into
MICHIGAN
OUT OF
DOORS
my dogs, Abbey the Irish red
and white setter and Lizzy,
the Llewellin setter sustained
ers, and they aren’t afraid
to show it. The guys started
making fun of them much as
Surroundings injuries that sent them to the
sidelines for three weeks
they derided my traditional
hunting cap several years
each. ago.
SQUIRREL
AS SEEN ON
2015 – My grouse
and woodcock season By Tom Carney
Things came to a head
while I was sitting there
RESISTANT
MICHIGAN was shortened severely as daintily as I could for
OUT OF
CAP by neck pain the doctors could neither a man of my girth.
DOORS diagnose nor relieve. Home from the
north woods by mid-October.
“Eeyew, Tom! You gotta get rid
of those pants,” Jerry complained.
2016 – Time for a change of for- “You’ve got a big hole in the crotch.”
tune! I got serious about working out I took a look.
since May so I’d be in shape. Coincid- “Hey, man! These are classics. I

SQUIRREL holds
ing with times I had to be away from can’t get rid of them. I’ll just sew up
home, the pups got in over six weeks the seam when I get home.”

RESISTANT of training this summer. Word on the Then Tim spoke up. “You haven’t

CAP 20 lbS street is that bird numbers would be

up. The band was together and all
split the seam. The material has rotted
away. You need new pants.”
corn three of us, healthy. We were ready to
rock!
An unsolicited fashion tip is one
of the more cruel things one man can
The first setback identified itself visit upon another. This is the second
at home before the Suburban had time I have been thus visited upon by
been packed with dogs and gear: I lost these camp brutes.
my first string hunting gloves. OK,
second-stringers it is. I’m ready. The
dogs are ready. Nothing can change

holds
that.
Amid the renewal of traditions

20 lbS and warmth of camaraderie` the first

night of camp, I forgot to let the dogs

corn out of their kennels one more time

before hitting the rack. The messes
– yes both dogs stumbled – awaiting
DURABLE
BROADCASTER
me the next morning were horrify-
ing in so many ways. Thus began the
three-hour task of washing and drying
Great For their kennel pads and blankets in the
PUBLIC or PRIVATE lodge’s laundry area. This also began
the melting of the rubber on the pads
Land Hunters because I didn’t know how hot those
dryers were going to get. The dogs
Carry Sack Holds remained unfazed about the ordeal
20 Pounds and apathetic about how the morning
For Easy Refill was progressing. I was distracted by
Just when the author’s pants have
domestic chores. Where’s the splendor
gotten comfor tably broken in, his
Programmable Timer of the new season?
bird camp companions “gently”
Eventually, we got out and even
Drop 1# / Day flushed a woodcock. Now we’re talk- suggested it was time for them to
Lasts Up To 3 Weeks go.

Programmable
DURABLE Automatic
ing. Upon our return to the lodge the
headlines screamed that five of the
Hanging Wire & Throw Line My cap is 41 years old, and six camps
BROADCASTER guys had descended upon a cover I

Broadcaster
INCLUDED was saving for later in the week. From ago they “suggested” I replace it by
With Metal Throwing Disc it they flushed 25 grouse and 43 wood- holding a funeral service for it. Sure it
Great For cock. no longer blazes orange, and the guys
PUBLIC or PRIVATE The next day we visited the afore- say they can’t even see it in the woods.
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

mentioned cover and kicked up by a And sure it looks ragged, but that’s
Land Hunters single, wild flushing grouse. Tempera- just because years ago I cut out the
tures reached the mid-70s, and I could material from the panels to expose the
not bear to remain in the woods. Seven mesh and allow more air flow. It’s not
Carry Sack Holds miles away, the other guys hunted for junk; it’s just well worn. And I have
20 Pounds five hours and flushed nearly 50 birds persisted in wearing it.
total. That news did little to improve But the thing is that my bird hunt-
For Easy Refill
www.outpostfeeder.com my mood. ing hasn’t been very successful for the
Then, during the pre-dinner last six years or so. And despite big
36 outpostfeeder@gmail.com
Programmable Timer gabfest, they started in on my hunt- flush numbers for other people, things
Drop 1# / Day
Lasts Up To 3 Weeks
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Top photo: A hunting companion for 41 years, this hat might have lost
its magic. Bottom photo: Can a fresh hunting cap change one’s for-
tunes in the woods? Tailfeather Communications, LLC photos
really hadn’t been going well for me
so early in this season.
Perhaps a change in attire would
lead to a change in fortune, I opined
to Jim that night during dinner.
“Things can’t get much worse for
you,” he said.
So, I stored my classic hat and
pants and pulled out some newer stuff.
Instead of classic waxed cotton, the
newer pants are made of some space
age material that will never snag, I
had been told. And the replacement
hat was actually the same style and
almost the same vintage as my classic.
It’s just that I haven’t worn it much
and had never customized it.
I was ready for my fortunes to
change.
I forgot to request that they
change for the better.
I lost my second string hunting
gloves and the third stringers began to
deteriorate as I wore them.
In the each of the first two coverts
we hunted, Abbey ran off for 20 min-
utes while we flushed zero birds.
In the third cover, despite our “no
way can we get lost here” attitude, we
A couple days later on the drive
back to my cabin from the U.P., I
Poly Furniture and
discovered that at some point Lizzy
had severely lacerated her front leg.
Campfire Supplies and Rings
It had happened long enough ago that
the wound was no longer bleeding. So
she rested in a cone for 10 days while
her stitches set. Abbey and I hunted Relax In Style!
alone, found no birds, she ran off
two more times, and she was never
apologetic.
Seventeen days after Lizzy got
stitches, and a week after having them
removed, I took her to a place where
the woodcock always settle in dur-
ing their migration. The morning was
bright and cool, a perfect October
hunting day. Things seemed just right. Standard Features
STANDARD FEATURES
The newer, cleaner hat sat there defi- • Fully Insulated
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Fully Insulated • Silent Shadow Window Systems
no stupid cap going to determine my • •Rodent
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About half an hour from the car, • •Silent Shadow Window• Systems
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I noticed Lizzy had lost the protec- • Peaked Roof
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She had broken open the wound and • Upper Interior Shelf
was bleeding. We turned around
and marched resolutely back to the
vehicle. No birds were flushed during 1205 N. SR 5, Shipshewana
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

got lost. To top it off, neither of us had the making of this fitness walk. 260-768-7511
his cell phone with him. And Jim had Back at the car, it became obvi- -Open-
forgotten his GPS. ous: Lizzy was done for the season. I
To make matters really worse, decided to return home. Fortune had - Open - • 8-5
Mon-Fri
while Jim and I were determining we won out. Mon-Fri • 8-5Sat
Sat• •8-3:30
8-3:30
were lost Lizzy ran off. By the time Things couldn’t get any worse.
we found our vehicles, she had been Except for the leaking garbage
gone for over an hour. By the time we disposal that greeted me upon my
finally connected with her it had been return. 1205 N. SR 5, Shipshewana • 260-768-7511
over two. And then I got the flu.n 37
 0Tips for
1LATE-SEASON
WATERFOWL
L
ate-season waterfowling
seems to be feast or famine.
Nasty weather brings fresh
birds down the pipe, but
they’re birds that have been
hammered during their entire
trip down the flyway and they know
the ropes. The naïve, young-of-the-
year waterfowl from earlier in the
season are gone.
Weather itself makes hunting
during the late season more difficult.
Cold, snow and ice make the physical
act of hunting more tedious, draining
and dangerous if you’re not prepared.
Following are 10 tips that
are sure to make your late-
season hunts more produc-
tive.
1
camouflage becomes
increasingly important
as the season progresses.
Not only are ducks and geese
more leery and more in
By Mike Gnatkowski
tune with spotting
things out of the
ordinary, but cover
itself becomes increasingly scarce.
Cattails get knocked down, crops are
harvested and the landscape turns
brown or white so staying hidden
becomes doubly important. Be sure to
choose camouflage patterns that have
more brown tones in them if there
isn’t any snow on the ground. Early
season patterns that have green in
them will stand out like a sore thumb
later in the fall and early winter.
When building makeshift blinds, use
netting as a base layer, but pile on the
natural vegetation found in the area.
Don’t forget about overhead
cover, too. Circling birds can look
right down into a blind that doesn’t
have cover to break-up your outline
and provide some shadows to hide
in. A facemask or face paint becomes
mandatory during the late season.
2
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
Plan to hunt the entire day. Early
in the season during nice weather
ducks and geese tend to move
early and late in the day, so short,
half-day hunts can take advantage of
those patterns. But late in the season,
Targeting other species of birds that you wouldn’t normally hunt can especially if it’s cold, ducks and geese
continue to fill the bird strap late in the season. Late migrators, like might not move until mid-morning or
golden-eyes, buffleheads, canvasbacks and other divers, might be just early afternoon. If you only hunt early
38 what the doctor ordered at the final buzzer. or late, you might miss the best hunt-
ing of the day. Pack an extra sandwich
or two; bring an extra vacuum bottle
of coffee and some snacks so you
can make a day of it. Be prepared for
weather changes that might nor-
mally require you to pack it in. Bring
extra gloves, warmer boots and extra
clothes to match the conditions. Noth-
ing takes the place of time spent in the
field. You must be present to win.
3
Normally, a trailer loaded with
full-bodied goose decoys is the
way to go when hunting fields,
but that might not be the case late in
the season. Geese in cold weather
spend a lot of time sit-
ting and sleeping and shell
decoys may do a better job
of imitating those relaxed
postures. Many times, geese
will fly out to feed, land and
plop down to melt the snow
underneath them, feed a
little, take a nap and repeat
the process. Geese
don’t stand up
much when it’s
cold because they’re exposed to the
elements then and they lose body heat.
Most geese in a flock during cold
weather will be sitting or sleeping and
shells are perfect for imitating relaxed,
napping geese. In fact, more and more
of your spread should be made up of
sleeper shells the colder it gets. The
beauty of shells is they’re less expen-
sive than full-body decoys and easier
to carry and deploy.
4
Finding open water can be key to
late-season waterfowling success.
Small ponds and shallow marsh-
es that were hotspots early in the year
will be frozen up solid before the
season ends. One option is to move to
bigger water that is kept open by wind
and wave action. Bigger, deeper lakes
will remain open long after shallower
bodies of water have frozen up. Other
options are to find places where spring
holes keep pockets open or where
warm-water discharges from power
or waste-water treatment plants keep
the lake from freezing. All will be
a magnet for ducks and geese when
temperatures plummet.
The only way to find these loca-
tions is by scouting, observation and
putting in your time. Follow birds
from feeding to roosting areas and
make note of where you see birds
pitching in. It might require a lengthy
walk to find where they are going, but
the rewards can be great.
pay attention to the weather. Fronts
moving in from the north and the
associated winds will bring in new
birds. Fresh flights are going to be
looking for company, food and shelter

5
Targeting other species of birds
that you wouldn’t normally hunt
can continue to fill the bird strap
late in the season. Late migrators,
like golden-eyes, buffleheads, can-
vasbacks and other divers, might be
just what the doctor ordered at the
final buzzer. Golden-eyes and but-
terballs typically travel in smaller
flocks so a half dozen decoys are all
that’s needed to lure them into shogun
and are not going to be nearly as leery
as birds that have been around for a
while. Turn on the Weather Channel
and look for predictions of precipita-
tion and isobars scrunched together
that indicate strong north winds that
migrating birds will use to push them
south. Often, the best hunting is just
ahead of the front. The birds don’t
need TWC to tell them when it’s time
to travel.

8
range. Plan to set up more in the
open for late-season divers than you
would puddle ducks. Put your dekes
right in the open off points, islands
or narrows where passing divers can
see them. Long mother lines can be
used for divers, which makes setting
can retrieving decoys in cold weather
easier. Watch the patterns of passing
flocks. If the first few don’t show any
interest, be prepared to quickly move
to get under their flight path.
Less can be more during the late
season. Ducks have seen count-
less spreads of two dozen mallard
decoys, half drakes; half hens by sea-
son’s end so changing things up can
pay big dividends. Try using fewer,
but more realistic decoys. Ducks are
in full plumage by season end so de-
coys need to be vivid and bright. You
might want to set aside a few new
drake decoys just to use during the
late season. Ducks are also beginning

6
Keeping equipment in tip-top
shape late in the season can be
a chore, but it’s mandatory for
success. Gun should be cleaned regu-
larly, if not daily, using nonpetroleum
products, especially gas-operated
semi-autos. Mineral spirits work well.
Make sure gun cases are thoroughly
to pair up by December or January
so setting single drakes and a hen
together can be a good tactic. Ducks
that have been called to and shot at
become leery of large decoy spreads
and shy away from landing with other
ducks. Leave plenty of space between Finding open water can be key to late-season waterfowling success.
decoys. Small ponds and shallow marshes that were hotspots early in the year

9 will be frozen up solid before the season ends. Conditions can be

dried. Spark plugs should be changed
in outboards at mid-season and possi-
bly upgraded to a hotter plug for cold
weather use. Substitute premium fuel
instead of regular during the late sea-
son. Make sure life-saving equipment
Ducks and geese have heard it
all by the end of the season so
often less calling can be more
productive. Rarely will loud hi-balls
and greeting calls get the response
they did early in the season. Call only
life-threatening during the late season so hunters need to make sure
equipment is in tip-top shape, including lifesaving gear. Author photos
grunts and moans just to keep them layout, or even hunting over just
interested. goose decoys when hunting ducks,

10
is readily available in a good working as much as needed to keep a flock’s confidence decoys can be a can be a good late season tactic. Not
order. Have an extra battery charged attention and if they’re headed in big draw when birds have many hunters use them, but coots can
up for spinning wing decoys. your direction, don’t call at all! Only seen it all. Perching a heron be great confidence decoys. Put out

7
Watch the weather. We all know
that the best time to go water-
fowling is when you can, but if
you have the luxury of being able to
go on those prime waterfowling days’
call when the birds are 60 or 70 yards
downwind and then only use a short
comeback or hen quacks to get them
turned. Same thing when hunting
geese in the fields. Use soft murmurs,
on your blind or in your decoy spread
can spell “all is well” to suspicious
ducks. Ducks seem to feel at ease
when they see geese in the vicinity
so added some goose decoys to your
a spread of two or three dozen coots
and add just a half dozen mallards or
widgeon and you’ll be surprised at
the results even on seasoned late-
season ducks.n

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Duck hunting
Layout boat hunts on Lake St.claire or Lake Erie
$140 per gun for diver ducks
Sea Duck hunts on Lake Michigan or Huron
$175 per gun for long tail ducks (old Squaw)
Grouse and Woodcock hunting
Benzie County guided hunt with my well trained chocolate
Lab that is great at finding and retrieving birds.
Ruffed Grouse season Sept. 15-Nov. 14 and Dec. 1-Jan. 1
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

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39
 Black Powder Shooting Sports...

Fun to shoot!
Fun to watch!
F
resh-fallen snow greeted the
out-state travelers. Straight
white lines on brown shingles
marked the location of each
of the red log cabin’s round,
pine rafters. Bright sun streaks
bathed the parking lot, intermixed
with long shadows from the
tall, slender conifers that
encircled the rustic clubhouse
and adjacent shooting ranges.
The fourth vehicle, a
burgundy Town and Country
Chrysler pulled through the
front gate, turned to the left
and stopped beside an older
Dodge Ram 4x4. A shiny,
the north edge of the gravel lot. “You
know we could continue the hug fest
inside,” Ron Smith said.
About forty clubs around Michi-
gan support the black powder shoot-
ing sports. Some are dedicated to
muzzleloading while others are
sportsman’s clubs with a
black powder contingent.
The first Saturday in Febru-
ary, representatives of these
organizations gather at the
Eaton Rapids Conservation
Club for the MSMLA annual
meeting.
The clubhouse’s atmo-
sphere attests to Michigan’s
The MSMLA sponsors two main shooting competitions, which bring to-
gether black powder shooters from across Michigan. “We invite people
to come join us,” David Maddox said, “and we’ll help you get star ted
in muzzleloading.”
historical shooting heritage. mittees,” Maddox later said. “Take
“It’s time to get started,” David Jim (Brotherton), Jim orchestrates the
Maddox, the MSMLA president at the range…he schedules range officers
time of the February 2016 meeting, and makes sure all the equipment is
said. Folks gravitated to the chairs available and working.
at the white folding tables or seated “With Janet (Langworthy) mov-
themselves along the walls; a few ing (out of state), Jim’s going to take
stood at the back. File folders opened over the scoring for this year. That’s
and ring binders snapped while copies a very important function. You have
of the meeting’s agenda circulated to to make sure all the targets are ac-

By Dennis Neely
extended cab Chevy outdoor traditions. all in attendance. Then the reciting counted for, scored properly and that
Silverado followed, Mortar-chinked log of the Pledge of Allegiance ushered the scores get to Eric (Hoskinson)
then a silver Ford Focus walls display the hand- in the serious nature of tending to the who records them in the computer,
and a beige Chevy Impala. carved names of past ERCC members, association’s business. then posts them. He’ll need help, and
Sharon Smith stepped from the some dating back to 1939. Overhead, The reading of the secretary’s people will step up.
Town and Country, clutching a plastic peeled and varnished timbers support minutes and the presentation of the “Lyle McGregor chairs the
container brimming with her “Sher- half-hewn pole rafters and exposed, treasurer’s report generated thought- awards committee. We award med-
man crunch” cookies, baked the eve- knotty-pine roof sheathing. A mounted ful comments and questions. Maddox als for the top three in most matches.
ning before. Old friends shared broad rooster pheasant flies over a cut- deferred some of the inquiries to the We started recycling medals, and
smiles, heartfelt hugs and enthusiastic fieldstone fireplace. The rustic ambi- various committee reports. The func- Lyle handles that. Some people have
handshakes as attendees to the Michi- ance provides a fitting setting for an tioning of the MSMLA depends on the boxes of them. We’ve asked them to
gan State Muzzle Loading Associa- organization that strives to celebrate, dedicated service of many volunteers. turn them in if they don’t want them
tion’s annual meeting congregated on promote and preserve the state’s rich “Just go down the list of com- anymore. We’ve had over two dozen
people bring back medals.
FREE ADMISSION! “We clean ‘em up and recycle
them. We’ve got 11 years of aggregate
medals and three years of match med-
als. That’ll save almost $3,000 dollars.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3rd & SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4th That savings will help offset other
• See the latest in Fishfinders & Underwater Cameras by: Vexilar, SAT. DEC 3RD, 10:00AM - 5:00PM SUN. DEC 4TH, 10:00AM - 4:00PM costs. We give everything we can back
Humminbird, Marcum, and Showdown to the shooter. We’ve gotten a lot of
• The latest in Clothing technology by: IDI & Striker. Ice wear that compliments on the new medals.”
is super light weight, incredibly warm and it floats! Marty Maddox was the associa-
• All the hottest ice lures - including many tungsten models by: tion’s treasurer and chairs the registra-
Fiskas, Scandia, Northland, DJ’s, Kodiak and many more. tion committee. When she gave her
• Sleds and ice tents by: Shappell, Clam, Frabill and Eskimo. report, she singled out Joe Valentin
Plus all the latest in tip-ups, line, bobbers, and accessories! and Ron Fernwalt with a special thank
TWO FULL DAYS OF FREE SEMINARS
you for their assistance, delivered in a
lighthearted manner, which exempli-
BY CHAMPION PRO ICE ANGLERS fies the camaraderie within the black
AND MORE THAN 25 FACTORY REPS
powder shooting sports.
“We all know about the ‘Ron and
Joe Show,’” she said. “We couldn’t
run the registration trailer without
them. This year they’ve asked that we
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

provide a folding cot so they can alter-

nate naps. Someone suggested adding
a hammock to the trailer, too.”
“If we don’t appropriate the mon-
ey for a cot, what would you do for
a Klondike® Bar?” Diane McGregor
asked, citing an old advertising jingle
and alluding to the pairs’ fondness of
ice cream.
40 8178 W MAIN ST, KALAMAZOO, MI 49009 • (269) 372-2277 • Open 7 Days “If we can get the same pay as
last year, we’ll be okay,” Joe Valentin
quipped. The quick-witted exchange
triggered an abundance of laughs.
The MSMLA puts on two major
shoots each year: the Michigan State
Rifle and Pistol Championship the
first weekend following July 4th and
the Michigan Shotgun Championship
in mid-August.
At the annual meeting, the club
representatives went line-by-line
through the programs for each shoot.
Some points required discussion in an
effort to keep abreast of the best safe-
ty practices or to reflect the changing
needs of the competitors.
The rifle and pistol champion-
ship roster includes a broad array of
matches with separate divisions for
men, women, “old timers” (60 and
over), and juniors (15 and under). The
shoot roster lists over 75 individual
matches and 23 aggregates, which
combine the scores from two or more
matches, for flintlock or percussion
rifles, smoothbores, military muskets, Before the meeting, the MSMLA’s vice president, Jim Brother ton, shouldered the 2016 state gun, a .58-caliber
pistols and revolvers and the heavy Hawken rifle built by Mike Sullivan. Each year the association raffles a handcrafted muzzleloading gun and the win-
bench guns. A complete primitive ner is drawn at the close of the state rifle championship in July.
program offers a woodswalk, trade
gun competitions and knife and toma- “The state shotgun matches the shooter. It’s a lot of fun to shoot call is Dave McMurray at 269-370-
hawk throwing events. are all trap,” David McMurray, the and a lot of fun to watch,” McMurray 0095.
The registration cost is $30 per MSMLA shotgun chairman said. said. Give the black powder shooting
family or $20 per single competitor, “We’ve got a good all-around pro- The state shotgun championship sports a try, be safe and may God
which covers all matches. Newcom- gram, plus we’ve made some changes includes 28 matches and 7 aggre- bless you.n
ers who have never placed in a state and added a new hunter’s match. You gates. The registration cost is $15
walk up and there’s a delay at the per competitor, $25 per family and Michigan State Muzzle Loading
or national competition can elect to
try the sport by entering the Novice puller’s discretion before the flush, juniors shoot for $5. Some of the Association State Shoots
just like hunting birds. matches allow re-entry at an addi-
Aggregate, priced at $5 per single Dec. 4 - Woods Walk: Clinton River
entrant or $10 per family. “We have singles and doubles, tional fee.
Muzzle Loaders: Detroit Sportsman
and ‘protection matches’ where you For more information about the
“You become a member (of the Congress: 586-731-6088
MSMLA) by coming out and shoot- shoot with a partner. If you miss, your MSMLA rifle and pistol champion-
ing with us at one or both of the partner is supposed to pick up the ship matches, please contact Lyle Dec. 31 - “Last Blast of the Year:”
state shoots,” David Maddox said. target. If you both miss it’s a lost bird. McGregor at 989-746-0723. For the Blue Water Sportsman’s Association
“There are no dues. You are issued For protection we pay money back to shotgun championship the person to 586-739-6499
a membership card at registration.
Ron (Fernwalt) sends out a free email
newsletter to keep in touch. He also
produces a state shoot schedule,
which lists the black powder shoots
across the state. The shoot schedule
is on our website (http://msmla.org/).
Both shoot programs are there, too.
“There’s not a lot of income, but
we watch to make sure there’s not a
lot of outgo, too. The shoots are paid
for from registration fees, and we
have many match sponsors. Each year
we raffle the state rifle. The proceeds
help offset the costs. For 2016 we had
a .58-caliber percussion Hawken rifle,
which fit with the movie (“The Rev-
LASTS UP TO 5 DAYS RAIN OR SHINE!
enant”). It’s a gorgeous gun, made by
Mike Sullivan, and the winning ticket
was drawn at the end of the state rifle
championship. No messy liquids Reactivates with moisture
“We feature a different builder Apply Scent up to 10’ away Biodegradable
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

each year, all by word of mouth.

We take care of the parts, either by String dissipates in minutes
purchase or from vendor donations.
The builder donates his or her la-
bor, which is a big item. He or she
chooses the style and caliber and we
give them whatever time they need to www.awayhunting.com
888.289.2929
complete the gun. You don’t have to
be a member to build the state gun,
either,” Maddox added. 41
 By Robert Dock Stupp
Practical trends
for icing panfish
G
o Ahead – Make my day!
Many of you guys and gals
probably remember this
quote and still say it today.
Of course it was originally
said by Clint Eastwood as
the character Harry Callahan in the
1983 movie “Sudden Impact.” FYO –
it was voted number 6 in the American
Film Institute’s list of best quotes of
100 top movie quotes.
This quote is also appropriate for
all the advances made in the sport of
ice fishing. It has grown exponentially.
The trends towards lighter and more
mobile gear and the triggering tactics
of new lures definitely makes my day
on the ice easier, more productive, and
more fun.
Last year I watched a video about
an electric auger at: icefishingtoday.
com. Well, I watched it performing on
the ice and it was amazing. The first
thing I noticed was that it was electric
and powered by a Milwaukee drill
#M18; then it was the light weight and
the speed. I bought the drill but the
auger was back ordered, until now. It
arrived this week.
Weighing just ten pounds and hav-
ing the capacity to drill 1-inch of ice
in one second. Wow! This whole idea
made my day!
In the last few years of walking
with my Clam ice shack/sled with a
28-pound auger on top of all my gear
became cumbersome at best. It was
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DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
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doable on what I call “easy ice” at first
ice but I struggled as the snow and
slush accumulated.
Now, you might say, take your
truck when you have enough ice. Well,
in my 70s now and with all the aches
that I and many of my senior pals have,
it is possible to lift my Clam shack on
its sled into the truck bed but it ain’t
too smart. Needless to say, with the
K-Drill’s light weight and fast drilling
capacity, well, it surely made my day.
The K-Drill isn’t the only electric
drill on the market now. Wouldn’t be
a bad idea to research the following
options: the Clam Geared Ice Auger
Conversion Kit, for use with an 18-volt
cordless drill, Ion, Strike Master, Nils
and the Electric Jiffy
Underwater Cameras
When you are thinking about what
to add to your arsenal (Clint would like
that) to make your day on the ice more
successful, the new advances in under-
water cameras should really spark your
interest.
Let me tell you a story about my
first underwater camera. First of all,
when I first viewed the underwater
world on my camera, I was mesmer-
ized. I had gone ice fishing at 7 am.
I was still on the ice at 7 pm. It re-
ally was and is a whole new beauti-
ful world. I saw schools of perch and
bluegills (Vexilars etc. do not show
species of fish nor how big they are);
then a legal northern pike swam in,
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Wearing sun protection for
his face, ears, and head,
the author caught this nice
crappie by jigging and
shaking a glow jig/softbait
creature.
looked at my transducer and split (The
new transducers are tiny in compari-
son). Then a nice muskie showed up
and, from what I saw, it tried to eat the
transducer. The whole day was excit-
ing. Now, let me tell you the rest of the
story.
$
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After a few weeks, I saw some lim-
itations. First, the machine was bulky
and heavy. Next, when the fish moved
up or down or off to the side, I had to
maneuver the bulky transducer up and
down and all around. But when I found
fish again – what to do? I devised a
system whereby, after I bought two
clamps, I attached one clamp to keep
the depth correct. Also, I had to point
the camera at the best angle to see the
targeted fish through the weeds, etc.
I used another clamp to do this. The
thing about it was I didn’t care about
the extra time and effort as long as I
was catching fish and I loved watch-
ing how the fish, especially crappies,
reacted to my “moves.” Certain jigging
moves attracted fish and other moves
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were a distraction. But certain colors,
hook sizes, and types of bait, with
the right maneuvers, triggered them.
I learned plenty with that camera but
twisting the transducer wire was a pain
in the butt, especially when a clamp
fell down the hole.
Enter the Aqua Vu Micro 5c! First,
the 5-inch, colored camera was easier
to see detail. Turning the camera was
as easy as changing your TV channels.
Enter the Mopod. This tri-pod device
eliminates the hassles of aiming your
camera.
Next, the unit comes with a
wireless, remote control – camera
positioner. You can pan left or right
without touching the camera cable.
Yeah! You can maneuver your camera
with a little, hand held remote control.
It allows you to follow the movement
of fish as they swim. You can pan to
watch all your lines.
Some days I use my Vexilar and
it works great but if you are a reincar-
nated loon like I am, actual viewing
of swimming schools of fish is very
exciting.
The camera really helps you to
understand the quality, size, and spe-
cies of fish.
And, of course, the Micro 5c also tells
you that there ain’t nuttin’ home for
dinner.
My search for lightness and mobil-
ity continues. Along with the other
light stuff we discussed, this ice shack
business is strictly my opinion. FYO –
I have a One-man Clam.
I researched ice shelters like Clam,
Otter, Frabill, and Shappell. Eskimo
makes a Quick-Fish 2, a two-man,
very portable, pop-up shack with a
storage packet for your fishin’ stuff. It
weighs in at 18-pounds.
The unit comes with ice anchors,
zippered doors, and fits in a backpack
– style bag, there is no sled with it. I’ll
take my light sled and put the bag in it.
Therefore, I can really eliminate most
of the back-breaking pull through the
snow.
Searching for fish is snow-trudging
grunt work; it has just been made
easier (I’ll let you know for sure when
the ice arrives). With the K-Drill, the
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Top; three swim baits;
Jigging Rap, Moonshine
Aqua Vu Micro 5c, and the Eskimo Shiver Minnow, Pup-
Quickfish 2 Shelter. Now, let’s take a pet Minnow (3 Eyelets).
gander at the latest ice fishing jewelry Middle; three spoons with
for all fishbrains. Honest! It’ll make chains. Bottom; three jigs
your day. with softbait tails.
Triggering Panfish
With The Latest Lures
The guys that design lures these
days are devising imaginative, micro
soft plastics that wiggle and jiggle
in lifelike action, complementing the or just search for them on your com- with a small hook and a waxworm at-
lead and tungsten jigs that are the puter. tached is a winner.
delivery devises for triggering panfish, Jigs/Softbaits How about a soft plastic min-
and all fish, really. But overlooked, in 8MyBait/J&S Custom Jigs now head that I heard about? But
my opinion, are the smaller swim baits “Wrecking Ball – Akara Fishing Live before this innovation was available, I
Blood Worm with Akara Tungsten - chopped off the head with my thumb
like Jigging Rapalas made for panfish. B-Y Baits Freshwater Shrimp – Origi-
Last but not least are the quivering and and attached or tipped the hook with
nal Maki Plastics Jamei with Clam
sometimes rattling but always flashing Caviar Drop – Berkley Power Nymph
the real thing, leaving the meaty stuff
spoons for perch, crappie, and blue- hanging. The bloody scent was a great
on a plain jighead. trigger. And like Jerry Lee Lewis
gills. Small Swim Baits
Let’s look at three panfish lure Tiny Jigging Raps – Sitka Swim-
sang, “All you gotta do is -- wiggle
categories. Have you ever looked at mer – Acme/ Hyper Glide Swim
around – just a little bit – that’s all
a chart of all the multitudes of you gotta do!” Wiggle and jiggle that
Baits – Custom Jigs & Spins Rotat- jig or spoon and make those bloody
freshwater aquatic organisms, both ing Power Minnow – Akara Fishing
microscopic and larger like blood- Midge. tentacles shake, rattle, and roll.
worms and freshwater shrimp and Spoons Today you can forget about live
tiny minnows that swim in Michigan Clam Guppy Flutter Spoon – Cus- minnows and get to your fishing
waters? Well, it’s a fascinating tom Jigs & Spins Pro-Glow Slender quicker by using the new Berkley
source of information and you can Spoon – Northland’s Forage Minnow Gulp! Minnow Head. It has taste,
readily see the variety of subject Spoon – Clam Leech Flutter Spoon – scent, and persuading tentacles that
matter these soft bait engineers can Snyder’s Lure’s Lil’ Rascal Flash. quiver from the minnow head. Makes
imitate. What’s also neat is that some A Word About Chains panfish trigger happy as you watch a
lures don’t look like anything that You might want to check out the big bull bluegill cruise in – and you
swims. Beats me! Here’s a few lures I little chains that hang from spoons, smile and say – “Go ahead, Make my
picked out; you can Google hem jigs, and swimbaits. The subtle chain day!”n
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DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
This was mounted @ Nancarrow Taxidermy
& disappeared from our studio between
September 27th & October 22,2016!
Please call (989) 823-7311 or (989) 798-7036!
43
 By Jerry Lambert

HUNT Dan Abbott picked

a stand located in
between a stand-
ing cornfield and
a woodlot for an
evening hunt. As the
sun set, he obser ved
two bucks, a small
6-point and a little

COLD FRONTS
8-point. They walked
directly under Dan’s
stand but kept look-
ing back towards the
cornfield. About five
minutes later this
really big buck
walked out of the
corn. He was stand-

D
ing broadside when
eer hunters love to hunt following morning. At 8 a.m. I saw Dan triggered his
a cold front. The cooler my first deer and he was sporting Excaliber crossbow.
temperatures often get white head gear. He looked like an
the bigger bucks on 8-pointer and was walking a trail
their feet during the away from my stand. I got my grunt
daylight hours. In 2016, call out but before I had time to use
the first cold front occurred during the it he made a deliberate turn back
second weekend of October. towards me and I prepared for a shot
On October 8, I chose to hunt a by clipping my release onto my bow
small woodlot that already had acorns loop.
littering the ground. That morning, As he walked towards me I could
I passed on three small bucks and make out a large 4-point antler on Bowhunter, Daylon
two does. Two of the bucks, a small his left side and noticed that he had a Ulrich (with his fa-
8-point and a tall 4-point sparred un- really big body. When he stepped be- ther) had a memo-
der my stand. They then commenced hind a large maple I drew my bow. He rable evening hunt
to harassing the two young does until stopped eleven yards from the base of after work. The
woods were quiet
all four deer disappeared into a nearby my tree. I placed my sight-pin behind and he didn’t see
swamp. his shoulder and triggered the release. anything and was
I returned to the same stand the He exploded into a sprint and contemplating get-
ting down when he
heard something in
the thicket in front
of him. He then saw
a big deer walking
right towards him
and he could see
that he had heavy
horns and that he
was a shooter.

