APRIL 2017 $4.

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Woods-n-Water News
Michigans Premier Outdoor Publication

SPRING
A Bold Tactic... BROWNS
STALKING
GOBBLERS

U.P. BROOK
TROUT STREAMS
The Great Lakes 'Super Slam' West Michigan's Steelhead
Planting Round Up Ready Sugar Beets Combat Jigging
Lake Erie's Trophy Walleyes...Michigan Style Ostrich Rescue
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WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 3
 By Tom Campbell
Field Notes...
Orv Safety Educators Needed
According to the DNR they are;
recruiting instructors for its off-road
vehicle safety education program.
This volunteer opportunity allows
ORV enthusiasts to share their love
and knowledge of the sport with new
riders, while teaching them safe and
responsible ORV operation to provide
an enjoyable riding experience.
All ORV instructors must attend a
three-day academy to learn policy and
procedure, classroom management
and teaching concepts. There are two
academies this year and each class
is limited to 24 participants. While
attendance at an academy is manda-
tory, there is no charge for instructor
candidates. Enrollment is first-come,
first-served. Academy dates and loca-
tions are:
April 21-23 at the Ralph A. Mac-
Mullan Conference Center in Roscom-
mon.
May 19-21 at the Escanaba State
Fairgrounds.
Anyone interested in becoming a
certified ORV instructor must:
Be at least 18 years of age.
Be a high-school graduate or pos-
sess a graduate equivalency diploma.
Possess a current, valid drivers
license.
Have no felony convictions.
Have no misdemeanor convic-
tions within the past three years.
Have no convictions that resulted
in the revocation of ORV privileges
within the last five years. (Other
convictions of natural resource law
violations are subject to review and
may result in the rejection of any ap-
plication.)
Maintain a high moral, ethical
and mental character.
Applications are available at www.
michigan.gov/recreationalsafety or by
calling the DNR at 517-284-6055.
Frog And Toad Survey
The DNR is also seeking volun-
teers; throughout the state to assist
with its annual frog and toad survey.
Declining populations of frogs, toads
and other amphibians have been docu-
mented worldwide since the 1980s.
Studies suggest amphibians are disap-
pearing due to habitat loss, pollution,
disease and collection.
The surveys are conducted by
volunteer observers along a statewide
system of permanent survey routes,
each consisting of 10 wetland sites.
These sites are visited three times
during spring, when frogs and toads
are actively breeding. Observers listen
for calling frogs and toads at each site,
identify the species present, and make
an estimate of abundance.
DNR sees increasing number of
recipients in Master Angler program
The MDNR has announced the
2016 results from its Master Angler
program. This program, in place since
1973, recognizes large fish caught by
recreational anglers.
This past year, 1,807 anglers rep-
resenting 24 states and the countries
of Canada and Austria submitted
catches that were recognized as
Master Angler fish. Thats an increase
from the 1,542 fish recognized in
2015 and nearly double the 987 fish
recognized in 2014. Of the entries
accepted, 1,078 were in the catch-and-
keep category while 729 were in the
catch-and-release category. A total of
241 anglers received certificates for
fish placing in the top five for both
categories.
Here is a breakdown of the most
popular 2016 Master Angler entries by
Eric Stewar t with his
52.75 inch muskellunge
he reeled in from Lake
St. Clair.
included one state record: the 9.98
pound smallmouth bass caught on the
Indian River by Robert Bruce
Kraemer of Treasure Island, Florida.
Submissions already are being
accepted for the 2017 Master Angler
program, and will be until Jan. 10,
2018. To download an application,
visit Michigan.gov/masterangler.
Anglers are encouraged to submit
their applications as they catch their
fish and to not hold onto them until
the end of the year.

SEASONS
New volunteers are
needed in all parts of the species:
state, and the continued 201 bluegill
success of the survey 101 smallmouth bass
Open All Year Pike and walleye season on Lower is dependent on strong 93 crappie
Peninsula Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair & St. Clair & volunteer support. Those 90 common carp
Detroit Rivers
interested in volunteer- 89 pumpkinseed sunfish
Open All Year Salmon and trout season on Great Janet Huff,
Lakes, St. Marys River, Lake St. Clair & St. Clair & ing should contact Lori 88 walleye of Marcel-
Detroit Rivers Sargent at 517-284-6216 87 freshwater drum lus with her
Open All Year Catch-and-immediate-release bass sea- or SargentL@michigan. 75 channel catfish 31.25 inch
son on all Michigan waters open to fishing gov."n 73 rock bass channel
Now-March 15 Pike and walleye season on Lower Master Angler entries for 2016 catfish.
Peninsula inland waters
Now-March 15 Pike and walleye season on Upper

DNR says fish kills may be common during spring thaw

Peninsula Great Lakes, inland waters & St. Marys River
Now-March 31 Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare
season statewide
Now-March 31 Crow season The MDNR reminds everyone that after the ice
Now-Dec. 31 Pure Michigan Hunt Application and snow cover melts on Michigans lakes this early
March 20 Over the counter sale of leftover turkey spring, it may be common to discover dead fish or
license
April 29-March 15 pike, walleye, muskie seasons on other aquatic creatures. Winter conditions often can
Lower Peninsula inland waters cause fish and other creatures such as turtles, frogs,
April 29-Sept. 30 Trout and salmon on inland Type 1 toads and crayfish to die.
and 2 streams and Type A & D lakes Winterkill is the most common type of fish
May 1-June 1 Application period for elk and bear
licenses
kill, said DNR Fisheries Division Hatchery
May 15-March 15 pike, walleye, muskie seasons on
Manager and fish health expert Martha Wolgamood.
Upper Peninsula Great Lakes, inland waters and St As the season changes it can be common in shal-
Marys River low lakes, ponds, streams and canals. These kills are
May 27-Dec. 31 Bass; catch and keep season on all localized and typically do not affect the overall
waters except; Lake St. Clair, St. Clair and Detroit health of the fish populations or fishing quality.
Rivers
June 3-Dec. 15 Muskie season on Lake St. Clair, St.
Shallow lakes with excess aquatic vegetation
Clair and Detroit Rivers and soft bottoms are prone to this problem. Canals
June 17-Dec. 31 Bass; catch and keep season on Lake in urban areas also are quite susceptible due to the
St. Clair, St. Clair and Detroit Rivers large inputs of nutrient run-off and pollution from
roads and lawns and septic systems that flow into
MJC MJC these areas, particularly from large storm events.
ARCHERY ARCHERY Fish and other aquatic life typically die in late
MACOMB OAKLAND
winter, but may not be noticed until a month after
the ice leaves the lake because the dead fish and
19744 15 Mile Rd 3001 Rochester Rd other aquatic life temporarily are preserved by the
Clinton Twp. 48035 Royal Oak, MI 48073
cold water. Fish also may be affected by rapid
586-791-4600 248-589-2480 changes in water temperature due to unseasonably
4 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
warm temperatures leading to stress and sometimes
mortality. This is likely the case with the record or
near record temperatures coupled with the large rain
events Michigan experienced in February 2017.
Fish can become easily stressed in winter due to
low energy reserves because feeding is at a mini-
mum in winter. They then are less able to handle
low oxygen and temperatures swings.
Dissolved oxygen is required by fish and all
other forms of aquatic life. Once daylight is
greatly reduced by ice and snow cover, aquatic
plants stop producing oxygen and many die. The
bacteria that decompose organic materials on the
bottom of the lake use the remaining oxygen in the
water. Once the oxygen is reduced and other aquatic
animals die and start decomposing, the rate that
oxygen is used for decomposition is additionally
increased and dissolved oxygen levels in the water
decrease even more, leading to increasing winter-
kill.
For more information on fish kills in Michigan,
visit the DNRs website. If you suspect a fish kill is
caused by non-natural causes, call the nearest DNR
office or Michigans Pollution Emergency Alert
System at 1-800-292-4706.
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 5

State Record
Crossbow -Typical
Richard P. Smith...page 32
HUNTING
Guest Column...
12-year-old harvested record buck
Brian Augustine page 21
Grasslands are great: Pheasant
cooperatives help improve habitat
page 24
TURKEY TIME
Darryl Quidort page 36
Cover Story...
Why you should stalk turkeys
Kenny Darwin page 50
Michigan Meanders...
Theres something about pigeons
Tom Huggler page 52
Dog Training...
Regular exercise key to training
Charlie Linblade page 53
Guest Column...
My Big Buck Story
Jeff Blake page 74
High Noon Gobblers
Tom Lounsbury page 85
FISHING
Cover Story...
Stealth tactics for spring browns
Kenny Darwin page 8
Combat jig pitching tactics
Mark Romanack page 12
The Great Lakes SUPER SLAM
Mark Romanack page 16
Cover Story...
Better brook trout
streams in Upper Michigan
Bill Ziegler page 18
COVER PHOTO
Spring Browns
Kenny Darwin ...page 8
U.P. Brook Trout Streams
Bill Ziegler ...page 18
Stalking Turkeys
Kenny Darwin ...page 50
6 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
West Michigans Steelhead
Mike Gnatkowski page 26
Detroit
River
Lake Eries
TROPHY WALLEYES
Michigan Style
walleye
Michael Veine page 30
Fishing in the moment
Mark Martin page 38
The Maumee River walleye run
Brian Miller page 40
Shallow water walleyes
George Rowe page 44
Kevin VanDams
Secret to Success
page 46
Early Spring? Take advantage
John Bergsma page 58 Brian Miller ...page 82
Kayak Fishing...
What you should know before you go TRAIL CAM PHOTOS
Roger Beukema page 63 page 84 GUNS/AMMO
Next Bite... Gettin the lead out
Move out to jig pigs
Gary Parsons/Keith Kavajecz OUTDOOR NEWS Betty Sodders page 68
page 65 Gun Chat... .25 ACP
DNRs RAP hotline accepts texts
page 21 Lee Arten page 71
Get Ready for Michigan
Kayak Fishing Tourneys
U.P. CWD Task Force working Black Powder Shooting Sports...
Dave Mull page 66
MDNR page 22 The invite is out!
Fly-fishing made easy Dennis Neely page 86
John Schmittroth page 70 DNR skills clinics in Cadillac
page 25
Early spring panfish
Jack Payne page 76 Consumers Energy Foundation
awards grant to support grayling
Au Sable Steel page 29
Mark Sak page 83
FEATURE PERSPECTIVE
FAMILY FISHING
The whitetails digestive system Tom Carney page 34
John Ozoga page 14
The Great Ostrich Rescue
PART III Jonathan Schechter page 42
COs on deer season patrol
Jeff Pendergraff page 54
Dear Fish Diary:
Brave Hearts on Ice... The strangest thing you
ever caught while fishing
West
Patrick Bevier page 62
Ron St. Germain page 48 Michigan
Boat Smart...
Boat safety is catching on OPINIONS Steelhead
Capt. Fred Davis page 64
Bears hampering UP deer recovery
The Fisherman and the wolf Richard P. Smith page 80 Mike Gnatkowski...page 26
Sharon M. Kennedy page 67
Planting Roundup Ready sugar beets
Ed Spinazzola page 72
DEPARTMENTS . . .
Sporting Collectibles...
More sport show finds
Terry McBurney page 78
APRIL 2017 $4.00
Trophy Page. . . 60-61 Classifieds . . . . 88-89
Woods-n-Water News Letters/Op-Ed . . 80-81 Real Estate . . . . 89-97
Michigans Premier Outdoor Publication
SPRING
A Bold Tactic... BROWNS
STALKING
GOBBLERS
8107240254
U.P. BROOK
P.O. Box 278, Imlay City, MI 48444
TROUT STREAMS
The Great Lakes 'Super Slam' West Michigan's Steelhead
Planting Round Up Ready Sugar Beets Combat Jigging
Lake Erie's Trophy Walleyes...Michigan Style Ostrich Rescue
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MARCH 2017

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WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 7