ence tells me that he exceeded the en-
vious two-hundred pound bench mark.
On this same day, a Van Buren
County hunter experienced similar
success. Dan Abbott picked a stand lo-
cated in between a standing cornfield
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
and a woodlot for an evening hunt.
After sunset, he observed two bucks, a
small 6-point and a little 8-point. They
walked directly under Dan’s stand but
kept looking back towards the corn-
field. About five minutes later a really

44

big buck walked out of the corn. He
was standing broadside when Dan
triggered his Excaliber crossbow. The
bolt hit a little forward from where
he was aiming and hit directly in the
shoulder.
Dan waited about an hour before
tracking him. One hundred yards into
the track, he jumped the deer and
elected to back out and resume the
search in the morning. The following
morning he found the big buck just a
few yards beyond the spot in which
he jumped him. Dan enlisted the help
of his friend and local DNR agent
Steve Mooney. It’s a good thing,
because the buck ended up having a
dressed weight of 215 pounds.
Dan’s buck is a main-frame
10-point with two additional kicker
points. The 12-point trophy has a
Boone and Crockett gross green score
of 159 and nets 149 3/8. This is Dan’s
twentieth buck meeting Commemo-
rative Bucks of Michigan (CBM)
qualifications. Woods-N-Water News
readers may recognize Dan because
he was featured a couple of years
ago with a buck that he shot in 2013,
that has a net non-typical score of
171.
This year’s early season cold front
lingered for a few days. On Tuesday
evening, October 11, Branch County
bowhunter, Daylon Ulrich had a
memorable evening hunt. He went
out after work.
Shortly after getting into his trees-
tand, three does appeared and lin-
gered underneath him eating acorns.
They were followed up by a family of
This buck
walked towards
the author,
Jerry Lamber t
and he could
make out a
large 4-point
antler on his
left side and
noticed that
he had a really
big body. When
eight raccoons. Next he had a spike he stepped
and three more does wander through. behind a large
Once they left the woods got quiet maple he drew
and he didn’t see anything else for the his bow. He
next hour and a half.
At last light he was contemplating
stopped eleven
getting down when he heard some- yards from the
thing in the thicket in front of him. base of his
He then saw a big deer walking right tree.
towards him. Daylon says, “I could
see that he had heavy horns and that
he was a shooter. When the buck was
only nine yards out I put my pin on
him and shot. When the arrow hit, it
made a really loud noise. It sounded
like a sledgehammer.”
Daylon got down from his stand
and found blood where the deer was
standing and went to get help. His
dad and sister (John and Nancy) went
back out with him to track the buck.
There were only pin sized drops of
blood but they remained diligent
and found him lying dead about one
hundred yards away. Daylon excit- ®
edly said, “When I found him I had
no idea that he was that big and that
he had so much character.”
Daylon shot a big 12-pointer that
carries heavy mass throughout the
rack. The aforementioned character
refers to the main beams that curl up
towards the sky. Ulrich did not green
score the buck before taking him to
the taxidermist but the buck definitely
fits into the BIG category!
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 Using social media to catch poachers
By Jeff Pendergraff
A
s social media has exploded
over the past several years
so has the ability of the
MDNR to use it to catch
people poaching.
People are using social
media sites to show off their success
in many areas of their life and to com-
municate with friends and love ones.
In some cases, poachers are using
these sites to show the animals they
have taken and in the process setting
themselves up for prosecution for the
wildlife they have poached.
There have been many tips that
have come in from the public to the
report all poaching hotline. In many
cases the Law Enforcement Division’s
Station 20, their dispatch center that is
operational 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year have developed many of these
tips on their own and have forwarded
the information to conservation of-
ficers in the field for further investiga-
tion.
The dispatchers at station 20 dur-
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Poachers and game law violators are making it easy on the MDNR
Conser vation Officers by bragging on facebook and other social medias.
ing their down time have visited these
social media sights and have discov-
ered that many of these pictures that
were posted were dated as posted on
the site before the person posting them
had ever bought a license.
If you go out and shoot a deer
without buying a license, it has the
same penalty as if you had shot it dur-
ing the closed season or at night.
There have been dozens of cases
being made off social media sites,
here are just a few examples of some
of those cases.
CO BJ Goulette received a com-
plaint from station 20 of a turkey that
was harvested without a license. The
hunter had posted a picture of himself
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Tony Mazzali, owner Parke Petersen, owner
and the turkey on a social media site.
Records revealed that this subject had
not bought a turkey license and gave
a confession that he realized he didn’t
have a license but shot the turkey
anyway.
COs BJ Goulette and Ivan Perez
received a complaint from station 20
that another hunter had posted a pic-
ture of himself with a turkey on social
media. After further investigation it
was discovered that this person had
failed to buy a valid turkey license.
This person wasn’t home when the
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bird. Father and son swapped tags
because dad wasn’t going to be able
to hunt the first hunt and was going to
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his son.
CO Joshua Wright received a
complaint about a person in Tuscola
County who shot a turkey and posted
a picture on face book of himself with
Cos using social media page 48
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 COs using social media:
from page 46
his turkey. Records revealed this per-
son had not bought a turkey license.
CO Pete Purdy received a com-
plaint of a person on Craigslist
offering to buy bull frogs for $20
each. The subject’s address was found
from a previous social media listing.
Purdy made contact with this person
who stated nobody has contacted him
about selling him any bullfrogs. How-
ever, he confessed to taking five bull-
frogs and one eastern box turtle from
the wild for his koi pond. The turtles
and frog were released back to a local
lake and the person was charged.
CO Josh Russell received a com-
plaint of a person posting pictures of
fawns in their house on face book.
After following several leads the
fawns the subject were found. It was
discovered that the person had taken
all four fawns from the wild and had
given them to close family friends.
While assisting in an investigation
regarding an illegal turkey case, CO
Mark Papineau learned of a deer that
was possibly taken without a license
during the previous hunting season.
After further investigation, Papineau
was able to locate a photograph
taken after dark in mid-October of
the suspect posing with a seven point
buck. An inquiry into hunting license
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purchases revealed that the person
had purchased a deer license during
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After further investigation it
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10 point buck, also taken after dark
during November. A second license
inquiry revealed the suspect’s wife
had also purchased a deer license
after hunting hours had ended on the
same day. Interviews were conducted
and both subjects confessed to shoot-
ing the deer without licenses.
CO Andrew Monnich received
a RAP complaint about a picture
that was posted on-line of a person
that was out spearing fish on a local
lake and that person was holding
a very big largemouth bass with a
spear sticking out of it. CO Monnich
was able to track the person down
and he confessed to spearing the
bass. He stated that it was their first
time spearing and didn’t know you
couldn’t spear a bass.
COs David Rogers and Kyle
Cherry responded to a complaint in
Barry County of a subject who posted
pictures on social media of a muskie
taken on Thornapple Lake that ap-
peared to be undersize. A records
check revealed that this subject had
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no record of ever purchasing a fishing
license. The Muskie was recovered
from the subject, it was 52 inches
long and weight 35 pounds.
CO Mark Papineau finished an
investigation that showed a convicted
felon that had been illegally hunting
with firearms for several years. The
felon, a registered sex offender, was
discovered to have several social
media accounts in which it depicted
him posing with firearms and tak-
ing several game animals without a
license.
The COs have made dozens of
good cases from social media and
these are just a few of the many cases
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that have been made using social
media. I am sure more will be
made in the future people can’t
stop using it.
If you’re aware of anyone in-
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should contact the Michigan Depart-
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Poaching Hotline at 1-800-292-7800.
You’re personal information will be
kept confidential if you wish. If it’s an
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The author, Jeff Pendergraff, is
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DNR’s Law Enforcement Division.n
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 Pheasants in the long grass
Ryan Walker of Cass City holds up a wild Thumb rooster taken in the long grass for his sons Hugh age 13 (center) and Oliver age 6 (right) to
check out. This rooster actually featured the green breast and back feathers sometimes found on Thumb wild birds. Author photo
N
ative only to Asia, the
pheasant can be found in
many parts of the world
today, primarily due to the
fact it is an outstanding
upland gamebird. It belongs
to the Order Galliformes, the same as
as chickens and peacocks, a couple of
reasons rooster pheasants are not only
colorful, but a delight to eat as well.
The first official release of pheas-
ants in Michigan occurred in 1917,
which were already hybrids from
game farms that were predominately
Chinese Ring-neck blood crossed with
a touch of Mongolian blood. Subse-
quent (countless) private releases from
hunting clubs as well as escapees
from game preserves would add more
diversity to Michigan’s wild pheasant
hybrid gene pool.
During the late 1980s and early
1990s the MDNR released “Black-
necked” (Sichuan) pheasants in the
Thumb with the hopes of having a
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
pheasant that could readily survive in
a habitat-limited and intensely farmed
agricultural area. These were birds
with direct bloodlines to wild pheas-
ants from the Sichuan Province of
China, which apparently did well in a
similar atmosphere. The birds released
in the Thumb, if my memory serves
me correct, were actually half Sich-
50 uan, and half wild ring-neck (live-
trapped near Detroit). This was a very
admirable attempt in my opinion, and
I welcomed the truly wild genetics be-
ing added into the local gene pool.
During that timeframe of the
black-neck releases, the
local wild pheasant popula-
tion was going through a
revival of its own thanks to
a lot of Thumb farm acres
being placed in CRP grass-
lands (I experienced some
of my best pheasant hunting
of record during that time-
frame, and I wasn’t hunting
anywhere near the
release areas). This By Tom Lounsbury
all confused the is-
sue where many folks assumed the
pheasant resurgence was due solely
to the black-neck releases, when in
fact it was mostly local birds respond-
ing to (dramatic) habitat improve-
ments, although wherever black-necks
were released, it no doubt helped
the overall equation. I do a whole
bunch of local pheasant hunting, and
I never shot or even saw a “black-
neck” rooster on my hunts (although
a neighbor of mine shot one, so some
did get around, which I’m glad per the
gene pool). In any event, the black-
neck bloodlines were readily absorbed
into the local population and our wild
pheasants today still prefer grassland
habitat.
One of the obvious genetics in
our local hybrid is the Japanese Green
Pheasant (which is the national bird of
Japan). Like the black-neck (Sichuan),
the rooster of this specie
lacks a white ring around the
neck, but as its name implies,
it has green feathers covering
main portions of its body. Al-
though it isn’t a common fac-
tor in regards to wild roosters
I’ve seen taken in my neck of
the woods, neither is a rarity
to bag a rooster with emerald
green breast feath-
ers, as well as green
feathers on the lower
back (instead of the typical powder
blue on the lower back). Japanese
green pheasants were sometimes
crossed with common pheasants on
game farms, and this is no doubt
where that gene comes from.
One gene that remains very promi-
nent in our local hybrid pheasant
population is that of the Chinese ring-
neck, and it is rare indeed to shoot a
wild rooster pheasant in the Thumb
that isn’t what is commonly called a
“ring-neck”. In any event, I believe
our wild Thumb pheasants are truly
unique due to their multiple blood-
lines, and they are certainly adaptable
if the right habitat is provided.
I personally have never pen-reared
any pheasants. The only time I came
close to it was when I was a kid and
my dad accidently killed a hen pheas-
ant near our barn with a hay-mower.
When he told me about it, I went out
with a burlap bag and gathered up
all the pheasant chicks I could find,
which was no easy task, because those
chicks sure knew how to instinctively
hide under the fresh cut hay lying on
the ground. I put the chicks in a small
brooder house, and since we already
had chickens, I knew how to care for
them. The chicks were already devel-
oping flight feathers when I caught
them, so I knew it was only a matter
time when they would fly the coop.
Those chicks never did get used
to me and were high-strung affairs
that always acted like I was a “fox in
the hen coop”, so to speak, whenever
I opened the door to care for them.
There was a window just below the
roof that I left open, not only for ven-
tilation, but to allow the chicks escape
when they were capable of flying (and
better able to fend for themselves).
I opened the door one morning and
they were all gone, which had been
my intent, and I wasn’t expecting any
goodbyes or a thank you either. It was
rather neat witnessing how quickly
Pheasants in the long grass page 52
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 Pheasants in the long grass: from page 50
they developed.
I didn’t feel hesitant at all about
pheasant hunting that fall, because the
chicks I had cared for were wild birds
(and truly not willing to be domesti-
cated) and I didn’t name any of them.
Besides that, I was a farm boy and
killed and ate our chickens on a regu-
lar basis that I had taken care of daily.
It’s called reality, something certain
folks don’t have a grasp of.
When local agriculture (farming)
practices started making dramatic and
widespread changes during the 1960s
which removed pheasant habitat,
Thumb pheasant numbers quickly
declined, but survivors hung on, and
could be still found in areas where
habitat, as limited as it was, provided
birds with what they needed. Never
giving up on Thumb pheasant hunt-
ing, I would spend the next 20 years
hunting untilled small pockets of
cover, ditch banks, fencerows and
hayfields. All I can say is it was a lot
of walking for each rooster taken, and
I usually had the field to myself.
It was during the 1980s when
CRP came into the picture that placed
a lot of Thumb acres into grasslands,
and local wild pheasants started re-
sponding. One of the farmers putting
in CRP ground was my late Uncle
Harland Lounsbury, and I learned a
lot from his example, as I witnessed
firsthand what the cover he provided
did for local birds. The conservation
efforts I now do on my own land, I
learned from him (and he helped me
plant most of it).
During the early days of CRP,
cold season grasses such as brome
and orchard grass were popular for
cover, and they do become estab-
lished to provide cover quite quickly.
The best cover however, is warm
season prairie grasses which have a
longer lasting effect and stand up bet-
ter during the winter than cold season
grasses, and this is the conservation
practice I would follow (and still do).
Prairie grass however, requires
patience, because it takes awhile to
set its roots properly and become
established. I can remember wonder-
ing for two years after it was planted,
if my prairie grass was ever going to
become what it was supposed to be. It
was in the third year it proved to me
it was, and I’ve had excellent cover
for over a dozen years now, not only
for pheasants, but also for all wildlife
from deer to songbirds (and insects
such as butterflies too).
Prairie grass (of which there are
several types) does require mainte-
nance, otherwise it thatches up and
becomes frowzy, and I’ve found
fire (controlled burns performed by
a professional) is the best, because
that is what nature intended. I try to
keep my fields on a three to four year
burn cycle (I’ve found it starts get-
ting frowzy after five years), and the
fields I had burned this past spring are
presently very dense cover that is six
to seven feet tall. It is truly amaz-
ing to watch the steady transition of
a charred black field that greens up,
becomes covered in wild flowers
that are soon enveloped in tall prairie
grass. Of course the local wild pheas-
ants really appreciate it.
I had a very memorable pheasant
hunt in my long grass on the fourth
day of the recent October pheasant
season with three generations. Bob
Walker of Kingston was there with
his son Ryan Walker of Cass City, as
well as Ryan’s two sons Hugh age 13
and Oliver age 6. They also had their
young French Brittany “Gus” and I
had my French Brittany “Ranger”
and beagle “Boomer”. While Hugh
was there as a hunter, Oliver was a
“tag-along” who was having a great
time with everyone else. This flooded
me with memories of being a tag-
along too, and eventually a beginning
young pheasant hunter.
The birds were actually hav-
ing fun with us and circling around
while running in the long grass that
was crispy dry and didn’t offer much
scent for the dogs, despite our using
a headwind whenever possible. I was
on the far right flank of our line when
Boomer started baying and I knew he
was on a bird that was soon pressed
by Ranger out in front of Bob and the
kids. Then Gus on the far left flank
with Ryan locked up into a point,
and the rooster had enough and went
airborne offering Ryan the only shot.
The bird took a solid hit and dropped
on the spot. However it wasn’t lying
dead where we expected.
This is where having good pheas-
ant dogs pays dividends in dense
cover, because Ranger found it 20
yards away. It made everyone’s day,
including the dogs.
A real beauty about Thumb
pheasant hunting is besides the
first season there is the also the
December season (December 1 –
January 1) and each season offers
its own unique atmosphere, and I
(and my dogs) truly appreciate the
additional time to be in the field.
After more than 60 years of hunting
wild Thumb pheasants, I can state
for a fact that taking excess roosters
(which have an average lifespan of
one year – and only roosters are
legal) has no impact on pheasant
numbers the following year, because
80% to 90% of roosters harvested
in a given year, were hatched that
summer.n

Superior Game Ranch

Route 3 Box 163 • Cornell, MI 49818
Incredible U.P. of Michigan
Hunting Opportunities
Over 4,200 acres of private farmland
in south Marquette County
Michigan, (2,000 acres) fully
guided bow and firearm hunts in
hunting preserve for: Elk, Large Russian Boar
Whitetail Deer, Buffalo, Wild Hunts Available!
Boar, Red Stag & Fallow Deer.

Trophy Elk,
Trophy Red Stag &
Trophy Fallow Deer
Lodging available for
groups of up to 12 people.
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Still Booking Hunts!

Call (906) 238-4482 or

(906) 630-1617
for more information and reservations.
www.superiorgameranch.com
52
Return to Grayling
T By Mark Sak big
he MDNR Fisheries Division
recently announced an initiative to
restore the Arctic Grayling, a small
salmonoid fish to several native waters in Michigan.
Grayling have been extinct in Michigan since the 30s
and 40s when logging changed the ecosystems of our
cold water streams. Silt run off and higher stream
temperatures as well as over-harvest signaled an end
to these little fish in our state. Most trout and salmon
anglers of today have never experienced the take of
a dry fly with a wild Arctic Grayling tugging on the
other end with all they have to give.
I have been blessed as a recent trip to Alaska
took me and several close friends to the Chena River
near Fairbanks, a river alive with Arctic Grayling.
Our group basically decided to target Grayling all
week. It was the best decision we could have made.
They are voracious feeders and will hit flies, spin-
ners, jigs or small crank baits. Once hooked they
quite honestly fight like a smallmouth bass as there
is usually a spectacular jump or two followed by a
dogged pull as they use their remarkable dorsal fin
to rudder in the current and create smiles on every
angler hooked up. They would be a tremendous and
welcome addition to Michigan’s cold water fisheries.
Michigan attempted a restocking back in the 80s
that was not successful. I spoke with Todd Grischke
MDNR Assistant Director of Fisheries and discussed
what may make this effort more successful. Todd
immediately pointed out the combination of factors
that impacted the success of the restocking effort in
the 80s. “There is always a significant mortality rate
during stocking and there were just too many vari-
ables against survival. Browns and Rainbow trout
are competing species but not having the “Rigor”
of being born in the water they will live in is also a
factor. This new effort will utilize
enhanced technology called remote sight
incubation which allows the fertilized
eggs to hatch in a protected environment and as the
fry become active they rise and float up and out of
the incubator.”
Obviously these fry will have a much better start
out of the incubator than the fish did in the 80s that
were simply placed in the river. Todd went on to
say that Michigan will be utilizing brood stock from
the successful Wyoming re-introduction but will
eventually be moving to raising a Michigan brood
stock from the fish that are successful in these rivers.
Another factor to favorable survival.
The timeline for re-introduction is still a few
years away as much research is still going on. Tenta-
tively we may see some implementation in 2018 or
possibly 2019 but with all of the research happening The author with an Alaskan Grayling!
it could be delayed past that date. A partner in the
re-introduction is the Little River Band of Ottawa But another stream that runs clear and cold is being
Indians and they have been conducting suitability considered if the first stage goes well. The AuSable
studies on the Manistee River. Michigan Techno- River once held one of the largest populations of
logical University has been involved in work with Grayling ever known. Todd brings up the fact that
the actual incubators and there is a great deal of these little fish are known to thrive in environments
behind-the-scene support from a multitude of other that are based with sand. Todd reminded me that the
groups. Folks are very excited about this new effort. word AuSable means “at the sand.” The new technol-
The Wyoming study and re-introduction has been ogy may someday allow us to return to Grayling and
successful so there is no reason it shouldn’t work in catch a few of these little gems that our great grand-
Michigan. father’s caught many, many years ago.
The general location of the first re-introduction If your group is interested in working with the
is still being studied, but a good possibility will ever-growing partnership of supporters willing to
be the Manistee River near Hodenpyl Dam Pond. help this re-introduction, contact the Michigan DNR
This area is one of the Manistee’s wildest stretch of Fisheries division and they will provide the initial
river provides a dam free uninhabited shoreline for guidance of where the support may be needed. The
approximately 13 miles. This area would provide phone number is (517) 373-1280. Hopefully some-
the best habitat opportunity for the re-introduction. day I will see you in Grayling.n

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SEMI-LOAD 53
 TRY PACKING OUT YOUR WHITETAIL
If you are miles from the road, unable to through swamps and thick brush of categorize each piece of meat once

COVER STORY....
Michigan’s classic whitetail habitat. I’m on the cutting board at home. The

drag your deer or have health conditions

Here’s what to do after you properly
tag the animal.
Start by turning the animal on its
that make dragging deer a risk of heart
By Kenny Darwin
side and cutting the hide full length
up the center of back and peeling hide
attack, I’ve got good news for you… down over chest, legs and body. Make
hind quarter has most of the best meat.
Once you trim off the hide quarter
move to the front quarter and do the
same, cut down the leg, peel off the
hide, remove front shoulder roast, arm
roast, shank and stew meat. Then cut

O
ne shot from my rifle and
the monster buck hit the
dirt. It was the culmination
of a long hunt in rough ter-
rain and the bruiser was a
huge five year old with rut
swollen neck and a body
shaped like a refrigerator.
His rack was 31½ inches wide and he
had a body like Mike Tyson that would
push the scales over 250 pounds. After
tagging the animal I thought about the
task at hand, dragging him over fallen
trees, through cedar swamps, over oak
ridges, back to the truck. It was late,
the sun was setting and I was con-
cerned about leaving the animal over-
night because coyotes would immedi-
ately devour the tasty venison. That’s
when I got a smile on my face because
I knew I could immediate recover the
meat by simply field deboning the crit-
ter and packing the meat out.
Hey, if you are miles from the
road, unable to drag your deer or have
health conditions that make dragging
deer a risk of heart attack, I’ve got
good news for you. Follow my sug-
gestions and you can be walking back
with ease, fresh venison on your back
along with the cape and rack. Here’s
why and how to get your deer out of
the woods at lightning speed.
You have seen hunting pros on the
Outdoor Channel packing out moose,
bear, elk, mule deer, big horn sheep
and other big game animals with ease.
Same holds true for whitetails taken in
western states or Canada. Sure most
guides prefer to use ATVs or off road
vehicles to haul meat to the skinning
shed. But if animals are in spots that
are difficult to reach they simply bone
out the meat, cape out the head and
carry critters out in a back pack. The
practice is fast gaining popularity
in the whitetail world and there is a
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
a slice from the hip down the hind leg
to expose hind quarters. Make a simi-
tage is you do not field dress animals. lar slice from the top of the shoulders
Say goodbye to bloody hands, cut down the front leg and pull the skin
fingers and the putrid smell of the away from the back to expose front
guts. There is no need to field dress quarter meat.
a deer if you bone out the meat. This Begin collecting meat by trimming
means you avoid contaminating meat back straps away from the back bone;
with blood, bodily fluids, urine, feces, they come out in one long beautiful
bile, etc. Deboning a deer is simple piece of meat. Place the back strap
and takes from 30 minutes to about an in a Ziploc bag. When you cut down
hour to complete the process. You will the hind leg, peel hide to expose meat
need a back pack, gallon or half gallon and use a Victorinox Fibrox boning
Ziploc bags, sharp skinning knife, and knife with 6” blade or similar long
a small saw to remove head and hand knife to cut deep to remove rear rump
towels along with a bottle of soapy by trimming around back and hip
water for cleaning hands and tools joint. Further cutting will remove rear
when finished. In many cases you can round steaks, sirloin tip, stew meat
be carrying out fresh venison and be and shank. You can separate different
back at the truck faster than dragging cuts and place in Ziploc bags. When
and the work is a breeze compared to I cut up a deer I simply toss the meat
back breaking chore of pulling animals into bags until full and separate or
up the back of the neck and remove
the neck roasts and stew meat.
After trimming off all the meat
on one side roll the critter onto the
opposite side and repeat the skinning,
hide peeling, and meat deboning pro-
cess. You do not need to be a skilled
butcher to bone a deer. The idea is to
save all the meat you can, get it into
clean bags, keep it clean as possible.
The bags should be sealed to protect
from leaking blood into your back
pack. You will be surprised how little
meat there actually is on the average
deer. In most cases you will have less
than 50 pounds when you are finished.
Place the Ziploc bags full of meat into
the back pack. Leave room at the top
for the cape and head. By Michigan
law you must pack out the head as
proof of sex. In addition I recommend
you leave sperm sac, penis or sperm
tube attached to one ham. You would
think possession of the rack would
be enough identification but I guess a
sperm tube helps conservation officers
identify the sex. Once you are out of
the woods, back at the cutting board,
get rid of the sex identification parts
because they are covered with bacteria
that could contaminate your meat.
Some folks like to leave deer hang
to allow the venison to age. You can
do the same with meat in Ziploc bags
by refrigerating for days. Each day
take the meat out of bags and pad
down the flesh with hand towels or
a clean cloth towel to remove excess
blood and liquid. During this process
you can hand pick off any hair, leaves,
dirt or anything that is not edible.
I like to cool meat in the refrigera-
tor for one day then get out my cutting
board and sharp knife and begin trim-
ming and separating and categoriz-
ing meat. Steaks should be trimmed
of sinew, fat is removed and meats
are separated into steaks, roasts and
burger. I grind my own venison into

DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

growing army of Michigan deer hunt- burger and mix 50/50 with beef burger
ers that no longer drag deer. Here’s and use a Foodsaver to seal bags for
why. Above: Using your back pack to carry out your buck can make transpor ting a monster buck an the freezer. Often I trim on deer meat
Deboning a deer is fast, easy and enjoyable experience, even if you have a long walk wearing heavy deer season clothing. Left: nightly until all the meat is clean, cut
the meat remains clean, not con- Large floppy eared, mule-faced bucks weighing over 250 lbs. are impossible for a single hunter to into family portions and placed in
taminated by blood or bodily fluids. drag but you can debone the critter and pack out the meat, cape, head and rack in less than an heavy freezer bags. Oxygen is sucked
Picking up a back pack and putting hour. Don’t forget to bring a head lamp to help you see when deboning and find your way home. out of the bags and the Foodsaver heat
it on your shoulder is much easier Right: Make cer tain you are prepared to debone your kill before you enter the woods. Have a
than dragging a bulky animal through back pack large enough to carry heavy meat and don’t forget sharp skinning knife, Ziploc plastic
54 swamps, mud and dirt. Another advan- bags for meat, compact Gerber Gator saw, hand towels and bottle with soapy water. Author photos Pack out your whitetail page 56 55
 TRY PACKING OUT YOUR WHITETAIL
If you are miles from the road, unable to through swamps and thick brush of categorize each piece of meat once

COVER STORY....
Michigan’s classic whitetail habitat. I’m on the cutting board at home. The

drag your deer or have health conditions

Here’s what to do after you properly
tag the animal.
Start by turning the animal on its
that make dragging deer a risk of heart
By Kenny Darwin
side and cutting the hide full length
up the center of back and peeling hide
attack, I’ve got good news for you… down over chest, legs and body. Make
hind quarter has most of the best meat.
Once you trim off the hide quarter
move to the front quarter and do the
same, cut down the leg, peel off the
hide, remove front shoulder roast, arm
roast, shank and stew meat. Then cut

O
ne shot from my rifle and
the monster buck hit the
dirt. It was the culmination
of a long hunt in rough ter-
rain and the bruiser was a
huge five year old with rut
swollen neck and a body
shaped like a refrigerator.
His rack was 31½ inches wide and he
had a body like Mike Tyson that would
push the scales over 250 pounds. After
tagging the animal I thought about the
task at hand, dragging him over fallen
trees, through cedar swamps, over oak
ridges, back to the truck. It was late,
the sun was setting and I was con-
cerned about leaving the animal over-
night because coyotes would immedi-
ately devour the tasty venison. That’s
when I got a smile on my face because
I knew I could immediate recover the
meat by simply field deboning the crit-
ter and packing the meat out.
Hey, if you are miles from the
road, unable to drag your deer or have
health conditions that make dragging
deer a risk of heart attack, I’ve got
good news for you. Follow my sug-
gestions and you can be walking back
with ease, fresh venison on your back
along with the cape and rack. Here’s
why and how to get your deer out of
the woods at lightning speed.
You have seen hunting pros on the
Outdoor Channel packing out moose,
bear, elk, mule deer, big horn sheep
and other big game animals with ease.
Same holds true for whitetails taken in
western states or Canada. Sure most
guides prefer to use ATVs or off road
vehicles to haul meat to the skinning
shed. But if animals are in spots that
are difficult to reach they simply bone
out the meat, cape out the head and
carry critters out in a back pack. The
practice is fast gaining popularity
in the whitetail world and there is a
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
a slice from the hip down the hind leg
to expose hind quarters. Make a simi-
tage is you do not field dress animals. lar slice from the top of the shoulders
Say goodbye to bloody hands, cut down the front leg and pull the skin
fingers and the putrid smell of the away from the back to expose front
guts. There is no need to field dress quarter meat.
a deer if you bone out the meat. This Begin collecting meat by trimming
means you avoid contaminating meat back straps away from the back bone;
with blood, bodily fluids, urine, feces, they come out in one long beautiful
bile, etc. Deboning a deer is simple piece of meat. Place the back strap
and takes from 30 minutes to about an in a Ziploc bag. When you cut down
hour to complete the process. You will the hind leg, peel hide to expose meat
need a back pack, gallon or half gallon and use a Victorinox Fibrox boning
Ziploc bags, sharp skinning knife, and knife with 6” blade or similar long
a small saw to remove head and hand knife to cut deep to remove rear rump
towels along with a bottle of soapy by trimming around back and hip
water for cleaning hands and tools joint. Further cutting will remove rear
when finished. In many cases you can round steaks, sirloin tip, stew meat
be carrying out fresh venison and be and shank. You can separate different
back at the truck faster than dragging cuts and place in Ziploc bags. When
and the work is a breeze compared to I cut up a deer I simply toss the meat
back breaking chore of pulling animals into bags until full and separate or
up the back of the neck and remove
the neck roasts and stew meat.
After trimming off all the meat
on one side roll the critter onto the
opposite side and repeat the skinning,
hide peeling, and meat deboning pro-
cess. You do not need to be a skilled
butcher to bone a deer. The idea is to
save all the meat you can, get it into
clean bags, keep it clean as possible.
The bags should be sealed to protect
from leaking blood into your back
pack. You will be surprised how little
meat there actually is on the average
deer. In most cases you will have less
than 50 pounds when you are finished.
Place the Ziploc bags full of meat into
the back pack. Leave room at the top
for the cape and head. By Michigan
law you must pack out the head as
proof of sex. In addition I recommend
you leave sperm sac, penis or sperm
tube attached to one ham. You would
think possession of the rack would
be enough identification but I guess a
sperm tube helps conservation officers
identify the sex. Once you are out of
the woods, back at the cutting board,
get rid of the sex identification parts
because they are covered with bacteria
that could contaminate your meat.
Some folks like to leave deer hang
to allow the venison to age. You can
do the same with meat in Ziploc bags
by refrigerating for days. Each day
take the meat out of bags and pad
down the flesh with hand towels or
a clean cloth towel to remove excess
blood and liquid. During this process
you can hand pick off any hair, leaves,
dirt or anything that is not edible.
I like to cool meat in the refrigera-
tor for one day then get out my cutting
board and sharp knife and begin trim-
ming and separating and categoriz-
ing meat. Steaks should be trimmed
of sinew, fat is removed and meats
are separated into steaks, roasts and
burger. I grind my own venison into

DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

growing army of Michigan deer hunt- burger and mix 50/50 with beef burger
ers that no longer drag deer. Here’s and use a Foodsaver to seal bags for
why. Above: Using your back pack to carry out your buck can make transpor ting a monster buck an the freezer. Often I trim on deer meat
Deboning a deer is fast, easy and enjoyable experience, even if you have a long walk wearing heavy deer season clothing. Left: nightly until all the meat is clean, cut
the meat remains clean, not con- Large floppy eared, mule-faced bucks weighing over 250 lbs. are impossible for a single hunter to into family portions and placed in
taminated by blood or bodily fluids. drag but you can debone the critter and pack out the meat, cape, head and rack in less than an heavy freezer bags. Oxygen is sucked
Picking up a back pack and putting hour. Don’t forget to bring a head lamp to help you see when deboning and find your way home. out of the bags and the Foodsaver heat
it on your shoulder is much easier Right: Make cer tain you are prepared to debone your kill before you enter the woods. Have a
than dragging a bulky animal through back pack large enough to carry heavy meat and don’t forget sharp skinning knife, Ziploc plastic
54 swamps, mud and dirt. Another advan- bags for meat, compact Gerber Gator saw, hand towels and bottle with soapy water. Author photos Pack out your whitetail page 56 55
 Pack out your whitetail: from page 55
seals each bag under pressure to keep age yearling eater doe will get you is a relatively new practice in Michi- ing the forest? Meanwhile, hunters
the flavor for long periods of time. I about 40 pounds of boned out meat. gan the laws seem somewhat behind beware if you choose to debone and
was raised by deer hunters who cher- You can walk through deep snow, the times. pack out a critter from state lands.
ish venison more than any other meat. go up and down hills, forge streams First, on private land you can do The concept of pulling a deer
To me eating venison back straps and zip through the brush with ease as you please no problem. When it through swamps, timber, across
fried in butter with a touch of garlic when your venison is on your back. comes to state and federal properties streams, over ridges is simply out-
is the ultimate meal. Food gathering I’ve packed out deer in heavy rain, it is legal to pack out deer but the dated. Sure that’s how my daddy got
is at the top of my priorities when it freezing high winds, deep snow and DNR Law Division has advised me deer out of the woods and I’ve spent
comes to hunting. Ya know you can’t the process is a cake walk compared that “leaving the remains is con- many decades doing the same. But I
eat the antlers! But in order to get to dragging dead weight. sidered litter” and you could get a hunt differently than old timers. I use
the most out of venison the process One item you will need is a sling ticket depending on the judgement a range finder, camouflage clothing,
begins with properly handling meat in for your weapon. I’m absolutely of conservation officer. Michigan cover scents, modern rifle, fast bow
the field and being totally prepared to sold on The Claw style slings with DNR Conservation Officer Beaver
or crossbow, hunt from an elevated
butcher a deer. specialized ribbed rubber that grips from Ionia County told me in a phone
When I go hunting I have my your shoulder and keeps your cross- conversation that if he found a hunter tree stand, use bait, lures, and scents,
deboning tools in my back pack. I bow or gun on your shoulder. Some on state land with a deer in his back and make mock scrapes and plant
keep my 6” Victorinox boning knife archers prefer a bow sling while oth- pack that he “Would write a ticket for food plots.
in a plastic sheath by Blade Safe. I ers simply drape bows around their littering.” Guess what I’m saying is times
also carry gallon freezer Ziploc bags, shoulder and over their head. Make After checking with the DNR are changing, hunting strategies are
hand towels and a plastic bottle filled certain your weapon is safe, cross- Law Division in Lansing the issue of evolving and believe me the day is
with warm soapy water to wash my bow uncocked, gun unloaded when littering seems to be a problem for fast approaching when most hunters
hands, knife and saw when finished. I walking out of the woods. Oh, you those who want to pack out deer from will be packing out their deer. Heck,
prefer a short saw to cut off the head might want to toss a handy head light distant state properties. Well, you can most hunters already carry a back
or rack. I’m talking a saw that has a in your back pack in case you get that do it but you could get a ticket. pack filled with food, drinks, tree
short blade. My choice is the Gerber big buck down at sunset and you need Now, you can leave a gut pile, no steps, rain gear and more.
Gator Saw with 10” sharp blade. a light to illuminate the deboning problem but hide, bones and body What about you. Are you still
Again I keep the saw in a homemade process. A light can be a handy tool somehow constitutes litter. It is my
cardboard sheath so the saw blade is to see brush, overhanging branches opinion that this is an example of a stuck in the mud draggin’ dead deer?
not exposed. When I’m finished I can and identify clear paths when carry- bad law that has nothing to do with If so, it’s time to step up to the plate
pack out a big buck, head, antlers and ing your buck out of the woods in the protecting the resource and should and try packing out your critter. Once
all my gear with ease. A monster buck dark. be revised to better meet the needs of you try this simple, fast, effective
and all the equipment might weigh a Is it legal to pack out your deer? law abiding modern sportsmen. So, technique I guarantee you will leave
whopping 60 pounds total. The aver- Since deboning and packing venison exactly what harm is there in leav- the drag rope at home.n

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DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

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I-69 @ Center Rd. 1256 28th St. S.W. Wyoming 46100 Grand River
Monroe County Harrison

56
Fairgrounds Kalamazoo: County Fairgrounds Cadillac: Wexford Arena Clare County Fairgrounds
MBT Expo Center 2900 Lake St. 131 & 13th St. 418 Fairlane
 Important changes for fur harvesters
F
or those who hunt or trap
furbearing animals in Michi-
gan, there are some changes
to 2016-2017 licenses and
regulations that are important
to be aware of. Changes were
made to simplify and clarify regula-
tions as well as increase opportunities
for fur harvesters.
Important License Changes:
• 2016 fur harvester licenses are
valid until April 30, 2017. However,
those who have not yet purchased a
2016 license MUST first buy a 2016
BASE license prior to March 1, 2017,
in order to purchase a 2016 fur har-
vester license in the months of March
and April 2017. Fur harvesters do not
need to buy a 2017 base license to
continue to use the 2016 fur harvester
license in April.
• Those planning to harvest bob-
cats MUST acquire bobcat kill tags
by Nov. 30, 2016, in order to trap or
hunt bobcats during any 2016 bobcat
harvest seasons. Bobcat kill tags—
along with otter, fisher, and marten kill
tags—are issued to 2016 fur harvester
license holders, free of charge, at
license agents or DNR Customer Ser-
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2017, in all three zones. In addition,
raccoon hunting season is from Oct. 1,
2016, through Jan. 31, 2017, for both
residents and nonresidents.
• Bobcat trapping has been
opened on public lands in Bobcat
Management Units (BMUs) C and D
in addition to the current private-land
trapping opportunities.
• Nighttime raccoon, opossum,
Coyote hunting season is now open year-round, day and night. fox and coyote hunting regulations
Residents must have a valid base license or fur har vester license. now allow for use of #3 and #4 buck-
National Par k Ser vice photo shot. Artificial lights now may be
used throughout the open nighttime
vice Centers. vester license expires. season for all four species. Nighttime
• The 2017 fur harvester license • May 1, 2017 – First day to pur- hunters must use the aid of a game
will not be available until May 1, 2017. chase 2017 fur harvester license and or predator call and/or use the aid of
At that time, fur harvesters also may obtain kill tags. dogs. (Note: For those hunting with
acquire kill tags for the 2017 bobcat, Regulation changes to be aware of: dogs—firearm, crossbow, or bow and
fisher, marten and otter seasons. • Coyote hunting season is now arrow loaded at the point of kill only.)
Dates to remember: open year-round (both day and Nighttime coyote hunting has the
• Nov. 30, 2016 – last day to obtain night), and residents must have a same license requirements as daytime
bobcat kill tags. (Bobcat kill tags can- valid base or fur harvester license. coyote hunting.
not be obtained after the first season Nonresidents can hunt for coyote This information outlines only
starts.) with a valid fur harvester license. major changes for fur harvester regu-
• Feb. 28, 2017 – last day to pur- As a reminder, dogs may NOT be used lations in 2016. For additional season
chase 2016 base license. (Note: 2016 from April 16 through July 7 information and regulations, visit
base license is required to purchase a for coyote hunting. mi.gov/trapping or see the 2016 Mich-
2016 fur harvester license.) • Raccoon trapping season is now igan Hunting and Trapping Digest
• April 30, 2017 – 2016 fur har- open from Oct. 15, 2016, to March 31, found online at mi.gov/dnrdigests.n
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Prices subject to change without notice
 Burt & Mullett Lakes
The fall bounty of Northern Michigan...
By John Bergsma--Great Lakes Fisherman’s Digest

F
or as long as I can remember Early mornings will provide a
the Indian River and Cheboy- jig bite to those who brave the cold.
gan region of the northern There are a couple options here as
lower have meant one thing, far as jigging is concerned. The first
great year round fishing! being the trusty lead-head jig and
We could write articles for minnow combo. I love this method as
a week and not do these two lakes it is a slow and relaxed way to fish. I
justice. I will not get through all of it always jig a live bait combo at a slow
in this attempt but want rather to shed pace usually within 6” of bottom,
some light on the absolutely phenom- being slow and methodical with your
enal fall fishing that is going on “right jigging in the fall is a big deal, you
now” on these two classic Michigan can definitely be too aggressive.
fisheries. At times my best method is just a
simple pound on the bottom and hold
BURT LAKE still a few inches off. Don’t be afraid
to hold for 5-10 seconds in between
The author and host of Great Lakes Fisherman’s Digest with one of
his biggest smallmouth bass he has ever caught.
Burt Lake in the town of Indian drops as cold water fish need this time
River is our starting point. Last week to bite. the strikes come at the base of the very good reason that I have gone to
I joined forces with friend and fishing Option number two is not as well- fall or are “just there” on the next up the Tadpole. The Tadpole has a very
enthusiast Jon Jansen (Go Blue) for known but has its days, this is the jig. Getting a cadence or rhythm that consistent and reliable diving pattern;
a typical fall fishing trip on beautiful jigging rap or shiver minnows. These works is the trick to this method, but in other words, I can trust where my
Burt Lake. Burt has a few traditional typical ice fishing baits work well first after a few successful trips your confi- baits are at varying speeds. On Burt
patterns that all anglers should be thing in the morning when the fish dence will grow. I go back and forth between spinner/
aware of at this time of year. Let’s talk are active. Working these baits is not Another great way to catch Burt crawler harnesses and shallow diving
first about Jon’s and my favorite fish, rocket science, a medium-heavy six lake walleyes is by trolling. A set of stick-baits. I troll these two choices
the elusive walleye. The fall bite on foot rod with fireline or light braid and Off Shore inline planer boards and on fluorocarbon leaders six-eight foot
Burt starts as soon as the weather gets a tight drag are keys to this presenta- some Tadpole diving weights has behind my Tadpole. I will set a spread
cold in September and goes all the tion. I jig firm one-foot up jigs and become my go to approach for troll- of baits out to quickly go through the
way to ice up. a free fall down stroke. Almost all ing. This is not sales 101 as there is a water column and identify where the

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bite zone is at the time. I may even
run two cranks and two spinners to
help me decide on which baits to use.
The fall speed range can also
be important. I rarely go more than
1.7 mph and find myself at 1.2-1.5
mph most of the time during the fall
bite. Location is almost always at the
base of the first major break-line in
the lake, major points and transition
bottom structure like rock to sand or a
Jon Jansen with a typical Bur t
Lake fall walleye.
with your host
n B e r g sm a
Joh
Visit our website and find out about . . .
• Destinations • Fishing Reports •
• Our Show • Cooks Corner •
mix will hold most fall fish. Use your
electronics at this time of the year
as deeper fish are easily marked and
then it’s just trial and success!
MULLETT LAKE
Mullett Lake has been known
for a long time as a fall trophy
smallmouth lake and for very good
reason. I’ll confess right here that I
did not fish this much until the last
three years, being a walleye guy and
all. Wow! Was that a mistake. I have
since caught two of my three largest
smallmouth ever in just four outings
in the last two years. The thing that
gets me about Mullett is the average Tony DeFilippo and the author with a fall Mullett Lake smallie.
size that you catch here in the fall.
After a good night’s sleep at the my thoughts, it was very rough and your fishing preferences. Another
Best Western River Terrace in Che- windy and bait “contact” was almost thing to consider, we are in a very
boygan, friend and local stud angler impossible with the lighter bait I was warm fall pattern and the very best
Tony DeFilippo and I headed out using. Tony’s rig was much heavier fishing is still to come on this lake.
for a day of smallmouth fishing. The which allowed him to still be able to Blade baits will be the undisputed
wind was howling at 20 mph but the feel the structure and stay just off bot- king once the 40-degree water comes
temps were warm last Wednesday at tom with a slow retrieve. and the bass yard up in large num-
around 60 degrees. I pitched a heavy Also coming into play was the bers. So whether it’s Burt or Mullett
tube and Tony started with the mighty wind and waves which had the fish make a fall trip to enjoy this northern
“A” rig. We fished a windblown point really hitting the aggressive presenta- Michigan experience.
first thing and banged about a four- tion over my slower bait. In short, my John Bergsma is the host of Great
pound stud. Next was some off shore tube just was not enough to trigger Lakes Fisherman’s Digest television
humps that topped out at 14 foot. the bite. Now let’s be clear there are show and is honored to bring you
Immediately Tony caught another many days when a tube and a drop these monthly “Destination Features”
nice fish. It seemed like anywhere shot are perfect for the fall bite, Check out his website:
we went Tony’s “A” rigs caught but remember to always make your www.fishermansdigest.com for more
fish and my tube did not. Here are choices based on the conditions, not fishing information.n
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
59
 Gun Chat: Appreciating the 20 gauge
I By Lee Arten
started hunting grouse
with a loose ACME
single-shot 12 gauge
that had been my grandfather’s.
After a season, or two, it developed
a hair trigger. Dad bought me a
Winchester Model 12 in 16 gauge to
replace it. I’d killed just one gray squir-
rel with the ACME and did better with
the Model 12. With it I took squirrels,
grouse, geese and a three-point buck. It
was the only gun I took with me when I
moved to Florida for six months, in the
late 1970s.
In the 1980s I developed a “need”
for a 20 gauge. I’d hunted with bor-
rowed 20s now and then, and been im-
pressed with a 20 gauge Mossberg 500
that my dad’s cousin in Wisconsin used
on pheasants. It was lighter than my
dad’s 12 gauge, had a factory installed
Poly Choke and kicked less than dad’s
shotgun as well. Recoil has become
more significant to me as I got older. I
used to shoot the ACME 12 gauge with
slugs for fun. It would not be my idea
of fun today.
A newspaper job provided the cash
for a 20. I looked at several and the one
I picked was an Italian over and under
by FIAS. It had been made for Kassnar
Imports and appeared in the used rack
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at a local gun store. The
gun had some figure in
the stock wood, 25 and a
half inch barrels, open chokes, a gold-
plated trigger and some engraving.
What really sold me was the gauge, the
short barrels, and the six pound weight.
It didn’t take long for me to decide I’d
be hunting grouse with the FIAS in the
fall. I’ve done so every fall since.
I have other shotguns, including a
couple of .410s. Another is a 12 gauge
Mossberg 590 “riot gun.” It’s my bad
weather gun and I considered break-
ing it out on a drizzly day last week. I
stayed home and wrote about hunting
instead. A few years ago, I decided that,
for grouse, I’d stick to the FIAS. That
decision has kept me from having to
change out ammo in my hunting vest,
and helped me kill a few more grouse.
It has also allowed me to go on to users
of other gauges about, “The natural
superiority of the 20 gauge.”
My youngest son has been visit-
ing and hunting with me this fall. His
regular shotgun is a pump 12 but he
has also recently hunted with my .410
gauge over and under. I inflicted my
views on the 20 gauge on him as we
were starting into the woods one day.
He grinned and retorted that his 12
A red phase grouse taken with the
author’s 20 gauge. Author photo
gauge threw more pellets per shell. decided that the 20 gauge is naturally
He’s right about that, but 20 gauge superior to the 28 as well. One of the
game loads with seven eighths of an reasons is that the 28 gauge shells are
ounce of six shot have worked just fine in short supply, and expensive when
on grouse, including the one currently found. I bought a case of .410 shells
in the freezer. so I could get a better price per box,
Ammunition bargains can be easi- and be sure I’d have some, when the
est to find in 12 gauge. The 12 beats the urge to shoot a .410 arrives. I could do
16 gauge in ammo availability as well. the same with the 28 gauge, but have
I’ve not had to buy 16 gauge shells for decided not to bother.
a while because of stocking up just as The majority of the grouse I’ve
the last ammo panic got started. The 12 killed have been taken with the 20
gauges I’ve hunted with have all been gauge. The FIAS has also been used
heavier and did not balance as well as on all the woodcock I’ve killed and
my 20. The single-shot wasn’t heavy several of the snowshoe hares.
but the over and under also balances For me, it’s the best gun for all of
better than the ACME. I’ve also hunted these types of game. It would work as
grouse with my late father’s 12 gauge well on gray squirrels but I’ve mostly
Model 12 pump, and a Remington 1100 given up shooting them. The last trip I
semi-auto in 12. The Model 12 was made after squirrels the gun I carried
long and choked too tightly for grouse. was a Thompson Center .44 Magnum
The semi-auto didn’t feel good to me Speer Hot Shot shot cartridges.
in the woods. Although it felt fine, and That was many years ago and the
worked well, in a three-gun match. squirrels avoided me all afternoon.
I walk a lot while grouse hunt- The FIAS is the best grouse
ing, so a light, short gun is best. For a and rabbit gun for me. And the 20
while, I tried to buy a 28 gauge side by gauge has demonstrated it’s natural
side, or a 28 gauge Ruger Red Label superiority for grouse, and other
over and under. The money never ar- small game, for many years. Others are
rived in time, or stayed around long free to differ on that point, and
enough, for me to get one. I’ve since also free to be wrong.n
Enjoy
Upland Bird Hunting
August 15—April 30
No Hunting
License
Required!
Michigan Association of
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 Fishing for whitefish off the East Tawas Pier
F
all and winter sports have
one thing in common, stay-
ing warm. If you’ve been in
the woods on a cold, overcast,
windy day, trying to stay warm
in a deer blind, on the ice when
the wind has lots of uninterrupted room
to blow hard or on one of the piers in
Michigan trying to get a line in the wa-
ter one last time, you know the impor-
tance of staying warm.
No strangers to cold conditions,
husband and wife Wanda and Glen Uhl
from Waterford have hunted and fished
in conditions that would keep most of
us indoors, close to the fire.
As a member of the Oakland
County Sportfishing Association, Glen
Uhl has often been the featured speaker.
At last Wednesday’s meeting, he spoke
about one of his favorite activities, fall
pier fishing for whitefish.
“This if fun but you need to have
patience, and most of all dress warmly,”
he said. “Because winds that are favor-
able coming mostly from the south, they
blow directly into the face of anglers
sharing space on the pier at East Tawas.
Should you get the chance to tangle
with these good-eating fish and East
Tawas is your destination keep in mind
you won’t be alone. Pier fishing, espe-
cially when there is anticipated action,
brings out numbers of anglers similar
to fishing steelies or salmon shoulder to
shoulder in other areas.”
Then there is the walk out. You’ll
have to carry your equipment anywhere
from 100-300 yards out on the pier.
Consider using a small wagon or other
similar cart to carry equip-
ment, extra clothing, a bucket
and chair. You’ll be looking
for a spot to claim that isn’t
otherwise occupied by oth-
ers and faces the big water of
Lake Huron. Besides the long
walk, there is that wind to deal
with.
The old timers claim
fishing action begins
By Roger Beukema
around November 7
through early Decem-
ber. Sometimes fishing is best No-
vember 15, the day of the annual deer
opener.
Some of the equipment you’ll
want to have is a long rod—10-feet or
longer—a hook degorger, a supply of
number 12 treble hooks, split shot, some
sort of strike indicator such as a bobber,
bobber stops, braided line with a mono
leader, and wax worms or minnows.
“The longer rods are to get you past
the rocks along the pier and into the wa-
ter,” Uhl said. “A long-handled net is a
good bet. It’s a ways down to the water
to net fish, so a net with a long handle is
what you need.”
Because you’ll be fishing in wind,
the water is rough and preferred for
fishing. The down side in this weather is
the spray that hits you in the face from
waves splashing against the pier.
Once your line is out and sitting
about a foot off the bottom it becomes a
game of wait and see.
“You’ll know when
you have a fish on,” Uhl said.
“That rod will bend nearly in
half and begin bucking up and
down. If you have another rod
in the water, clear it before
trying to land the fish you have
hooked.
“Once they bite that
treble, they don’t let
go and usually take it
down in the mouth.
That’s why you need the degorger. Fish
can’t spit that treble out.
“Some people like to fish with ice
fishing jigs. That’s okay if they get
hooked in the upper lip but any place
else and they usually come off,” Uhl
said. Whitefish have a paper-thin mouth
similar to crappie causing hooks to
come off easily.
“Personally I don’t like to fish with
a bobber. If the wind is blowing, it’s go-
ing to catch that bobber and blow your
line all over, usually tangling it with
someone else’s line.
“I like a bobber stop, leaving a few
inches of the stop line hanging off the
leader. I can see it move in the water.
That length of stop stays at the edge of
the water,” he said.
Speaking of leaders, a couple of
feet of leader attached to the mainline
with a barrel swivel is plenty.
The limit on whitefish is 12, but it
sounds could be a long, cold day to fill
it.
Like other types of fishing, weather
is an important factor. “You’re looking
for water temperatures to get cold,” Uhl
said.
Besides the numbers of people on
the East Tawas pier with rods in the wa-
ter, a better indication there is action are
watching for nets going up and down.
“That tells you they are catching fish,”
he said.
If you are fishing at night at least
have a flashlight with you. The ever
forward thinking Uhl goes a step further
by using a tiny LED light taped to the
end of his rod.
Made by Thill, the bobber people,
the lights are available in red and green
and usually available at Wal-Mart.
“Remember, when you tape them on to
have the bulb facing you so you can see
it move,” Uhl cautioned.
To get better, more up-to-date feel-
ing for conditions visit tawasbayweath-
er.com. You’ll find water conditions
and some pier action along with other
information. Be especially mindful of
weather conditions. Sitting on a pier
hundreds of yards from shore is no
place to be when waves begin to wash
over the top of the pier.n

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 Reinventing the bottom bouncer
By Mark Romanack
I
n the fishing industry once in a
while a product comes along that
is truly unique, revolutionary and
Earth shattering. Most of the time
however, improvements in fishing
tackle and fishing accessories
would be better described as refine-
ments on an already good idea.
It’s easier to re-think and refine
an established product than it is to
create a whole new product. In the
case of the common bottom bouncer
sinker, this straightforward trolling/
drifting weight has been catching
walleye for decades just about every-
where walleye are found. Designed to
tick along the bottom while trailing a
nightcrawler harness or single hook
rig, the bottom bouncer has probably
caught more walleye than all the other
common walleye fishing presentations
combined!
Part of what makes the bottom
bouncer so deadly is the ability to
fish a wealth of live bait and live bait
rigs near bottom where walleye are
so commonly found. From spring
through summer and even into fall,
the bottom bouncer literally is the “go
to” method for catching walleye any
time they are found on the bottom.
It’s hard to imagine improving
upon the basic design and function
of the traditional “two arm” bottom
bouncer, but the fact is even this wall-
eye fishing classic has been the focus
of “improvements” and “refinements”
over the years.
Single Arm Bouncers
The single arm bottom bouncer
is a variation of the original two
arm bouncers that originally gained
popularity in the Dakota’s and western
prairie reservoirs. Instead of being
fixed on the line at the terminal end, a
single arm bottom bouncer slides on
the line with the help of a small plas-
tic clip. The fishing line is threaded
through this clip, a snap, swivel or
snap swivel is tied on and the single
arm bottom bouncer is in turn added
to the clip. A nightcrawler harness or
other live bait rig is then attached to
the swivel or snap.
Similar in function to the tradi-
tional two arm bottom bouncer, the
one arm bottom bouncer functions
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
like a bouncer, but also like a “slip
sinker rig”. When a bite occurs the an-
gler has the option of setting the hook
immediately or dropping the rod tip
and feeding the fish a little line before
tightening up and setting the hook.
The single arm bottom bouncer
functions best in tough bites when
walleye are notorious for biting, then
62 immediately feeling resistance and
Properly fished, the “bottom bouncer”, or “bottom walker” as our
western neighbors call them, represents the ultimate live bait fishing
presentation. Mark Romanack photos
dropping the bait. This style of live
bait rigging functions exceptionally
well when rigging with larger min-
nows and jumbo nightcrawlers.
Quick Change Systems, a manu-
facturer out of South Dakota, is
credited with producing the first free
sliding clips needed to fish a single
arm bottom bouncer rig. A host of
other manufactures have followed
with similar products.
Some anglers argue that fishing a
sliding one arm bouncer set up gives
them the best of both worlds. The one
arm bottom bouncer is tall enough to
present the rig and/or bait up off the
bottom where walleye can best see it,
but also provides the option of setting
the hook immediately or playing line
out so the fish doesn’t feel the sinker
weight.
With a traditional two arm bounc-
er, the angler is forced to set the hook
immediately upon feeling the fish. If
the angler hesitates on the hook set,
the walleye will run and quickly feel
the resistance of the bottom bouncer.
Spin N Glo Bottom Walkers
In the Dakota’s, Minnesota, Wis-
consin, Michigan and the rest of the
Upper Midwest, anglers use the term
“bottom bouncer” to describe their
favorite live bait sinkers. Out west
on the Columbia River and across a
sprawling list of western reservoirs,
anglers use the term “bottom walk-
ers” when talking about these live bait
weights.
No matter if the words “bottom
bouncer” or “bottom walker” rolls off
your lips, these rigging weights are es-
sentially the same with some notewor-
thy exceptions. Out west anglers add
their own flare by threading a Yakima
Bait Spin n Glo body onto the short
arm of the bottom walker.
The timeless Spin n Glo serves a
couple important functions. For one,
it imparts subtle, but deadly flash
to an already effective presentation.
Secondly, the buoyancy of the Spin n
Glo helps to keep the bottom walker
upright and ticking along bottom as
designed.
One of the biggest problems with
traditional bottom bouncers are if they
are deployed using too much line,
they simply tip over and drag on the
bottom. To get the most from a bottom
bouncer/bottom walker requires the
user to understand how these sinkers
are best deployed and fished.
The Rule of 45
All bottom bouncers, including
two arm, single arm and Spin n Glo
versions all require letting out just
enough line to contact the bottom and
no more. The ideal set up is to have
the bouncer ticking the bottom every
few feet, so as to keep the trailing bait,
harness, etc., up off bottom.
The way to accomplish this criti-
cal presentation is to first establish a
constant boat speed. Setting a bottom
bouncer is the same regardless if drift
fishing or slow trolling.
Once the boat speed is constant,
free spool the bouncer until it hits
bottom. The instant the bouncer
contacts the bottom, the line will stop
peeling off the spool for a second or
two. Place a thumb on the reel spool
to prevent any more line from playing
out and let the boat drift or slow troll
for a few seconds.
The forward movement of the
boat will pull the line taunt and lift
the bouncer a short ways off bottom.
To compensate for this, free spool
the bouncer a second time and when
it hits bottom, turn the reel handle to
engage the reel.
Set in this manner, the bouncer
will be making occasional contact
with bottom, while preventing the
trailing harness or bait from contact-
ing the bottom and fouling. Here in
the Great Lakes region this bottom
bouncer fishing regiment is critical
because our waters are littered with
zebra mussels. If the harness touches
the bottom, it’s highly likely the hooks
will be fouled with mussels and the
presentation spoiled.
Back to the
Spin N Glo Bottom Walker
Before moving on it’s also im-
portant to note that the Yakima Spin
n Glo Bottom Walker has been in the
product line up and catching walleye
for decades. New for 2017 Yakima is
extending this product line to include
larger 2 and 3 ounce models, ideally
suited to fishing in the Great Lakes
basins.
It’s safe to say that this style of
bottom bouncer is a little more user
friendly than the traditional models.
The buoyancy of the Spin n Glo
keeps this bouncer fishing upright
even if too much line is deployed
when setting lines.
Line Counter Reels
Most anglers who are comfort-
able fishing bottom bouncers use
level wind style reels. A line counter
style reel is not technically needed for
fishing a bouncer set up so long as the
angler setting the line understands the
“rule of 45” and adheres carefully to
this rule.
A growing number of anglers
are finding that a great way to com-
municate the most productive bottom
bouncer leads is to use a line coun-
ter reel. If one angler in the boat is
skillful at setting bouncer set ups, he
can communicate the perfect “lead
length” number to other anglers who
may be helping set lines.
This is a good “niche” for the
smaller line counter reels on the
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market that have modest line capac-
ity. Because fishing a bottom bouncer
doesn’t require setting long leads like
trolling crankbaits or other lures, the
smaller line counter reels are perfect
for this chore.
A Couple More Things
About Fishing Bouncers
A couple more important notes
need to be shared regarding the best
ways to fish a bottom bouncer. An an-
gler can hand hold a bottom bouncer
set up, but hands down the most pro- This simple illustration shows how to properly present a bottom
ductive way to fish these rigs is to set
the bouncer correctly and then place
bouncer set up when slow trolling or drifting. If the bouncer is fished
at approximately a 45 degree angle from the boat, it’s fairly easy to
the rod in a conveniently located rod
holder. keep the bouncer in contact with the bottom, but the trailing harness
and bait up off the bottom.
Saddle style rod holders are
ideal for fishing bottom bouncer
rigs. The saddle style rod holders
on the long side, but the action or
backbone should be soft and the tip
Summary
allow the angler to pull the rod extra soft. The bottom bouncer has evolved
straight up, coming tight against Forgiving rods allow the fish to in many ways over the years. The
the fish in the process when a bite strike the bait and not immediately traditional two arm models are fish
occurs. feel any resistance. Essentially the catching machines and in many ways
Secondly, the best rods for rod tip is telegraphing light strikes remain the standard. However, it’s
bottom bouncer fishing are models and giving the angler ample opportu- important to note that single arm
with a soft and forgiving tip. The nity to grab the rod and come tight on bouncers and Spin n Glo Bottom
rod length can range from seven the fish, before the fish realizes it has Walkers also have their place in the
foot on the short side to nine foot made a mistake. live bait trolling scene.n
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DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
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63
 By Captain Fred Davis

Watching wildlife or letting the wildlife watch me

W
ith age catching up, I spend less time
in the woods hunting. Although ad-
vancing years may reduce my ability
to accurately shoot, it does not steal
the enjoyment of time in the fields,
along the wooded paths or just driving
around the area. I love watching the wildlife and
letting the wildlife watch me.
There are some good things about watching
instead of hunting, I don’t have to lug a gun around,
gut and clean my kill or drag it out of the woods. I
also don’t much miss tromping along heavy brush
following a blood trail hoping to spot my target
before dark. I totally enjoyed all the years in the
fields and woods that produced many great wild-
life meals. I recall my young daughters saying in The flock of turkeys above are somewhat camera shy. Unlike the waterfowl on the right.
horror; “You want us to eat a squirrel?” Of course
I could never let them see me dress it, Mom just have really multiplied. They strut around, oblivious During the weeks of early October, after all the
cooked it and served it. to cars on the road. I came to a halt the other day, cottage owners have closed up and departed and
So now I just like to sit back, relax knowing I as did oncoming traffic, as about 25 turkeys ambled before gun season opens, the deer seem to sense its
don’t have to put meat on the dinner table because across the highway. ok to come out and play.
my family has all left the nest. Two of them married Our deer up in the tip of the Thumb almost You can park your car along a roadway and al-
hunters so a steak or venison burger occasionally seem tame, perhaps because they are used to most walk right up to them. I haven’t tried that with
comes my way. They both have homes on the water, humans nearby. We have lots of private land and the big buck I keep seeing, he must have a 10-plus
near the woods and they too enjoy the sightings of plenty of farm fields to provide feed for them. One point rack. He just leisurely strolls along an area,
wildlife as the deer cut through their properties to evening as I took an early evening drive, aware of right next to the road, not the least concerned with
get a drink. when the deer are out and about, I spotted a small my observation.
Recently I spotted a cock pheasant right here in herd playing right next to a house on the main road. As I drive along a lane, close to the lake, I spot
the Thumb, now that’s a sight to behold. Our area Its occupants probably knew about their visit and rabbits, squirrels, ground hogs, even an occasional
has always had a population of turkeys but they enjoyed watching them just as I did. fox. They seem to know I’m harmless. When the

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64
 2016 fuelwood permits still available from the DNR
With winter quickly approaching, the Michigan De-
partment of Natural Resources is reminding residents that
state forest fuelwood permits are still available for the 2016
season, which runs through Dec. 31.
“If folks are looking for an economical way to heat their
homes, cabins and hunting camps, collecting firewood near
these locations is a great option,” said Debbie Begalle, as-
sistant chief of the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. “While
the weather is still rather favorable throughout much of
the state, it’s an ideal time to get out and enjoy our natural
resources while collecting wood.”
Permits cost $20 and are for use on designated state
forest land in the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower
Peninsula. Permits allow for collection of up to five stan-
dard cords of wood per household. Fuelwood collected with
the permit can be used for personal use only and cannot be
resold or traded.
Begalle suggests people contact their local DNR office
to determine what areas are available this year for wood
collection, and then follow up with a visit to the site before
purchasing a permit.
“The quantity and quality of dead and down wood
varies by location,” she said. “We would like people to visit
the site first to make sure there is enough wood available to
meet their needs.”
The DNR issues between 2,500 and 3,500 permits each
year.
For further information on how and where to purchase
a personal-use fuelwood permit, contact a local DNR office
or visit www.michigan.gov/fuelwood.

The deer near a cottage closed

for the winter and a big buck in
the middle of this field. Fred and
Pat Davis photos

young deer see me, they pause as if to

say, “Hi, how you doing?” and wave
their white tails as they slip back into
the woods.
When I thumbed through my
Woods November magazine, I was
amazed at all the new hunting gear I
saw advertised, equipment that a few
years ago was unheard of. A sharp
buck knife, good warm boots and
wool socks with a hunting suit was
the normal attire to head out in. If
you didn’t have a suit, long johns and
jeans were the choice. I was lucky
enough to have a few pocket warmers
to keep my trigger finger warm and
ready to shoot.
It’s really all different now. You
can purchase (or make your own)
blinds to hunt from. This enables
hunters to avoid the wind to stay
warmer and prevent telegraphing their
scent. Tree stands are also popular
to enable hunters to get a better view
of a larger area. Yes, we had them
back in the day but perhaps we did
not consider it sporting to take such
advantage. I see extras like scent,
a hand-held GPS, a special scope,
fleece-lined pants—even special soap
to wash with. The choices are endless
as you will note glancing through the
magazine.
I have a tip for those who may
be new at reading the monthly issue.
Don’t hide or toss it when you finish
it, leave it lying around. You could
even take a marker pen and circle
items you may wish to purchase. Be
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

sure to tell your family members to

take a look at the issue because of
all the great ideas for gifts featured.
The fat guy is coming soon and he
may be able to slip one of them into
his sleigh. If no one takes your hints,
look up the copy later and go buy the
items yourself—you deserve it but
you need to practice spouse training a
little more.n 65
 They Can Also Help Create Income...By Bill Ziegler
Working with a forester to improve
your woods and wildlife habitat
R
ecently I hired a professional
forester to help manage our
family farm woodlot. As
far as I can tell our woodlot
had not been commercially
cut since at least the 1870s,
when my family acquired the farm
and woods. My family used the pre-
dominantly maple woods for a sugar
bush for over a hundred years. My
relatives had only cut wood for fire-
wood to boil down the maple syrup
and occasionally to have it milled to
build farm structures.
I have been approached by many
timber buyers over the years to buy
our mature hardwood (maple and
oak) timber. Our family was reluctant
to harvest the trees but if we did, we
decided not to deal directly with the
buyers. Although I attended the Uni-
versity of Michigan, School of Natural
Resources with foresters, my fisheries
major required completely different
course work. I knew enough from
my overall understanding of resource
management I should get professional
help setting up a Forest Management
Plan and subsequently marking some
timber for harvest in a very selective
fashion prior to selling the timber.
Over the years dealing with other
landowners in my long career with the
DNR and other natural resource agen-
cies I have seen a number of landown-
ers try to skip hiring a forester. This
can be an extremely costly mistake
as most of us (including other non
forester resource professionals) have
no idea how to best improve our forest
or woodlots long term quality. Equally
important, non foresters have no idea
how much volume (board feet) of
marketable lumber they have and how
much that the timber is worth.
At the DNR in the Southwest
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
66
practice with the timber on other simi-
lar sized woodland tracts that their
organization had put up for timber
sale in the past. The DNR’s lead for-
ester told the private board members
the timber would be put up for bids, as
is required by State rules. In this case
he had determined through inventory-
ing the timber lands their value would
require a minimum bid of $625,000
not $40,000 as they had wanted. In
the end that timber sale sold for much
more than the minimum bid.
In addition to getting the full
value from your timber, a forester can
prevent loggers from “high grading”
(removing all the most valuable and
largest trees) your woods. If your
woods is aggressively high graded
it will likely not recover its highest
timber value for many years to come,
probably not in your lifetime. When
a forester marks your timber they
normally mark trees that have timber
value, although with hardwoods they
leave the trees that have great growth
potential so they can achieve their
maximum potential size and value
before they are harvested. Sometimes
on the initial selective harvest they
are marking trees that will deteriorate
before the next scheduled harvest. If
your hardwood is managed properly
the overall woodlot should increase in
value over time.
On the initial timber harvest we
This very large white oak tree was left to continue growing as it was in good conducted, my forester explained they
health and not in danger of deteriorating before the next har vest cycle. It is typically mark trees that have some
also an outstanding acorn producer for deer and wildlife. Author photos defect. He left the trees that will have
more timber value in future harvests.
U.P., I was involved with a large block shoreline along with a private Land- Bill Botti, retired Michigan DNR
of timber that adjoined a potential holding Trust. The Landholding Trust forester, was the private consulting
trout lake. Due to a strange artifact in local manager insisted he was going to forester I hired. Bill had also worked
the mining reversion law the Michi- sell that timber in this jointly owned in the U.P. where I live. He explained
gan DNR ended up owning several block of timber lands to a favorite lo- that “in the U.P., with slower growth,
hundred acres of woods and lake cal logger for $40,000. This was past the normal hardwood harvest interval
Bill Botti - Forester The following fall
(Retired MI DNR this shows strong
Forester) and maple seedling
former director regeneration
of the Michigan present after
Forest Association opening up the
wrote a manage- canopy in the old
ment plan for our growth maple
woods and then woods. This
very selectively insures the
marked the hard- future health of
wood to improve maple stand. This
the timber stand regeneration was
and provide some not present in this
income to pay farm location last year
expenses. before the
selective har vest.
was 15 years.”
Botti explained in the Southern
Lower Peninsula north of Ann Arbor
where my family wood lot was locat-
ed “the selective harvest interval was
typically 10 years.” This means in 10
years we will be able to harvest more
maple and oak timber from our wood-
lot that should be significantly more
valuable than our initial timber sale.
This money will come in very helpful
providing funds to help pay property
taxes on that land and cover many of
our farm expenses. We should be able
to keep selectively harvesting this
hardwood woodlot every 10 years,
indefinitely.
In northern Michigan softwood
(aspen and conifer) forests are more
common. A forester can also greatly
improve your land for wildlife and
hunting opportunities through proper
timber harvest of softwoods. If you
or your family likes to hunt it is very
important for you to manage your
soft wood trees to improve wildlife
We had not managed the woodlot during the recent decades, which resulted
in some of the trees becoming too mature, hollow, of low quality and with
others falling down. An unmanaged woodlot typically decreases in quality
and value if left too long without management
the highest bid for the timber sale,
they also supervise the actual harvest.
Even if you get a fair price for your
timber a number of problems can be
avoided when you have a forester that
represents your interests to oversee
the actual harvest. All the Foresters I
have dealt with over the year stress a
good timber sale contract is critical to
avoid misunderstandings and ensure
you are paid.
Mark Jensen, retired Forester
for Potlach Timber Company who
reviewed this article for me told me a
number of instances where frustrated
landowners approached him for help
getting paid for wood private log-
gers had harvested on their land in
Northern Minnesota. In those cases
the harvest of that wood was strictly Local hardwood loggers fell the trees after the forester marks the hard-
between the land owner and the log- woods and helps sell the timber sale.
ger, and he could not help them (He
was the Forest Land Manager for Pot- tal impact to your timber lands and percentage of the timber sale receipts.
lach’s timber lands) resolve not being improve your personal access to your In my case this was all done for 10
paid. In each case the land owner lands subsequent to the timber sale. percent of the timber sale which
only had a verbal agreement with the The forester also typically sets up is a typical charge. Some foresters
wood decking (temporary storage) will also work for an overall price
areas and skid trail to have the least or hourly wage just to mark timber
long term impact to timber lands and or carry out some other part to the
streams in the area. timber sale and timber management
Consulting foresters can be hired process.
in several ways. Many of the forest- You will be taking a chance
ers will inventory your timber lands if you think you can manage your
and write you a Forest Plan for a timber without professional help. All
moderate price. These Forest Plans I can say is there is great potential
are required by most timber tax relief for abuse in this market considering
programs, cost sharing government how little anyone but knowledgeable
programs (Natural Resource Conser- foresters and timber buyers know
vation Service – old SCS), and some about how many marketable trees
township zoning ordinances. The and exactly how valuable each tree
other value of the plan is it will help is. The difference is that the consult-
guide your family in the future if you ing forester works to represent your
are not able to participate in the long interests. Now that I have completed
term timber management. The price my first actual timber sale I consider
of the Forest Plan (often about 500 hiring a professional forester a very
to 1,000 dollars) can be easily offset good deal. For full disclosure none

habitat. Most deer and grouse hunt-
ers know maintaining some younger
aspen trees is a very important part of
providing good habitat.
Our family deer hunting camp
land in the Western U.P. was greatly
improved as a deer and grouse feed-
ing site when our soft wood portion
of the land was logged about 20 years
ago. Many woodland areas in Michi-
gan are a combination of hard and
soft woods. Classic wildlife manage-
ment for ruffed grouse dictates the
best grouse habitat has several age
classes of aspen. A forester can help
you manage your soft woods in this
fashion and sell the older softwoods
logger and no written contract.
Foresters can provide their
knowledge and experience on the best
calendar period for your timber to be
harvested. Damage to the remaining
trees and soil can be minimized if the
wood is cut at the proper time pe-
riod. Most timber cutting will require
heavy mechanized equipment which
can make deep ruts in the ground and
heavily damage the bark on remain-
ing trees if the cut is done at the
wrong time period of the year. If the
loggers do excessive damage to re-
maining trees or leave deep ruts, that Rick Ziegler stands in front of a large old growth maple that was cut to uti-
will lower the value of your woodlot lize it before it deteriorated. The opening in the forest canopy will also help
the next time you want to conduct a natural maple regeneration that is limited in this old growth forest.
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

to pay your deer camp expenses. harvest.

They can also help you manage your
timber lands to maximize natural
aspen and other tree species regenera-
tion critical to good wildlife habitat.
Typically when you hire a for-
ester to set up your timber sale, pro-
duce a timber sale contract for timber
buyer, in addition to marking the
timber. The Forester helps you obtain
In my work in the north woods
my work crews and I often came
across deep skid ruts that were still
present decades after the actual wood
harvest. That long term damage was
the result of the timber being cut at
the wrong time of year. Foresters can
also help you set up forest access
roads that have the least detrimen-
by the revenue from your first timber
sale harvest.
When you decide to harvest some
of your timber, consulting foresters
will normally inventory your timber,
mark the harvest trees and boundar-
ies, set up and sell the sale, provide
a timber sale contact with the timber
buyer, and monitor the harvest for a
of my family or close friends are
consulting foresters.
If you decide you want to get
professional Forestry help in manag-
ing your woodlot or timber lands a
good source of consulting foresters
across the State is the Michigan For-
est Association at michiganforests.org
or phone 517-816-7879.n 67
  This 150
class

TROPHY PAGE
buck was
harvested
by David
Pilarski, 16
of Romeo
while
hunting
with his
father
Travis during
Bender the youth
arrowed hunt.
this Hold-
ing out
monster for this
buck hunt- monster it
ing Huron was taken
during
Co. open- the last 20
ing day of minutes of
archery the hunt.
season.

Emma Honsowitz, 11,

took her first buck, this Wyatt Remillard of Clawson
dandy 10-pt. hunting took this big bodied 6-pt. mid-
Clinton Co. with her October with a crossbow.
crossbow in October.
Jessica
Ward, 7
Matthew Goffnett,
took her 6 hunting with his
first deer, dad and Uncle Cody
this 5-pt. in took this buck in
Oakland Isabella Co. on his
great grandmother's
Co. farm. The fish where caught on Hough-
during ton Lake one week later fishing with his
the youth grandpa Bob and Uncle Greg, he caught
them all on Cotton Cordell lures.
hunt.
Alex Fox, 15 of Port Huron
took this 8-pt. while hunt-
ing family property in Iosco Connor
Co. during the youth hunt. Buchan,
13 of
Hun-
tington
Carter
DeLong Woods
Gavin Wesley took his first archery took his took this
buck on Oct. 2, this record book 12- first deer coyote in
this nice
pt. He caught the buck coming out of 7-pt. Evart with
a bedding area. hunting a cross-
near
Munger bow on
dur- October 9.
ing the
youth Steven Wilkins, 14, shot
hunt. this monster 9-pt. opening
Mason morning of bow season.
Crane,
15 of
Manitou Kaden
Beach, Geilhart,
took this 14 took
large 6-pt. this
on Oct. beautiful
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

6-pt . Walkerville Family Mart of Byron held their

21, his on 16th annual Youth Hunt buck pole this year.
first bow October Ten bucks were entered. Every youth that
kill. entered a deer received several prizes, with
16, with first place getting something extra. All prizes
his com- Blake LaLonde, 11 were donated by the families and customers of
pound took his first deer, the store. Several vendors also donated prizes.
Special thanks for everyone who donates and
bow. this nice 6-pt. hunt- helps to make this possible. The Youth Hunters
ing with his dad appreciate it immensely. Pictured (l-r) Hannah,
near Otisville during Elizabeth, Allison, Jordan, Andrew, Bryce, Hunt-
68 the youth hunt. er and Logan. Not Pictured; Kenny and Jade.
 Joel Yatzek
 took this

TROPHY PAGE
10-pt. on
October
23 near
Hudson
as he used
a grunt
and bleat
sequence,
which
gave him
a 25 yard
shot.

Darin McNabb took Gary Napp took this monster 10-

this 9-pt. buck just
before dark at 10 yards
with his crossbow in
Huron Co. Oct. 4.
Meg Brock of Sandusky took her first
pt. with a double brow tine with buck, this 170 lb., 8-pt. hunting a
his crossbow in Van Buren Co. fresh cut cornfield.
Oct. 28.

Mark Kozlowski had an incredible, once in a

Sisters, (lt) Lori Kissane and (rt) Dianne Ahles.
Lori caught a Master Angler Lake Trout
aboard the Stormy Chinook near Grindstone.
lifetime hunt out west in northwest WY with his
dad, Dennis and great friend John Zappala. They
Mitch rode 32 miles by horseback from the trailhead
Pilot to their camp at the outskirts of the SE corner
took of Yellowstone for a 6 day elk hunt. They saw
grizzlies, sheep, a giant ram, mule deer, eagles
this nice and of course elk. Mark managed to shoot this
8-pt. once in a lifetime elk, a 7x6, w a 51" spread, and
bow- it should make the top 10 elk killed in WY for
2016. A hunt he'll never forget and one he was
hunting truly blessed to experience. More than anything,
near he’s thankful he and his Dad got to experience
Port this together!
Austin.
Chris Ostrander of Gladwin took
his first king salmon fishing near
the Tippy Dam Oct. 22.

Evan Jayden Mc-

Perrin Peake, 10 of
took Interlochen
his first took her first
buck, deer after
this tracking
5-pt. it herself
while during the
hunt- youth hunt.
Mike Hughes took this nice buck with his
ing compound hunting Oceana Co.
Julie Hemker caught this 23 inch Gratiot
bass in early May near West Branch. Co.

Gordon
Tyler
Stolecki/
Kinnunen
Keller, 8
from
of Dryden
Alma with
took his
his first
first deer,
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Canada
this nice
goose
5pt in Ma-
shot in
comb Co.
Saginaw
On Nov.
County.
4 with the
Mario Marougi, 8 on his first help of
Success for the Yorks of Evart; Karen
hunt took this 6-pt. during his uncles
took a 6-pt. Oct. 15 with her crossbow and Papa.
the youth hunt, hunting
near Richfield. and Keith took his 8-pt. Oct. 26.
69
 Eagles on the roadway
Vehicle accidents are on the rise...By Jeff Pendergraff
T
he bald eagle (Haliaeetus
leucocephalus), our national
bird, is the only eagle unique
to North America. They
are found throughout most
of North America, from
Alaska, Canada to Northern Mexico.
About half of the world’s 70,000 bald
eagle live in Alaska, and 20,000 live
in British Columbia’s so the northwest
coast of North America is by far their
greatest stronghold for bald eagles.
The use of pesticides killed off a
large amount of eagles and other birds
of prey. Since their ban, eagle num-
bers have rebounded greatly. Over the
past 30 years the numbers of eagles
has increased by leaps and bounds.
Prior to that it was an unusual event,
at least for me, if I spotted an eagle.
Now with the increase in numbers
many eagles are being killed by cars
as they feed on roadkill.
Both male and female adult bald
eagles have a blackish-brown back
and breast; a white head, neck, and
CO John Huspen holds an eagle tail; yellow feet, legs and beak; and
that was hit by a truck on M-93 pale yellow eyes. There are two sub-
in Crawford County after feeding species of bald eagles. The southern
on a road kill deer. The eagle was bald eagle is found in the Gulf States
released after rehabilitation. from Texas and Baja California across
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to South Carolina and Florida, south
of 40 degrees north latitude. The
northern bald eagle is found north of
40 degrees latitude across the entire
continent. The northern is slightly big-
ger than the southern.
Immature bald eagles have a mix-
ture of brown and white feathers, with
a black beak and brown eyes. Some
immature bald eagles have more
mottling than others. Adult plumage
develops when a bald eagle becomes
sexually mature; it takes 5 years for a
bald eagle to attain solid white head
and tail feathers.
A female bald eagle’s body length
varies from 35 to 37 inches; with a
wingspan of 79 to 90 inches. The
smaller male has a body length of 30
to 34 inches and a wingspan ranging
from 72 to 85 inches. An eagle’s aver-
age weight is ten to fourteen pounds
On June 28, 2007 the Department
of Interior took the American bald
eagle off the Federal List of Endan-
gered and Threatened. They are still
protected under the Bald and Golden
eagle Protection Act as well as most
states having laws protecting them.
Their survey results show in the
lower 48 states the number of nesting
pairs increased 10-fold, from less than
450 in the early 1960s, to more than
4500 adult bald eagle nesting pairs
in the 1990s. In the southwest, there
were about 980 nesting pairs in 1993,
up from about 400 in 1981. The larg-
est concentrations were in the states of
Florida and Louisiana. The most re-
cent count of bald eagle nesting pairs
in the lower 48 indicates MN, FL and
WI have the largest numbers.
Bald eagles scavenge many meals
by harassing other birds or by eat-
ing carrion (dead or decaying fish) or
garbage. They mostly eat fish, but also
hunt mammals, gulls and waterfowl.
An eagle’s lifting power is about four
pounds. Generally, they do not feed
on domestic livestock or pets, but
they will make use of available food
sources.
1065 Pratt Rd
Metamora, MI 48455
I can remember in the early 1980s
there was a nesting pair at the Pt.
Mouille State Game Area which is
located in Monroe County along the
Lake Erie Coastline. As I recall this
was the first pair of eagles I had ever
seen and many people used to come
and observe them from a distance.
Over the years as the number of
eagles has increased you can pretty
much find them all over Michigan.
The further north the more eagles you
are going to find. Where I currently
live in northern Michigan I have a
nesting part just off the river next to
my home.
With increased numbers of eagles,
also increasing are eagle injuries
and deaths. My first close up contact
with an eagle was in the late 1990s in
Alpena County. I and Conservation
Officer Andrea Albert were working
together one day and she had received
a call about an injured eagle on a
small island in Lake Huron off the
city of Alpena.
It didn’t take long to locate the
injured eagle. It couldn’t fly, but it still
moved pretty fast. We finally caught
up to it and throw a large tarp over it.
You would think that was the end of
the story, it wasn’t. I never realized
how big and powerful these birds
were. It took everything I had to hold
on to it while CO Albert drove the
boat back to shore.
The eagle was taken to a licensed
bird rehabber and as I discovered later
had a broken wing. The eagle was
nursed back to health and released
back to the wild.
Another close encounter I had
with an eagle was in 2014 while hunt-
ing black bears in Manitoba, Canada.
I was going out to my blind which
was about five miles off the main road
on an ORV. About half way back to
my blind I was coming around a curve
on the trail and there on the ground
near a mud puddle was a very large
adult eagle. Not sure why he didn’t
hear me coming and fly away before
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I came into contact with him but as
I saw him, I braked and he started
flying off. Well it took several yards
for the eagle to get up off the ground
and as he flew over my head he was
close enough for me that I could have
touched him with my bow. The en-
ergy from his wings that I felt when
he flew over me was unbelievable!
Eagles often feed on road killed
animals, quite often on whitetail deer
lying next to the roadway. It’s not
uncommon for these birds to be hit by
cars and even killed. It takes a while
for them to get their momentum go-
ing and to get up off the roadway and
fly away. Many times they aren’t fast
enough and get hit by a car. If the
bird doesn’t die it is taken to a bird
rehabber and given to them and their
rehabilitation begins.
I contacted Ruth Fruehauf who
runs the ARK which is a facility that
rehabilitates injured animals and
birds. ARK is located in Roscommon
County between Houghton Lake and
St. Helen.
ARK is licensed by both the state
of Michigan and by the US Fish &
Wildlife service to possess and to
rehabilitate animals and birds that
are found injured in the wild. I asked
her how many injured eagles that
have come through her facility in the
past few years and was very shocked
to discover how many eagles have
indeed come through her doors.
Since 2012 there have been ap-
proximately 27 injured eagles. About
70 percent of those eagles were hit
by motor vehicles. The cause of some
injuries were unknown, one died from
lead poisoning and another was shot.
Hard to believe anyone would shoot
our national bird and a symbol of our
country.
On a positive note a good share
of these eagles were rehabilitated and
released back to the area of northern
Michigan where they were found.
Ruth has been involved in reha-
bilitating animals for 22 years. It is
very costly and they operate by dona-
tion only. They are open 24 hours
a day and during a normal 24 hour
period have 8-10 volunteers on duty.
They have between 30-40 volunteers
working at the facility on average.
Most of the injured eagles are
brought in by Conservation Officers
and in some cases members of her
staff have gone out and captured the
injured eagle themselves. She did
mention to me that it’s important for
the public to know that if they try
to capture an injured bird they may
cause the eagle more injuries or even
be injured themselves because they
are nor trained or equipped to capture
a very powerful bird such as an eagle.
We are very lucky to have or-
ganizations like ARK. Ruth told me
there are other facilities located in the
state that are licensed to rehabilitate
animals and birds like eagles. It’s best
if you come across an injured animal
or eagle that if you can’t get a hold
of your local Conservation Officer to
call the non-emergency number for
your local police dispatch. They most
likely will have a contact number to
call the rehabilitation expert in your
area.
I interviewed Conservation Of-
ficer John Huspen who is assigned to
Crawford County about his experi-
ences with injured eagles. He told
me in his 17 years as a Conservation
officer he has seen between 7 and
8 eagles that have been killed on
the road by automobiles and another
5 that were killed by
unknown causes.
Possession of an eagle or parts
of an eagle is strictly controlled. The
Bald eagle protection Act of 1940
prohibits the take, transport, sale,
barter, trade, import and export, and
possession of eagles, making it illegal
for anyone to collect eagles and eagle
parts without a permit.
The only people in the United
States that can possess eagles or their
parts are members of a federally
recognized Native American Tribe.
Members of the tribe must contact the
US Fish & Wildlife Service in order
to obtain an eagle or it parts. They
are used for religious and cultural
purposes.
Recently, Conservation Officer
Ethen Mapes discovered a road-killed
eagle that had been eating a road-
killed snapping turtle in Ontonagon
County. It was discovered that the
bird was banded in 1985.
Conservation Officer Jay Person
responded to a call that there was a
dead bald eagle on the side of U.S.
10. It appeared that this eagle had
been hit and killed by a motor vehicle
as well.
For myself, as I drive by any road
killed animals in the future I am go-
ing to be a lot more careful and slow
down as I approach it. That last thing
I want to do is be making that call
that there is an injured or dead eagle
along the roadway.
The author is Jeff Pendergraff, a
retired Captain with the Law Enforce-
ment Division of the DNR.n

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 Young woman arrows
TROPHY BUCK!
Her trophy ends up in a deep pond...
This buck was four
years in the taking!
Where? The hunt took place on
a 20-acre parcel of land adjoining
the home of Jerry and Kathy Orkisz, take 8-point bucks or better over
Columbus Township, St. Clair County, the past 12 years. She brought
Michigan.
When? First week of the
2016 whitetail bow season.
Who? Trophy buck
taken by Lindsey Orkisz,
daughter of Jerry and Kathy.
What happened to
make this hunt so special?
Jerry and Kathy’s 28-year-
old daughter, Lindsey, was
working for Skanska Corpo-
ration in Marquette
where she serves in By Betty Sodders
the capacity of project
manager. She made plans to drive
home for opening week of bow sea-
son. Although she had been a success-
ful firearms hunter since the age of
14, she was entering her second
year of hunting with a bow. And her
proud dad added that between the
two of them, they have managed to
down their biggest buck while still
in high school three of four
years out of the 12.
Excitement was
evident. Lindsey is an active
outdoors woman, participat-
ing in 4-wheeling events and
hunting. She loves being in
the out-of-doors. You might
say, hunting is her passion.
She also enjoys the sport of
Rugby, playing all
over Michigan, Ken-
tucky and Georgia.
Jerry tells the happening in his
own words: Lindsey Orkisz arrowed this 13-pt. St. Clair Co. buck, her first buck with a bow.
“This may be just another Michi-
gan big buck story, although a wild of three well-antlered bucks seen on during 2015 we did not see him as he

HORNS & one, it is ours and this is what took

place. Actually, we had seen this
our property. Each fall hunting season,
found the buck with a larger rack. By
was onto the ways of the hunter and
was basically hanging out in thick

SKULLS
particular buck on the property over
a four-year period, from the time he
started to develop substantial head-
Quality Antler, Horn gear.
& Skull Mounts During 2014 he was definitely one
2014 we noticed he had developed
nice antler mass. Often in the fall, he
would try and scrape our small apple
trees, showing them who was boss!
We hunted him for three years, but
cover on our property easement.
It may have been in the winter of
2015 that we first noted during season
that a hunter must have shot this ani-
mal for its right front leg was broken

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72 www.hornsnskulls.com
and he carried it with knee bent. Sure, made a good
he had trouble walking, as he was shot with
forced to travel on three legs. Oth- her Mathews
erwise, he looked healthy and as we compound
noted, he did not take any bullying bow. She
from other bucks or does. He always saw the buck
stood his ground. He was still ‘boss.’ run to the
The one thing we did realize prior pond. In the
to the 2016 hunt was that the buck’s house, Kathy
left antler was smaller than the one on saw the deer
the right. Of course, we are all aware jump into
of the fact that if a deer is injured on deep water.
its right side, antler development will By the time
be harmed on the left. He was still a we get to
gorgeous animal with possibly 12 to the pond,
13 antler points. And the antlers were the buck
heavy in appearance. was gone.
During the spring of 2015, this Kathy points
white-tailed buck showed up and we some 15-feet
watched him feed on occasion until out and the
May 7th which was the last time we whitetail is
saw him. By that time his antlers where the
were 6” tall and already forked. A water is a
neighbor said that the buck was in good 8 to 9
his yard most of the summer. I knew feet deep. Lindsey grabbed the antlers and brought the buck up to the surface of the large, deep pond
this deer would be back when acorns Lindsey and and as her Dad rows the boat, Lindsey holds onto the whitetail’s antlers.
started to fall. I got the
And I was right. He showed up rowboat out she described that her emotions were able to hunt as though it was some-
the day before opening day 2016 bow and began poking around with a 10- running in many directions during thing a boy could do but not a girl.
season. Numerous deer had frequent- foot pole. I found her trophy buck just this hunt. She advised, “I knew it At age 13, Dad introduced me to the
ed our harvested garden area feeding as he popped up. Lin grabbed one of was the season I would take down woods and hunting. I have 10 deer to
on leftovers; beets, turnips, pump- his legs, then the antlers, as I paddled this buck. I just could not shake that my credit; four were 8-points, one a
kins, plus a few apples that stayed on to the dock. In our excitement, we feeling. Basically, I was assured that 7-point, and the rest were does. This
trees throughout the winter months. failed to put the plug in the bottom this deer would seek out the acorns was my first trophy buck as well as
Some deer were nibbling on twigs of the rowboat, so we were lucky to that were so plentiful on our property. the first deer I’ve taken with a bow.”
from apple and pine cuttings. Down make it back to the dock. When I first saw that indeed, he was I asked Lindsey if she was going
state, most deer are in the cornfields Finally we checked out his rack... back, it appeared as though he was to rifle hunt during the 2016 firearm
at this time of year. total: 13-points...190 pounds on the taunting me.” deer season. Her reply: “I don’t think
Even though this whitetail must hoof. Lindsey posted the results of “And following my shot I feared so...I think I’ve had enough excite-
walk on three legs, he still holds her ‘Fair Chase’ big buck hunt on we would lose him as he entered the ment for one year!”n
the largest rack I’ve ever seen. And Michigan Virtual Buck Pole and pond, knowing it was deep. When
that is over 50 years of hunting. We Facebook receiving hundreds of re- the buck went under, I almost ex-
estimate his age at 5 years. I hunted sponses plus a few marriage propos- pected a ‘Monster’ to erupt from the
next morning and later when we were als. pond’s depths. I did not relax until we

PREPARE FOR
in the house, the big buck showed Of course we are having the docked the rowboat and dragged the
himself. I hunted next day and he trophy buck mounted, for indeed it is whitetail ashore.”
FALL & WINTER
was captured on trail cam...100 yards special and how it had to be harvested “Why do I hunt? Originally it
from blind. was beyond remarkable.” was because at an early age my older
Day three at 5:30 pm, Lindsey Later I talked with Lindsey and brother teased me about not being
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 Dear Fish Diary...Here’s my thoughts and views!
Asian Carp on White House Menu,
and probably soon to be yours too
S
o Mr. President, how did you
like the Asian Carp dinner
tonight? Nobody ever truly
reported as to whether Presi-
dent Obama liked it or not.
Trump would have probably
asked for seconds not caring what
anyone thought. Clinton would have
asked an advisor what she should say,
or spent five minutes yakking and to-
tally avoided answering the question.
However, the fact is, this invader is
probably here to stay and we’re going
to have to eat them all if we truly want
them gone.
I found it funny that a carp re-
cently caught in Lake Erie was titled
“fertile.” It was important I guess that
the country knew that this particular
fish was fertile. I guess that means it
was carrying thousands of fertile eggs.
I guess that means those thousands
of fertile eggs were going to be laid
and spread somewhere in our waters.
I guess that means there is probably
more than just one fertile Asian Carp
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
74
in the Lake Erie watershed.
I guess that means the
multi-million dollar effort
to keep them out failed
like many of us sensible
outdoor writers have been
writing that it would for
years. I guess that means I
was right about them turn-
ing up in Lake Erie first.
You’re welcome for the
warning. I already
have my boating By Ron St. Germain
helmet and protec-
tion gear…do you?
But let’s forget that for a minute
and go back into history to the 1800s,
when common carp were brought
here by Europeans as a table fish.
The common carp was considered a
delicacy by our European decedents.
If you wanted to please the king, you
brought him a common carp. Those
original imported fish were only kept
in private holding ponds here in the
United States. Yet, within 50 years,
they had spread to nearly
every watershed from coast
to coast. Americans hated
this fish, and sooner than
please the king mentality
in Europe they had turned
to using them for garden
fertilizer here in the U.S.
The Asian carp were
not brought here as a table
fish, yet, they are quickly
turning into one.
They were imported
to help aquaculture
and wastewater treatment facilities
keep retention ponds clean. Flooding
allowed these fish to escape into the
Mississippi River system and migrate
into the Missouri and Illinois rivers.
They are now in at least 21 states,
including ours. I don’t think you
will ever find the common carp on a
restaurant menu, but you will begin
to start seeing Asian Carp because it’s
already happening.
The word “carp” in itself has
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April, May, October and November)
Fish may be picked up in small
quantities or we deliver by truck.
Imlay City Fish Farms, Inc.
Fish Consultants
1442 N. Summers Rd., Imlay City, Michigan 48444
Phone: (810) 724-2185
www.ImlayCityFishFarm.com
become somewhat of a swear word
to fishermen through the years. The
fact that the common carp has been
labeled as a “trash fish” kind of makes
accepting any fish called a carp a
tough sell. I petitioned years ago to
change the name of the Asian Carp to
something more palatable so people
wouldn’t associate them as a carp and
just eat them all. Silverside, torpedo
fish, yummy fish, anything but carp.
There are literally hundreds of
invasive species we have ineffectively
tried to eliminate. The bottom line is,
we fail. The only things we’ve been
able to actually wipe off the planet are
gone because we ate them. Scientists
can speculate as to what they think
happened to the dinosaurs but I think
we ate them. Just like we ate the blue
pike, curlew, passenger pigeon, sea
cow, Dodo bird and Woolly Mam-
moth, who all ended up in our ances-
tor’s stomachs and gone from the face
of the earth. Yes, there are more, but
those are just some of the common
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There are literally hundreds of invasive species we have ineffectively tried
to eliminate. The bottom line is, we fail. The only things we’ve been able to
actually wipe off the planet are gone because we ate them. MDNR photo
ones you’ve probably “heard” of.
Nothing is invasive if we eat it.
So everyone should relax on this
entire Asian Carp invasion, because
people are eating them and they are
eating a lot of them. Heck, I’ve even
eaten them and I’m here to tell you
they are good. You don’t even need
a bunch of sauces and seasonings to
mask the taste. They are not fishy
tasting and their meat is white and
firm. The more serious problem is
going to happen once those who’ve
turned their noses up to these fish
realize they are not only edible, but
probably healthier for us than most
fish we are used to eating because
they contain less fat and toxins. Once
a larger portion of the population
begins to eat them, we could have a
serious problem with a large percent-
age of commercial fishermen and
restaurants wanting to protect these
fish. It’s very probable that these fly-
ing invaders could go from invasive
to protected because of their actual
food value. That’s when things are
going to get messy.
It’s not like the Great Lakes are
being managed as a total native fish-
ery anyway. The pressure on our fish-
eries department to try and keep the
non-native salmon fishermen happy
by worrying about a decline in the
invasive alewife is an issue in itself.
The alewife is extremely detrimental
Fish of a lifetime!
On Aug. Tim Muir headed out on the St. Clair River with sturgeon
guru extraordinaire Jim Felgenauer, president of the St. Clair-Detroit chap-
ter of sturgeon for tomorrow and Jim’s neighbor Chuck Wolfe. It was an
absolutely gorgeous night with a full moon and light winds. After a short
boat ride they dropped anchor and started to set out lines.
The setup was rather simple, a 3 oz. sinker, around a 2/0 hook and a
to our native fish populations, specifi-
gob of crawlers. After catching catfish and sucker one of the rods started
cally the perch, so those who enjoy
our beloved perch have had to take a to bounce. Upon hook set there was a crack, the rod snapped in two! The
backseat to the salmon. What’s inter- fish was still on the line but the rod was now half the size. The fish ran
esting is that perch and other native about 100 feet puling line off the reel. The 20-25 minute fight seemed to
fish affected by the management of last forever and during the fight the fish managed to get tail wrap, so Tim
salmon might be the best resistance to was fighting a five-footer, with half a rod and the tail wrapped.
the Asian Carp. It’s quite a puzzle. For Tim the most nervous part was when the fish was about to be net-
The best and only defense against ted. It was so close but yet so far and the adrenaline was flowing. Finally
the Asian Carp invasion is to eat them the fish was in the net. It took two people to lift the net in the boat. It was
all. So get to eating my Michigan unbelievable to see such a big fish. Tim was in awe of the size. They quickly
anglers. If we eat them faster than the unhooked the fish and after a photo put him back in the water and after a
government can react, we could have few minutes gently helping him recoup, he slowly swam away.
them gone before the next 20-million A big thank you goes to Jim for his generosity of offering a spot on his boat.
is spent trying to keep them out, even
though they’re already in. Eating
faster than the government can move
SPORTMAN'S AUCTION
to place protected regulations on
them should be really easy, if we eat
fast.
Funny fish stories wanted:
Send a short description of your
Saturday, December 31st, 2016
“best or worst” fishing day, or worst COLDWATER, MICHIGAN
fishing-related adventure to me. You
don’t have to write the entire story,
just a brief outline of what happened.
If it has some humor to it I’ll be get-
ting in touch with you and we’ll work
on the completed story together. Fish-
ing isn’t always fun you know.
Contact - Woods-n-Water News Selling over 400 firearms to include modern, antique,
columnist Ron St. Germain by calling military, blackpowder and more at public auction.
(517) 626-2814, e-mailing DaPho- Also selling hunting/fishing related items and a fantastic
toDude@aol.com. Visit the author’s collection of traps, knives, swords and military items including
Facebook page www.Facebook.com/ a Austrian 70mm mountain gun built in 1893.
For more information go to www.BelcherAuction.com
BearwaveBooksn
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DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
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75
 GoPros and kayaks: Made for each other?
GoPros have become standard gear for a wide range of anglers...By Dave Mull