 STEALTH
TACTICS
for

SPRING
BROWNS
By Kenny Darwin

M
ichigan offers some outstanding
trolling opportunities for beer
belly browns soon as ice goes out
in early spring. By the time May
arrives the fishing is downright
spectacular with plenty of 2-8 lb.
fish and some monsters of unre-
alistic proportions mixed in. But in order to fool
wary spring browns in skinny water you need to
use stealth trolling tactics.
Begin by concentrating on river outlets and
drowned river mouths. Savvy anglers begin at
Lake Michigan ports of Benton Harbor/St. Joseph
and work their way north as water temperatures
warm and browns go on a feeding spree. Ex-
perienced anglers target fish along pier heads,
break walls and river or stream outlets that dump
warmer water into the Great Lakes.
In early spring, river outlets are a major draw
because water temperatures are warmer than
Lake Michigan. Baitfish and browns are drawn to
the warmer water found close to shore. At times
fish are stacked inside pier heads or harbor walls,
other times they are congregated at water flow-
ages where river current meets the lake. A strong
north blow can bring cold water and browns will
move into drowned river mouths or protected
ports where baitfish and warmer water can be
found. The trick is to try several different loca-
tions, work the water, identify baitfish and locate Spring trolling can be a cold adventure. Make cer tain to bring stocking hat, sunglasses,
feeding browns. gloves, heavy insulated boots and heavy jacket and pants. Darwins favorite gold flame
As spring progresses and southwest winds orange Mag Lip got smashed by this beautiful trophy brown.
stack warm water along the Lake Michigan shore,
you can expect browns to congregate along sand planers will work too. But if you want consistent quently congregate where river water is slightly
bars near beaches where pockets of warm water catches go stealthy with boards and lures set far warmer than the big lake and forage fish congre-
pool baitfish. At times browns are found in 3-12 from the boat. gate in spring. Thats why stickbaits or minnow-
feet of water and trolling with in-line planer Great Lakes brown trout are somewhat easily imitation lures get those big browns snappin.
boards is required to get lures far from the boat spooked and they demand a stealthier approach Timing is the key for monster brown success.
and in the strike zone. Skinny water browns are if you want big fish to strike offerings. Savvy Go when warm weather brings south or west
spooky fish and often most strikes come on shal- trollers use powerful 24 or 36 volt electric bow- breezes, warm rain or bright sun that quickly
low running action lures placed far boatside. mounted motors to glide silently into brown trout warms shallow water and big browns are feeding
For this type of Great Lakes fishing, small lairs. These are not your average two pounders heavily. The Frankfort/Manistee area of Michi-
boats have a distinct advantage over large vessels but big browns of monumental proportions. Im gan historically serves up big browns, and lots of
because of their small profile, reduced shadow talking about bigole monster fish with huge them, when water warms and massive schools of
and less water disturbance. You see, fishing for maws and beer bellies shaped like a football, alewife rush the shallows to spawn. Impressive-
spring browns requires a stealthy approach. which will violently jerk your board back and size browns planted by Wisconsin are pushed
Tactics employed must also be stealthy, forget melt line off your drag like a king gone berserk. across the big lake by prevailing southwesterly
deep water tackle and flashers with meat rigs. Beautiful spotted trout will make your heart skip winds until they congregate near river mouths
For this kind of fishing go with 10 lb. clear mono a beat when you feel their power on the end of that draw millions of baitfish. Concentrate on
line and use in-line Offshore or Church planer your line. depths less than 25 feet, with plenty of fish com-
boards to take stickbaits far from the disturbance Savvy spring trollers have learned to stalk ing in less than 10 feet of water.
of the boat. Downriggers set shallow will catch fish in the skinny water found at river outlets. Big
some fish and high lines, Dipsy Divers and diving browns are nuts about chasing baitfish that fre- Spring browns page 10
8 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
MOR March 2017 full pg:Layout 1 2/7/2017 11:50 PM Page 1

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WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 9

Spring browns:
from page 8
Huge swirling schools of alewife create underwa-
ter tornadoes of silvery baitfish that hold browns
in skinny water. As mating occurs, millions of
alewife swirl in tight circles, white flanks reflect-
ing light in every direction and the predatory
browns go bonkers. Feeding frenzies become the
norm rather than the exception and it is common
to catch big piggish browns, sides bulging with
baitfish, tails sticking out of their esophagus and
still they will slam any minnow-imitation lure in
their path. This is when they are in a precarious
position, gulping savagely at the awesomely vast
amount of food.
The main trolling technique in skinny water
for browns is to go stealthy. The idea is to stalk
unsuspecting shallow water fish and get lures
in their face. Most modern trollers use silent
bow-mounted electric trolling motors to slip into
deadly catching range. Captains troll spoons be-
hind Dipsy Divers or snap weights and stickbaits
behind in-line planer boards. If running shallows,
try snap weights to get spoons 6-12 feet down.
Browns can be boat shy, so keep leads 35-50 feet
back from weight. Dipsies are set on #3, with
no ring and placed 20-45 feet from rod to diving
planer. Stickbaits trail in-line boards from 30-
150 feet back. Big browns are boat shy and will
gobble lures trolled far behind in-line boards.
The trick is to get boards way out, far from the
shadow of the boat.
One of my deadliest trolling tactics is to
replace large downrigger weights with 1.5 lb.
lead balls attached to lines using Church clips.
The tiny weight does not spook skinny water fish
and the weight keeps lures in the strike zone. This
tactic is deadly with spoons and it works better
than dynamite for trout and salmon when trolling
plugs or stickbaits. Snap weights also function to
keep weeds off your lures and they are easy to lift
and clean and quick to reset lures.
Sammy Conner, Ionia, used stealth trolling
tactics, in-line boards with plugs set 80-120
feet back and Yamaha 8.8 motor that runs
silently to fool this outstanding male brown
trout covered with attractive dots.
10 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
Big water trollers have discovered the secret to limit catches of wary spring brown trout is
drastically increased by using a powerful bow-mounted electric motor to get kissin close to
clear water monsters. Kenny Darwin photos
Trolling speed varies from day to day depending
on current direction, wind and water tempera-
ture. In cold water, it should be about 1.8 mph.
Increase trolling speed as waters warm, try 2-2.5
mph for most conditions.
The key to shoreline browns is location. They
will hold off pier heads, along sandy beaches,
close to river, stream or warm water discharges.
Success comes to those who read the water, mon-
itor water temperature and identify where browns
are holding. Then hit those areas again and again,
keeping lures in front of active fish.
At times, shoreline fishing can be tricky.
Some captains prefer to place the boat outside
the second sandbar and run long leads to in-line
boards pulling surface hugging lures in the shal-
lows. Savvy trollers select shallow running lures,
in the upper 3 feet of water. Big browns often
have baitfish pushed tight to shore, pier heads,
rocks, sandbars and if you can get your lure in
their face they will slam it.
The stream plume and its current is a prime
area to hold both baitfish and browns. Keep in
mind that wind will change the plume direction,
frequently bending the current downwind toward
shore. Structures like piers drop offs, humps,
wave troughs, jetties and deep holes washed out
by the river flow that are near discharge areas will
hold fish. Discolored water created by river water
brushing along clear lake water is a good loca-
tion. Browns like to stalk prey from the cover of
discolored water.
Start by using a selection of spoons and stick-
baits. Spring browns usually prefer regular size
spoons rather than magnum varieties. If you run
spoons off boards place a 1/4 oz. weight about 6
feet in front of the lure and run spoons 30-60 feet
back. Stickbaits are the bread and butter lures for
browns. Use a variety and as soon as you deter-
mine the size and color browns want, remove
unproductive models and load up with hot pre-
sentations. Adjust lure spread to meet their needs.
If fish are in a small area, reduce the number of
lines and make frequent turns to keep lures in
the hot spot. Open water trollers use 4 boards on
each side, one Dipsy and riggers. Use small sticks
early in the season like Jr. Thunderstick, Pin
Minnow, #7 Rapala, Reef Runner Ripstick and
Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow. When water warms and
fish become active, switch to larger lures such as
#9 or #11 Rapala, Bomber, Thunderstick, Rebel
Fastrac, Reef Runner Ripstick, Smithwick Sus-
pending Rogue, Husky Jerk, and Rattlin Rogue.
Use natural finishes in clear water and brightly
colored sticks with fluorescent hues in discolored
water.
The last few years I have had excellent luck
using the Yakima Bait Mag Lip fast action lure.
Mag Lips are designed to catch a variety of game
fish like steelhead, salmon and walleyes. They
have an erratic, darting, skip-beat action that pro-
duces savage strikes. The skip-beat action teases
browns into striking. Mag Lips can be trolled
slowly at 1.5 mph just after ice out when water is
cold or the lure is designed to troll 2.5 mph when
water warms. Mag Lips can be set close to boards
and attract fish in super skinny water or browns
hugging the lake surface. They can also be placed
back 120 feet to get down 15-20 feet and fool
beer belly browns staging near bottom. Mag Lips
come rigged with size #6 and #5 sharp treble
hooks designed to take the savage strike, twisting
battle and hard battle of large trout and salmon
without the hooks bending.
My favorite Mag Lip is a 3.5 that dives to
about 14 feet. Ive had outstanding luck on spec-
tacular colors like Double Trouble, Fish Mongor,
Metallic Copper, Clown, Metallic Silver Red
Herringbone and more. My all-time number one
big fish producing Mag Lip is the Metallic Gold
Flame.
There are a number of in-line boards on the
market that will work to take browns. Use boards
that can handle rough water, track far to the boat
side and have space-age material on the clip that
holds line like glue. They must also track straight
and allow you to run 2-4 boards on each side of
the boat without tangles.
Early morning and late evening are always
good times to troll; some of the best action comes
during mid-day when boats clear and baitfish
congregate into a small area. Discolored water
from a discharge or rivermouth can draw fish,
hold them and provide fast-paced action. Browns
can also see lures better in muddy water when
the sun is high. Spring rain warms skinny water
and enriches it with oxygen and nitrogen which
makes baitfish active and browns love to chase
forage under the cover of low light conditions.
Overcast weather, highlighted by warm air, will
keep browns active all day.
I prefer to begin outings in March at St. Jo-
seph and move north to South Haven, Saugatuck
and Grand Haven as the spring progresses. Come
the second week in May, I end up near Frankfort
pier and make several trips to the mouth of the
beautiful Platte River in Benzie County. Platte
Bay is where Captain Jack Duffy, my high school
stream trout fishin buddy, landed the once state
record 30 pound behemoth using a silver flatfish
trolled 200 feet behind his 16-foot boat.
With booming goby forage fish, trophy size
brown trout will be more available at Great
Lakes river ports this spring. Brute brown
fishing will kick off in March and last until
late May. By using stealth trolling tactics and
pulling minnow imitation stickbaits, Mag
Lip action plugs and flashy spoons you can in-
crease your chances of doing battle with a
monster brown trout.n
 gloomis.com

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WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 11
 Combat jig
pitching tactics
Like it or not, weather When the tap sensation is felt,
the fish has grabbed the bait and
conditions impact on turned its head, pulling sharply on
walleye fishing success the line in the process. If the line
running to the jig was relatively
and or failure... taunt at this instant a defined tap

I
t seems that for many of the
most popular walleye presen-
tations, a little wind is a good
thing. For example,
the best conditions
for drifting flats with
spinners are a steady breeze
thats not too light and not
too strong. A bit of a wall-
eye chop is also important
when pitching slip bobber
rigs onto reefs. Points and
other major bottom struc-
tures tend to
produce best By Mark Romanack
when a steady
wind pushes waves and baitfish up
onto the rocks.
Calm Weather Jigging
Wouldnt it be nice if every
time on the water the wind condi-
tions were ideal for the presentation
at hand? It would be helpful if the
weather was 100% predictable, but
thats not going to happen any time
soon.
Casting or pitching jigs is
one fishing technique thats best
practiced in dead calm weather, a
commodity that is rare in the Great
Lakes region. Calm conditions are
perfect for pitching jigs for several
reasons, says Fishing 411 TV host
Jake Romanack.
Growing up among some of the
nations most talented walleye pros,
young Jake Romanack has carved
out a well-deserved reputation as a
top stick when it comes to jig fish-
ing for walleye.
In calm conditions I can feel
more bites and sometimes I can
will be noticed.
However, bites often occur when
the line isnt taunt. When there is
slack in the line and a fish bites, the
defined tap that telegraphs
the strike will be missing.
Often this occurs because
the fish picks up the bait
and swims or moves to-
wards the angler, putting
more slack in the line.
Its difficult to feel a
strike that occurs on slack
line, but often you can see
the strike it
if you watch
closely the
point where the line enters the wa-
ter. A twitch in the line or if the line
starts to move are both subtle but
definitive clues that a strike has oc-
curred. A high visibility fishing line
really helps in monitoring the subtle
twitches that indicate these hard to
notice strikes.
Jig pitching calls for some refined equipment and tactics including
Tap or twitch, the reaction is high visibility lines, stand up style jigs, low stretch super lines and
the same. The hard and fast rule of wireless electric motors. Mark Romanack photos
Monofilament or
jig pitching is to set the hook on offer quality graphite rods sensitive
anything that feels or looks differ- enough for serious walleye fish-
ent. I like to say that hook-sets ing. In a blindfolded user test, its Super Line?
are free and second chances are far not likely that anyone could tell
and few between, adds Romanack. the difference between brands of Despite the fact that a fair
Developing this quick and decisive graphite rods valued from $100.00 number of noteworthy fishing pros
hook-set reaction is what sets apart to $300.00 dollars. favor monofilament for jig pitching,
the exceptional jig fisherman from Brand loyalties aside, there beginners to this presentation are
those who struggle at mastering this are some options that significantly likely going to enjoy more success
presentation. impact on jig fishing success. For using super lines. Low stretch is the
Three quarters of jig fishing calm weather jig pitching, I pre- primary reason super lines make it
isnt how the jig is moved, the type fer a six foot, six inch rod, says easier to learn the skills required to
of jig used, or even the quality of the Romanack. At six foot, five inches be effective at jig pitching. Because
fishing rod, explains Romanack. tall, Im taller than the average these lines dont have any noticeable
Whats important is how quickly angler who might feel more com- stretch, they are more sensitive and
the angler responds to strikes. Even fortable using a six foot rod for jig do a better job of telegraphing light
the slightest hesitation costs the pitching. strikes than traditional monofila-
angler fish. When the wind picks up, our ment or copolymer lines.