I
t seems like GoPros and kayak
fishing have danced together,
hand-in-hand, across the land-
scape of the outdoors and Internet
for the past several years. You
could watch YouTube videos of
people fishing in kayaks for the rest of
your life without seeing them all,
The short association of these
squarish little video cameras with
the little plastic boats started with
the knuckleheads who kayak with
helmets instead of fishing poles and
blast down nearly vertical rapids and
over waterfalls. This, along with snow
skiers, surfers, mountain bikers, sky
divers and whatever you call those
ultimate knuckleheads who wear
those flying squirrel suits and see how
close they can come to smashing their
brains out on a mountainside. Pretty
much everything you see on that
“Outside” cable channel involves a
GoPro.
GoPros have become standard
gear for a wide range of anglers from
marlin trollers on down, affixed to all
sorts of boats and even the foreheads
of stream trout fly anglers. But in
the angling world, the cameras and
kayaks were made for each other.
They just work best in a kayak. After
all, a kayak angler is stuck right in
the middle of his boat and the GoPro
captures non-stop, wide-angle action
of everything he’s doing. He’s always
on camera. Sure, GoPros do fine with
other fishing boats, but somehow they
seem to record more dramatic “ex-
treme” footage of people in the little
plastic ones we pedal or paddle. And
maybe that’s because fishing from
a kayak seems more dramatic and
extreme.
For instance, Guy Harvey, a well-
known (and excellent) fish artist from
Florida recently shared a short video
of a fellow seated in his kayak, pulling
in his anchor. He’s obviously on big
water, no land visible on the horizon.
The water surface is calm, and all
of a sudden, a seal blasts out of the
water right next to the guy, sailing at
face level, with an expressive “ARP!
ARP!” while airborne. The guy kind
of panics and picks up the pace hand-
over-handing his anchor line in, and
before the can get the anchor in the
boat and stowed, the seal leaps twice
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
a whirling vortex of dark confusion
and despair,
But I’m determined to soldier
through.
I consider myself a fairly de-
cent photographer capable of taking
pictures that can make money, rang-
ing from lures in a table-top studio
to magazine cover shots showing
people having a good time fishing.
Such things as “depth of field,” and
“f-stop” are no mystery (although now
I just set a digital SLR on “AUTO”
and blaze away). I know how to take a
picture and keep the important stuff in
focus and the horizon horizontal, even
in rolling waves on a charter boat.
But along come these little video
cameras that also take still shots. I
know they do this because the other
day I set one up on the bow of my
kayak and ended up with 23 shots of
the bottom of my boot, when I thought
I was capturing footage of me battling
a largemouth to the yak while wax-
ing poetic on the virtues of a Z-man
StreakZ minnow bait.
The problem was the remote con-
trol, meaning to say, my ignorant op-
eration of the remote control. Instead
of starting and stopping the recording,
I was switching modes, so instead of
action footage, I managed a burst that
show my foot.
GoPros are a par t of the brave new world for fishing communicators Turns out, the remote’s mode but-
and that doesn’t really make author Dave Mull all that happy. ton says “MODE” underneath.
So after figuring out which button
so you couldn’t tell it wasn’t me (al- and get sponsors who would see my I need to push to record, I successfully
though the lack of a large belly was a huge tribe of angling followers—all did capture quite a bit of my fishing
dead giveaway). Only one of my pals prequalified fishing tackle buyers. It trip, talking to the camera, giving lots
bit, a guy in California, who respond- became clear that this would lead to of different and brilliant tips (anyone
ed “Wait ... Seals in Lake Michigan!? my dream of fishing and getting paid who heard me alone on the lake might
Seriously...? I’m ready to schooled on for it. I bought two GoPro Hero 3+ have put a call in to the local mental
Lake flora and fauna... go ahead....” cameras when this revelation hit a hospital). The challenge then became
I fended off the temptation to try couple years ago, and recently bought getting them on my desktop or table-
and further convince my pal that seals another one, this a Hero 4, which lets top computer for editing, and appar-
are common in Lake Michigan and re- you review your work on its LCD ently I’d set up my iCloud to “pack
plied that it wasn’t really me or Lake screen. hard-drive memory” mode as neither
Michigan, and that cormorants are our However, I encountered a prob- had enough memory for me to upload
main curse. lem. the footage. Nothing a little money
But back to the point, that video To have more than a half-century and time (and several local Dry Dock
just wouldn’t have been anywhere of fishing experience, one has to IPAs at 2 Paws Brewery) couldn’t
nearly as compelling had it been shot, be close to 60 years old. And many solve.
say, in the back of a big boat set up 60-year-olds struggle with such things I’m determined to forge through
for trolling. Heck, it would have been as setting the clock on their car radios this latest round of technological
hum-drum had it happened to a guy in when daylight savings time ceases and fisticuffs and would really like to
small center console. we “fall back.” (I almost crashed on record and share something like a
The kayak fishing experience is my way to church on November 6 at- black seal leaping out of the water
just cool enough that a lot of folks feel tempting this.) GoPros and the editing next to my kayak, arp-arping in

more, almost like he knows he’s on
camera, bellowing “ARP! ARP!” each
time.
It’s pretty hilarious.
As a joke I shared the video on
my Facebook page saying “So I was
out kayak fishing on Lake Michigan
the other afternoon...”
The panicking fisherman was
76 wearing one of those full-face buffs,
the urge to capture it, share it with
other and watch it again themselves.
I caught the bug to gear up with
GoPros myself. I figured I could catch read owners’ manuals just to capture
some kayak fishing experiences that
could help educate fellow anglers on
how to catch fish, drawing upon my
more than half-a-century of fishing
experience. Why, I might get my
own YouTube channel and sell ads
software that goes with them offers mischievous joy.
the same sort of mystery—compound- Or, at least a bass that ate a
ed a thousand times. Why, one has to StreakZ minnow—instead of 23 sharp
images of the sole of my boot.
images. And editing three hours Author Dave Mull, Paw Paw, will
of fishing down to the four or five present kayak and Ned Rig finesse-
minutes of actually catching fish and fishing seminars at the Ultimate Fish-
showing what you’re throwing and ing Show in Novi January 12-15 and
how you’re working it back the boat? the Ultimate Sports Show in Grand
The mere thought traps us oldsters in Rapids March 16-19.n
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 MICHIGAN’S TOP
environmental and outdoor
EDUCATORS HONORED
T
he Michigan Alliance for Envi-
ronmental and Outdoor Education
honored several Michigan educa-
tors at its annual conference Saturday
at the Kellogg Biological Station, near
Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Katie Kunze, the alliance’s outgo-
ing president and a teacher at Three
Lakes Academy in Curtis, Michigan,
said, “We are very proud of the con-
tributions these individuals have made watershed stewardship project in the
to improve Michigan’s environment Upper Peninsula.
by reaching thousands of citizens with Lauri Davis, teacher Houghton
positive messages and education.” High School - Davis has been a lead
The alliance’s highest recognition teacher for the Lake Superior steward-
in 2016 went to a couple of non-for- ship project since 2014. Her students
mal educators including: gather information and design an
Theresa Neal, a park interpreter environmental project each year to aid
at Tahquamenon Falls State Park, the community. In addition, Davis has
who was recognized for her contribu- been instrumental in assisting Michi-
tions as an educator in a unique area gan Technological University with
of the state. Kevin Frailey, award its summer professional development
chair for the Michigan Alliance for programs for teachers.
Environmental and Outdoor Educa- Mike Smalligan, forest steward-
tion and education services manager at ship coordinator for the MDNR.
the Michigan Department of Natural Smalligan tackled head-on the chal-
Resources, described Neal’s impact as lenge of transportation funding for
“tremendous.” school field trips by creating Wheels
“Tahquamenon Falls has more to Woods, a grant program encourag-
than 50,000 visitors who stop to see ing teachers to take their students to
the falls on their way somewhere Michigan forests. This year Wheels
else,” Frailey said. “But Theresa to Woods has awarded $33,349 for
always finds effective methods to slow busing costs to help 7,424 students,
them down and educate them about 321 teachers and 1,113 parents visit
Michigan’s natural resources, whether a forest for an educational field trip.
it be about wolves or invasive spe- Wheels to Woods is a partnership of
cies.” the DNR, the Michigan Forest Prod-
Neal has worked as a DNR park ucts Council and the Michigan Tree
interpreter for 11 years. Farm Committee, the fiduciary for
Mark Copeland, store manager Wheels to Woods. Applications are
Jay’s Sporting Goods in Gaylord, available at www.TreeFarmSystem.
who was recognized for his contribu- org/School-Forests.
tions in outdoor education. Copeland The alliance also gave “volunteer”
has been instrumental in archery awards to:
program growth and has influenced Ellen Koehler of Milford -
thousands of shooters in the state Koehler has served as a 4-H volunteer
including youth, teachers and seniors. for many years. Her 4-H Outdoor
The Archery Trade Association claims Adventure Challenge Club – founded
a 26 percent growth in the sport in re- more than 20 years ago with her late
cent years with 21 million U.S. partici- husband, Paul – has benefited hun-
pants. Copeland has dedicated his time dreds of children through activities
to the Otsego Wildlife Legacy Society, like climbing, caving, canoeing and
the National Archery in the Schools backpacking.
Program and Centershot Ministries.
Other Michigan Alliance for Dave Frye of Oakland Co. - Frye
Environmental and Outdoor Education is an avid birder and volunteer for
awards included three appreciation both Oakland County Parks and the
awards for: Oakland Audubon Society. His work
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

as an enthusiastic educator and citizen

Sarah Geborkoff, teacher scientist with the annual Grassland
Houghton Middle School - Ge- Bird Survey has been a huge asset to
borkoff’s middle school EcoChallenge the local community.
team won back-to-back rounds in the The Michigan Alliance for Envi-
National Lexus EcoChallenge in 2015 ronmental and Outdoor Education is
and 2016, an honor bestowed upon a professional association supporting
only eight schools a year nationally. and advancing environmental and out-
Geborkoff also works with her stu- door education statewide. Learn more
78 dents to implement the Huron Creek at www.maeoe.com.n
 DNA testing on
cougars killed in
the Upper Peninsula
G
enetic testing on tissue
samples from two cougars
poached in the Upper Penin-
sula shows the two animals
likely came from a popula-
tion found generally in South
Dakota, Wyoming and northwest
Nebraska.
“This genetic research lines up
with what we’ve presumed previously,
that cougars found in the Upper Pen-
insula are males dispersing from this
population east of the Rocky Moun-
tains,” said Kevin Swanson, a Michi-
gan Department of Natural Resources
wildlife management specialist with
the agency’s Bear and Wolf Program.
“These males dispersed from the main
population are looking to establish
new territories.”
Since 2008, the DNR has con-
firmed 35 cougar reports in the Upper
Peninsula, but so far there remains
no conclusive evidence of a breed-
ing population. No reports have been
confirmed from Lower Michigan.
Cougars are an endangered spe-
cies in Michigan protected by law.
The U.P. cougar confirmations
were derived from trail camera video,
photographs, tracks, scat or in the case
of the two males poached, carcasses.
On Feb. 1, a cougar, or mountain
lion, was found dead in Dickinson
County, about 4 miles north of Iron
Mountain.
Conservation officers inves-
tigating the incident said the ani-
mal—which a medical examination
determined had been in a snare—had
been dumped near the intersection of
Johnson Road and County Road 607
in Breitung Township.
On April 18, researchers at the
National Genomics Center for Wild-
life and Fish Conservation in Missou-
la, Montana received a tissue sample
collected Feb. 1 from the dead cougar.
The sample had been sent to the
center for genetic evaluation by DNR
wildlife biologist Brian Roell in Mar-
quette.
Researchers had previously re-
ceived another cougar tissue sample
from Roell on Aug. 28, 2015, which
had been collected Nov. 20, 2013,
after the poaching of a cougar in
Schoolcraft County.
During the 2013 muzzle-loader
deer hunting season, conservation
officers received a tip that a cougar
had been killed at a hunting camp near
Seney.
Investigation revealed the animal
was shot and wounded with a rifle
when it entered a field near the camp.
The following day, the cougar was
tracked down and killed by a man
developed later as a suspect.
Three men from Bay City were
arrested and convicted for poaching
the cougar. The men served jail time,
paid several thousand dollars in fines,
costs and restitution, and lost hunting
privileges for several years.
The genetic results from analy-
sis of the two cougar samples were
reported recently to the DNR by the
center.
Researchers analyzed the DNA
from the two samples using mitochon-
drial DNA, which traces mother-line
ancestry. A haplotype is a group of
genes within an organism inherited
together from a single parent.
Kristine Pilgrim, genomic labora-
tory’s supervisor, said the two cougars
had a haplotype “M,” which is the
most common North American haplo-
type.
Researchers investigated the
potential population of origin for the
two cougars using a database which
includes samples from cougar popula-
tions in South Dakota, North Dakota,
Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming, Colo-
rado, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas,
Oregon and Florida.
“Preliminary substructure analy-
sis shows that these animals are most
closely related to individuals from the
region of the Black Hills of Wyoming
and South Dakota and northwest Ne-
braska,” Pilgrim said.
Using the genic information from
the tissue samples, matched against
results from other cougars in the
center’s database, probabilities are
calculated for the animal’s origin.
The tissue sample from the cougar
from Schoolcraft County showed a
probability of 74.1 percent to have
come from the Wyoming-South
Dakota-Nebraska population, while
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The cougar shown was poached in Schoolcraft County in 2013. This
is one of two male cougars the MDNR sampled tissue from for genetic
analysis. MDNR photos
the Dickinson County cougar’s prob- have been eliminated from
ability was 99.8 percent. about two-thirds of their historic
Researchers caution the probabil- range.
ity does not necessarily mean the cou- At one time, cougars lived in
gars are directly from that location, every eastern state in a variety of
because there may be other popula- habitats including coastal marshes,
tions that have not been sampled and mountains and forests. They were
included in the database. native to Michigan, but were trapped
“This research adds a couple more and hunted from the state around the
pieces to the puzzle, helping us to turn of the 20th Century.
learn more about the cougars found in Thirteen western states allow
the Upper Peninsula,” Swanson said. cougar hunting and the North Ameri-
“We still have not found the presence can cougar is listed there as a game
of any females or cubs, which would species.
indicate a breeding population. This The DNR’s Report All Poach-
analysis also adds information to the ing hotline (1-800-292-7800) offers
center’s data set.” money to tipsters. Information may be
According to the U.S. Fish and provided anonymously.
Wildlife Service, cougars were once To learn more about cougars in
the most widely-distributed land ani- Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/
mal in the Western Hemisphere, but cougars.n
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Loon die-off on northern Lake Michigan
Hundreds of water birds wash up on beaches south of Gulliver...By Holly Wenzel
Researchers/local volunteers found
760 bird carcasses!
• 390 mergansers
(predominantly red-breasted)
• 145 common loons
• 130 long-tailed ducks
Smaller numbers (less than 30 of
white-winged scoters, red-necked
grebes and horned grebes make up
the rest. Almost all birds were found
along roughly 8.5 miles of sand
beach between Rocky Point and
Seul Choix Point, east of Manistique.
Counts may increase until
the migration season ends,
probably in late November. In past
years, the die-off has ended by
mid-November, but if the lake stays
warm it may continue.
A
-- Common Coast Research & Conservation
nyone who’s stopped, trans-
fixed, to listen to a loon’s
call or run for the binocu-
lars to confirm a sighting of
the reclusive bird probably
longs to see one close-up,
if just to answer a few questions. Are
they really that big? Are their head
feathers really as smooth as suede? Is
that beak sharp enough to spear fish?
that.
But this was not the way to do
On the Lake Michigan beaches
south of Gulliver, residents and
beachwalkers discovered hundreds of
dead waterfowl the morning of Oct.
11, after a punishing night of 20 to 30
mph winds.
Among the casualties: red-breast-
ed mergansers, long-tailed ducks,
white-winged scoters and grebes, as
well as scores of common loons.
A flood of alarmed emails and
phone calls alerted the Michigan
DNR and Common Coast Research &
Conservation, a nonprofit group that
studies and advocates for loons.
Common Coast’s loon researcher,
Damon McCormick, walked the
beaches tallying species and pick-
ing up bird bodies for testing. Colter
Lubben, wildlife technician at the
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
DNR’s Escanaba field office, hast-
ily organized meet-you-at-the-bridge
transports to get samples downstate to
the wildlife disease lab.
And then it happened again, with
a storm Oct. 14-15. The foot patrols
and transports resumed.
By Nov. 5, more southerly winds
and a Halloween gale pushed the to-
80 tals to 760 dead birds in total, includ-
Hot Topic In Our State...
ing 145 loons, found over an 8.5 mile
stretch.
That’s “significant and alarm-
ing,” says McCormick, who’s studied
Michigan loons for 20 years.
In 2007 and 2010, birds washed
up in the same area. But the loss of
302 loons along the Gulliver shore-
line in 2012 accompanied a dramatic
drop in local loon populations. “In
2013, the number of loons at the
Seney Wildlife Refuge was down 23
percent -- and the 2012 count was
over an entire June through Novem-
ber monitoring season,” McCormick
notes.
The likelihood that the deaths
may have included more migrators
than Michigan birds isn’t comforting.
With Michigan loons breeding only in
the UP and a small area of the north-
ern Lower Peninsula, the state’s loon
population only numbers 800 to 900
pairs. “So even if a small fraction of
the die-off involved Michigan loons,
the results could be dire,” McCor-
mick predicts.
Prior to 2013, the number of loons
at the Seney refuge had been growing
slowly but steadily, McCormick says.
The 2012 losses triggered “a dramatic
and unprecedented drop.”
If the pattern keeps recurring
every few years, it may not be long
before Michigan loons can’t recover.
A Silent Storm
Though the persistent onshore
winds pushed the problem into view,
the storms aren’t the culprit.
“All the birds we sampled tested
positive for botulism,” Tom Cooley,
DNR pathologist, reports from the
DNR’s Wildlife Disease Lab in
Lansing, where he necropsies sample
waterbirds.
The botulinum bacteria is thought
to get into waterfowl diets through
a deadly combination of invasives,
including quagga and zebra mussels
and the round goby fish. All come
from the region around the Caspian
Sea in Eastern Europe.
Cladophora algae is actually
native to the Great Lakes, but has
been fueled by a boost in sunlight in
recent years, as the mussels filter and
clear lakewater. As the algae decays,
it creates anoxic conditions in sur-
rounding lakewater -- perfect condi-
tions for anaerobic bacteria. That’s
the trigger that botulism needs to
grow and spread.
One theory has been that mussels
then concentrate the botulism, gobies
feed on the mussels and birds get the
toxic stew from eating gobies.
On the Lake Michigan beaches south of Gulliver last week, there was little calm
after the storm. Shocked residents and beach walkers discovered hundreds of
dead waterfowl washed ashore after a series of storms. The deaths of common
loons like this one with its seasonal white and gray winter plumage indicate the
situation is not sunny in the lake’s ecosystem. Holly Wenzel photo
“If a loon ingests a lead sinker,
A newer idea is that the toxins are
it’s probably done for. It’s a problem,
loading up in plankton and the or-
but not a huge one,” McCormick
ganisms birds are lingering around
says. Similarly, a loon that dies be-
the algae, eating plankton and other
cause its beak or body is wrapped in
organisms that live on it and getting
fishing line is a unique case.
the toxin that way.
And the threat of mercury poison-
The many steps in the process
ing varies from inland lake to inland
haven’t been proven, but since the
lake, and is very rarely lethal. “It may
late 1990s, tens of thousands of
affect productivity -- loons on that
water birds have washed up on Great
lake may have fewer chicks, but for
Lakes beaches, including thousands
the most part it’s not killing loons
of loons over the years. The “Type
every year.”
E” botulism found in those birds has
As far as killing local and migrat-
appeared in every Great Lake but
ing birds in huge numbers, “nothing
Superior, which is still too cold for it.
compares to botulism,” he says.
Birds that eat enough of the neu-
“In bad years like 2012 and
rotoxin are paralyzed. They lose the
again this year, the effect of botulism
ability to fly or swim and are pro-
dwarfs other threats. It’s not even
pelled onshore. Or, as in the disease’s
close.”
common name, “limberneck,” they
lose the ability to hold their heads
above water and drown.
Complex Problems
There are too many factors in-
Eclipses Other Threats volved to come up with easy answers
-- or even difficult ones -- at this
The other leading causes of loon
point. “The botulism bacteria is al-
mortality -- ingesting lead or mercury
ready in the lake,” Cooley says. “It’s
or becoming tangled in fishing tackle
-- have taken a far back seat to con-
cerns about botulism. Loon die-off on Lake Michigan page 82
 My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions...
Antler Point Restrictions in Michigan
The benefits of APRs and their phenomenal increase in public
suppor t will eventually drive the entire state to APR regulations...
A
ntler point restrictions
(APRs) have been a part
of Michigan’s deer hunt-
ing regulation landscape
for decades and they are
gaining rapidly in popular-
ity too. According to annual DNR
hunter surveys, APRs are gaining
favor state wide every year to the
point where those opposed to APRs
are now just a small minority of deer
hunters. The main reason for the in-
creasing support of APRs is that when
applied with strict enough guidelines
to protect the majority of yearling
bucks from the harvest, they have
always worked as intended.
They have been tried in the Upper
Peninsula, the Northern Lower Penin-
sula, and also in central Michigan and
in all cases the same results were as
expected: The buck age structure was
improved and the buck harvest corre-
spondingly shifted to older age class
bucks. Also, unless severe winters or
other factors impacted the deer popu-
lations, the buck harvest
remained fairly constant
despite the shift in buck
age structure. In other
words, after the first year
of the new regulations,
the buck kill remains
about the same compared
to pre-APR regulations.
There have also been
proven cases where
hunter retention was
By Michael Veine
comparatively bet-
ter after APRs were
implemented in an
area, despite the fact that neighboring
counties without APRs saw signifi-
cant drops in hunter numbers during
the same time frame. With all the
positives in favor of APRs, we can
certainly expect to see these regula-
tions expand in Michigan in years to
come.
I was first exposed to APRs in the
late 1990s when a group of Yooper
deer hunters approached me at my
U.P. deer camp seeking support for
a proposal they were initiating to get
APRs passed into law for several,
central U.P., deer management units
(DMUs). Like a lot of hunters, I was
initially extremely skeptical of this
then new deer management concept,
and didn’t actually think it would
work, but I was certainly proven
wrong in years to come when the pro-
posal became law. For five years dur-
ing the early 2000s, I hunted under
strict APRs in the north/central U.P.
and saw the deer hunting there turn
from just fair, to by far, the best deer
hunting that I have ever experienced
in Michigan.
I hunt on both private and pub-
lic lands in the U.P. and while the
private land deer hunting certainly
improved a lot, it was the public land
hunting where I really saw the older
age class bucks explode in numbers.
By the end of the five year experi-
mental, APR period, I had killed a
bunch of big bucks there and was
even regularly passing up three year
old bucks because I knew that with
patience, more and bigger deer would
eventually come along, and they did
too. On the last year of APRs there,
my season peaked when I had three
bucks chase a doe past me at less
than 10 yards. All of them were big
bucks and two of the more belligerent
ones got into a knockdown, drag-out
battle right in front of me and I never
even took a shot as I just watched the
spectacular scene unfold in front of
me. Those bucks were actually trying
to kill each other with dirt flying and
antlers clashing. The
pushing and shoving
went back and forth for
a couple minutes before
one of them broke off
and scampered after the
doe with the other one
hot on his tail grunting
all the way.
I saw the buck to doe
ratio in my area go from
heavily skewed towards
females to nearly a
1:1 ratio in just five
years. Buck sign
exploded around the woods with rubs
and scrapes seemingly everywhere. I
got to see deer interactions like spar-
ing, fighting, breeding and more. In
fact I had so much more fun hunt-
ing that ever since then I have been
a huge supporter of APRs because
I have seen with my own eyes how
well they work.
Even if you haven’t had the op-
portunity to hunt in an APR area,
there is still a mountain of data out
there and the statistics are quite
revealing of the success of these pro-
grams. First off, let’s look at the level
of support for APRs. The DNR does
an annual survey of a very significant
number of deer hunters (over 50,000)
and in recent years they have been
asking respondents about their sup-
port of APRs and those numbers from
2015 were staggering as the level of
support for APRs has increased dra-
matically in recent years.
When the DNR does an APR
survey proposal, they don’t count
This state land buck is proof positive that APRs work on public ground.
the respondents that were neutral on
the issue, so with neutral responses
aside, in the 2015 survey, statewide,
81% of hunters supported APRs with
only 19% in opposition. The regional
breakdown is as follows: SLP – 84%
support vs. 16% opposed, NLP – 79%
support vs. 21% opposed and U.P.
70% support vs. 30% opposed. The
DNR requires a super-majority of
66% support to implement APRs, so
every region of the state far surpassed
that lofty threshold.
In 2013 strict APRs were imple-
mented in 13 counties (DMUs) in
the northwestern Lower Peninsula.
Those regulations have been in effect
now for three hunting seasons and the
data from check stations where deer
get aged by the DNR is showing typi-
cal results from the APRs. In 2012,
the last year under traditional deer
management regulations, those 13
counties had a buck age structure in
the harvest made up of: 66% 1.5 year
olds (y-o), 21% 2.5 y-o, 10% 3.5 y-o
and 3% 4.5+ year olds. In 2015 hunt-
ers found a lot more older bucks and
the harvest was composed of 25% 1.5
y-o, 39% 2.5 y-o, 29% 3.5 and 7%
4.5+ y-o. As time goes on with APR
regulations in an area, the percentage
of younger bucks tends to go down
more and the percentage of older
bucks goes up. For example, Lee-
lanau County has been under APRs
for many years and in 2014 there the
buck age structure of the harvest was
composed of 9% 1.5 y-o, 26% 2.5
y-o, 26% 3.5 y-o and 24% 4.5 y-o
and older.
To say that the northwest 13
county APR regulations have been
a huge success would be a colossal
understatement. The level of excite-
ment about deer hunting in that area
is at an all time, modern high. I grew
up in Manistee County, which is in
the heart of the NW13. I know a lot
of people that hunt that region. My
brother Greg Veine has been hunting
out of a Manistee County deer camp
for decades and during the last two
years they have experienced the best
hunting there ever. My childhood
next door neighbor Bryan Edmond-
son hunts with my brother and has
been an avid deer hunter for over 40
years. During those decades he had
never managed to bag a single trophy
buck, not one. In the past two years
though he shot two beautiful, trophy
class whitetails from the same prop-
erty where they have been hunting for
many years. My brother also got two
trophy bucks in the past two years
too and those were the first head-
mountable bucks for him too. You’ll
hear no complaints about APRs from
their camp.
Tip of the Mitt QDMA board
member Jim Rummer is a staunch
proponent of APRs. Not only has his
own hunting improved greatly under
APRs, but he has seen and heard lots
of success stories from other count-
less other hunters who have reaped
the benefits of a much healthier buck
to doe ratio and buck age structure.
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
His own daughter Bryleigh (8 years
old) has certainly been one of the
beneficiaries of the new regulations.
Last year was her first year hunting
and she managed to kill a beautiful
buck that later scored 132 by Com-
memorative Bucks of Michigan. In
2016 she struck pay dirt again and
APRs in Michigan page 83 81

Loon die-off on Lake Michigan: from page 80
in the bottom sediments, it’s in the
fish and if conditions are right you’ll
get transmission to birds. However,
what ‘right’ is hard to say.”
Years with high water tempera-
tures or huge cladophora growths
may not correspond to high water-
fowl deaths, he explains. And U.P.
loons aren’t the only ones affected.
Over the years, loons have arrived at
the lab with leg bands tracking them
back to Wisconsin, Minnesota and
Ontario.
Bald eagles, another species of
interest, may also be affected by
botulism as they pick at the bodies on
the shore. The lab has found eagles
that tested positive for botulism in
amounts that probably killed them,
but there haven’t been enough cases
to make a definitive opinion.
One thing is certain: the water-
fowl counts only include shorelines
that are accessible to people, leaving
out birds that wash up on rocky or
uninhabited coastlines or simply sink
in the lake.
“The real numbers match the
counts or go up from there,” Cooley
says. “They don’t go down.”
Observers Are Key
That’s why people who keep an
eye on their waterfront and report
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Hot Topic In Our State...
back to officials are so valuable.
In most years, prevailing currents
push the birds over to Sleeping Bear
Dunes, where a network of volunteer
monitors patrols the beach. “What
happened this year was Sleeping Bear
didn’t get us any warning, because
the wind was blowing them north
to the UP shoreline,” Cooley says.
“Without people calling, we wouldn’t
have known this was happening.
“We rely on people to give us
good information and quick infor-
mation, and they did a great job in
this case. We depend on that. We’re
nowhere without the public.”
Cooley also has high praise for
Common Coast, a small nonprofit
based in the U.P. which has partnered
with the DNR, the National Park
Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service and the U.S. Geological Sur-
vey’s National Wildlife Health Center
on loon research.
“With our limited staffing and
the vast shoreline we need to monitor,
it is extremely helpful to have Com-
mon Coast and our other contacts
and volunteers monitoring beaches,
collecting specimens and helping to
properly dispose of carcasses when
an outbreak occurs,” Cooley says.
This year, although waterbirds
have been found washing up across
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the lake, the largest problem appears
to be localized in the Gulliver area.
Sleeping Bear Dunes and beaches
around the Tip of the Mitt saw some
bird deaths, but those counts were
dwarfed by Gulliver’s
What Can Be Done?
Reporting numbers of birds
found, their species (or descrip-
tions) and their locations to the DNR
quickly are important in tackling a
Type E outbreak like this one.
“It helps us understand how
widespread it is as we look toward
potential solutions, or at least mitiga-
tion of the problem,” Waterfowl and
Wetland Biologist Barbara Avers
says. Knowing more about which
species are hit and where and when
can help identify risky locations, food
sources and other threats.”
When the reporting season ends,
Michigan’s numbers will be compiled
with those from other states at the US
Geological Survey’s Wildlife Health
Center in Madison.
DNR wildlife technician Colter
Lubben asks anyone who’s found
dead water birds on a shoreline to
call him at the Escanaba field office
at 906-786-2351 or DNR Wildlife
Technician Don Brown at Shingle-
ton at 906-452-6236. The techs can
take reports and also talk residents
through how to safely dispose of the
carcasses.
Keeping gulls and other scaven-
gers from feeding on the botulism-
infected birds and continuing the
cycle is key, Lubben explains. He
also asks that people leave sick
waterfowl alone; the birds are already
sick, stressed and likely
won’t recover.
McCormick needs people who
spot dead loons to also give him a
tistics about that species, at 906-202-
0602. He notes that because of the
loons’ seasonal white and gray winter
plumage, some citizens haven’t rec-
Cooley assures lake users they
don’t run much risk of contracting
botulism by wading or swimming in
Lake Michigan -- the birds were poi-
soned through their diets, not swim-
ming in the lake.
However, people shouldn’t handle
the birds if they can avoid it, and
should keep pets away from eating
carcasses.
Change In Threat?
About the only thing to do: hope
winters hits the area soon.
Cooley says about the only thing
that will push migrating birds off the
lake will be a cold snap, and a pretty
severe one. Thanks to the balmy
weather, waterfowl aren’t showing up
at Lower Peninsula migration sites,
even in the third week of October.
“The northern part of Michigan
is staging area for diving ducks and
loons, and they’ll just hang out there,
possibly ingesting fish and mus-
sels that contain the toxin, until the
weather turns,” Cooley says. “So die-
offs will continue until there’s enough
cold weather for them to pick up and
leave.”
McCormick says there’s some-
thing about that area that makes it a
sentinel site similar to Sleeping Bear
Dunes. Why is another question.
There could be a particularly active
area of botulism offshore, a high
number of migrating birds coming
through or just winds that tend to fun-
nel surface water into that area .
But it doesn’t seem to be mere
chance.
“The consistency of high mor-
tality at Gulliver during outbreaks
indicates there is something unique
to the area. I would say it’s definitely
more than just chance that the recent
mortalities appeared in Gulliver.”
The 2016 outbreak may change
one way researchers theorized botu-
lism die-offs happen.
“In the past, when the die-offs
were correlated with years of low
water levels, we could assume there
was something of a cyclical nature to
it,” McCormick says.
“But, if this can occur when the
lake level is this high, it indicates it
might happen more often. And we
just don’t know if Michigan loons can
survive that pattern.”
About the only thing to do: hope
winter hits the area soon.
Cooley says about the only thing
that will push migrating birds off the
lake will be a cold snap, and a pretty
severe one. Thanks to the balmy
weather, waterfowl aren’t showing
up at Lower Peninsula migration
sites, even in the third week of
October.
“The northern part of Michigan
is a staging area for diving ducks
and loons, and they’ll just hang out
there, possibly ingesting fish and
mussels that contain the toxin, until
the weather turns,” Cooley says. “So
die-offs will continue until there’s
enough cold weather for them to pick
up and leave.”
Resources For Online
Common Coast website:
www.commoncoast.org/common-
coast/michigan.html
DNR botulism webpage:
www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-
153-10370_12150_12220-26493--
,00.html
USGS work on cladaphora and
botulism:
www2.usgs.gov/blogs/greatlakes-
science/2014/09/05/cladophora-algae-
too-much-of-a-good-thing
About common loons in Michigan:
www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-
153-10370_12145_12202-32587--
,00.htmln

APRs in Michigan: from page 81
killed another dandy buck that she
targeted because of its unique head-
gear. Jim said, “We had been watch-
ing a quite a few larger bucks before
her hunt, but Bryleigh had a love
affair with the buck she called Loppy.
She wanted that buck more than any
of the other larger bucks and she got
him with a perfect shot.”
I could go on and on with suc-
cessful hunter stories from the NW13
as I have certainly heard and read
about a bunch of them, but pretty
much everybody knows that with
APRs, hunters will have a lot more
big buck stories to tell. Besides the
known fact that hunters will kill a lot
more big bucks and hunter participa-
tion typically goes up too, there are
some other not so well know benefits
of APRs that are worth mentioning.
When APRs are in place, hunters
must first positively count the points
on a buck before shooting. This
simple verification process results
in fewer wild, low percentage shots
being taken and reduces wounding
losses significantly.
Having a more balanced buck
It starts with you and me doing the right thing...
O
ur world is currently
plagued by political and
pseudo religious terrorism.
My world, deep within
the great wild outdoors of
NW Lower Michigan, is
also under assault by another insidious
form of domestic terrorism. Somewhat
rampant desecration of the land, game
poaching, illegal deer baiting practic-
es, and an undeserved general disdain
of the well-meaning DNR and its
largely science-based environmental,
gathering, fishing, and hunting regu-
lation enforcement is under constant
attack. Much the same as law enforce-
ment in general is constantly under
attack, these stewards of the land and
its wild resources are “the good guys.”
We, the ultimate benefactors of their
efforts need to strongly voice our opin-
ions; but at the same time abide by
the environmental, fish, and wildlife
written laws and policies until they are
revised through due process.
Deer baiting restrictions are no
exception. However flawed some
individuals feel these laws and policies
are, we the people must abide by them
to preserve our great wild outdoors for
future generations.
Putting out bait for deer for hunt-
ing purposes became legal in unre-
stricted areas of the state on September
15th. Too many “baiters” had their bait
piles out well before this date. Often
far exceeding the two gallon maxi-
mum spread evenly over a 10 square
My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions...
age structure in a herd lessens the
stress put upon yearling bucks when
they are pressed into the sole role of
reproduction like so often happens in
our current, non-APR, Michigan deer
woods. Also, having a lot of bucks
available for breeding results in more
does being bred earlier in the fall and
reduces late born fawning, which
increases the deer’s’ reproductive effi-
ciency and lowers stress on deer also
bettering survival. I’ve heard from
anti-APR people that there is no point
in passing up a young buck because
they may just die anyway during
the winter anyway. With this logic,
perhaps we should be killing all the
deer this fall to keep them from dying
in the winter. Of course this Reduc-
tion ad Absurdum is an illogical and
impractical notion as is the previous
proclamation.
John Ozoga has stated before
that even in the U.P., most yearling
bucks will survive even the hardest of
winters if they are not shot in the fall.
He also studied the impact of win-
ter severity on older bucks too and
My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinion...
foot area. There is good reasoning be-
hind this restriction; Chronic Wasting
Disease (CWD) and short-term Epi-
zootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD)
constitute very real threats to our deer
herd. CWD is spread from close deer
to deer contact experienced while
feeding at bait piles. CWD
spreads quickly throughout
the deer herd and is always
fatal. EHD, on the other hand,
appears, spreads, and disap-
pears again very quickly but
does not kill every deer it
infects. Some can build up
an immunity which is passed
on to offspring. CWD is
much more of a threat
because it can persist in By Joe Lunkas
the soil, especially at bait
sites for years to continue infecting
deer. How bad is our problem? Look
at the Michigan Deer Hunting Digest
map to see the multi-County Disease
Management DMU Boundaries. This
is no time to bicker about or disregard
baiting restrictions in our state. This is
a time for action.
Game laws and recreational ve-
hicle restrictions are important for the
well-being of our lands and resident
fish and wildlife. Violators are our
terrorists. Just as is the case with other
foreign and domestic terrorists; turn-
ing a “blind eye” to obvious warning
signs is not the answer. If you see
something questionable, tell someone
about it. This is what the Report all
found that they also rarely die from
winter kill. Incidentally, John Ozoga
is a proponent of APRs, which is not
surprising considering his expertise
on deer biology.
With the strong level of support
growing by leaps and bounds every
year, it’s a given that the APR regula-
tions will be made permanent in the
poaching (RAP) Hotline is all about.
We must learn to police our own
ranks. DNR officers are here to help
us. As with all groups of people, there
are “bad eggs”. Report them as well.
Working together we can defeat CWD,
EHD, Bovine Tuberculosis, environ-
mental and fish and game
law violators, and create
good relations between DNR
personnel and wild resource
users. You and me...
For the most part, I let
Mother Nature determine the
menu for the deer I pleasur-
ably hunt and selectively
harvest. I feel sorry for
those who choose to
limit their deer hunting
experience to sitting over
a pile of bait for hours on end waiting
for a shot at a deer that they virtu-
ally know nothing about. For me; 90
plus-percent of my hunt experience
is realized during the days, weeks,
and months I spend learning as much
as I can about the natural tendencies
and preferences of my targeted deer.
And thoroughly preparing to harvest
it. This is often a single crafty mature
buck that has eluded hunters for three
or more seasons. I experience extreme
pleasure and satisfaction in trying to
outwit this specific noble animal in his
natural environment. More often than
not I am unsuccessful. But when I am;
I am elated beyond words. To take
such a noble buck off a bait pile seems
This monster
buck was
taken by John
Boss from the
APR zone of
the NW13.
northwest lower counties. The
benefits of APRs and their phenom-
enal increase in public support
will eventually drive the entire
state to APR regulations. It’s just
a matter of time before the DNR
manages our deer herd for the vast
majority of hunters instead of the
vocal, minority.n
anticlimactic to me. I thoroughly enjoy
my deer hunts in my great wild Michi-
gan outdoors.
As an outdoorsman I am known
to “be everywhere but nowhere to
be found.” I pride myself with this
ability and often use the predictable
actions of other hunters and the ef-
fects they have on resident wildlife to
my advantage. I hunt smart. In my
“Fifty Years of Lessons Learned of a
Michigan Outdoorsman” book Trilogy,
I refer to these actions as “Intrusion
Factors.” I don’t use drugs or alcohol
to get my “highs.” I get them from
the exhilaration and challenge of my
deer hunts. This is who I am and how
I view deer hunting in its purest form.
In the deer woods we have hunters and
shooters. Both are welcome; as long as
they enjoy themselves, hunt ethically
and responsibly, and do so not at the
expense of other outdoors-persons.
Baiting is a choice. Choose wisely.
Learn to enjoy the thrills and exhilara-
tion of real deer hunting.
Consult your current 2016 DNR
hunting guide for further baiting
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
restrictions. These restrictions are in
place for good reason. Follow them.
Thoroughly read your 2016 Deer
Hunting Digest, call the DNR for
clarifications, and don’t risk getting
“pinched” for noncompliance.
Good hunting.
Joe Lunkas, The Aging Michigan
Outdoorsman, Google his name for
more information.n 83
 Readers’ Choice Trail Cam Contest
Visit our website (www.woods-n-waternews.com) to vote for your favorite trail cam photo each
from page ??

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

Rick Casey’s trail cam caught this

Jason Myers had his trail cam set in his back yard in Lapeer Co.
buck in the rising sun.
and it caught coyotes killing a small buck.

Teresa Phillips of Battle Creek had this

close up of a nice buck in August.

Adam
Montgom-
ery with
a picture
of two big
bears fight-
ing. Taken
Sept. 15 in
Otsego Co.
on public
land.

Russ Videan, Tustin caught this nice

Larry Piotrowski nicknamed this Oakland Co.
Osceola Co. buck wandering out of the
buck ‘Mega Club’ because of his malformed
swamp.
right main beam.
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Dane Farver had a series of photo from his Otsego Co. trail cam
that caught a sow and her cubs ripping down his feeder, but the
cow and calf elk didn’t mind, nor the monster bull elk!
84
 Readers’ Choice Trail Cam Contest
Visit our website (www.woods-n-waternews.com) to vote for your favorite trail cam photo each
from page ??

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

Randy Dingman’s trail cam captured this beautiful scene, with a

fawn hiding behind her mother as they look down the trail near
Manistee.

Susan Brakora had a pair of

Larry Nutt captured nursing triplets! does fighting.

It took a second trail cam for Al Lupinski

of West Branch to see what was moving
his first trail cam, this buck certainly wasn’t
camera shy.

Derrick Gage
got this picture
on state land in
Benzie Co. on
Robert Weller has a few con- Oct 21. He has
tented deer wandering and Kraig Staples has lots of pics
pictures of this
laying around his trail cam. of foxes hanging around his
buck last year.
spot near Millersburg.
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

85
 SPORTING COLLECTIBLES...

Fishing for outdoor

magazine covers my interest, captivated my imagina-
I grew up avidly reading the three big outdoor magazines of the
tion or just stopped a twelve year old
day – Outdoor Life, Field and Stream and Sports Afield. I loved any boy in his tracks!
I started collecting old outdoor
kind of fresh water fishing and devoured the many articles written magazines a number of years ago
on pan fish, bass, walleyes, northern pike and muskies, but for several reasons – for the many
fishing ads that I saved for my
especially the stories featuring some “hot, new technique...” historical research on old tackle,
into the larger magazine. The earli-
est outdoor publications combined
articles along with black and white
ads selling hunting products, fish-
ing tackle, as well as advertisements
for resorts and hunting and fishing
camps. There were also ads for dif-

I
ferent railroads since hunters and
for the colorful covers, and for my anglers travelled to their destinations
cut out many of these articles Chicago with hardly a local pond reading enjoyment. Some were very primarily by rail one hundred plus
to reread before embarking to fish, I did dream of the return of good while others were so amazing years ago.
on some fishing adventure to warm weather and the hours I would and unique as to be hard to forget. Some black and white photos
northern Michigan or Wisconsin spend on a lake casting my line. All were works of art, many painted started showing up as magazine
with my family. Growing up in What sold me on a particular by the finest sporting artists of the covers in the early 1900s with a
a small Illinois town south of magazine were a number of fac- time. This month’s article features few color photos used within a few
tors. Certainly, the articles were eighteen of my favorite outdoor years. But magazine editors discov-
important as were the authors as I magazine covers from 1913 through ered that commissioned artwork
got to know who were the better 1953 – all hopefully of interest to was the way to go because cameras
writers – who had the most my readers. and the film that was available were
up-to-date information on Outdoor magazines poorly suited for the outdoor pho-
new methods, as well as the began as regional newspa- tography.
scoop on the latest reels, pers starting as early as the Editors soon realized that maga-
rods, fishing line, and lures. 1870’s with familiar names zine covers also helped sell their
Soon, I started reading such as Sports Afield first publication off the crowded store
everything written by the published in 1887, Field shelves where several hundred
foremost fishing writers of and Stream in 1895 and magazines all competed side by
that era. Outdoor Life in 1898. Other side. The covers told a story without
My favor-
ite early writers By Terry McBurney outdoor magazines
also started during
words, and appealed to readers in
many ways. The covers were col-
were Zane Grey, the same time peri- orful. They illustrated details that
O. W. Smith, Robert Page Lincoln od such as Forest and Stream began the reader knew and appreciated,
and Michigan’s own Ben East. My in 1873, Recreation in 1883, Hunter, showed adventure at a glance, as
favorite writers from the 1950s Trader and Trapper in 1900, and well as exciting places to visit – all
and 1960s were Joe Brooks, Ted the Northwest Sportsman in 1901. situations that brought back memo-
Trueblood, Jason Lucas, and Byron Some of these publications eventu- ries that made the reader remember
Two canoeists battling the wind Dalrymple. I also was drawn to a ally closed their doors especially and smile.
and the waves from the April 1914 particular outdoor magazine issue by during the Great Depression, while Beautifully illustrated outdoor
issue of National Spor tsman . its cover. The image sold me, piqued some were purchased and merged magazine covers really came into
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Left-Right: An idyllic wilderness camp from the June 1916 issue of Field and Stream , the official organ of the Camp Fire Club of America. Two automobile campers watching

86
deer from their tent from the June 1927 issue of Outdoor Life . Landing a trout, an early cover showing a woman angler from the booklet, In the Maine Woods , published by
the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad of nor thern Maine. Battling a saltwater trophy from the July 1921 issue of Field and Stream .

Top: A humorous cover showing a
geezer holding his catch after falling
overboard from the May 1929 issue of
Outdoor Life . A humorous cover with
several themes - pike fishing, a success-
ful and shapely woman angler and her
oblivious husband from the July 1953
issue of Spor ts Afield .
Left-Right: A fisherman fly casting for trout was a popular theme – from the April 1932 issue of National Spor tsman . A trout fisherman tying on a new fly from the May
1936 issue of National Spor tsman . One of many “Jumping Trout” magazine covers – this one from the May 1931 issue of Outdoor Life . An even more popular “Jumping
Bass” from the July 1927 issue of Outdoor Life .
their own starting in the 1910s with
some incredible commissioned
artwork captivating readers of Field
and Stream, National Sportsman,
Recreation, Forest and Stream,
Northwestern Sportsman, Outer’s
Book and Outers’ Recreation.
The spring and summer fish-
ing front covers ranged over a wide
number of popular themes. “Ad-
venture” was one of my favorites
showing furious battles between
the angler and a toothy fish or the
start of a Canadian fishing trip with
anglers unloading their canoe and
supplies off of a Canadian National
Railway rail car. Another popular
category was what I call “Life in
Camp”, idyllic paintings of a fishing
camp with tents pitched in perfect
locations, happy fishing partners,
and great weather.
By the mid-1920s women were
also shown as equal participants en-
joying camp life and the beauty of
the outdoors. “Women in Action”
was another important theme where
the female angler is shown as an
equally capable angling partner…
skillfully catching the trout or bat-
tling a trophy saltwater fish.
The single fishing theme I found
on more magazine covers than any
other from 1910 through the 1950s
was some manner of fly fishing for
trout, whether stream fishing or on
a lake. Different magazine covers
depicted fly fishermen in different
poses – wading in a stream or lake
or fishing from a canoe. Jumping
trout came next in popularity fol-
lowed closely by jumping bass of
all kinds, and then artwork showing
menacing northern pike or muskies
swimming or tearing into bait fish
or exploding out of the water in a
fight to the finish. A special note
– Only two of this month’s front
covers show anglers with a pipe
clenched between their teeth, but
pipe smoking was a constant on
many of the fishing covers from
1930 through the 1950s. It was just
a sign of times.
Showing kids fishing was an-
other popular theme. The magazine
covers showed the thrill seen in the
eyes of a young angler after landing
a big fish, especially if the parent,
a relative or mentor was there and
did the coaching. These covers were
important because we always have
needed to bring along more young
anglers for the future of fishing in
this country.
Nature as a theme was, of
course, present in all of the covers,
but there were a number of simple
scenes of swimming fish or birds
that were classic.
I have shown two magazine
covers that were actual photographs
rather than artwork. The first was
the front cover photo from The
Michigan Sportsman, the Magazine
of Michigan’s Out-of-Doors. The
magazine, published in Lansing,
was edited by Jack Van Covering,
a well-known Michigan outdoor
writer. The earliest issue of The
Michigan Sportsman that I have
seen was dated September 1916 and
the last issue from October 1933.
The second front cover with a photo
was a collage showing fishermen in
a canoe overlaid with a photo of sol- Top: An underwater close-up look
diers in a jeep over a U.S. Savings
at a menacing musky from the
Bond, a Hunting and Fishing maga- July 1928 issue of Hunting and
zine cover from 1944. The cover Fishing . A colorful photo of an
reflected wartime priorities and the airborne pike from the April 1935
issue of Outdoors .
Fishing for magazine covers page 88
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
87
 Richard P. Smith, award winning Fishing for magazine covers:
author offers book signings from page 87
Woods-N-Water News contributor Richard P.
Smith from Marquette has book signings scheduled realities of the times set against
across the state during December for readers who the hope for a return to peace and
would like to buy one or more of his many books and DVDs as Christmas normalcy.
gifts. Smith is one of Michigan’s most prolific outdoor writers and he has won Humorous covers also were
numerous awards for his work. The most recent award Smith received was the popular from time to time with sev-
Dave Richey Communicator of the Year from the Michigan Outdoor Writers eral themes repeated from magazine
Association (MOWA). to magazine - the frustrated angler
Richey was a longtime member of MOWA who passed away a number of armed with all of his expensive
years ago. Dave was a veteran writer, having written thousands of magazine
articles and numerous books. He was the outdoor writer for the Detroit News
equipment buying fish to take home
for 23 years before he retired. from a young boy carrying a cane
“It’s an honor to receive this award,” Smith said. “What makes the award pole or the old geezer that falls out
extra special for me is Dave was one of my mentors. He helped my writing of the boat but still somehow man-
career and I got the chance to spend time afield with him hunting and fishing.” ages to land the fish! Regardless,
Two of Richard’s books also received the Best Book of the Year Awards fishermen could laugh at themselves
from MOWA. The 2nd edition of Black Bear Hunting won that honor during and find humor in some outrageous
2015 and the 4th edition of Deer Hunting got the same award in 2013. Smith’s situations.
other books and DVDs are also quality products based on the number of com- Feel free to contact the author
pliments the author has received from readers and viewers. at antiquefishing@comcast.net with
Richard’s book signing tour locations: your questions. Photographs are im-
• Friday, December 9 at Horizon Books in Traverse City from 6:00 to 8:00 portant, so please send them. They
p.m. A Canadian adventure star ts”
• Jay’s Sporting Goods in Gaylord on Saturday, December 10 from 11:00 help me with identification and give
me an idea of the condition of the from the June 1938 issue of
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Spor ts Afield .
• Jay’s in Clare is hosting Smith’s book signings on December 11 and 12 item.n
from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday and 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday.
• The Barnes & Noble Book Store in Brighton on December 13 and 14 and
again on December 18, Tuesday and Wednesday signings from 3:00 to 8:00
p.m. and from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.
• Schuler Books in the Meridian Mall in Okemos December 15-17 from
2:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Readers who are interested in Smith’s books and DVDs and can’t make it to
the above signings can refer to his ad in our publication or go to his website:
www.richardpsmith.com.

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  Card #                              Exp. Date       Top Left: A successful young bass angler from the May 1927 issue of Out-
Send to: Woods-N-Water News, P.O. Box 278, Imlay City, MI 48444 door Recreation , the national authority on automobile camping. Top Right:
A classic Kingfisher from the cover of the May 1916 issue of Forest and
Or Call (810) 724-0254 Stream . Bottom Left: The Michigan Spor tsman magazine from May 1920
featured a photo of a successful trout fisherman. Bottom Right: A WWII
cover photo from the July 1944 issue of Hunting and Fishing suppor ting our
88 troops and war bonds.
 VOLUNTEER for WILDLIFE
with
Volunteer to improve public land
wildlife habitat with
Michigan United Conservation
Clubs! Through hunter, trapper
and angler-funded wildlife
habitat grants from the
Michigan Department of
Natural Resources, MUCC
organizes multiple wildlife
habitat volunteer workdays on
public hunting land throughout
Michigan. Sign up for one of our
upcoming projects at
ww.mucc.org/ontheground!
Learn more at www.mucc.org
UPCOMING PROJECTS
August 7: Grayling State Forest
Pruning apple trees to promote soft mast food
sources for game .
August 13: Barry State Game Area
Cutting black locust trees to open forest canopy
and build brush piles for small game.
August 27: Shingleton State Forest
Planting trees and shrubs in the Garden Grade
Grouse Enhanced Management System for
upland birds.
September 2016: Allegan State Game Area
Removing fencing and building brush piles for
small game.
September 2016: Gourdneck State Game Area
Building brush piles for small game.
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
Fall 2016: Traverse City State Forest
Building brush piles and planting trees
89
 A Magical Month
for a Little Lady
A
t 4’10’’ and 90 pounds-and
packing a child-sized, pink
crossbow-you might think
it would be challenging to
pursue bucks in
the vast forests of
northwest Michigan.
Think again.
The huntress in question
is 28-year old Charlevoix
resident, Valery Pike, who
had an extraordinary ex-
perience last deer season.
In a memorable month she
By Patrick Bevier
arrowed her first
buck- a 150-pound,
6-pointer- on opening
day and shot her second buck-a hefty,
250-pound, 8-pointer with a 15-inch
spread- exactly one month later on the
first day of November!
Pike has been hunting since she
was knee high to a porcupine and has
taken many does with her crossbow,
.243-rifle, and 50-caliber muzzleload-
er. Last year she harvested her first
buck – times two! Even more impres-
sively, is that she did it while hunting
on a miniscule, 3-acre parcel and the
NO TIME
FOR A WEEK
AWAY?
CALL FOR GREAT
1/2 WEEK
SPECIALS!
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
90
two antlered gentlemen were dropped
no more than 100 yards apart. Valery
hunts between Charlevoix and Petos-
key but said she might arrow me if I
divulged the exact location!
Pike shared that she
worked hard for these bucks.
“I was out there every day
scouting or hunting and it
really paid off,” she said with
an ear to ear grin. “I learned
to hunt from my dad and
mom ever since I was a little
kid. They are very proud of
me!”
She continued,
“The thing I like best
about hunting is that I love to listen
to everything out there and all of the
nature in the woods.”
Pike especially cherishes hunting
with her crossbow. “My crossbow is
fast and light weight. I can shoot up to
50 yards but usually only take a shot
at 25 to 30 yards.”
Another recent activity for Pike
has been to set and check several trail
cameras. With this advanced scouting
Valery has viewed several big bucks
Valery Pike, of
Charlevoix, is
all smiles as
she cradles the
large, 8-point
buck she
downed with
her crossbow.
in a new hunting place this year. Valery added, “So far, this year, it
Inspired, she hopes to replicate last has been very slow because of all the
year’s supreme hunting. rain.”
Pike appreciates the lean, organic, At this writing it’s unclear if Pike
hormone-free meat that is part of the has come close to the magical month
spoils of deer hunting. Valerie said, “I she had last season. It’s true, however,
love venison steaks and back straps. that her tiny person has often been
I field dress and butcher them myself nestled in a deer blind, pink crossbow
and love it. It’s very gratifying to eat armed and ready.
something you harvested and butch- I, for one, certainly wouldn’t bet
ered yourself.” against her.n





LIMITED OPENINGS FOR TROPHY HUNTS!
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
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NOW TAKING DEPOSITS FOR FALL 2016
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WO O D S - N - WAT E R N E W S R E S E RV E S T H E R I G H T T O R E F U S E A N Y O R D E R I F I T I S C O N S I D E R E D T O B E I N P O O R TA S T E O R U N E T H I C A L . 91
 Pumpkins: Not just for pies
and bait piles anymore!
P
umpkins, they’re not just for
bait piles anymore. And they
are more than last month’s
Halloween decorations, or the
filling for Thanksgiving pies.
Pumpkins can enrich the lives
of zoo creatures, including chimps,
gorillas, giraffes, polar bears
and grizzly bears.
The Association of Zoos
and Aquariums (AZA) define
animal enrichment as “a
dynamic process for enhanc-
ing animal environments
within the context of the
animals’ behavioral biology
and natural history. Environ-
most memorable song line from At
the Zoo, the 1976 hit single by folk
singers, Simon and Garfunkel. And
here’s what’s happening at many zoos,
including the Detroit Zoo, where I
captured the accompanying enrich-
ment photos.
Animal enrichment:
As zoos, continue to move
away from the traditional
caged models for creature
containment, and strive to
create habitats that are more
natural and healthy, zoo visi-
tors continue to want to see
animals ‘doing something’,
beyond sleeping or pacing
food, defend territories, escape preda-
tors and build homes. In zoos, the
majority of animals’ needs are pro-
vided by the keepers, so other meth-
ods of physical and mental stimulation
must be provided to encourage natural
behaviors. As much as possible, a zoo
environment is designed to mimic an
animal’s natural environment. Animal
enrichment for bears and primates,
which in the wild spend much of their
waking hours foraging for food, may
involve scattering food in straw or
elsewhere around the enclosure to in-
crease foraging time.” That’s the way
animal enrichment is described by the
St. Louis Zoo.

By Jonathan Schechter
mental changes
are made with
the goal of
increasing the animal’s behavioral
choices and drawing out their species-
appropriate behaviors, thus enhancing
animal welfare.” Pumpkins can play a
role in that process, and certainly cre-
ate unique photo opportunities.
“Someone told me it’s all hap-
pening at the zoo. I do believe it, I do
believe it’s true.” That is perhaps the
back and forth.
An enriched
zoo environ-
ment creates a more stimulating life
for the animals, and allows animals
to perform more natural behavior as
well as satisfy some of their physical
and psychological need. A side benefit
is obvious; zoo visitors see species as
more than a caged specimen, they see
activity and interaction.
“In the wild, animals must find
If a grizzly bear had its way with
habitat design and enrichment, a
stream with spawning salmon might
be included, wolves might request
“enrichment” with tasty fawns, and
polar bears would sign up for seals as
playmates and dinner. But that’s not
the way it is. Enriching an animal’s
zoo environment comes in many
forms, including the obvious act of
altering the physical environment,
modifying methods of animal care,
creating social groupings that some- invader, raised two powerful paws
and stomped it. The crowd cheered.

Je n k
times included multiple species that

n i n
And then he ate it. That behavior was

e
would coexist in the wild, and perhaps

s
the choice of the grizzly bear, and be

L
most importantly, increasing sensory
stimulation. Many zoos are heading
that direction by enhancing the size
and shapes of living spaces, adding
it man or beast, we all like to have
choices. In another area, a powerful
silverback lowland gorilla carefully

HUNT CLUB
vertical dimensions (things to climb
on!), housing compatible species
together, and adding unexpected food
items that might stimulate curiosity,
and at times encourage natural stalk
and chase behavior.
Enrichment is an essential element
of the daily care of animals at the De-
Custom Gun Dog Training English Setters troit Zoo. The Detroit Zoo describes it
this way, “The goal of the enrichment
program is to assist our animals in
4989 Abbot Road • Reading, MI 49274 demonstrating their natural behavior,
allow them exercise and add variety to
Hunts Conducted On their day. Enrichment encourages the
inspected his treat before taking the
first bite. And a crowd of adults and
excited children watched a chimpan-
zee chase a pumpkin that rolled down
a hill, as other chimps hauled their
booty up trees. One snatched a pump-
kin and ran off in the four acre enclo-
sure clutching his prize. That message
was clear: I’m not sharing this one!
Nature Factoid: Chimpanzees share 98
percent of the same genetic material
with humans, making them our closest
living relative.
After wandering the zoo grounds
for another hour to watch energized

HARD-FLYING PHEASANTS
animals to engage in species-typical river otters swim after treat filled
behaviors and gives them more choice floating balls, giraffes use their very
and control over their environment long prehensile tongues to pull chunks
In Good Cover (Including Blues) while enhancing their well-being.” In of broccoli out of hollow pumpkins,
We Don’t Fool Around, addition to the daily, wide-reaching and chimps play with the remnants of
behind the scene enrichment activities
GUN DOG TRAINING at the Detroit Zoo, they staff organizes
their treats, it was time to return to the
grizzly bears. Their day of enrichment
EVERY SUNDAY a yearly “Smashing Pumpkins” event
with seasonal treats for the animals
must have been tiring for one of the
bears were snoozing in the remnants
Your Dog & You Will Be Great (Lunch Provided)
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

that all also increases the enjoyment
and education of zoo visitors. Zoo
QUALITY ENGLISH curators prepare pumpkins in advance,
SETTERS by hollowing out the insides, inserting
species appropriate treats.
From 47 Years Of Selective Breeding At the Detroit Zoo I watched a
grizzly bear slowly lumber up to a
pumpkin that had been placed on
of their pulverized pumpkins. “Some-
one told me it’s all happening at the
zoo. I do believe, I do believe it’s
true.”
Jonathan Schechter lives in
Brandon Township and is the nature
education writer for Oakland County
Government. E: oaknature@aol.com