even see the strike occur, explains
Romanack. Fishing line does a
surprisingly good job of telegraph-
ing the subtle strike of a walleye
picking up a jig. The bite most often
feels like a quick tap in the line,
not unlike the sensation of a perch
or bluegill jabbing at a worm. That
telltale tap doesnt occur every time
a walleye bites. Instead, sometimes
the line simply twitches slightly at
the point where it enters the water.
12 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
How Important
Is The Rod?
Fishing rods play a major role
in jig fishing success, but brands
and claims of sensitivity arent
the critical issue here. Advertising
claims that one rod is more sensitive
or better able to telegraph bites than
another could best be described as
splitting hairs. All the major brands
young jigging pro reaches for a
longer rod. In windy weather,
longer rods are a huge advantage,
says Romanack. The extra length
helps to control slack line and yield
longer casts. I personally use a
seven foot rod in windy weather,
but again a shorter angler might find
that a six foot, six inch rod is ideal.
A medium light action is ideal for
the majority of jig pitching situa-
tions.
The low stretch characteristics
of super lines means that anglers
feel everything and their reaction
time is also increased. The biggest
drawback to these super lines is they
are very visible in the water and
they also deliver much weaker knot
strength. A solution to that problem
involves using the Double Uni Knot
to tie a short (24 to 30 inch) leader
of fluorocarbon leader material to
the super line. The jig is then tied
to the fluorocarbon making for an
invisible line to lure connection that
features maximum knot strength.
A good combination is to start
with a high visibility 10 pound test
super line and terminate that to a
10 pound test leader of premium
fluorocarbon line.
Lets Talk Technique
The most important thing
when jig fishing in windy conditions
is to cast with or quartering with the
wind, explains Romanack. This
simple step helps to keep the line
bow to a minimum and casting with
the wind improves casting accu-
racy.
In calm weather a nice long cast
covers water and makes it easier
to encounter more fish. When the
wind starts to blow, forget about
long casts. In windy weather a long
cast is impossible to control, says
Romanack. Too much slack gets
into the system and controlling the
jig becomes impossible. A short and
accurate cast is the best approach.
Once the cast is made, point
the rod tip at the jig and lower it to
about six inches above the water,
recommends Romanack. Keeping
the rod tip low keeps the line in the
water and really does a good job of
eliminating line bow that robs the
jig fisherman of feel. The low rod
angle also works to keep the line
taunt so that bites are more easily
detected. When a fish bites, simply
lifting the rod sharply completes the
sweeping style hook-set.
Jigging Action
The part of jigging that has
to do with how the jig is actually
moved in the water is often over
dramatized. Since walleye tend
to hit most often when the jig is
resting on the bottom, its important
to work the jig in such a way that
it stays close to or in contact with
Wireless electric motors that feature Anchor Mode make it easy
to hover a boat in one location while the angler concentrates com-
pletely on pitching jigs to select targets.
Jigs are awesome walleye fishing lures, but learning to fish these baits in windy conditions requires a
learning cur ve.
the bottom, says Romanack. Its
also important that the jig remains
visible to nearby fish. This is why
lifting and dropping the jig usually
works better than dragging the jig
along bottom.
I like to lift the jig by raising
the rod tip slightly, then stopping
the rod so the jig can fall back to
bottom, Moved in this manner, the
jig swings toward the angler like a
pendulum. Each time the jig is lifted
it is moved closer to the boat or
casting position. This creates slack
line. A turn or two on the reel handle
picks up the slack created and sets
the stage for the jig to be lifted
again.
Its important to work the jig all
the way back to the boat. Walleye
are notorious for following a bait
they could easily catch, only to
strike at the last second. Concentrate
on being ready for a bite at any sec-
ond and complete each cast.
The Role of Jig
Size and Design
Jig design and size play a major
role in jigging success. The standard
philosophy among walleye anglers
is that a fisherman should use the
lightest jig possible. Romanack
recommends a different approach.
A light jig is easy for walleye
to slurp up, but most of the time
its tough to feel the jig and even
tougher to maintain control of the
jig in relationship to the bottom,
cautions Romanack. Personally, I
feel its better to use a jig thats a
little too heavy than one thats too
light for the situation.
In water where most anglers
would choose a 1/8 ounce jig,
Romanack favors a 1/4 ounce
model. Not only can I keep slack
out of the line better with a larger
jig, I can also stay in close contact
with the bottom. The larger size of
the jig is also a little more visible
to fish.
Stand up style jigs have a lot
to offer anglers who do a lot of
pitching. Keeping the hook point
up off the bottom helps to reduce
snags but more importantly it puts
the business end of the jig where
its most likely to end up in the
fishs mouth.
Romanacks favorite jig for
casting is the Odd Ball produced
by Bait Rigs Tackle. This stand-up
style jig uses a rounded head that
keeps the center of gravity low
and the hook point riding upright.
This jig also slips through cover
amazingly well, sliding over and
around debris while keeping the
bait in clear view of the fish.
The Odd Ball was designed
with live bait fishing in mind, but
this jig adapts well to fishing with
soft plastics as well.
Embrace the Wind
Fighting the wind is a losing
battle, cautions Romanack. I try
to work with the wind to improve
my jigging success.
Fishing in areas protected
from the wind is a good approach,
but not if these areas arent hold-
ing fish. More often than not, I
find myself fishing right in the
teeth of the wind, says Ro-
manack. One of the ways I adapt
to windy conditions is by using
the anchor mode on my Motor-
Guide Xi5 wireless electric motor
to hover in one spot. When the
boat is hovering in one location,
the angler can in turn concentrate
completely on the task of catching
fish.
Using the anchor mode feature
has many advantages. For one
thing, its easier to concentrate on
detecting strikes when the boat is
stationary, advises Romanack.
Secondly, from a fixed position
spots can be fished more thor-
oughly. The once over approach
doesnt work well when fishing in
tough, windy conditions. It often
takes several casts into a spot to
trigger a strike.
Landing fish is another area
where fishing from a hovering
boat is best. Trying to land fish
while the boat is blowing around
makes the chore double tough,
warns Romanack. Also if the
boat drifts away from the area
youre fishing while trying to land
a fish time is wasted repositioning
the boat again.
Summing It Up
It would be great if the weath-
er always cooperated, but thats
about as likely to happen as snow
in July. The walleye angler who
enjoys jig fishing has two
choices. Either you can limit
your opportunity by only fishing
in calm conditions, or you can
learn the combat tactics required
to be successful jigging in the
wind. Wind makes the whole
jigging thing more difficult, but
sometimes you just have to roll up
your sleeves and take the Giter
Done approach.n
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 13
 A Whitetails Diet Changes So Dramatically With The Seasons...
The whitetails digestive system
is well adapted to changes
Their diverse feeding habits change with the seasons, allowing them to choose a wide variety of foods, including grasses, sedges, fruits,
L
nuts, forbs and mushrooms, in addition to por tions of those shrubs and trees that best meet their nutritional requirements.
ike other ruminants, white-
tails possess a four-com-
partment stomach (rumen,
reticulum, omasum and
abomasum). This means
they can meet their energy
needs from nutrients consumed in
food plus those synthesized by the
microbial bacteria and protozoa that
live in their rumen. The fermenta-
tion process, or breakdown of food
by the rumen microbes, is the main
difference between ruminants and
simple-stomached animals. One ad-
vantage of such a digestive system
is that it allows an animal to digest
cellulose and other complex carbo-
hydrates found in browse and other
fibrous foods typically consumed by
deer in winter.
The fermentation process is
especially important to deer when
only low-quality food is available,
as is commonly the case during win-
ter. However, deer are by no means
super-ruminants -- they cannot
utilize some woody browse species
as well as cattle can -- and have dif-
ficulty surviving on highly lignified
(woody) foods.
The rate at which deer can digest
food depends upon its cellulose
content; succulent food being more
rapidly broken down than fibrous
foods. The very slow rate at which
low-quality browse (such as spruce
and balsam) passes through the
14 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
digestive tract explains why deer
starve with a full stomach.
This means that foods difficult
to digest are retained longer in the
rumen-reticulum than are easily di-
gested foods, limiting the amount of
food a deer can consume.
Such a limitation, if pro-
longed, will lead to severe
malnutrition and, ultimate-
ly, death from starvation.
Robert Brown of Texas
A & M University also
observes that deer have a
special problem with lignin.
Not only is it indigest-
By John Ozoga
ible, he notes, It
can make other
nutrients in the food
less digestible by binding to them. ty to conserve nitrogen when protein
And secondary plant compounds
such as tannins and other phenolics
can make both protein and cellulose
less digestible.
This is another benefit of diet
diversity, which normally prevents
deer from ingesting too much of any
one plant compound that inhibits di-
gestion. Healthy deer tend to avoid
eating excessive amounts of certain
compounds that inhibit the action of
rumen microbes. Conversely, starv-
ing deer are less likely to exercise
such precautionary measures.
Whitetails have one important
advantage over simple-stomached
animals: the whitetails rumen
microbes can actually produce
protein. When a deers diet lacks
high-quality proteins, for example,
the microbes can simply create
them using whatever amino acids
and other nitrogen are available.
Whereas simple-stomached
animals (like you and I)
must consume a sufficient
amount of food containing
high-quality proteins, then,
a whitetail only has to be
concerned with the quan-
tity of protein in its diet.
The rumen microbes can
compensate for deficiencies
in protein quality. compensate for the shift from suc-
Whitetails also
have a great capaci-
intake is restricted, by increasing
renal reabsorption and recycling
of urea (the end product of dietary
protein metabolism), thus reducing
their nitrogen loss in the urine.
Generally, among species of
ruminants, there is a relationship
between body size, stomach size,
and feeding strategy. That is, unlike
cattle and sheep, whitetails have a
small stomach relative to their body
size and require a fairly high-quality
diet.
Whitetails feeding habits are ex-
tremely variable and opportunistic,
but highly selective. Their diverse
feeding habits change with the
seasons, allowing them to choose
a wide variety of foods, including
grasses, sedges, fruits, nuts, forbs
and mushrooms, in addition to por-
tions of those shrubs and trees that
best meet their nutritional require-
ments.
Since a whitetails diet
changes so dramatically with the
seasons, its also important to
note that the whitetails digestive
tract can change with its diet,
but gradually so. The amount
of saliva produced, the lining of
the rumen, and the rumens size,
for example, change seasonally to
culent summer forage to a more-
fibrous winter diet, and back again
to more luscious foods with spring
green-up. However, it takes from
two to three weeks for the rumen
microbes to completely adjust to a
new diet.
The whitetails digestive sys-
tem is also well geared to predator
defense. Being a ruminant, a deer
can gather food quite rapidly and
store it temporarily in its rumen.
Later, while resting in the
most comfortable and safest niche
within its winter cover, the deer can
rest, regurgitate, chew, and leisurely
digest the food. All while remaining
alert and ready to flee if a preda-
tor -- or hunter -- happens to come
along.n
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WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 15
The Great lakes
A
pril marks the unofficial beginning
of the Great Lakes trout and salmon
fishery. Literally the moment that
the ice melts around boat launches,
enthusiasts are splashing fishing
boats and the games begin! Some
years the fun begins in March and in other years
its early April, but either way spring trout and
salmon fishing has something to offer for just
about everyone and every fishing budget.
The Near Shore Action
The thing that makes spring trout and salmon
trolling so popular isnt just the numbers of fish
an angler can catch, its the near shore fishery.
Because the water is icy cold in the main lake,
the slightly warmer waters found along shore-
lines, drowned river mouths, pier heads and
warm water discharge sites attract the lion share
of the fish.
In the spring, small boat fishermen get a crack
at world class fishing action that the rest of the
year is pretty much reserved for larger and more
seaworthy boats.
The Super Slam
Another reason anglers flock to the Great
Lakes in April is an angling accomplishment
known as the super slam. The coveted super
slam of Great Lakes fishing requires landing all
five Great Lakes species in one day. This seem- Brown trout like this one are just one of the five Great Lakes trout and salmon species an
ingly impossible feat is amazingly achievable in angler can expect to catch during April. Mark Romanack photos
April because steelhead, lake trout, brown trout, shallow fishing lead core set ups on the outside of room to fight and land the fish.
coho salmon and king salmon routinely converge lines and longer/deeper fishing gear on the inside Another advantage of this rigging configura-
on the best available forage. board lines. This configuration allows anglers to tion is once the board releases, there is less re-
Catching all five of these fish species in one hook a fish on an outside board and reel in that sistance in the water for the fish to pull and fight
day is unique to the Great Lakes region and an fish without having to clear other inside board against. The angler has the advantage of feeling
accomplishment worth bragging about. The best lines. every head shake and also letting the rod do the
chance to achieve the super slam occurs near To accomplish this neat trick requires using work of wearing out the fish.
power plants with warm water discharges that an in-line planer board that is fitted with two line When the planer board is rigged not to
concentrate the largest numbers of fish. releases, one on the tow arm and a second release release, the board is much more difficult to reel
at the back of the board. The line release on the in and the fish is pulling against this significant
Small Boat Strategies tow arm must have enough tension to hold steady resistance. Unfortunately, in many cases the fish
A host of trout and salmon lures including while trolling, but also be light enough that it can uses this resistance to tear free and escape.
spoons, wobbling plugs, stickbaits, rotators and be tripped when a fish strikes. Most in-line planer boards do not come
flies, cut-bait rigs and spinners are used Meanwhile, the release at the back of equipped in the package with the proper releases
to target spring trout and salmon. The the board must firmly hang onto the line required to rig and fish this way. One of the
way to get the most from these lures and not release. Set up in this fashion, reasons the OR12 Side-Planer is so popular is this
is by trolling them using in-line planer the board trips when a fish strikes and board comes factory supplied with a release on
boards like the popular OR12 Side-Plan- then spins around backwards in the wa- the tow arm (orange OR19) that can be tripped
er to spread out lines and also to cover ter. The board remains fixed onto the line and a Snap Weight Clip (red OR16) at the back
the maximum amount of water. thanks to the second line release at the of the board that cannot be released. The Snap
Because a lot of this gear doesnt back of the board. Weight features a small plastic pin in the middle
dive on its own, a number of differ- Once tripped the angler can reel in of the rubber release pads. When the line is
ent sinking lines, trolling the board and fish together placed behind this pin, the board is fixed to the
weights and diving planers
are employed to target fish in
By Mark Romanack because the board is no lon-
ger planing to the side. The
line.
This simple, but effective rigging method is
the top 20 feet of the water board starts to swing to the easy to master and allows anglers to fish as many
column. One of the most popular early season set back of the boat about the same time the hooked board lines as they choose. In-line boards can be
ups involves using short lengths of 27# test lead fish is forced to the surface. This slick set up al- used to not only fish lead core set ups, but also
core line (one, two, three, four, five colors, etc.) lows the tripped board to clear other board lines keel sinkers, snap weights, mini-disks, Jet and
sandwiched between a 30-50 foot leader of 20# and also allows the angler to fight the fish right Lurk floating divers, diving crankbaits and also
test fluorocarbon line and monofilament back- up to the back of the boat. Tadpole Divers. All of this trolling gear adapts
ing. The lure, leader and all the lead core line is When the board reaches the boat it only takes perfectly to fishing with in-line boards.
played out and the board placed on the backing a second to open the release at the back of the
line. board and remove the board. Now its just the Avoiding Tangles
To stack two, three or more lines per side of angler and the fish and even better the whole When fishing multiple board lines per side
the boat, savvy anglers run shorter lengths and back end of the boat is wide open providing lots of the boat, there is always the issue of tangling
16 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
Super Slam
Monster lake trout like this one caught by the authors son Jake are a big par t of the rea-
son so many anglers flock to the Great Lakes in April.
lines. A few simple steps will eliminate this threat
and make trolling in-line boards stress free.
When stacking board lines its critical to set
up with the outside boards fishing higher in the
water column and each progressive board fish-
ing a little deeper. With lead core line this set up
can be easily achieved by running a one color on
the outside, a three color in the middle and a five
color on the inside board. This set up covers the
top 20 feet of the water column thoroughly and
makes it easy to fight fish on outside board lines
without having to clear lines.
The lures used in combination with lead core
also matter. Spoons are a logical choice because
the spoon doesnt dive on its own and instead
depends on the lead core line to reach depth.
Once a fish is hooked and landed on an
outside lead core and spoon set up, resetting is
no problem. Simply let the spoon, leader and all
the lead core play off the reel until reaching the
monofilament backing. Next, hitch up the planer
board to the backing line and let the planer board
straight out the back of the boat. When the board
is far enough back that it will clear the middle
board, engage the reel and allow the board to
swing wide and resume its running position as the
outside board!
Fishing spoons with lead core works perfect-
ly. Its when other lures are used in combination
with lead core that problems start to become ap-
parent. If another lure type like a diving crank-
bait is fished in combination with lead core line,
the crankbait is diving as well as the lead core
achieving depth. This makes it impossible to pull
a lead core and crankbait rig, over the top of other
board lines without running one line into another.
2/5Hz - 1-7/8
16 HHHHuHH
HHHnH, tHHHHHH HH
jHHHHH, H HHHHHHH
muHHpHHHHH HuHH.
H
HHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHH
If an angler wants to fish a plug in combination
with lead core, it has to be the inside or deepest
line in the pattern. The same is true even if the GHnuHnH HHHHHH,
plug is fished clean on monofilament line without
lead core. Because plugs dive they must be posi- 24k HHHH H
tioned as the inside board lines.
The exception to this rule is when fishing all HHppHH nHHhHH
plugs on monofilament. In this case simply run
shorter leads and more shallow running baits on
the outside boards and longer leads and deeper
PROVEN HOLOUR AHHENTS + GLOW
diving baits on the inside boards.
One last trick can also help reduce line tan-
gles when fishing in-line boards. Space tube and
saddle-style rod holders as far apart as possible YO GLOR BKCH
on the boat gunwales. Also adjust these rod hold-
ers so the rod tips are staggered. This small but
important step insures that the lines are not all in
the same alignment, making it less likely fishing
lines will cross during turns or when fighting fish.
Rod holder trees are the ultimate rod holder
for fishing with in-line boards because they stag-
ger the rods and also position the rods up and out
of the boats cockpit. Not only do rod holder trees
clean up the inside of the fishing boat, they make
it almost impossible for board lines to cross dur-
ing normal trolling maneuvers.
Summing It Up
Early spring is an exciting time in Michigan.
Lots of great fishing opportunities await avid an-
glers in April. Arguably the ultimate of these an-
gling adventures is shooting for the Great Lakes
Super Slam. Those select anglers who accomplish /williamslures
this trolling milestone have earned the ultimate
bragging rights in the Great Lakes.n www.williams.ca
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 17
 Better brook trout streams
in Upper Michigan
Michigan is blessed with
numerous cold and
exceptional water quality
trout streams and many
native brook trout streams
are widely distributed in
Upper Michigan...