92 CALL NOW! 517.283.1559 his favorite rock perch. He sniffed

at the orange-collared territorial
Visit detroitzoo.org/ for information
on the Detroit Zoo.n
Make outboard motor
maintenance a snap
R
ight about this time of year
boaters need to get serious
about winterizing their crafts
and outboard motors if they
haven’t already done so.
Preparing an outboard for ex-
tended storage is but one of the points
of discussion offered up in the
booklet “Maintenance Matters,”
available from Yamaha.
“It’s an ongoing educational
initiative, says David Meeler,
Marine Product Planning and
Information Manager, Yamaha
Marine Group. “It’s really not
a how-to booklet. It just offers
reminders of what needs
to be done.”
Nevertheless, while
“Maintenance Matters”
offers familiar reminders for longtime
outboard owners and operators, it also
functions as a how-to introduction for
beginners in terms of “what you’re
getting yourself into if you want to
take up power boating.” And that’s
pretty true to the nature of the book-
let’s origins.
Before he moved up the corpo-
rate ladder, Meeler traveled a lot for
Yamaha. He’d go from town to town,
visiting the dealers and helping solve
any problems they were encountering
with their products.
One night, while Meeler sat at
his table eating dinner in his favorite
chain restaurant, a guy walked up to
him. The guy had noticed the “Ya-
maha” logo on Meeler’s shirt and
gave him a “why not” question that
intrigued Meeler. The long and the
short of the guy’s message was that
the world of outboard motors – main-
tenance especially – is often quite
confusing to newbies; why not create
a booklet to help them navigate their
ways through the processes?
Meeler took that advice, and now,
after several editions, Yamaha is ap-
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big game species. Visit our web site to learn more and get connected to the latest in Michigan hunting. www.Buckfax.com
proaching two million printed copies might take to practicing a con-
of the resulting booklet. It’s also avail- scientious maintenance pro-
able in digital form, online. gram, says Meeler, is to ask
The book is not meant to be “a himself, “How can I make it
sales device,” he says. Understand- the most fun?” In other words
ably, however, the various products taking care of the motor when
mentioned for lubrication, cleaning, the boat is out of the water
stabilizing and protection will add to one’s enjoyment
bear the Yamaha label, as when on the water, so…what
do the only outboards list- needs to be done to accom-
ed in the “Specifications” plish that?
section of the booklet. An educational byprod-
With that in mind, uct of the booklet extends
Meeler says the booklet’s even to folks who don’t yet Th is bo
ok let , pr od uc ed
purpose “is not to sell own an outboard. fro m Ya ma ha , co ve rs evby an d av ail ab le
products but to educate.” Says Meeler, af- ne ed s to kn ow ab ou t theer yth ing a pe rso n
Mostly, he adds, the ter studying the booklet fec tiv e ma int en an ce of pr op er an d ef-
By Tom Carney book is meant to
show owners of all
“people feel they have a
little education so they can
Ta ilfe ath er Co mm un ica tio an ou tbo ard mo tor.
ns , LLC ph oto
brands of outboards be somewhat informed when
that if they “maintain the miles” they they go into the dealer.” And prepara- Find the digital version of “Mainte-
will also “maintain the smiles.” tion is the key to being an intelligent nance Matters” at www.maintenence.
The booklet covers all aspects of consumer. yamahaoutboards.com.
outboard motor maintenance, such as Finally, Meeler says the booklet To locate a dealer where you can
corrosion prevention, interval mainte- can help anyone benefit from his ex- find the print version of the booklet,
nance and extended storage. In sepa- periences: “Some of the things in that go to the same webpage and click the
rate sections it also focuses on differ- book I’ve learned from the school of “Find a Dealer” link at the top of the
ent parts of the motors themselves: hard knocks.” page.n
fuel and fuel system, water pump,
belts and hoses electrical system,
“propeller solutions,” the lower unit
and more. It gives a comparison/con-
trast of the three methods for flushing
an outboard: built-in attachment, flush
muff or flush bag.
Meeler says the booklet also
$
125
offers what he calls “Hey Buddy!” PER GUN
tips, an example of which is to epoxy
pennies to battery posts to keep them
clean from corrosion. Or the sec-
tion on what kinds of tools to keep
on board. It also includes a section,
“Trailers Need Love, Too” that offers
trailer maintenance tips.
2016 - 2017 SEASON
The most recent edition of the
print copy also includes codes one can
scan with his or her cell phone to ac-
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Your Woods-N-Water News is
www.woods-n-waternews.com
“Just a Click Away!”
GET YOUR •
•
Subscriptions
Email the Editor
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It’s Easy . . .
VISIT TODAY! 93
 DNR sees success in
fall walleye stocking
F
all is harvest time in Michigan,
and while most may be thinking
of crops, Michigan Department
of Natural Resources fisher-
ies crews are thinking about
walleye.
Specifically, they’re collecting
the last of the walleye fingerlings that
are raised in rearing ponds for stock-
ing and getting the fish to where they
want them to be.
For the most part, walleye are
reared for a short period of time in
ponds and stocked as spring finger-
lings—most at less than two inches in
length—in high densities. But fisher-
ies biologists know that fall finger-
lings can be stocked at much lower
densities and produce better results
than spring fingerlings.
DNR fisheries technician Mike Wilson
counts the walleye fingerlings going
into a tanker truck for transpor t.
Recently, DNR technician su-
pervisor Ed Pearce brought his crew
(technicians Mike Wilson and Matt
Smith) to the state’s walleye ponds
near Belmont in Kent County to get
the walleye out of the ponds and into
a couple of southern Michigan lakes.
A dozen or so members of the
West Michigan Walleye Club, who
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
miss.”
Although walleye are much in
demand—anglers love them—most
southern Michigan waters are not
ideal for the fish, which prefer cooler
water than most southern Michigan
lakes maintain in the summer.
In addition, most lakes have
established fish populations that
predate heavily upon the tiny walleye.
By stocking fall fingerlings, fisheries
managers not only enjoy better fish
survival but are also more likely to
establish fishable walleye populations.
“If we can get a cool-water
hatchery facility, our capacity to raise
more fall fingerlings would increase,”
Wesley said. “Right now, we’re kind
of doing it experimentally, pond by
pond, but we need a coordinated effort
at one hatchery to really get it going.”
At some ponds, crews leave a per-
centage of the fish there after spring
harvest to grow into fall fingerlings.
At Belmont this year, production
was so poor that fisheries managers
decided to leave them all in the pond
to grow until fall.
The operation at Belmont consists
of three ponds—a fill pond, fed by a
natural creek; the walleye pond; and a
minnow pond, which is stocked early
in the season with fathead minnows
that will reproduce and provide forage
for the walleye pond.
Members of the club tended
the ponds all spring and summer.
In spring, they fertilize the ponds to
produce the plankton the fry need to
survive.
“For six weeks, we put 500 to
600 pounds of fertilizer—a mixture of
alfalfa and soy meal—into the ponds
to provide the nutrients for the plank-
ton,” said Al Davis, club director. “We
started with 100 pounds of minnows
in the minnow pond, and we produced
more than 400 pounds of minnows
this year—and we’ve still got min-
nows in there.
“We had more than 90 man-hours
in just feeding fish and transferring
the minnows from the minnow pond
to the walleye pond.”
Fall harvest involves lowering
the water level to congregate the fish
more closely, then installing trap nets
to collect them. It takes two days of
water-lowering and net-setting to get
A healthy fall walleye fingerling, reared in DNR ponds near Belmont in Kent
County, is ready to be released into Crystal Lake in Montcalm County.
of those fish.”
Pond production is highly vari-
able, depending largely on environ-
mental factors over which no one
has control. The poor production this
spring led to a bonanza of fall finger-
lings.
“It has been a good year this
year,” Davis said, as he handled nets
at the recent fingerling harvest. “In
2010, we had a bunch of fish, but a
flood came through and blew the dike.
The fish all wound up in the Grand
River.
“But since 2009, this pond has
produced more than 800,000 walleye
fry.”
Raising fingerlings is costly and
time-consuming. The club chipped in
to help defray the cost of fertilizer and
provided the bulk of the labor.
Pearce, who praised the club ef-
fusively, said the program would be
nearly impossible without the club’s
assistance.
“These fall fingerlings are worth
their weight in gold,” Pearce said.
“We use them in lakes that are full of
bluegills; bluegills are good predators,
so we put them in at a size that they’re
not going to get eaten up.”
Fall fingerlings tend to measure 5
to 7 inches. It’ll take about two years
for them to recruit into the fishery,
when they become legal targets at 15
inches.
Schoolchildren from two nearby
schools attended the first day of the
fall fingerling harvest.
Elisabeth Sochacki, who teaches
language arts at Assumption School,
brought her 38 seventh- and eighth-
graders to observe and explore. She
turned them loose with dip nets and
buckets to collect tadpoles and aquatic
insects for the school’s aquaria.
“It’s about writing and research,”
she said. “They’ve been out here
quite a bit this year, testing water for
dissolved oxygen, pH, chlorine and
heavy metals. It’s a cool thing for the
kids, keeping them engaged.”
Jeremy Karel, the principal at Bel-
mont Elementary, brought his fifth-
and sixth-graders out for the day as
well as the teachers and some parents.
“It’s giving the kids a chance to
get out in nature, and it’s a chance for
them to be around adults who care
about the environment and are giving
back,” Karel said. “And it links up
with our science curriculum; this is
something they can go back and talk
about.”
For his part, Pearce said the fall
fingerling harvest is one of his favor-
ite tasks as a fisheries worker.
“This is enjoyable,” Pearce said.
“You’re doing your job, and you’re
educating kids, too. These are the days
we look forward to.”
Get more information on DNR
fish stocking at michigan.gov/
fishing.n

spent the summer babysitting the the bulk of the fish.

ponds, assisted the crew in the opera-
tion.
“We have found that if we put
in fall fingerlings, their survival is
very, very good,” said Jay Wesley, the
DNR’s Lake Michigan Basin coordi-
nator. “It’s really the key to stocking
walleye in southern Michigan. We’ve
94 done it with fry, but it’s really hit or
Next, the remaining water is
drained into what the guys call a
“wolf trap”—a concrete and screen
box below the pond’s discharge
tube—where the remaining fish are
entrapped and netted out.
“We’ll get 90 percent of the fish
out with the nets, then we’ll seine the West Michigan Walleye Club members admire the “fruits” of their summer’s
wolf trap,” Pearce said. “We’ll get all labor tending to ponds where the DNR rears walleye. MDNR photos
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 Woods-N-Water News Classified Section
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IN
................................................
CLIP AND MAIL ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK N O R T H W E S T
MICHIGAN Sportsman’s
Woods-N-Water News Classified Advertising HUNTS AVAILABLE
LUPTON, MI! Valhalla Lodge is
IN
paradise! 80 acres and 1,000
(Please print clearly. We are not responsible for unreadable orders.)
Make sure phone number is included in your ad!
offering a limited number of bull elk REAL ESTATE feet waterfront on private lake
only 20 minutes from Traverse
hunts on our 880 acre private hunting
preserve. Your hunt will be 3.5 days City, MI. Excellent fishing and
NAME 18.52 WOODED ACRES lots of
hunting (deer, turkey, water-
for you and a guest, all inclusive, 1 on deer, turkey and other wildlife. Ideal
1 guided for a bull scoring between fowl). Direct flight path for
ADDRESS hunting and camping. Terrain is slop-
ducks. 2-BR, 2-BA home and
280” SCI and 320” SCI. Hunts are ing to very steep. Excellent filtered
CITY                                           STATE                      ZIP available December - January for valley views. Driveway and cleared pole barn. $399,900. Contact
$5750 w/ no additional fees. building site already installed plus Andrea Galloup, Realtor,
DAYTIME PHONE NO. Discounts available for multiple hunt- an additional cleared hunting site. C21 Northland, 231-642-0706
ers! Contact Anthony 810-223-4587. Located on a county black top road or 231-929-7900, andrea@
VISA/MASTERCARD#                                                       EXP: H-12-3 with power and phone along the agalloup.com. RE-11-2
................................................ road. $59,900, $1,000 down, $700/
CLASSIFICATION OF AD                      MONTHS TO RUN HUNT BIG RAMS - $550.00, mo. 11% land contract. Northern WILDERNESS - 40 acres for
STOKER HOGS - $395.00. Land Company 231-258-5100 www. sale. Northwest of Seney, MI.

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) Hunt deer, buffalo, long horns and northernlandco.com RE-12-1 Believed to have frontage on the
more. 160 Acres all woods. Butcher ................................................ Driggs River. Access over state land.
(7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) shop and lodge. Trophy Ranch 15.68 ACRES, Pine-filled Front, About 5 miles north of M-28. Also
Ubly, Michigan. 989-658-8634 www. Sits High, Over-looking a Wildlife back lots for sale on Big Manistique

(13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18) trophyranch.com H-10-3 marsh. 50 % Wooded – 518 x 1332. Lake. Call 906-293-3382 - Newberry.
................................................ Goodland Twp – Lapeer County RE-12-1
(19) (20) $30.00 $30.25 $30.50 $30.75 NORTHERN ONTARIO $58,900 JUST LAND SALES.COM to
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

BEAR HUNTS: Booking now for
$31.00 $31.25 $31.50 $31.75 $32.00 $32.25 Spring and Fall of 2017. Includes
comfortable cabin, boat and motor,
$32.50 $32.75 $33.00 $33.25 $33.50 $33.75
baited stands. Very experienced
guides. High success rate. 3 hours
$34.00 $34.25 $34.50 $34.75 $35.00 $35.25
from the Soo. References on request.
$960 U.S. 705-869-3272 www.texas-
$35.50 $35.75 $36.00 $36.25 $36.50 $36.75
andsons.com H-10-12-16
Enclosed is $                                               for
................................................
see pictures or 596-419-6716.
RE-12-1
................................................
140 ACRES - Excellent deer hunt-
ing. A lot of mature timber including
Oak, Maple and Cherry. Located in
Sears, MI between Big Lake and
Lake Maloy. $2,700 per acre. Call
231-876-2170. RE-12-1
................................................
17.48 ACRES, Good Hunting
With 100% Woods, Paved Rd. 1322
road frontage, farm land in back,
state land near by. Ellington Twp –
Tuscola County $59,950 JUST
LAND SALES.COM TO SEE
PICTURES OR 586-419-6716.
RE-12-1
................................................

96 words to run                     months. BOX MY CLASSIFIED - $5 Extra

 Woods-N-Water News Classified Section
REAL ESTATE
ONAWAY AREA: 160 acres
hunting property, mostly cedar $1000
per acre. Call Larry at 989-733-4152.
RE-12-1
................................................
CASEVILLE, Sand Point,
Wildfowl Bay, the Thumb. Sand
Ridge Trails: Wooded home sites
from 2 to 6 acres, located 3 miles
south of Caseville, ¼ mile from
Scenic Golf and Country Club, 1 mile
from Caseville Rod and Gun Club
and 1 mile from Wildfowl Bay Boat
Launch. Priced from $19,900. Land
Contract: 10% down, 6% interest to
qualified buyers. Contact
David (989) 553-3600 or
dlclabuesch@yahoo.com
RE-11-3
................................................
ST HELEN, MICHIGAN -
This home has everything
you’re looking for, stocked
pond, 32 X 48 pole barn, 12 x 8
covered front porch, comes with
a boat dock on the Au Sable
River, leading to Lake St. Helen.
New roof, new decks, new sid-
ing and new asphalt drive in
2016. Access to ORV and
Snowmobile trails from this
home. Seasonal stream with a
bridge on property. HUNTERS
THIS IS A MUST SEE. Call
John at 989-389-4772, asking
$184,900 - let’s make a deal.
RE-12-1
134 ACRES, Deer Country.Large
Sanctuary, Lots of Ambush Funnels
2640 x 2219- 50% woods or brush.
rest is leased to farmer for food plots.
MusseyTwp – St Clair County
$390,000 JUST LAND SALES .COM
to see pictures or 586-419-6716.
RE-12-1
................................................
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NAME
ADDRESS
CITY                        STATE           ZIP
 Check/Money Order  Visa/Mastercard - Card #                         Exp. Date
Send to: Woods-N-Water News
P.O. Box 278 • Imlay City, MI 48444
Or Call (810) 724-0254
email: wnw@pageone-inc.com • website: www.woods-n-waternews.com
REAL ESTATE
WILDFOWL BAY, 1 mile north of
Sebewaing, in the “Thumb”. 47 acre
Rose-Ridge Conservancy has 37
acres dedicated and deed restricted
as wetlands and hunting conservan-
cy, with ten acres available for up to
5 home sites (property includes 5
splits). Ideal for a hunting retreat;
ducks, geese, deer and turkey.
Borders: Rose Island Road to west
and Ridge Road to the east. Priced at
$199,500. Land Contract: 10% down,
6% interest, qualified buyers.
Contact David (989) 553-3600 or
email: dlclabuesch@yahoo.com
RE-11-3
................................................
BUSINESS FOR SALE:
Party store on Black River in
Tower, MI. The only store in
town. Liquor, wine, lotto, DNR
licenses, live bait. Village Post
Office rents a room in the build-
ing. Located in the heart of
Pigeon River State Forest.
Excellent hunting and fishing in
area. Store has been in opera-
tion for 30 years on high traffic
M-68/33 Hwy. Over 600K gross
in 2015. Asking 250K plus
inventory. Owners are retiring.
989-733-2480.
RE-11-3
HUNTERS PARADISE! Mason
County. Square 38 + acres Federal
Land 2 sides. Corner of Bradshaw/
Campbell Stick built 15 year old
home. 2000 sq feet. 3 Bed 2 Bath All
rooms handicap accessible. Air, 5
inch well, Propane and wood heat,
Irrigation system. On realtor.com
7300 Bradshaw, Branch Doug Shoup
231-843-3491.
RE-11-2
................................................
REAL ESTATE
131.6 ACRES with prime hunting
and fishing. One mile off Van Dyke in
Imlay City. Great for waterfowl and
deer. Road frontage and surrounded
by farmland. $210,560. Call Steve at
810-499-2593. RE-11-2
................................................
80 WOODED ACRES located in
the E UP between Brimley and
Strongs, just south of M28 on Tilson
Rd. Property features: drive, 30 X 40
pole barn, cement pad, electric and
well. Will make a nice building site
and provides good hunting. Property
is surrounded by some good farm
fields as well as several wildlife
ponds. Munuscong State Forest is
one mile to the south. $82,000.00.
Call Michael Gillhooley of Smith and
Company Real Estate at 906-440-
7389 or email mike@smith-company.
com RE-11-2
................................................
DOGS
GUNDOG TRAINING AT
ITS BEST! by Paul
Rheaume. Over 30 years
experience with pointing and
flushing breeds. All inclusive 4
week class that is customized
to meet your dog's needs.
Excellent for young dogs start-
ing out, for experienced dogs
tuning up, or for dogs with
issues. $600. Find us on
Facebook or online http://gun-
dogtraining.webs.com.
Rheaume's Kennel. (989) 864-
8606. D-11-6
LABRADOR RETRIEVERS;
yellow-black both males and females,
AKC, vet check, first shots, 8 weeks
old, $600-$650, 989-683-2614.
D-12-1
................................................
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
Date           Ck#          $
Here’s your
DOGS
BEAGLE PUPS AKC Field
Champions Blood Line. Born 9/16
guide to
989-860-6088. D-12-1
................................................
AKC REGISTERED
success!
BEAGLE PUPS and starter
dogs for sale. Red Pine Ken-
nels 989-736-3486 or 989-254-
2777. D-12-1
SOUTHERN BIRD DOG
TRAINING: Taking reservations
now for our 33rd year in Selma,
Alabama. Leave here Thanksgiving
and return April 1st. Over 10,000
acres to train on with lots of wild
birds. Birds shot daily and you will
have a top dog by Spring. All dogs
personally trained by me. We take all
breeds - labs too. $500 per month for
trip (everything included) Call now
David Grubb (bird dog Hall of Famer)
248-860-1009. D-10-3
................................................
GERMAN SHORTHAIR
POINTER PUPS: Males
and females available. Excel-
lent hunting dogs and superb
family pets. Close working dogs
with strong point and retrieve
instincts. Reasonably priced for
the sporting family. Money back
guarantee. Eulenhof Kennels,
  It is estimated that 10% of all the fishermen
Gladwin, MI. catch 90% of the fish. Regardless of which group
you fall into . . . there’s a sure way to up your odds
http://www.eulenhof.com
989-426-4884 D-12-2 . . . simply try new fishing waters. Fish where few
fishermen ever fish.
Classifieds    Michigan is loaded with great fishing waters . . .
many of them over-looked. From the AuSable River
Work!
to all of the Great Lakes tributaries to the Pere
Marquette River . . . thousands of miles of streams,
lakes and rivers are now easy-to-locate on one
map.
(810) 724-0254
   Professor Higbee’s Stream Map of Michigan is the
first and only highly detailed map of its kind. This
new 4 foot by 4 foot color map shows virtually all
for the 35,000 miles of Michigan streams & lakes on
both peninsulas. That’s almost two times the earth’s
circumference!
STREAM MAP OF MICHIGAN is available either
rolled or folded. And, in heavy gauge clear lamina-
tion, write-on-wipe-off surface with brass eyelettes
for easy hanging, rolled only.
 ROLLED $26.00    FOLDED $26.00    LAMINATED $46.00
Tax & Postage Included
NAME
ADDRESS
CITY                          STATE        ZIP
 Check/Money Order             Visa/Mastercard
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
Card#                                     Exp. Date          Signature
Mail To: Woods-N-Water News
P.O. Box 278 • Imlay City, MI 48444 • (810) 724-0254
97

REAL ESTATE AUCTIONS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2 *10:00 AM*
1259 E. Wilson Rd. ASHLEY, MICHIGAN (Gratiot County)
Home & pole barn on 8 acres wooded property.
3bed, 1 bath home w/ 32x40 pole barn.
All woods, borders Maple River
Doug Hulbert Estate, Owner
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7 *6:00PM*
New Haven Twp. Gratiot County
80 acres land. 53 tillable acres w/ 27 acres woods.
Productive farmland & nice woods
Marguerite Smith, Owner
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8 *12:00 NOON*
937 W. County Line Rd. SUMNER, MICHIGAN (Gratiot County)
41.4 acres wooded property w/ 1997 Man.
Home & 30x60 pole barn
Oak & hardwoods, some thickets. Great hunting area
Todd Mills Estate, Owner
Please see www.PavlikLLC.com for full sale bill flyers,
maps, aerials and all information
www.PavlikLLC.com
Heritage Exclusive Marketing Agents for Northeast
House
RealtyPC
“Personalized Service is the Difference”
70+ Acres – Camp
Country This first time
offering includes exquisite
hunting, several out
buildings, one with a classy
bar, shooting range, modern
chalet with furnishings, 3
bedrooms, 1 bath, trail
system, food plots, Flynn
Valley Road $279,000
2015 N Beaver Court…..;;,
Barton City, 10 acres with
access to 2 private lakes,
private parks, and 1000s of
acres of Federal Forest.
Turn Key 3 bedroom 1 bath
home. Dead end road, hilly
wooded terrain, cold water
creek, $69,900
3305 W F-30, Glennie, 40
acres with 1200 sf, 3
bedroom, 2 bath home with
a full finished basement.
Large deck, paved drive,
den and fireplace.
Hardwood forest with
isolated ponds, fruit trees,
hunting blinds and trails.
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
New listing - $194,500
334 acres in Doctors Club
area, prime hunting property
awaits you. A portion of land
is a cattail swamp with
Robb Creek. There is 2 beat
up cabins on property with
electric and flowing well.
This would be a great group
investment. $499,500
Call 800-650-5566 - Glennie or 800-982-0102 - Harrisville - www.HeritageHouseRealty.com
98
IG RIVER
Drummond Island Realty
95 ACRES OF PRIME HUNTING PROPERTY!
5 A meadow, 3 A food plots, pond, apple
B
PROPERTIES trees, 25’ tower blind, 14 permanent
tree stands, 3 sites motorized feeders,
mobile home (sleeps 6), 3 outbuildings.
NORTHERN PARADISE ON SAUBLE LAKE #1 – 7888 W 6 MILE ROAD –
IRONS – Pristine setting for this 3 bedroom log sided cabin on 21+/- heav-
ily wooded acres with frontage on both Sauble Lake #1 and Quick Lake.
Cabin features a stone fireplace, knotty pine interior, some hardwood floors
and central air. Breathtaking views of the lake from the open concept kitch-
en/dining area. Kitchen features German stone countertops. Living room
opens to a porch room/den on the lakeside offering more stunning views.
Power at the lake, 1 ½ car garage and the cabin is wired for a back-up gen-
erator. In addition across the road is a section of land with frontage on Quick
Lake which is a small fishing type lake. A true Northern Michigan Retreat!-
$259,900 (MIL)
2 – 40 ACRE PARCELS – OFF FOREST SERVICE ROAD 8436 – IRONS –
$169,900
Located near Freesoil Road and Elk Highway on Forest Road 8436 Sits this
Prime hunting property that is a family owned 80 acre parcel Sellers have Mary ‘Tess’ Hoey, Sales Agent
taken many nice deer from this location as well as turkey and grouse. Bears, Drummond Island Realty, 877-493-5344
coyotes, fox, and wolf have been spotted here as well. There is a small creek www.DrummondIsland-Realty.com
that is flowing in the spring and early summer. There are numerous driving /
ATV trails that will extend to every section of the property and several
E. Johnswood Road, Drummond Island, MI 49726
meadows to be used as food plots. The entire property is posted and gated
and bordered by National Forest on all sides. Sale includes all Mineral Rights
Owned by them. Make this another family Hunting destination or Joint Your local Realtor!
Venture. $145,000 (JAM)
HUNTERS CHECK THIS ONE OUT - 15+/- ACRES-BORDERS FEDERAL
Let me help you find your home, whether
LAND – 7776 E. SAUBLE ROAD – FOUNTAIN – 15+/- acre parcel of land is your a first time buyer, or just downsizing, or
heavily wooded and an ideal secluded hunting location. Gated entrance to
this clean, comfortable cabin with knotty pine interior, an open floor plan,
relocating! I am just a phone call away. If you
and a well and septic. The cabin runs off solar panels for electricity and is set have questions about how the market is today
up for year around use with a woodstove and a back-up propane wall fur-
nace. A nice cedar deck off the living room and fire pit in the yard. Prime
or another real estate related questions,
location 2/10 of a mile from the Big Sable River. Located on a seasonal please feel free to contact me at:
county maintained road! $65,500 (GAR) REDUCED!!
CABIN ON 12+/- ACRES – 4075 E JOST DRIVE – IRONS – This 2 bedroom
586-453-7963 (Cell)
reymarbockart@yahoo.com
1 bath cabin is situated on 12 nicely wooded acres of land. The cabin does 586-752-0600 (Office)
needs some TLC but the potential is there to make it a great spot to visit on
586-752-5517 (Fax)
the weekend. There is a wood burning floor furnace and a propane wall unit
for heating. The attached 1 car garage comes in handy for storage and a place
to put all the up north toys. Great recreational area near all the ORV and Marietta Bockart
snowmobile trails. Comes furnished as is! $70,000 (COO)
“Hunters Call for our Acreage Parcels”
5963 W. 10-1/2 Mile Rd. • Irons, Michigan
71050 Van Dyke
231-266-8288 • 877-88-NORTH
www.BigRiverVentures.com • Info@BigRiverVentures.com Romeo, MI 48065 WHERE GOLD IS SOLD
Michigan Properties
Located in the Heart of the Huron National Forest, on the
Shores of Lake Huron and the banks of the AuSable River
217 Acre Hunter Paradise Black River frontage, with
Andrews Road, Mikado with deck and steps to waters
14oo house/camp, pond. edge. 3 bedrooms, 1.5
Trail system, blinds, deck baths, 1232 sf, One Acre.
and tons of white tail deer, Canoe, Kayak, fish or float to
bear, grouse and turkey. the big lake… Includes
Pine River flows through appliances, 2 car garage,
property so add trout to the privacy fence. This unique
list. REDUCED $375,000 riverfront home is
REDUCED to $87,500
991 N Verner Dr, Barton Seller Financing on all
City - View of Jewel Lake, 3 sports Vaughn Lake!. one
bedrooms 2 baths with over of a kind 3 bedroom 2 bath
2.5 acre site. Appliances with pride and craftsmanship
stay, finished garage and throughout the home - very
this one comes with a Home unique and inviting. From
Warranty. REDUCED for the kitchen to the
quick sale, don’t miss out on Volkswagen beetle bar to
this deal at $100,000 the hot tub on the lakefront
deck $199,000
2175 N US-23, East Tawas 10+ Acre Recreational site
– Fully furnished 4 – Close to Grayling to enjoy
bedrooms, 2 bath bi-level an evening on the town but
just outside East Tawas. still out of the way. Enjoy
Enjoy all the area has to everything the outdoors has
offer while still feeling like to offer, within minutes of
you’re getting away from it being on the water or in
all! REDUCED to sell fast your favorite hunting spot.
at $109,000 Perfect building site for only
$23,500
201 Fourth St, Harrisville Poor Farm Rd, Greenbush
Ranch style home with large – Not too late to start
decks, pond, family room, planning your next hunting
open concept kitchen, trip. This 37 acres is perfect
dining, living room. Pergo for just that. Make this your
flooring, carpet and next hunting camp or build
attached 2 car garage that your new home and still
is finished. Walk to town have plenty of room to
and harbor. REDUCED recreate. Motivated Seller
$117,750 $49,900
 231-652-7000
- or -
231-250-8200

WE NEED LISTINGS 40+ ACRES AND LARGER

783+/- ACRES, 80 ACRES,
IOSCO BARRY
COUNTY COUNTY
$
1,650,000
1 Mile Frontage Tawas 7,100 sq ft 5
Lake, Kunze River Bedroom, 6 Bath
Crosses Property, 5 Home, Horse Stable,
Bedroom Log Lodge, 3 $
Miles from East Tawas 1,250,000 3,000 ft Dake Lake,
Excellent Hunting

L D
SO

Iosco County, 52.51 Acres

Alcona County, 240 Acres, Alpena County, 316+/- Acres, Good Trails Branch County, 43+/- Acres, Big Bucks, Calhoun Co, 61 Acres Calhoun County, 70+/- Acres Calhoun Co, 86+/- Acres Food Plots, Trail System, Elevated
House, Barns, Pond, Stream, Food Plots Lodge sleeps 10, Professionally Managed Forest Cold Creek Crosses Property, Nice Woods 2,500 ft. St. Joseph River, Excellent Hunting House, Pole Barn, Pond, River, Elevated Blind 750 ft. Frontage on Prairie Lake,
Big Buck Hunting, Outbuildings Blinds, Pond & Shed
$499,900 $439,000 $136,500 $150,000 $289,000 $349,000 $89,000

LD
SO

Jackson Co, 47 Acres, Missaukee County, 80 Acres Newaygo County, 5+/- Acres
2000 ft. Grand River Frontage, Jackson County, 54+/- Acres, 2,000 ft Kalkaska County, 40 Acres Kalkaska County, 40 Acres, Cabin, Barn, Mason County, 35+/- Acres, Farm Land Pond, Professionally Managed 557 ft White River Frontage, 1/2
2 bedroom Home, Pole Barn Grand River Frontage, Trail System Good Trails, Adjacent to State Land Trout Pond, Excellent Hunting on 2 Sides, Heavy Bedding Cover Forest, Food Plots Open, 1/2 Wooded
$244,900 $179,900 $49,000 $115,000 $52,500 $129,500 $41,000

Newaygo County, 36+/- Acres Newaygo Co, 80 Acres Newaygo County, 80 Acres Newaygo County, 80 Acres Newaygo Co, 99 Acres, Newaygo County, 125 Acres, Three
Farm Land, M-37 Frontage, 1000’s of Close to Federal Land, Pole Barn, Rolling Hardwoods, Great Hunting, Rustic Cabin, Pond, Nice Woods, Planted Pines, Great Cover, spring fed lakes, Excellent Deer,
acres Public Land 1/2 mile Away Great Hunting 2 Bedroom Mobile Good Trail System County Road Frontage Turkey and Waterfowl hunting
$50,400 $140,000 $150,000 $129,000 $198,000 $375,000
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Newaygo County, 240 Acres

Newaygo County, 160 Acres Adjacent to State Land, Good Trail Oceana County, 100+/- Acres Osceola Co, 54+/- Acres
Frontage on 9 Mile Rd & Cottonwood Rd, System Food Plots, Remote Property, Nice Forest, 650 ft. Frontage Presque Isle County, 47+/- Acres, 2 Bedroom Presque Isle Co, 63+/- Ac Schoolcraft County, 554+/- Acres
Adjacent to National Forest High Deer Population Good Deer Population All Sports Grass Lake House, Pole Barn, Excellent Hunting Carp Creek, Food Plots, Hunting Blinds Raw undeveloped hunting land.
$400,000 $399,000 $150,000 $225,000 $99,000 $69,300 $163,430

www. WildLifeRealty.com 99
 TARGET REAL ESTATE SPECIALIZES IN
WATERFRONT HOMES AND HUNTING PARCELS
“WE REPRESENT BUYERS AND SELLERS”
Poncho’s Sand Creek Longhorn Ranch now
NATIONAL CITY available. 80 acres includes 20-30 acres of
tiled hay field and 30-40 acres of pasture
land, and approx. 10% wooded land. Property
includes a 1500+ sf home in need of TLC, a
large barn with corral, 40x75 pole building, a
few smaller outbuildings and numerous fruit
trees. Sand Creek runs through the northwest
corner of the property and also a pond on the
back forty.
MLS# 1819844
$279,000

GREENBUSH-$15,900, Fantastic natural setting with 115’ of frontage on 1075 acre Cedar Lake. Nice building
site on a well wooded lot. Pine, cedar, and birch cover most of the lot. Located just north of Oscoda with the AuSable
River and thousands of acres of State and National forest just minutes from this building site. MLS#1815681
TAWAS CITY-$19,900, Several building lots totaling .91 acres. Natural gas, electric, city water and sewer are
available. Just a short distance from town, Tawas Bay and all products and services offered in the area. The lots are
well wooded and front on both North River Street and Jefferson. MLS#1823999
EAST TAWAS-$29,900, Nice 10 acre parcel close to downtown East Tawas. Rolling terrain w/Oak, Red, and
White Pine. Potential for a pond in front of a possible building site! MSL#1813608
AU GRES-$49,000, 21 acres of hunting land in agricultural area. Property is wooded with tall grasses and good
cover; lots of deer in the area. MLS#1809814
AU GRES - $149,000, 71 acres of hunting land surrounded by other camps. Areas of thick swamp with some
ridges and road frontage with power. Lots of deer and turkey in this location. MLS#1809806
WHITTEMORE-$195,000, 120 acre hunting parcel. Diverse terrain with red oak, white oak, and red pine.
Numerous areas for food plots. Deer, turkey, partridge and other game are plentiful. MLS#1778247
AU GRES-$250,000, 150’ of Lake Huron frontage. This rare wooded building lot is 380’ deep and priced below
SEV. Natural gas and city water available. Call today! MLS#1746047

MORE PARCELS ARE AVAILABLE . . .

CALL TODAY FOR MORE DETAILS
866-496-4400
TARGET REAL
ESTATE COMPANY
701 W. Bay Street, East Tawas, MI 48730
Office (989)362-4400 • Cell (989)370-2152
info@TargetRealEstate.com
www.TargetRealEstate.com

This solid custom built log home, nestled on a secluded 9.5

acre property, awaits you. This executive estate is located on
the Grand River neighboring the 331 acre Crockery Creek Nature
Area which includes hiking and cross country ski trails.
Enjoy watching the abundance of nature including deer,
waterfowl, turkey, sandhill cranes and bald eagles from the
home’s extensive decks.
The home features energy efficient appliances, air
conditioning units and a MicroGuard air cleaner furnace. Granite
and quartz countertops are found in the kitchens, bathrooms and
laundry room. Hardwood, marble and tile floors are throughout
the home’s 4+ bedrooms and 4.5 plus bathrooms.
Outdoor entertaining is unmatched with an automatic
covered pool and hot tub adjacent to an indoor/outdoor kitchen
and full bath which are attached to a 2 story pole barn.
Property is conveniently located between Grand Haven,
Muskegon and Grand Rapids. PRICE REDUCTION

$899,000 $850,000
Amy Anderson Properties
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Call, text or email Amy Anderson for a private tour.

Phone: 616-405-6298 / email: Amy@AmyAndersonProperties.com
Find pictures and video at www.GarfieldStreet.com
MLS 16046684
Seller is a Licensed Realtor.
100
 www.TrophyClassRealEstate.com
THINKING OF SELLING OR BUYING?
CALL US FIRST!!
877-843-0910
THE LAND
EXPERTS
YOU CAN
TRUST
50 Wooded Acres
with Cabin! 120 acres of farm and
Diverse woodlands, hunting land!
adjoins federal land Used for horses with
& Slagle Creek Club. multiple stalls, corrals and
Walk to Slagle Creek, 3 pasture. Past dairy farm
bed/2bath heated home, with outbuildings. Brick
fieldstone fireplace, home needs TLC.
garage, gated.
WEXFORD COUNTY
WEXFORD COUNTY #1814988
#1823593 $314,900
$179,000

240 Acres 4000’on North

5 Acres on Pere
Branch of Au Sable
Marquette River
Historic log cabin with
Main Branch, Electric onsite,
updates, river view, stone
improved drive with gated
fireplace, log interior & garage.
access, good gravel to hold
Rare and unique parcel for
salmon/steelhead runs.
extreme hunts and fishing
stories!
MASON COUNTY
OTSEGO COUNTY #16041013
#1808263 $120,000
$495,000

23 Acres on Little Muskegon 13 Acres with Access to the

River with Home
Rolling, wooded hills to hunt
& 3500’on river. Unique,
inviting 3 bed/2.5 bath home,
2 kitchens, sauna, whirlpool
spa, wet bar, oxbow wetlands,
pavilion, 4 car garage.
Muskegon River
Access to the Muskegon
State Game Area. Duck, deer
& goose hunt. Unique piece
close to schools and services,
expansive view of river and
terrain.

NEWAYGO COUNTY MUSKEGON COUNTY

#1507345 #16037014
$399,000 $42,000

58 Wooded Acres with

40 Hunting Acres thread of gully and stream
with Living Quarters being the South boundary
Covered barn like structure with Versatile piece either for new
concrete slab and travel trailer. home (walkout sites), hunting
All season road, extensive food or possible development. Area
plots, blinds, stands and Trail 9 of newer homes. Additional
is less than a mile away. acreage may be available.
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

OGEMAW COUNTY MUSKEGON COUNTY

#1824949 #16052853
$74,900 $173,900

GRAND HAVEN TRAVERSE CITY

233 WASHINGTON, SUITE 202 4249 US 31 S
GRAND HAVEN, MI 49417 TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49685
(877) 843-0910 (231) 233-3575
101
 VACANT LAND
1320 ft X 3960 ft. 795 N 1st St And
Call Sharon @ 810-441-6002 or 810-798-8591 Use your smart phone and a QR P.O. Box 499
Harrison MI 48625
229 Lake George Ave
Lake George, MI 48633
Code Reader App to see all of our
121 ACRES IN FREMONT TOWNSHIP, WEST OF listings 989-539-2261 989-588-6171
CROSWELL, EAST OF M-19 ON BURNS LINE CLARE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
RD AT THE NW CORNER OF BROWN RD. WHERE THE NORTH BEGINS...
Open 7 Days * Established in 1953
$3,800 an acre www.harrison-realty.com
9842 SOUTH SHORE Elbow Lake
FOR ALL YOUR REAL Waterfront 3bd, 1 ba 1020 sq ft,
www.buyhr.co
ESTATE NEEDS CALL
Sharon LaFrance
810-441-6002
“I’m not #1, you are.”
MAINSTREET
844 Van Dyke • ALMONT
vintage log sided, fireplace, propane
140ft of sandy beach. $139,900
For Photos Text R94941 to 52187
E-mail: office@harrison-realty.com

2440 COOK AVE 57 acres 3 bed

488 BASS LAKE Great hunting camp 228 ELDER 43+ acres with log
full bath modular home, open and
set up on 20 acres with plenty of room cabin and 7 deer blinds, 32x40 pole
wooded areas with trails backs to
for your hunting group in the 1 1/2 barn, 1 car det gar. Field stone
stateland $99,000 fieplace $152,000
story lodge. $89,900
For Photos Text R94940 To 52187 For Photos Text R92287 to 52187
For Photos Text R104745 to 52187

NATURE LOVER’S DREAM PROPERTY 5787 JACKSON Rustic Cabin 10759 HARDING Adjoins Stateland 1171 RIDGE ROAD Large, Long
Getaway 2 lots close to Lakes well 3bd, 1 ba, ranch, 24x32 garage, 24x32 Lake waterfront 5 bed, 2 bath home
THIS PROPERTY HAS IT ALL! 25.03 ACRES, LOCATED ON A CLASS "A" and septic no indoor bath. wooded insulated garage,19 acres, garden with guest quarters. Dock, pontoon
site needs TLC $14,900 spot, paved road too. $109,900
ROAD. LIGHT SOILS FOR GREAT DRAINAGE & EXCELLENT SEPTIC For Photos Text R78319 To 521877 For Photos Text R78321 to 52187
and motor included. $191,300
For Photos Text R83969 To 52187
FIELDS. WALK-OUT SITE. PERFECT LOCATION FOR A TIMBER FRAME
OR LOG CABIN (HAS THAT RUSTIC FEEL) LIKE BEING UP NORTH. CLOSE
TO I -69 FOR EASY COMMUTE. BELLE RIVER RUNS THROUGH THE
PROPERTY & NEVER FREEZES UP--NICE PINES ON THE PROPERTY.
THIS TRULY IS A WILDLIFE SANCTUARY FOR THE NATURALIST. 7868 GLADWIN ROAD Well 4065 JAY WOODS 4.55 Acre parcel 1260 Harrison Ave What an
built 2 bdrm home, 40 Acres, full with a 24x32 Pole Barn close to opportunity to own a homestead style
SHOWN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. CALL WAYNE @ 810-560-3677 basement 3 car att gar adjoining Arnold Lake and Long Lake. This is a log cabin on 99.45+/- acres of mostly
State Land. $169,900 buildable parcel. $39,900 wooded hunting property $299,900
For Photos Text R54956 To 52187 For Photos Text R54957 to 52187 For Photos Text P237820 To 52187

9326 S. M-37 | P.O. Box 843

Baldwin, MI 49304
www.cbnwr.com
231-745-4646

Baldwin River Front, 150’ Sanborn Creek, 864’ Middle Branch River, 99’ Cool Creek, 720’ Middle Branch River, 150’ Little Manistee River,
2 Bed 10 Acres 1 Bed 2 Bath 2 Bed 8 Acres 3 Bed 2 Bath 2 Bed 1 Bath 1 Bed 2 Acres
MLS 15059321 $149,000 MLS 15062827 $63,000 MLS 15061722 $87,900 MLS 16019251 $89,900 MLS 15044756 $79,900 MLS 16024708 $45,000

20 Acre Chalet, 5 Acres, 5 Acres, 1 Acre W/Lake Access, 10 Acres W/River Access, 6.5 Acre Cottage,
3 Bed 1 Bath 2 Bed 1 Bath 3 Bed 2 Bath 2 Bed 1 Bath 3 Bed 1 Bath 2 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 15023009 $112,000 MLS 16028846 $64,900 MLS 16017833 $25,000 MLS 16018450 $23,900 MLS 16021240 $129,900 MLS 16043976 $65,000

VACANT ACERAGE - LAND CONTRACT TERMS AVAILABLE

• River front property on the Middle Branch of the Pere Marquette River • Nicely wooded 10 Acre parcel close to the town of Baldwin. Right off a
with 155’ of frontage. Over 2 wooded acres on a dead-end road. Build your county maintained road, close to State & Federal Land. MLS 16036568
own dream cabin and fish out the front door! MLS 12056963 $34,900 $22,900

• Great recreational hunting parcel. Nearly 17 acres with a lovely little quiet
stream running through it. Great location for a week-end retreat or build
site for a home. Underground electric is on the north side of the creek.
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
• Unique property with an expanse of Federal land to the West and North.
Over 6 Acres of woods, hills, low land and ponds. MLS 16021694 $17,900
• Terrific hunting and camping area nestled against Federal land. Over 4

MLS 15059911 $42,500

• Village of Baldwin. 1.8 Acres within the village limits. Great location on
one of the main corners leaving town to the West. MLS 16004614 $9,600
• Condominium site in Heritage Bay Subdivision. 3.4 Acres with access to
Sunshine Lake. A short drive from Federal Land. MLS 16022788 $5,900
• 5 Acres with Federal Land bordering all four sides. Two-track access from
US 10. MLS 16043122 $16,900
wooded Acres. Low down terms. MLS 16021738 $14,900
• Nice level 2.5 Acre parcel sitting on a quiet road. All wooded with large
oaks, within walking distance to Little South Branch of the Pere Marquette
River. MLS 15057363 $9,900
• Well wooded 2.5 Acre corner parcel down the road from the Pere
Marquette River. Close to trails and Federal Land. MLS 15058354 $11,900

102
 AMAZING PRICE ALCONA COUNTY RANDY MINTO AMAZING PRICE 210 ACRES
Always Working Hard for You! IN THE UP

REALTOR
1/4 MILE ON
Direct:
CHIPPEWA COUNTY ST. MARY’S RIVER
PINE RIVER 156 ACRES 810.449.1286
4-BR on Pine River. Bear, Deer, lots of Wildlife. Apple - OR - Cozy log cabin with loft. Beach frontage. Secluded,
Office: Great Hunting, Fishing, Boating.
Orchard. Fish and Canoe the River. New Roof, New Price!
810.653.4500
$299,000 $199,900
SPECIALIZING IN UNIQUE, LUXURY AND LARGE RECREATIONAL PROPERTIES
DEER & NATURE LOVER’S DREAM PROPERTIES

128 ACRES GENESEE COUNTY

LAPEER COUNTY 5 ACRES LAPEER COUNTY 78 ACRES

Newly Renovated, 41 tillable acres, 3 ponds, 65% Wooded. Awesome 2,238 sq ft Ranch Home with Finished
Great Development & Commercial Possibilities. A Rare Gem!
Great Country Farm House, 2,600 sq ft home, Large Pole Barn.
Walkout Basement. 32 x 56 Pole Barn.
$599,900 Amazing kitchen and Jacuzzi house. $229,000
$584,500

LICENSED DEER RANCH PRIME HUNTING! 108 ACRES • GENESEE COUNTY

$1,350,000
34 ACRES 80-100 DEER
GENESEE COUNTY 20-25 TROPHY BUCKS SHIAWASSEE RIVER SHIAWASSEE LAKE
Licensed Deer Ranch in Davison. 6-car garage, pond, 5 blinds, Unlimited Outdoor Fun. Great Building site with
3 lg feeders, Lg polebarn. 4BD, 3BA, walkout & up basement Great Development possibilities. Lake & Riverfront.
$849,000 $775,000

257 ACRES ST. CLAIR COUNTY

SANILAC COUNTY • 80 ACRES
ALPENA COUNTY
PREVIOUSLY AMAZING 840 ACRES
PHEASANT 4 Cabins and 2 hunting camps, 2 pole barns, Duck Marsh, Trout
200 TILLABLE ACRES PRESERVE pond, ‘05 Tractor w/equip., 1 ATV, stocked toolshed, 11 heated
blinds/feeders/food plots, miles of trail systems on Wolf River and
Great farming, income producing, Pheasant Preserve Deer Hunter’s Dream Property, Private, 2-streams.
Widner River. 5-mile private entrance. Hardwoods, pines and 150
Possibilities, over 1/2 mile on Belle River, multiple acres of cedar swamp. Fantastic wildlife; Trophy Whitetail Deer, Large Elevation changes.
Outbuildings, 2 Ponds. $1,350,000 Black Bear, Bobcat, Coyote, and Wild Turkeys abound.
$275,000
30 ACRES • LAPEER COUNTY LAPEER COUNTY • 28 ACRES GENESEE
COUNTY
110 ACRES
Great Development
Opportunity. Several
Amazing Barn Home, over 2,000 sq ft. Walkout basement. 4,400 SQ. FT 6BD, 3.5BA LOG HOME, & Pool House. Great
Outbuildings. 80 - 90 Tillable
Awesome loft rec room. Nicely renovated Second home, 1,116 for entertaining & Hunting. Deer Hunter & Nature Lovers
sq ft. is a rental, $850/mo income potential. $369,900 Dream Property! $389,000 Acres. $449,900

MECOSTA COUNTY OAKLAND COUNTY

OSCODA
COUNTY
3900 sq. ft. Amazing ½
log interior with knotty
32 ACRES 10 ACRES 120 ACRES CLARE COUNTY
pine, custom built. Abuts
500+ acres Federal land Great building site, nicely Prime Hunting & Nature Lover’s Dream Property. 90%
20 ACRES (land locked). Rustic Log Home, Organic Farm, wooded with pond. wooded, hardwoods, pines & cedars. Nice hunting cabin
$279,000 11 tillable acres. $99,800 $115,000 built 2001. 2BD & 1BA. 5 Deer Blinds. $299,900

LAPEER COUNTY 86 ACRES LAKE OGEMAW MARINA

*McDonalds

157 ACRES
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Fantastic Development Opportunity. 30-2 Acre
lots approx. currently zoned agriculture.
$595,000
COMMERCIAL
OGEMAW COUNTY MIDLAND COUNTY
US 10
Own your own Marina! Located on a 600-acre Private All-Sports Lake. 2 Great Development Opportunity near Sanford Lake. 10 miles
Large Storage Buildings, 16 Boat Slips, Turn-key operation. 225 ft of Lake NW of Midland Twp. Great location, off of US 10 on M-30, by
Frontage. Avalon Pontoon Dealer. $650,000 McDonald’s, Subway, Shell gas station. $1,150,000

Call Randy Minto Or Visit: www.RandyMinto.C21.com

Email: rminto@c21metrobrokers.com
www.MIDREAMPROPERTIES.com 103

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY!
statewiderealestate.net
• Houghton
Marquette
Manistique •
Escanaba
• Onaway
• Powers
Menominee •
Marinette
Contact Your Nearest State Wide Real
Estate Office To Buy or Sell In Michigan
ALPENA
1100 W. Chisholm, 49707
email: alpswre@speednetllc.com
989-356-2142 • Fax: 989-356-2144
ALMONT
844 Van Dyke Road
lafrancesharon@yahoo.com
810-798-8591 • Fax: 810-798-8079
CLARE
308 E. 5th Street, 48617
email: statewideclare@voyager.net
989-386-3396 • Fax: 989-386-3800
CURTIS/NEWBERRY
Main Street, P.O. Box 305, 49820
email: swcurtis@sbcglobal.net
906-586-9606 • Fax: 906-586-9607
ESCANABA
2209 Ludington Street, 49829
email: escanaba@statewiderealestate.net
112 S. Carpenter Ave., Kingsford, 49802
906-786-1308 • 800-900-0777
Fax: 906-786-1388
FIFE LAKE
127 State Street, P.O. Box 190, 49633
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS
email: swfife@charterinternet.com
231-879-4471 • Fax: 231-879-4362
HARRISVILLE
430 S. US-23, 48740
email: sold@anjstatewide.com
989-724-5711 • 800-655-5735
Fax: 989-724-6833
104
Offices Serving Lower &
Upper Michigan
Bringing people and places together since 1945
• Newberry
Curtis •
•
Fife Lake
• WATERFALLS PROPERTY: 160 acre parcel 45 min from
Clare •
Linden •
HAWKS
8383 Hwy. 451, 49743
email: rita8383@yahoo.com
989-734-4846
HILLMAN
14938 State Street, P.O. Box 98, 49746
email: statewidehillman@yahoo.com
989-742-4523 • 800-228-7856
Fax: 989-742-3931
HOUGHTON
500 Shelden Ave., 49931
email: dick@statewideofhoughton.com
906-482-6955 • 800-676-6323
Fax: 906-482-7699
HOWELL/LINDEN
1285 S. Michigan Ave., Howell, MI 48843
email: statewid@earthlink.net
517-546-9060 • 800-531-4449
Fax: 517-546-9148
IRON MOUNTAIN - KINGSFORD
906-828-9079
MANISTIQUE
10 N. State Highway M-149
Cooks, MI 49817
906-644-2304
email: dekeysermary@yahoo.com
MARINETTE, WISCONSIN
1460 Marinette Ave., 54143
email: statewidemarinette@yahoo.com
715-735-9964 • Fax: 715-732-1107
“4-Season Cabin on the Pigeon River!!”
Enjoy all Northern Michigan offers
including 57 acres of Upland Woods, grouse and
woodcock, wild mushroom and morels, deer and
small game. You’ll own 600-feet of Pigeon River
frontage for trout-fishing. There’s nearby access to
1000’s of acres within the Pigeon River State Forest.
Easy vehicular travel to M-68 and I-75 from Afton
Road! Gaylord, Indian River, Petoskey and the Mackinaw Bridge can be reached
within 60 minutes. The Sturgeon and Black Rivers frame the Pigeon,
providing additional trout opportunities.
• • Hawks
Hillman
• Alpena
•
• Atlanta • HAPPY THANKSGIVING • DISCOUNTED PRICES! •
Mio • • Harrisville
THINKING ABOUT
MAKE AN OFFER • ALL PROPERTIES MUST BE SOLD • THANKS FOR BEING OUR NEIGHBOR • DISCOUNTED PRICES!
MAKE AN OFFER • ALL PROPERTIES MUST BE SOLD • CHEAP LAND • COME TO CANADA • DISCOUNTED PRICES!
•
Skidway Lake MOVING TO CANADA? International Bridge. Waterfalls & Brook Trout River running
across property. Rugged, well treed, hunting, and recre-
CANADIAN ational property with government land on 2 sides. Only 1 mile
off a year round maintained road. This won't be on the market
WATERFRONT AND for long so act now. Don’t delay, asking $74,900 as is or make
• Almont RECREATIONAL an offer. Standing timber value is $30,000 plus.
PROPERTY. WITHIN EXECUTIVE WATER FRONT HOME ON LAKE HURON
ONE HOUR OF THE FOR SALE: This four bedroom home is situated less than 30
Howell • SAULT STE. MARIE, miles from the US/Canadian border in a private country set-
MICHIGAN BORDER
ting, in a quiet bay. The lot is 200x750. This property has
unequaled sunsets facing southwest with deep water for
pleasure craft boating on Lake Huron in the North Channel.
*LAND CONTRACTS $674,900.
AVAILABLE O.A.C.* PRINCE PROPERTY: 287 acres of hardwood and softwood
forest with a creek flowing thru. Year-round access. Existing
DEER SEASON windmill generates approx. $5,500/yr. Deer, Bear, and small
OPENS
game on property. Located 30 minutes from the International
Bridge. $69,900
MARQUETTE
856 W. Washington, 49855 NOVEMBER 7TH MACDONALD PROPERTY: 759 acres with hunting camp, 25
miles east of Sault St. Marie Ontario, property is gated, iso-
email: sw@statewiderealestate.org lated and wooded, with a four bedroom, two-story pole barn.
906-228-9312 • Fax: 906-228-8069 ALL PROPERTIES ARE IN 20-acre lake and 2 streams. Great Bear Hunting! Two Deer
plots! Five deeds, no guide required, underpriced at $264,900.
TROPHY DEER & BEAR AREA ($361 per acre) Terms available, excellent buy!
MENOMINEE WITH GREAT FISHING!!! 400 ACRES OF ROLLING HARD-AND SOFTWOOD HILLS:
3631 10th Street, 49858 NO GUIDE OR OUTFITTER Large beaver pond and creek runs thru property, next to
email: statewideone@newbc.rr.com REQUIRED IF YOU BUY
above property if more acreage is required. Property is great
for bear hunting, white tail and grouse. Four miles off year-
906-863-9905 PROPERTY IN ONTARIO! round maintained road. $124,900
Fax: 906-863-7935 Land Management and
EXCLUSIVE LAKE HURON WATERFRONT & WATER-
Maintenance Also Available
VIEW ESTATE LOTS LOCATED IN THESSALON, ONTARIO
Brokers and sales agents
MIO welcomed and protected. 50 MILES EAST OF SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO ON
LAJAMBE
HIGHWAY 17 EAST: Lighthouse Point serviced with hydro,
102 West 8th St., P.O. Box 395, 48647 telephone, sewer, water, gas, cable on paved street. Airport,
email: info@statewidemio.com marina and hospital in area. No time limit for building.
989-826-3292
ENTERPRISESINC.
Waterfront lots 100’– 478’ frontage, waterview lots 80’ front-
Fax: 989-826-2108 age. Prices from $9,999.00 and up. Reduced prices check
it out!!
REILLY PROPERTY: 80 acre parcel with beaver pond,
ONAWAY hardwood and softwood mixed forestland 30 minutes from
M-33 & M-68, 715 Finns Bay Road International Bridge. NORTH PROPERTY: Priced to sell at
P.O. Box 478, 49765
email: bigdan@frontier.com
Echo Bay, Ontario CAN $19,900.00 or $250 per acre.
989-733-6522 POS 1C0 TWO 10 ACRE SAND BEACH LOTS (these lots have it all):
60 miles east of Sault Ste. Marie each lot has 300’ frontage on
Fax: 989-733-2427 TELEPHONE:
Bright Lake near highway 17 East (lake area approx. 24
(705) 248-9663
square miles), year round access with power to property. This
inland lake has perch, bass, walleye and northern pike.
POWERS Priced to sell at $94,900 (lot #2) and $104,900 (lot #3).
W3776 US2 & 41, 49874 FAX:
(705) 248-1110
LOG CABIN WITH LOFT AND 162 ACRES: Trails and tree
906-497-4190 stands ready for the avid hunter or nature lover. Mixed hard-
Fax: 906-497-5328 wood and softwood bush with some water on the property and
MOBILE:
holly@statewiderealestate.net a magnificent mountain scenic view of a large walleye and
(705) 941-8355
pike lake awaiting the angler. Only 45 minutes from the
International Bridge. Asking price $116,900.
SKIDWAY LAKE CONTACT: 5 ACRES - Waterfront on outflow river from Desbarats Lake.
2228 Greenwood Rd., Frank Lajambe Year-round access with power. Driveway and building site
Prescott, 48756 EMAIL: ready. Excellent Walleye, Pike and Bass fishing. 30 miles from
email: atlas@m33access.com flajambe@lajambe.com International border. Excellent bear and deer hunting. $24,900
989-873-3601 WEBSITE: 160 ACRES Timberland surrounded by government land, 40
Fax: 989-873-6914 www.lajambe.com min. east of Soo International border. Timber value $30,000
*Prices subject to change. plus. Asking price $64,900.
• OTHER PROPERTIES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST •
 WEST BRANCH HALE WEST BRANCH
R S ALE R S ALE
M-33/M-55 OFFICE F O OFFICE F O LOOP OFFICE
1953 S. M-33 3160 North M-65 2575 S. I-75 Business Loop,
West Branch, MI 48661 Hale, MI 48739 West Branch, MI 48661
10 miles north of I-75 exit 202 “Gateway to Huron National Forest” 1 mile north of I-75 Exit 212

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

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

HOMES – COTTAGES – CABINS – GETAWAYS!!!!

1820337 1824110 1824579 1824463 1803058
2.78 STUNNING ACROSS FROM BORDERS SEMI-
ACRES!! RIVERFRONT!! HURON NAT’L STATE LAND!! SECLUDED!!
FOREST!!
3-bdrm mobile home that also has 165 feet of water Beautiful custom-built, bamboo floors, top of 2-bdrm, huge garage, enclosed and heated 3-bdrm, 2.5 bath, full walkout basement, open An ACRE of property with 3-bdrm home surrounded
frontage on all sports JOHNSON LAKE! Sunroom, the line appliances, guest house, gazebo, deck, porch, sleeping loft, newer roof and recently floor plan, appliances, wood stove, heated by lots of shade trees and sitting back off of road,
wood stove, pantry, built-in bookcases and more! beautiful views and 493 feet of river frontage all newer insulation added, nice views, excellent garage, deck, hunting blinds and plenty of privacy lots of windows, pleasant views, covered deck,
Great rec location for four season fun!! nestled on 5.85 WOODED ACRES!! hunting area & on 5.7 ACRES!! hidden on 20 WOODED ROLLING ACRES!! 30x36 garage w/carport & more!!
$44,900 $225,000 $44,900 $149,900 $45,900
1811740 1817909 1822183 1798150 1805656

POSSIBLE 80 MOSTLY BEAUTIFUL SECLUDED

4 BEDROOM!! BEAUTIFUL FURNISHED!! CAPE COD!! HUNTING
ACRES!! CABIN!!
Spacious home on partial basement w/attached Spacious 3-bdrm, 2-story home with both garage Spacious 3-bdrm with beautiful views from many 3-bdrm, 2.5 bath home with 1170 feet on 2-bdrm weekend getaway ADJACENT TO STATE
garage and updates including newer flooring & and pole building, your own stocked pond, windows in home and covered porch area, Tiki gorgeous AU GRES RIVER, wood floors, FP, AC, LAND and trails, appliances, propane lights,
beautiful remodeled kitchen, plus 30x40 barn, patio for excellent views and fantastic hunting with a variety bar for outdoor entertaining, huge 24x47 storage heated garage w/bonus upstairs, 12x12 screened gravity tank, wood heat & more! The perfect rustic
relaxing & 12 WOODED ACRES!! and abundance of wildlife in the area!! building & secluded on 5 ACRES!! porch, nice views & 8.8 GORGEOUS ACRES!! HUNT CAMP on 18 WOODED ACRES!!
$54,900 $309,000 $54,900 $285,000 $64,900
1804694 1824638 1823032 1816928 1823244
40 ACRE HOUGHTON COZY MOVE-IN READY!! KAYAK
HORSE LAKE GETAWAY!! & FISH!!
FARM!! ACCESS!!
Rolling property, like-new 80x10 outbldg, riding area, 2-bdrm, full bsmt, attached garage, enclosed porch Mostly wooded 6.79 ACRES w/2-bdrm home, FP, 1200 square foot modular home has appliances Cute 2-bdrm w/70’ on beautiful TITTABAWASSEE
horse stalls, 30x40 insulated & heated storage with platted access sites to ALL SPORTS and newer roof and newer vinyl siding, 12x22 sunroom and is mostly furnished. FANTASTIC HUNTING RIVER, knotty pine, open floor plan, wood stove,
building, nice workshop, lean to, fenced pastures, popular Houghton Lake. Needs TLC and fixing, but w/beautiful views, perfect getaway or hunt camp & 70+ ACRES, large pole barn/garage for your garage, semi-secluded at end of road ACROSS
ADJOINS STATE LAND!! a great value for the price!! w/STATE LAND JUST ACROSS ROAD!! “Up North” toys, pond & fantastic hunt camp!! FROM HUNDREDS OF ACRES OF STATE LAND!!
$250,000 $24,900 $67,000 $249,900 $89,000
1821222 1820093 1823342 1818996 1820402

OVER 6 54+ ACRES!! SPACIOUS 4 BREATHTAKING 1872 SQUARE

ACRES!! BEDROOMS!! VIEWS!! FEET!!

Spacious 2-bdrm home, FP, central air, beautiful This property has it all ADJOINING STATE LAND, Excellent year round home, ON AN ACRE, lots 3-bdrm home on 10 ACRES with stunning views, Beautiful setting on 1.37 ACRES w/3-bdrm Bi-
countryside views and nicely landscaped, garage plus super nice & spacious 3-bdrm, wood and laminate of updates like newer carpet, well and insulation, garage & pole building, AC, den/office, kitchen Level home, garage, blacktop drive, open floor
2 sheds for storage, sunroom, appliances, some wood floors, FP, newer steel roof, several outbuildings, FP, appliances, part bsmt, family room, skylights, pantry & island, newer metal roof. Mostly cleared plan, cathedral ceilings, patio, shed, deck, fenced
floors & much more!! two garages, large deck and much more!! deck, garage, all at end of road!! and great for raising horses!! area & gorgeous countryside views!!
$79,900 $179,900 $84,900 $164,900 $104,900
1810533 1808352 1818044 1820282 1816105
ON CHANNEL 21.9 ACRES! STUNNING BEAUTIFUL EXCELLENT
TO LAKE!! RIVER ROLLING LOCATION!!
SETTING!! PROPERTY!!
Nice 3-bdrm w/water frontage on Channel to ALL 2-bdrm, 2 full bath w/fantastic views, garage, Spacious 4-bdrm, 1.88 WOODED ACRES, large Nice and spacious 4-bdrm home and attached Super clean 3-bdrm, 2 full bath home on over
SPORTS ELBOW LAKE, bright kitchen w/island, heated workshop, open floor plan, door walls to pole barn, some furnishings, FP, appliances, garage, pole building & shed for storage, on 5 21 WOODED ACRES w/trails thru-out for nature
pantry & breakfast nook, wrap-around deck, ON AN nice deck, wood stove, convenient circular drive patio & deck with stairs to BEAUTIFUL RIFLE WOODED ACRES w/trails for walking & mature walking or great hunting, side and front decks, RV
ACRE and pond with boat dock!! and home sits back off of road for some privacy!! RIVER with kayak pulley at water’s edge!! trees incl apple and pear trees!! hook-ups, garage & beautiful views!!
$162,500 $117,000 $162,000 $129,900 $142,900
1819756 1814604 1823747 1817896 1798555

FINISH TO HIDDEN OVER 19 76+ ACRES!! FISHING

YOUR LIKING!! GEM!! ACRES!! AT YOUR
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

DOOR!!
1024 square foot home needs your finishing touches, Nice 2-bdrm log-sided home, full walkout basement, 4-bdrm updated, year round home, foyer, FP, This 3-bdrm home would make an ultimate hunt camp, 3-bdrm mobile w/addition, partly furnished, garage,
near lakes, Rifle River, State lands and Lake Huron knotty pine, beamed ceilings, large family room, pantry, AC, 3 baths, garage, partial basement, trails thru-out, lots of wildlife in area, garage, fire pit, deck with gorgeous views, boat dock, great fishing,
for year round recreational fun, all on 54 MOSTLY gorgeous wood plank floors & deck, NESTLED ON 30x40 pole building, large deck, beautiful views rear deck & spectacular views SURROUNDED BY canoeing & kayaking & 82’ ON GORGEOUS
WOODED ACRES!! 10 GORGEOUS ACRES & your own pond!! and home sits back off of road for PRIVACY!! NA’TL FOREST & STATE LAND!! TITTABAWASSEE RIVER!!
$145,000 $149,900 $154,900 $159,900 $82,000
FOR MORE LISTINGS
VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.CAHANES.COM 105
 DAN DAN LOG CABIN
FURNITURE
THEMATTRESSMAN.COM
WHOLESALE TO THE PUBLIC CHECK
US OUT
ON THE
WEB!

Queen Size Log Headboard $

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

Mini
Rocker -
Recliners

Cabins
From
$
19999
Log starting at

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

N
DECEMBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

D A
Mattress

DA N
Not Included

CALL ANYTIME (989)-832-1866

106 THEMATTRESSMAN.COM 802 ASHMAN ST., MIDLAND
Inventory Clearance Sale

2016 Polar Kraft Sportsman 2072 XSE 2016 Gator Tail GTB1648 2016 Polarkraft 2010 Tiller
25,995 16,995 24,995*
Suzuki 140 HP Gator Tail GTR 25, Yamaha 90 HP,
Side Console $ * Trailer $ * Trailer $
*plus tax, title & freight *plus tax, title & freight *plus tax, title & freight

2016 Excel 1751 SWV4
Mud Buddy 37 EFI
Sport HD
*plus tax, title & freight
2016 Alweld 1860 Mud 2016 Bankes 21 ft Goliath
17,995 16,990 43,900*
Used Mud Buddy Yamaha 150 HP,
$ * 4400 Sport V, Trailer $ * Trailer $
*plus tax, title & freight *plus tax, title & freight

2016 Gator Trax 14' Marsh 2015 Gator Trax 14X38 Rogue 2016 War Eagle 648LDV
11,995 10,995 9,995*
Backwater 23HP LS New Mud Buddy, Suzuki
Swomp, Fast Grass Blind $ * 23 HP Mini $ * DF25AQHEL $
*plus tax, title & freight *plus tax, title & freight *plus tax, title & freight

THE KNOWLEDGEABLE BOATERS

Chene Anchor
BEST CHOICE Holding Power
Retrievability • Durability
Slip Ring Anchors that use rope ONLY, no chain!
SPORTS
CENTER
517-202-2949 Sales@Cheneanchor.com
Manufactured by Epic Machine Inc. Fenton, Michigan

Visit us at www.freeway-sports.com for a complete listing of boats!

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59

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Fenton, MI 48430
23

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96
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F P
ust hose ooking or erfection

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