T
he State has over
38,000 miles of riv-
ers and streams of
which over 12,500
miles are classified as
trout steams. Of course
some trout streams have habitat that
supports much better brook trout
populations and size structure.
The geology of the state is a
major factor in the potential for cold
water supporting good brook trout
habitat. Deep glacial till is the prime
geological formation to support
strong ground water and optimum
brook trout water quality. The deep
glacial till has strong ground water
input to the streams. This leads to
a stable yearly flow regime without
significant warm-ups in the summer
and results in rare flood events. The
stable flows and slightly warmer
winter water temperatures make
ideal habitat for trout. The northern
central portion of the Lower Penin-
sula (Grayling area) and the south-
western UP in Iron and portions of
Dickinson Counties have ideal geo-
logical conditions to support trout.
The best brook trout streams are
the natural reproduction brook trout Anne Ziegler fly fishing for brook trout on the South Branch of the Paint River. The South Branch is an excellent
waters. As a Michigan DNR Fisher- brook trout stream in the upper sections and in the lower stretches predominantly a brown trout stream.
ies Management Biologist in the UP,
when an angler requested a copy of trout fishing has declined in the UP. brook trout water. Stocking has
There are likely a number of reasons Much of the shoreline is National
our area brook trout stream stocking never been necessary to maintain
for this, one being, many people are Forest land although private hold-
records I would often remind the brook trout in the South Branch.
less physically active than the angler ings are present along the river
person they were asking for a list of The South Branch is rated as Blue course. A number of deeper holes
our problem brook trout streams. of the past. Stream trout fishing Ribbon by Michigan DNR fisher- and natural undercut banks are all
As famous author Robert Traver does take more physical work than ies, which in part means ample fly good holding cover for larger brook
(John Voelker) noted, one of the best fishing from a boat or a fishing pier, fishing opportunities exist on this
but it gives the angler an excuse to trout. Standard Type 2 Fisheries
reasons for brook trout fishing is the stream. The most notable brook Division Trout Regulations were not
often remote and get away on their own and catch one trout section is from the upper
of Michigans most beautiful fish. It successful in maintaining or creating
extremely beau- Gold Mine Road (USFS 3470) to a larger size structure to the brook
tiful surround- also gives the angler the chance to the headwaters. The Cooks Run is
carry on one of the states longest trout so the minimum size limit was
ings they are the South Branchs principal tribu- dropped to seven inches for brook
running angling heritage experi- tary and the entire Cooks Run is
found in. Recent
ences. It is no wonder that Michigan trout. Gear restrictions (artificials
DNR Fisheries excellent brook trout water. Angler only) were considered by the DNR
creel surveys designated the brook trout to be the access is relatively easy on sig-
state fish. to reduce hooking mortality on
have found that nificant sections of the brook trout brown trout and to allow carryover
stream brook Paint River-The South water due to a recreation trail grade
(former railroad) that runs along
to increase trophy sized browns and
larger sized brook trout; although
Cover Story... Branch and Cooks Run quite a bit of the river. The river is
readily wadeable or can be floated
By Bill Ziegler
The South Branch of the Paint
River in Iron County is excellent with a canoe. Brook trout page 20
18 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
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WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 19
Better brook trout streams:
from page 18
they were not adopted.
Cooks Run in Iron County was
found to have one of the highest
trout densities in Michigan by DNR
trout assessment surveys. Stocking
has never been necessary on Cooks
Run to maintain trout populations.
The entire Cooks Run has strong
brook trout numbers, although the
USFS skyboom structures are
more dominated by brown trout.
This is also rated as Blue Ribbon
by the DNR. Cooks Run is fairly
accessible by a series of US Forest
Service trail roads and the Bass-
wood county road. Cooks Run
predominantly runs through US
Forest Service land and is readily
wadeable. The Meadows (written
about in several trout fishing books)
is the most famous section of Cooks
Run and is located downstream from
USFS Highway 16. Unfortunately,
DNR beaver control ceased in 2010
and the intensive DNR trout habitat
improvement work in the meadows
has degraded due to excessive bea-
ver impoundments.
Escanaba River
The West Branch of the Es-
canaba River in Dickinson and
Southwest Marquette Counties is
a good brook trout stream. The
West Branchs brook trout fish-
ery is maintained by its excellent
system of tributary streams. For 17
Anne Ziegler with a nice 11 inch brook trout caught and released in the
South Branch of the Paint in Iron County. Stream brook trout do not get
as large as brown trout, although anglers love to fish for them since they
are native, very colorful and somewhat easier to catch.
20 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
years ending in 2010, considerable
habitat restoration work on several
of the West Branchs tributaries was
conducted by DNR Fisheries and
Michigan Department of Correc-
tions crews and funded by Dickin-
son County Wildlife Unlimited. The
West Branchs tributary Bryan
Creek has also received significant
trout habitat work from DNR and
Trout Unlimited work crews. All
of these efforts restored much of
the Big West Branchs most critical
tributary habitat and restored the
West Branch system to self sustain-
ing brook trout streams with good
fisheries. Overall, the West Branch
is lightly fished and has the potential
for some good sized brookies.
Ontonagon River
George Madison, fisheries
biologist in Baraga recommends the
Middle Branch of the Ontonagon
River in Gogebic County for brook
trout. The most noteworthy sec-
tion is above Bond Falls Reservoir
which is for the most part regulated
as Type 2 waters with a 10 inch min-
imum size limit on brook trout. This
section is readily wadeable.
Yellow Dog River
Yellow Dog River Marquette
County. George Madison rates the
Yellow Dog brook trout fishery as
fair. He recommends fishing the
A colorful brook trout caught from a pool on the West Branch of the
Escanaba River. Dr. Fritz Hoenke photo
Yellow Dog above County Road
510. . The river gets a lot of fish-
ing pressure near CR-510, so the
sites upstream offer better catches.
Access is good from the roads south
off the Triple-A Road. In addition,
the Yellow Dog has a number of
beautiful small waterfalls includ-
ing Pinnacle Falls to top off your
angling experience.
Carp River
Carp River Marquette County.
Madison said the Carp River is a
good brook trout stream between
Negaunee and the Marquette Moun-
tain Ski Hill.
Fox River
Darren Kramer, supervisory
fisheries biologist at Escanaba rec-
ommended the Fox River in School-
craft County. Kramer said, Both
the Main Branch and East Branch
have adequate ground water to sup-
port good trout fisheries through the
summer. The Main Branch has the
higher brook trout population of the
two branches with a fairly good size
structure. The main branch is also
more accessible for anglers and is
very wadeable.
Kramer went on to say, The
East Branch of the Fox is the more
boatable stream and is wadeable
in the upper reaches. The East is
known for higher potential to catch
a larger brook trout. Anglers often
paddle down the East Branch or
boat up from access at M-28 (six
horsepower maximum limit). Trout
anglers are famous for their secre-
tiveness and it is fairly well known
Ernest Hemingway was actually
fishing in the Fox River but not
giving that away in his famous book
about the Big Two Hearted River.
Stutts Creek-Fishdam River
Kramer offered that the North
Branch of the Stutts Creek (near M-
94) in Schoolcraft and the Fishdam
River in Delta Counties are sleeper
brook trout streams. Both streams
support decent brookie populations
and trout size structure throughout
the summer and only receive light
fishing pressure.
Taquamenon River
Cory Kovacs, Michigan DNR
fisheries biologist from Newberry
said the Taquamenon in Luce Coun-
ty has the best brook trout popula-
tion in the Eastern UP. He went on
to say the Taquamenon has good
numbers of legal sized brook trout.
As is often the case, the larger
brookies are typically found in the
holes that have the poorest access.
The best Taquamenon access is
found on state land off Clark Trail.
Sucker River
The Sucker River is an un-
known gem for brookies according
to Kovacs. Access is not easy, al-
though the best access is off the Old
Seney Road and two track trails that
run east/west from that road. Ko-
vacs recommends fishing the Sucker
River above the airport stretch for
the best brook trout numbers.
Upper Pine River
Upper Pine River Chippewa
County. Neal Godby, fisheries
biologist from Gaylord reports
numerous tributaries can provide a
great adventure for the brook trout
angler willing to put in some work
and do some exploring to access
more remote spots. Godby notes that
the US Forest Service has completed
trout habitat improvement projects
on a number of tributaries of the
Pine River.
Many Others
There are notable streams that
are not mentioned. Many streams
in the UP have brook trout in them
some or part of the year, and mar-
ginal streams can produce some
extremely large brookies, just not in
large numbers. Anglers who fish the
marginal streams should target them
in the spring before those rivers
warm up and the brook trout move
to cold water tributaries for cold
water refuge. A number of streams
fall into this category, although
two examples are the Ford River in
Dickinson County and the East Net
River in Iron County.
Dr. Fredrick Hoenke is a very
experienced trout angler from Mar-
quette. He has observed that good
brook trout fishing can be found in
most of the UPs trout streams if
you are willing to work at getting
back into the less accessible water.
This has been the case even back in
the 1920s when Ernest Hemingway
published his book, Big Two Heart-
ed. As a result, this also leads to the
legendary secretiveness of hard core
brook trout stream anglers.n
 State Record Youth Crossbow Typical...

12-year-old
harvested
record buck
O
n November 3, 2015
Taylor Augustine,
12-years-old at the
time, arrowed the
new state record
Youth Crossbow
Typical Whitetail with her 10-point
buck, which officially scored by
Commemorative Bucks of Michi-
gan (CBM) at 141 1/8 inches. Her
buck also qualified her as the third
largest buck in Michigan shot by a
female with a crossbow. This past
August she was awarded this honor
by CBM at their yearly awards
banquet. Heres her story written by
her very proud father, Brian Augus-
tine
I picked Taylor up from school
and we headed to a Barry County
property weve hunted for several
years. The season had been tough
so far, almost two weeks without
seeing a single deer. We are very
cautious with wind direction and
only hunt this property with a south
to southeast wind, which is marginal
for the stand we wanted to hunt.
After arriving at the property, we
both sprayed down our Scentlok
camo and quietly snuck into our two
person ladder stand.
his black nose being the only thing
detectable.
Finally he continued into the
thicket and I grunted again and he
stopped once again. Not to give
away our location and knowing
that he was interested in locating
this other buck I stopped calling to
him. He slowly disappeared into
the thicket, however I told Taylor
to stay ready as she was in a posi-
tion to shoot this whole time. Sure
enough, the buck charged out of
the thicket and ran to about 30
yards from us looking to find the
other buck. The buck remained the buck was looking for a place to
extremely cautious, checking his
wind constantly. Finally he came in
to the opening in front of our stand
and Taylor had the crossbow on the
shooting rail and was steady on her
target. As the buck turned broadside
at 20 yards, I stopped him with a
soft grunt and Taylor squeezed the
trigger. The carbon express arrow
with 100 grain Montec broadhead
drilled the buck right behind the
shoulder and through the vitals. The
luminok allowed me to see exactly
where the arrow hit and I knew it
was a fatal shot.
Taylor Augustine was very excited after taking her record book
10-point buck that scored 141 1/8 inches.
The deer bolted for about 30
yards and stopped. Taylor started
to cry and squeezed my leg, saying
Im sorry dad, I think I missed.
I remained quiet because I knew
expire. Taylor again nervously said
to me she thought she missed. At
that time I reassured her shot was
perfect and the buck was about to
expire but we had to stay quiet.
She whispered, Ok, I trust
you.
The deer expired within 45 yards
from our stand but in a bedding
area that we never go into. So, we
immediately went to get the monster
buck, tagged it, and we dragged it
out back to our tree stand. A quick
walk to the truck and we hurried to
get out of the woods, not to disrupt
the area before other deer entered.
I knew Taylor had shot a beauti-
ful buck but I didnt realize it was a
trophy class buck until we stopped
at Weicks Taxidermy in Hopkins on
our way home. Terry immediately
recognized the potential and sug-
gested we get the deer scored. After
the gross score of 143 2/8 and net
score of 141 1/8 was recorded, we
were contacted by Commemorative
Bucks of Michigan and invited to
their awards ceremony. It was not
until then did we know that Taylor
had shot the new state record in the
Youth Crossbow Typical Whitetail
category.
I couldnt be more proud of Tay-
lor for her patience, persistence and
accuracy in shooting. Im so glad I
had a front row seat!n

DNRs Report All Poaching hotline now accepts text messages

About 45 minutes into the hunt,
a doe appeared in the woods walk-
ing in our direction. The doe ap-
proached directly downwind and
never detected our presence. As
The MDNR is making it easier for citizens to re- a conversation with the complainant via text, collect-
the doe was 15 yards in front of us,
port fish and game violations through the convenience ing information just as dispatchers would do during
Taylor alerted me that there was
of text messaging. a phone call. Complainants wanting to speak to a
another deer coming from the west
The Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline (800-292- dispatcher can request a return phone call or call the
of us. As the deer came out of the
7800) now accepts text messages in addition to tele- RAP hotline.
thick cover it was easily identified
phone calls. Text messages may include photos. The RAP dispatchers are highly trained professionals.
as a shooter. The buck was very
RAP hotline is a toll-free, 24-hour, seven-days-a-week They operate with state-of-the-art technology and can
cautious and alert of his surround-
number that enables citizens to report violations of immediately contact DNR conservation officers in the
ings.
fish and game laws, as well as other natural resource- field. This ability to quickly collect and relay informa-
As he approached he started to
related laws. It is operated by DNRs Law Enforcement tion has led to the arrest and prosecution of numerous
go north of our stand, which made
Division. The DNR also offers a web-based reporting violators.
me nervous about the buck getting
form. The Report All Poaching system was created by
into our scent cone. He came to
Poaching is a crime against every Michigan legislation in 1980 to address the publics concerns
an opening in the woods, 45 yards
resident. Fish and game are shared resources that about the detrimental effects of poaching. The system
from us and stopped. Taylor and I
must be respected and properly managed, said Gary has paid off and remains a critical tool in safeguarding
remained motionless as we still had
Hagler, DNR Law Enforcement Division chief. The Michigans natural resources.
the single doe in front of our stand.
addition of texting to the RAP system makes it more In addition to protecting the personal information
The buck turned around and started
convenient for the public to do its part in protecting of complainants, RAP provides for monetary awards
heading back to the thick cover.
our resources. It also provides law enforcement with for information leading to the arrest and conviction of
As he was about 60 yards away
immediate and visual information, which are valuable poachers.
and facing straight away from us,
to officers conducting an investigation. This is a great Michigan conservation officers are fully com-
I used my grunt call and gave him
way to harness technology for the benefit of our entire missioned state peace officers who provide natural
one grunt. The buck immediately
state. resources protection, ensure recreational safety and
snapped his head back in our direc-
Upon receiving a text, the RAP system immedi- protect citizens by providing general law enforcement
tion in an attempt to locate the other
ately replies with a message stating that a dispatcher duties and lifesaving operations in the communities
buck. He remained motionless for
soon will be in touch with the complainant. A link to they serve. Learn more about Michigan conservation
what seemed like forever! His body
the RAP webpage is included. A dispatcher will begin officers at www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers.
almost disappeared in the cover with
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 21
Hunter groups, others working on response plan consensus...
U.P. CWD Task Force working to inform the
hunting public about deadly deer disease
W
ith the potential
threat of chronic
wasting disease
spreading to the
Upper Peninsula
from across the
Wisconsin border, or by other means,
the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources, hunter groups and others
are working cooperatively to try to
protect the regions deer population
and valuable hunting tradition.
Chronic wasting disease is an
infectious sickness in deer, elk and
moose that causes neurological
degeneration in parts of an infected
animals brain and a slow wasting
away, ending in death.
Should chronic wasting disease
become established in the Upper
Peninsulas wild deer population,
the deer herd and deer hunting could
be negatively affected for decades
to come, said Terry Minzey, DNR
Upper Peninsula wildlife supervisor.
Members of the Upper Peninsula CWD Task Force met recently in Marquette. Terry Minzey, right, Michigan De-
par tment of Natural Resources U.P. Regional wildlife super visor, makes a point during the discussion.
22 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
This isnt as much about whether
we will have deer to hunt, as it is
about whether years from now our
children and our grandchildren will
have any deer to hunt.
In the U.S., chronic wasting
disease was discovered in Colorado
in a mule deer in 1967 and eventually
spread to roughly two dozen states,
including Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Wyomings deer herds have been
most severely impacted.
At an October meeting with the
Upper Peninsula Sportsmens Alli-
ance, Michigan Natural Resources
Commissioners J.R. Richardson
of Ontonagon and Vicki Pontz of
Lansing discussed engaging hunt-
ers in CWD education and advocacy
efforts.
It was clear a lot of folks had a
lot of questions about CWD, didnt
know that we had a response plan in
place and what measures would be
required, should the plan need to be
implemented, said Stacy Welling
Haughey, DNR Upper Peninsula co-
ordinator. Hunters wanted to know
how they could help us get the word
out about the disease.
The U.P. CWD Task Force was
created in November, with Richard-
son and Haughey leading the effort.
Membership includes representatives
from several U.P. hunter groups.
Resource professionals from the
DNR, including wildlife and execu-
tive division personnel, have been
involved in these discussions.
We have had three very pro-
active, informative and productive
meetings, said Richardson, who is
the task force chairman. The goal
was to review the current rules and
recommendations for the Lower and
Upper Peninsulas along with the sur-
rounding states and out west. After
such review, we would see if we
wanted to recommend any changes to
the current action plans. We wanted
to do this before CWD potentially
hits the U.P.
By April 1, the task force hopes
to reach a consensus recommenda-
tion on U.P. CWD response plan
policy to forward to the DNR and
NRC for consideration.
The DNR first began its develop-
ment of plans to combat CWD in
Michigan about 15 years ago.
In April 2015, wildlife officials
with the DNR were alerted to the
presence of a white-tailed deer in
Ingham County, exhibiting physical
signs of CWD, which is always fatal
to inflicted deer.
The 6-year-old female deer was
shot and killed as part of an ongoing
targeted disease surveillance effort.
The deer carcass was sent to the
DNRs Disease Laboratory in East
Lansing, where in collaboration with
Michigan State Universitys Diag-
nostic Center for Population and
Animal Health, the deer was exam-
ined and determined to be suspected
positive for CWD.
That diagnosis was confirmed
within weeks by the National Veteri-
nary Services Laboratory in Ames,
Iowa. The incident marked the
first-known instance of CWD being
confirmed in a free-ranging (wild)
deer in Michigan a milestone that
sent a chill through hunters across
the state.
Michigan had first found CWD
in captive deer in 2008, when a
privately owned cervid (mammals of
the deer family Cervidae) facility in
Kent County was confirmed to have
a CWD-positive deer.
But when the disease which is
transmitted through animal-to-animal
contact or through a contaminated
environment was found for the first
time in a free-ranging Michigan deer,
concerns were heightened about its
possible spread.
Previous studies showed CWD
prions (infectious agents made from
protein material) exist in the saliva,
urine, blood and feces of infected
animals.
In 2002, the DNR and the
Michigan Department of Agriculture
and Rural Development crafted the
Michigan Surveillance and Response
Plan for Chronic Wasting Disease
in Free-ranging Deer and Privately-
Owned Facilities, which directed
several steps to be taken once an
infected deer is located.
Provisions of the surveillance and
response plan, which was updated in
2012, include:
Completing a population survey
in the area where a CWD-infected
deer is found to estimate deer pres-
ence, density and distribution.
Establishing a 10-mile-diameter
CWD Core Area around the location
of the infected deer.
Creating a CWD Management
Zone from the counties that intersect
the rim of the core area circle.
Implementing a deer and elk
feeding and baiting ban throughout
the core area and the management
zone.
Prohibiting the movement of
privately owned and free-ranging
cervid carcasses and their parts from
the CWD Management Zone.
Intensifying surveillance efforts
in wild deer within the CWD Man-
agement Zone, with mandatory deer
checks and CWD testing of all deer
harvested in the management zone.
Under Michigans CWD response
plan, similar provisions would be
put in place should a CWD-infected
deer be found within 10 miles of the
Michigan-Wisconsin border.
In Wisconsin, CWD was first
discovered in wild deer in 2002, with
the disease already likely widespread
there at that time. Today, there are
more than 40 counties affected in
Wisconsin with feeding and baiting
Erin Largent, a Michigan Depar tment of Natural Resources wildlife research technician, checks a deer
at the DNRs Customer Ser vice Center in Marquette. MDNR photos
bans in place.
The closest positive wild deer to
the U.P. has been found in Portage
County, about 175 miles from Michi-
gan. Oconto and Oneida counties,
each roughly 35 miles from the U.P.,
have deer tested positive for CWD in
captive deer facilities.
So far, CWD has not been found
in the U.P.
It may already be here, but
hasnt been detected yet, Minzey hunters and the general public about
said. However, we have found noth-
ing in the numerous road-killed, crop
damage kill-permitted deer and oth-
ers harvested by hunters weve tested
at the disease lab from the region.
Since May 2015, CWD has
been confirmed in nine free-ranging
Michigan deer all in the Lower
Peninsula from within a 17-town-
ship CWD Core Area, covering por-
tions of Ingham, Eaton, Clinton and
Shiawassee counties.
So far, more than 7,800 deer
have been tested for CWD from the
core area, 2,600 from the associated
five-county CWD Management Zone
and 1,917 from the remainder of the
state, including 619 from the U.P.
In fall 2015, DNR staff launched
an education and outreach campaign
in the Upper Peninsula to inform
chronic wasting disease and its dev-
astating impacts.
Our ongoing campaign to
Keep the U.P. CWD Free has used
billboards, bumper stickers, informa-
tion flyers, media outreach and com-
munication by, and among, hunter
groups to help get the message out,
said John Pepin, DNR deputy public
information officer. One of the
main messages has been trying to
stop hunters from bringing deer and
other game shot in CWD-infected
states or Canadian provinces back
to Michigan, where it could become
the source of a new outbreak of the
disease.
Hunter groups in the U.P. have
put a lot of work, interest and fund-
ing into the effort, creating their own
radio spots (U.P. Whitetails Associa-
tion), disseminating information and
paying for educational materials.
They have done a fantastic
job and have made some significant
contributions, Haughey said.
The U.P. CWD Task Force is
exploring additional means for dis-
seminating information to hunters
and the general public about CWD
risks to deer populations, restrictive
state actions that would be necessary
should the deadly disease be found in
the U.P., and precautions advised for
hunters, taxidermists and others.
George Lindquist, a statewide
vice president for Michigan United
Conservation Clubs and member of
the task force, said he thinks it is a
key objective that hunters learn the
CWD facts and help to educate each
other.
I think its really important
to educate the people of the Upper
Peninsula on this, Lindquist said.
We really need to let people know
about not bringing their deer back
from other states, and if we get this
(disease) here what that will mean
and what the consequences are.
Get more information on chronic
wasting disease, Michigans efforts
to combat it and more at
www.mi.gov/cwd.n
By The MDNR
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 23
 Grasslands are great: Pheasant
cooperatives help improve wildlife habitat
T
hroughout Michigan, neigh-
bors have formed wildlife
cooperatives and are working
together to improve habitat for the
benefit of pheasants, white-tailed
deer and many other wildlife spe-
cies.
The Michigan Wildlife Coop-
eratives program funded by the
Department of Natural Resources,
the Quality Deer Management As-
sociation, Pheasants Forever and
Michigan United Conservation
Clubs promotes the development
and growth of wildlife cooperatives
in Michigan. Deer and pheasants are
the primary species of focus within
these cooperatives.
Deer cooperatives strive to
improve white-tailed deer habitat
and hunting opportunities. Together,
landowners work to set deer harvest
goals as well as strategize to im-
prove habitat by planting food plots,
grasslands and trees that provide
important mast (acorns and other
fruit and nuts) for deer, turkey, rab-
bits and many other wildlife. The
Quality Deer Management Associa-
tion encourages hunters to become
good stewards of the deer herd and
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24 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
to help Michigans deer herd thrive
in balance with the habitat.
The Michigan Pheasant Restora-
tion Initiative is working to improve
and enhance Michigans grasslands
on private and public lands in south-
ern Michigan. Much of this work
is accomplished through wildlife
cooperatives, consisting of private
and public landowners and generally
situated around a state-land hub. For
example, the Lake Hudson Pheas-
ant Cooperative encompasses land
in and around Lake Hudson State
Recreation Area. This cooperative
and 10 other pheasant cooperatives
around the southern part of the state
work together to improve grasslands
for pheasants, deer and other grass-
land wildlife.
Pheasant cooperatives are a
great way for neighbors to build
relationships with each other, while
working toward a common goal of
improving habitat on their proper-
ties, said Michigan United Conser-
vation Clubs wildlife cooperative
coordinator, Anna Mitterling.
There are many benefits to par-
ticipation in wildlife cooperatives.
They offer increased social engage-
ment with neighbors and fellow
hunters. Organized cooperatives
allow for important discussions to
occur and help to facilitate conversa-
tions about how to improve hunting
conditions in your area. They also
offer landscape-level management
for wildlife. While it certainly helps
when one landowner improves the
wildlife habitat on his property, most
wildlife wander over a home range
that is larger than one parcel size.
Having neighbors group together
and improve habitat on a larger scale
makes the landscape more appealing
to wildlife within a broader context.
Wildlife cooperatives have ac-
cess to shared resources. By collabo-
rating, landowners in a cooperative
can share equipment or split the
cost of seeds for wildlife plantings.
Working together cooperatively
also makes the work more enjoy-
able! Cooperatives also have greater
access to support. Many experts
and authors are interested in sharing
their knowledge with fellow hunters.
Cooperatives with active participants
can invite those speakers to meet-
ings to share their knowledge and
expertise.
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Participating in a wildlife
cooperative does not open private
land to hunting the property rights
remain fully in the hands of the land
owner. The cooperative partnership
does offer opportunities to network
with those who can help provide
guidance, and potentially labor or
funding, to see grassland habitats
installed or maintained within the
cooperative area.
For more information about
wildlife cooperatives, contact Anna
Mitterling at amitterling@mucc.org
or visit www.mucc.org/cooperatives.
Made up of many partners, the
Michigan Pheasant Restoration
Initiative is a conservation initia-
tive to restore and enhance Michi-
gan pheasant habitat (grasslands),
populations and hunting opportuni-
ties on private and public lands via
pheasant cooperatives. It works by
acquiring state and federal resources
to assist landowners in the coopera-
tives to improve wildlife habitat on
their properties and by improving
grassland habitat on selected state
game areas, recreation areas or other
public lands. To learn more visit
www.mi.gov/pheasant.n
 Get Ready for Steelhead, Walleye, Bass and Turkey Seasons

DNR skills clinics in Cadillac regulations questions participants This clinic will cover a wide range

A
s part of its Outdoor Skills
Academy, the Department of
Natural Resources will offer
opportunities to learn more about
steelhead, walleye and bass fishing
and turkey hunting with upcoming
clinics at the Carl T. Johnson Hunt
and Fish Center in Cadillac, Michi-
gan.
Steelhead Clinic
Saturday & Sunday, March 25-26
This class, taught by instructors
with more than 30 years of experi-
ence fishing steelhead in Michigan,
is for both beginners and advanced
anglers. Participants will spend the
may have. Cost is $25 and includes
lunch.
Bass Fishing Clinic
Saturday, May 13
In this class for beginners, start-
ing at 10 a.m., the Outdoor Skills
Academy pro-staff will present
various strategies and techniques for
pursuing northern Michigan bass.
Feel free to bring your own gear.
the Carl T. Johnson Hunt and Fish
of fishing techniques for both small- Center.
mouth and largemouth bass, but will The Carl T. Johnson Hunt and
focus on the use of various plastic Fish Center is located in Mitchell
presentations, including Texas rig- State Park, at 6093 E. M-115 in
ging, Carolina rigging, tube jigs, etc. Cadillac. A Recreation Passport is
Cost for this class is $25. required for entry into the park. To
The Outdoor Skills Academy is learn more about the Carl T. John-
a DNR program focused on devel- son Hunt and Fish Center and its
oping and honing outdoor recre- programs, visit www.michigan.gov/
ation skills, with classes offered at huntfishcenter.n

www.burnips.com mail@burnips.com

Dorr, MI Big Rapids, MI Coopersville, MI Hudson, MI Three Rivers, MI

3073 142nd Ave. 18612 Northland Dr. 7353 State Rd. 15838 Carleton Rd. 55232 Franklin Dr.
first day in the classroom and the www.burnips.com mail@burnips.com (616) 896-9190 (231) 592-1200 (616) 997-9190 (517) 448-2071 (269) 273-3253
next day on the river. Saturdays
session runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dorr, MI Big Rapids, MI Coopersville, MI Hudson, MI Three Rivers, MI
and there are two Sunday morning 3073 142nd Ave. 18612 Northland Dr. 7353 State Rd. 15838 Carleton Rd. 55232 Franklin Dr.
(616) 896-9190 (231) 592-1200 (616) 997-9190 (517) 448-2071 (269) 273-3253
sessions, 8 to 10 a.m. and 10 a.m. to
noon. Cost for the class is $40 and
includes lunch.
Turkey Hunting Clinic
Saturday, April 1
The Outdoor Skills Academy
welcomes the National Wild Turkey
Federation for the academys first
wild turkey clinic. Starting at 10
a.m. and running four to five hours,
this A to Z class on how to hunt
wild turkeys will cover everything a
beginner needs to know to get start-
ed, including how to find a location,
scouting, calling and gear. The clinic
will be held both in the field and in
the classroom. The cost for this class
is $25, which includes lunch.
Open Water Walleye Clinic
Sunday, May 7
This four-hour class, starting
at 10 a.m., will go through how
Outdoor Skills Academy pro-staffers www.burnips.com mail@burnips.com
Steve Berry from Church Tackle and
Matt Peterson from Fishbones Cus- Dorr, MI Big Rapids, MI Coopersville, MI Hudson, MI Three Rivers, MI
tom Lures spend their days chasing 3073 142nd Ave. 18612 Northland Dr. 7353 State Rd. 15838 Carleton Rd. 55232 Franklin Dr.
(616) 896-9190 (231) 592-1200 (616) 997-9190 (517) 448-2071 (269) 273-3253
trophy walleye. The class will cover www.burnips.com mail@burnips.com * Payment is for 750 B and is calculated at 20% down and 84 months financing. Accessories, dealer fees and delivery charges
may affect price. With approved credit. Program restrictions may apply. See dealer for details. All offers expire March 31, 2017.
Dorr, MI Big Rapids, MI Coopersville, MI Hudson, MI Three Rivers, MI
everything from which rod and reel 3073 142nd Ave. 18612 Northland Dr. 7353 State Rd. 15838 Carleton Rd. 55232 Franklin Dr.
to use to how to use your electron- (616) 896-9190 (231) 592-1200 (616) 997-9190 (517) 448-2071 (269) 273-3253
ics. DNR staff members also will
be on hand to answer any rules and
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 25
West Michigans Steelhead
Spring can be fickle. Fortunately, you have plenty of options...By Mike Gnatkowski
This is a transitional time for both
steelhead and steelhead fishermen.
Wolverine State anglers are well
aware that the old adage March
comes in like a lion and goes out
like a lamb, is all too true in Michi-
gan. Steelhead aficionados can be
tempting silvery rainbows while ice
fishing on a foot of ice early in the
month and by the end of the month
be fishing for actively spawning fish
in shirt sleeves. The key to taking
advantage of this transformation is
to be flexible and versatile.
Anglers have a choice to pick
warmer, sunny days and fish for
holdover fish in the river or target
the drowned river mouths for stag-
ing steelhead when ice conditions
permit. Drowned river mouth lakes,
like Manistee, Pere Marquette,
White and Pentwater, can offer hot
steelhead action early in the month.
Steelheads that have been wander-
ing aimlessly in the drowned river
mouths all winter suddenly become
concentrated where the rivers enter
the drowned river mouths. The
prospects are a double-edged sword.
Increased river flows attract and
concentrate steelhead; the same
flows eat away and deteriorate last
ice making conditions highly vari-
able. The window of opportunity
can last as little as a few days, but
the fishing can be red-hot.
Manistee Lake/River
The Big Manistee River might
be the most prolific steelhead river
in the country. The Big M produces
plenty of naturally reproduced steel-
heads every year and the MDNR
plants upwards of 50,000 smolts
in the river annually. Its the only
Michigan river that gets a plant of
summer-run Skamania steelheads
so there are lake-run rainbows in
the river almost year round. In fact,
Skamania steelheads that have spent
the entire fall and winter in the
river are some of the first to begin
spawning in March. Add to this mix
a fall-run Michigan-strain fish and
early-run spring fish and the Man-
istee serves up some surprising early
season action beginning in March.
Depending on the winter, an-
glers will find good steelhead action
through the ice on Manistee Lake.
Ice anglers spot Slammer tip-ups
bait with spawn off Arthur Street
and East Lake and off the Mouth of
the Little Manistee River, ice condi-
tions permitting.
Pier action can be hit or miss in
March. Locals keep an eye on wind
direction and ice conditions on the
piers to take advantage of the first
run of spring fish. Others anchor off
26 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
Mike LeBlanc caught this gorgeous steelhead during an early spring warm up.
the mouth of the Big Manistee River
once word gets out the fish are on
the move.
The best gravel on the Big Man-
istee is upstream of High Bridge,
but thats where youll find the most
anglers, too. A focal point in the
spring is Tippy Dam. Savvy anglers
intercept migrating rainbows all the
way to Manistee Lake. Most drift
spawns bags, but hot shotting with
plugs can take some trophy rain-
bows.
For fishing reports and tackle
contact: Andys Tackle Box in
Brethren at (231) 477-5737.
Pere Marquette
Lake and River
Last ice in early March on Pere
Marquette Lake can produce frantic
steelhead action. Anglers target the
drop-off in 4 to 10 feet of water
where the Pere Marquette River
dumps into Pere Marquette Lake.
Ice anglers take rainbows all winter
long, but the last week of good ice
can be phenomenal, but treacher-
ous. Go prepared with a life jacket,
rope, a buddy and a cell phone.
Getting to the spot requires a long
walk from the Buttersville public
access, but the rewards can be worth
it. Slammers make catching hard-
fighting steelies easier. Slammers
use a conventional spinning rod that
makes it easier to land a rampaging
rainbow under the ice. A reel with
a drag is a huge advantage over a
tip-up when youre battling a fish
that makes long runs. Landing a
steelhead through the ice is one of
ice fishings ultimate thrills.
If youre not the adventur-
ous type, wait until the ice is gone
and launch at Peter Copean Park
and make the short run to the river
mouth or put in at Suttons Landing
and come down stream to the lake.
Post-spawn fish and fresh-run rain-
bows will both be available through
May and theres also the chance of
catching lake-run brown trout. Use
spawn bags with floaters and a slip
sinker just heavy enough to hold it
on bottom. Its waiting game thats
often all or nothing.
While some rainbows winter in
PM Lake, silvery fresh-run steel-
ies stage off the breakwall in Lake
Michigan. Whether these fish are
headed for the river or just move
shallow to feed and take advantage
of the warmer temperatures found
there isnt known, but anglers make
big catches off the piers beginning
in March through May. Ice usually
prevents anglers from getting on the
wall until later in March and even
then conditions can be treacherous.
Use caution. Its a good idea to wear
ice creepers, wear a life jacket and
use a rope to tie yourself off to the
breakwall. Most years its April be-
fore anglers can make it much past
the first elbow in the pier, but the
best fishing occurs in the warmer,
shallower water anyway.
There are two schools of thought
when fishing the breakwall. You can
use either live bait or cast hardware.
Both produce at times. Most an-
glers use a 1- to 3-ounce pyramid
sinker on a slider rig to hold their
offering in the surf. Quarter-sized
spawn bags with floaters are the
most preferred bait, but sometimes
showing the trout something dif-
ferent in the form of a minnow or
crawler can pay dividends. Others
cast heavy spoons, like Korcodiles,
KO Wobblers and Kastmasters, with
good success. Gold or silver spoons
highlighted with orange, green and
blue seem to produce best.
Rivers like the Pere Marquette
that are shallow and dont have any
dams, warm up first and are most
likely to see hot steelhead action in
March. Bright sunny days quickly
raise river temperatures a few de-
grees and steelheads that have win-
tered in the river will start edging to-
wards the gravel. Afternoons, when
rivers have reached their highest
temperatures for the day, are when
steelheads can be found working the
gravel. Activity increases once river
temperatures hit 40 degrees for a
Western steelhead page 28
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WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 27
Western
Steelhead:
from page 26
few consecutive days. Wear polar-
ized glasses and quietly stalk the
banks looking for signs of polished
gravel and spawning fish. If no fish
are visible, work the darker lies and
runs behind the beds where the fish
may be resting, biding their time or
fish on their way upstream may be
holding. You can drift spawn bags,
flies, yarn or swing in-line spinners
through runs with good success.
The flies-only section of the
Pere Marquette River can be good
beginning early in March from
M-37 to Gleasons Landing. Deep
pools separating gravel runs host
schools of spawning steelies. Steelheaders can find great conditions and good fishing on many Michigan steelhead rivers in early
Fishing pressure can be intense so spring depending on the weather. Mike Gnatkowski photos
fishing early in the month and dur-
ing the week can be a good plan. Pentwater of 6- to 12-pound bows headed bends. This is serious boating water.
Lots of fish though hold in the
For guides and more information
contact Baldwin Bait & Tackle at
Lake and River for
good
the White
off the
River.
breakwall
Fishing can
beginning
be
lower reaches of the river before
Steelheads from Lake Michi- in March and a bonus is the trophy blasting upstream in April. The
231-745-3529 or on-line at www. gan traverse channels in the weeds
fishbaldwin.com. walleyes that are mixed with the outflow from Croton Pond is cold
where the Pentwater River enters steelies. The combination can pro- and good number of steelheads can
My early days of steelheading the 440-acre Pentwater Lake near
were spent on the flies-only section Long Bridge Road. Ice anglers spot
duce a West-Michigan smorgasbord. be found in the Muskegon well into
of the PM, but I quickly learned that tip-ups, Automatic Fisherman and Even though theres a dam at May.
there was much more to the river Hesperia, the White River warms Lots of steelies bide their time
Slammers baited with spawn or
than that and I could get away from wigglers in the channels. The best
quickly in the spring and can pro- in the lower reaches of the river
the hordes of anglers that are typi- duce good fishing in March. The in March between Newaygo and
fishing usually occurs in 6 to 8 feet Bridgeton all the way to Maple Is-
cally found on the flies-only section of water. Key is locating the right gravel reaches below Hesperia host
these days. During my early days spawning fish before the Muskegon land. The stretch from Maple Island
channel that migrating steelhead are because of its shallow nature and to Mill Iron Road can be particu-
of guiding on the river, I had one using. GPS and experience are a big size. The lower reaches are suitable
of only a half dozen drift boats in larly good early in March. Anglers
help. Keep an eye on other anglers for drift boats and is a good area can gain access at Henning Park,
Michigan. The drift boat provided for signs of activity. Look for blood to prospect for steelheads headed
the vehicle to get away from public Felch Avenue, Bridgeton, Maple Is-
on the ice near productive holes. upstream in March. land and Mill Iron Road. There are
access points, bridges and people. The fishing is often feast or famine.
Unfortunately, thats not true these For fishing reports and tackle plenty of slower, deeper pools that
When the steelheads are moving, contact Hesperia Sport Shop at are ideal for plugging in this stretch.
days. limits are common.
Some of the best steelhead water (231) 854-3965 or on-line at www. Gravel is not as common as it is
Anglers will also find schools
in the country can be found between of steelies clustered in the big river hesperiasportshop.com. above Newaygo, so when you find
Rainbow Rapids and Lower Branch bends in a marshy area above Long Muskegon River it theres likely to be fish on it. Fish-
Bridge. There are dozens of deep Ridge. The current is fairly slow For some reason, you dont hear ing is best in the spring between
pools and runs interspersed with much about ice anglers catching Newaygo and Croton Dam when
here, and anglers do well drifting
gravel spits where spring steelies bobbers suspending spawn bags or steelheads through the ice on Mus- the river remains high and off color
gravitate. A favorite tactic of drift wigglers when the river is open dur- kegon Lake or off the breakwall at so anglers have to fish prospective
boaters is to hot shot with plugs. Al- ing the winter, and in March when Lake Michigan. Its somewhat of runs instead of lining visible fish off
lowing a spread of wriggling plugs increased flows beckon lake-run a conundrum. There are thousands the beds. Anglers can fish just about
to slowly move through a run trig- rainbows from Lake Michigan. of steelheads that pass the pier- any way they want using flies,
gers a steelheads defensive instincts heads and through Muskegon Lake spawn, beads, plugs and spinners
and they will lambaste intruding White Lake headed up the Muskegon River, but and catch fish.
crank baits. Most anglers avoid the Schools of red-striped steelheads you rarely hear of anyone catching For details on fishing the Mus-
stretch of river from Custer to US- overwinter in 2,572-acre White them. kegon River contact Parsleys Sport
31 in the spring, but every steelhead Lake before heading upstream in The main focus for anglers Shop in Newaygo at (231) 652-
headed for the flies-only stretch has the spring. Anglers spot Slammers targeting the Muskegon River is 6986.
to come though there first. March is off the marina on the northeast the stretch from Croton Dam to March can be fickle. Fortu-
a good time to target the lower river. corner of the lake and play a wait- Newaygo. The river here averages nately, you have plenty of options
For more information contact ing game in early March. On the from 150 to 200 feet wide and 2- when it comes to steelhead in West
Captain Chucks II at 231-843-4458. right day, ice anglers catch limits to 6-feet deep with much deeper Michigan.n
28 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
 Consumers Energy Foundation awards grant
ENTURE.
Whether you need a personal workhorse or
to support Michigan Arctica partner
Grayling
in adventure, Initiative
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he MDNR, the Little
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Indians and Michigan stewards of our land, air, water and
Technological University wildlife involved in the Michigan
have received a Consum- Arctic Grayling Initiative that this
ers Energy Foundation swimming icon of clean waterways
grant of $117,175 to support efforts will again flourish in Michigan riv-
to bring back the extirpated Arctic ers.
grayling to Michigan waters. For more information on the his-
Michigans Arctic Grayling Initia- tory of Arctic grayling in Michigan,
tive was announced in June 2016 and visit Michigan.gov/fishid.n

0% 36
consists of 32 organizations that are
partnering together to reintroduce this
culturally significant species.
The Consumers Energy Founda-

FOR MONTHS
OWN YOUR ADVENTURE.
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TROPHY WALLEYES
D
uring the early spring,
the Michigan waters
of Lake Erie serve up
some of the
best trophy
walleye fish-
ing found anywhere. This
relatively small slice of
Lake Erie is in a region of
the Western Basin where
large walleyes stage prior to
spawning. It is also a good
spot to target post
spawn lunkers as
well. This bite is By Michael Veine
best early in the
spring from ice out until mid-April
before the big walleyes head east
on their normal, seasonal migra-
tion. Savvy anglers armed with the
right equipment and tactics who also
know the right places and times, can
cash in on this phenomenal fishery
that is simply top shelf for trophy
walleye fishing in Michigan.
The year before last, with very
good early spring water conditions
on Erie, I was able to run a fair
number of charters in the Michigan
waters of Lake Erie. In the last
decade though, most of my Lake
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Erie outings had been Buckeye trips
to Ohio waters. For reasons that
turned out to be misguided, in 2003
and 2004, the DNR closed
down the walleye fishing
on the Michigan waters
of Erie during the spring.
Since then, I just hadnt
really done much fishing
there until 2015. That year,
winter ended quickly with
the ice seeming to be thick
one day and then
gone the next.
The fishing condi-
tions looked great
when the ice first went out, so I
scheduled my first charter on April
1, but decided to pre-fish for a few
hours the evening before.
I hit the water on March 31 with
Don McCoy, a friend of mine, and
since we didnt have much time, I
decided to just scout out the Michi-
gan waters close to Bolles Harbor.
The water conditions were ideal.
There were slightly stained condi-
tions with clear patches interspersed.
We ran around a bit to locate fish
on my sonar and then after I had
figured things out satisfactorily, we
Keep it Cold. Anywhere.
And Relax.
No Electricity Required!
This giant walleye was caught on a somewhat foggy day trolling stickbaits
very slowly in the ice cold waters of Michigans Lake Erie.
set up for a down-wind, trolling pass
over a few miles of fishy looking
water. As we trolled along, lots of
fish were marked and a quite a few
walleyes hit our lures, but unfortu-
nately most of those fish were light
biters that were lost. We still boated
about a half dozen mostly big wall-
eyes though, and that area certainly
looked promising for my charter the
next day.
That next morning I met my
clients at the ramp and ran right out
to the same area we fished the day
before. The conditions were ideal
with fairly warm, sunny weather and
a light south wind putting a slight
chop on the water. We ran just a
couple miles out from Bolles Harbor
and set a modest trolling spread con-
sisting of six shallow diving Thun-
dersticks and Rouges pulled at 1.0
mph about 50-60 behind the Church
Tackle Walleye Boards. I had added
a 3/8 ounce rubber core sinker about
five feet ahead of the lures to help
take them deeper and also to catch
lure fowling debris that might slide
down the line and otherwise foul the
lures.
We also deployed two more
stickbaits right behind the boat and
used Church Tackle, Stern Plan-
ers to deploy those lures far away
from the fish-spooking presence of
the boat. It didnt take long before
each of my three clients had landed
their first walleye. At that time of
the year most of the walleyes are
rather large in size with most in the
26-30 inch range weighing from 6
to 12 pounds. As the day went on,
the bite picked up more and more
due to the rising water tempera-
tures. We were trolling the lures
about 8-10 feet below the surface
in 15 to 20 feet of water right at the
thermocline. By the end of the trip
my clients had amassed an impres-
sive catch of lunker walleyes with
everybody catching true giant wall-
eyes that weighed over 10 pounds.
When I later posted a fishing report
of that days success, a lot of people
thought it was an April fools joke,
but if they didnt take it seriously,
then the joke was indeed on them.
The fishing in the spring of 2015
remained excellent up to mid- April,
but last year it was more spotty with
a burst of excellent fishing in late
March, followed by bad conditions
for a week, and then some better
fishing on the second week of April.
The weather and water conditions
are the key to finding success during
the early spring on Erie, but when
its on, I dont know of any other
trophy walleye fishery in Michigan
that compares.
Where to Fish
The best place to launch for early
spring outings in the Michigan wa-
ters of Lake Erie is Bolles Harbor,
just south of Monroe. Because of
the water current through the harbor,
this ramp is typically ice free earlier
than others in the area and it is close
to some of the best fishing areas too.
Early in the season, during
March and early April, the waters
from Bolles Harbor to the Wood
Tic Peninsula usually hold lots of
big, pre-spawn walleyes. I have
caught spring walleyes in that area
in depths ranging from six to over
20 feet deep. The reason this area is
so good early in the season is due to
warm water discharges from power
plants in the area and close proxim-
ity to the Maumee River. Area reefs
also draw lots of walleyes there too,
but the Maumee River gets one of
the largest run of spawning walleyes
on Erie during the spring.
Spring run off from the Maumee
River also frequently stains the wa-
ter in the southern most portions of
Michigans Lake Erie waters. The
stained water really attracts walleyes
though, especially during the spring
when the sun will warm up dirty wa-
ters faster than nearby clear water.
The warm, stained water attracts
masses of baitfish and the walleyes
have no choice but to go into the
dirty water in order to feed. This is
why savvy anglers will seek out the
edges of stained water where transi-
tion water meets more clear parts of
the lake. Those spots are usually a
good bet to find success.
A lot of walleye spawning takes
place during the second and third
weeks of April. After big female
walleyes spawn, they drop back out
of the rivers and reefs and stage in
deeper water areas close by those
spawning complexes. The Detroit
River hosts a lot of spring spawn-
ing activity too, and a lot of those
lunker walleyes that spawn there
end up in the Michigan waters of
Erie from the Fermi Nuke Plant to
Brest Bay during mid-April. Waters
This jumbo walleye was caught two years-ago in Michigan waters of Lake Erie. Author photos
from 15 to 25 feet deep is where I consistent hits, but hooks must When the water temperature rises
have found success there and those be especially sharp to hold fish at into the high 40s, Shad Raps really
waters are readily accessible from those turtle slow, trolling speeds. I put a pounding on the walleyes. I
the Sterling State Park boat launch add rubber core sinkers in enough prefer the #7 size in Natural Shad,
just north of Monroe. weight to get the lures down to the Black/Silver and Fire/Tiger pat-
desired depths, typically just above terns. If the water is real dirty, then
How to Catch Them where I am marking the most fish. Rattling Shad Raps are my favorite
When the water temperature is When the water gets to 40-45 choice, with natural patterns being
frigid, in the 32 to 40 degree range, degrees though, Deep Husky Jerk my favorite. Shad Raps work well
subtle action, short-lipped stickbaits Baits, Deep Rouges and Deep Jr. in water temps from the high 40s to
are my favorite lure choice. On Thundersticks get deployed into the the mid-50s and trolling speeds of
my first outings of the year there, trolling spread. When the wa- 1.5 to 1.8 mph seems to result in lots
Thundersticks in gold/black and ter warms into the low 40s, color solid hookups. When the white bass
silver/black have been a long time preferences are not as picky. I have move into the area in mass, then that
favorite of mine. As the water starts used dozens of different patterns pretty much signals the end of the
to approach 40 degrees though, then with good success at that time with big walleye marathon there.
shallow diving Rouges and Husky all the colors of the rainbow being The author offers fishing charters
Jerk Baits in the same type of color represented. These baits are trolled specializing in Lake Erie and Sagi-
patterns really start to turn on. In at 1.0 to 1.5 mph. and I still use a naw Bay walleyes. Contact Mike
that very cold water, trolling speeds small, rubber core sinker as a debris Veine at www.trophyspecialists.com
of .7 to 1.0 mph are needed to get shield. or 734-475-9146.n
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The TX-44 is the first and the only in line planer to pull the large Divers,
(10 1/4 long, weighs about 3 oz) (7 long, weighs about 1.5 oz) Lead Core, Wire or Copper Lines and Heavy Weights. The size of the TX-44 forcing the Stingray downward. A fish on will
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Please check with your local tackle shop first, if they dont carry our products visit us at www.churchtackle.com to view all
of our great American made fishing gear, or call us at 269-934-8528 to request a catalog.
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 31
 Typical 10-point scores 175 2/8...

State record
crossbow buck
R
ural Allegan County typical among crossbow kills,
resident Trent Smith according to CBM, was another
bagged a 10-pointer that scored
pending state 170 even and was col-
record typi- lected in Wayne County
cal crossbow during 2015. The reason
buck on October 22 in Al- Smiths buck is currently
legan County. After being labeled as a pending state
panel measured by three record is the 2016 scoring
Commemorative Bucks of period goes until the end
Michigan (CBM) scorers of March. A bigger typi-
on March 4, cal crossbow
the impressive
10-pointer
By Richard P. Smith buck could
surface before Trent Smiths wide rack record buck has a 19-inch inside spread
that Smith ar- then. and both beams are more than 26 inches long. The second tines
rowed had a gross score of 177 7/8 All potential state record racks on both sides are the longest, measuring 12 2/8 inches on the
and netted 175 2/8. have to be panel measured to right and 11 6/8 on the left. Bases of the antlers are five inches in
The previous state record determine the official score. The circumference. Trent Smith photo

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person who originally measured
the antlers is normally a member
of the panel. All members of the
panel have to agree on each mea-
surement. The final score may or
may not change from the original
measurement.
In the case of the Smith Buck,
the official score increased by a
little more than an inch. The origi-
nal net score was 173 7/8.
go too far.
Trent killed the buck with a
3-blade, fixed blade broadhead
called a Black Out that he said is
recommended for use with Parker
Crossbows. The Allegan County
buck had a dressed weight of 230
pounds and was aged at 5 years
old. Smith wasnt hunting over
bait. He was relying on natural
movement of deer through the
area.
The wide rack grown by the
record buck has a 19-inch inside
spread and both beams are more
than 26 inches long. The second
tines on both sides are the longest,
measuring 12 2/8 inches on the
right and 11 6/8 on the left. Bases
of the antlers are five inches in
circumference.
There were only 2 5/8 inches
of deductions for symmetry from
one beam to the other. The biggest
differences were in tine lengths.
The length of the third tine on the
right side was 9 2/8 inches, for ex-
ample, compared to 10 4/8 inches
on the left, for a difference of 1
2/8 inches.n

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Smith said he doesnt use trail
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to the point that it was too painful ALCONA CD DICKINSON CD ISABELLA CD NEWAYGO CD
320 S. State St. 420 North Hooper St. 5979 East Broadway Road 940 W. Rex St.
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Flint 48532 8840 Chippewa Hwy (US-31) OCEANA CD
517-278-2725 x5 Bear Lake 49614 1064 Industrial Park Dr.
and had taken a number of other www.branchcd.org 810-230-8766 x3
www.gettrees.org 231-889-4761 Shelby 49455
deer with it before last fall. The www.manisteecd.org 231-861-5600 x3
CHARLEVOIX CD www.oceanaconservation.org
biggest buck he had taken with a 303 North St. HILLSDALE CD
crossbow before last fall was an Boyne City 49712 588 Olds St., Bldg #2 MARQUETTE
231-582-6193 Jonesville 49250 COUNTY CD TUSCOLA CD
8-pointer. www.charlevoixcd.org 517-849-9890 780 Commerce Dr., 1075 Cleaver Rd.
Smith was hunting from a tree- www.hillsdalecd.org Ste B Caro 48723
stand on an island of high ground CHIPPEWA LUCE Marquette 49855 989-673-8174 x3
that was mostly surrounded by MACKINAC CD HURON CD 906-226-2461 x129 www.tuscolacd.com
2847 Ashmun St. 1460 South Van Dyke www.marquettecd.org
thick cover when he got the pos- Sault Ste Marie 49783 Bad Axe 48413 VAN BUREN CD
906-635-1278 989-269-9549 x3 1035 East Michigan Ave.,
sible record buck. He had seen a
www.clmcd.org www.huroncd.org MISSAUKEE CD Ste A
lot of buck sign in the area. Smith 6180 W. Sanborn Rd.,
Paw Paw 49079
saw the 10-pointer about 8:00 CLINTON CD INGHAM CD Ste 3
269-657-4030 x5
2343 N. US-27 1031 West Dexter Trail Lake City 49651
a.m. on October 22 approximately 231-839-7193 www.vanburencd.org
St Johns 48879 Mason, MI 48854
80 yards away. The whitetail was 989-224-3720 x3 517-676-2290 www.missaukeecd.org
headed for the swamp around the www.clintonconservation.org www.inghamconservation.com
island of high ground. DELTA CD MUSKEGON CD
IONIA CD 4735 Holton Rd.
He came back out of the 6822 US 2-41 & M35 431 Swartz Court, #300 Twin Lake 49457
Gladstone 49837 Ionia 48846 231-828-5097
swamp about 20 minutes later 906-553-7700 616-527-2620 x101 www.muskegoncd.org
and came toward me, Smith www.deltacd.org www.ioniacd.org
said. When he was 30 yards
away, I shot him, and he didnt
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 33
 Family
Fishing
G
eorge Monsma Whats important, though, is
looked out over the for him it had been a good way
water, licked to pass the time on a new
his lips, and activity.
with the As far as we knew,
wisdom of we were doing every-
experience affirmed, This thing right. Georges Dad,
has been a good day of Marty, kept an eye on him
fishing. and inserted the isnt this
His other memorable cool type of comments as
pronouncement that day: warranted. His ol grand-
I caught a worm! uncle Tom took
Turns out,
however, George By Tom Carney care of baiting the
hook, casting the
isnt an old-timer. line and bobber,
He was three years old at the time and assisting with the landing and
of this, his first angling experi- release of the fish. We kept the gear
ence ever. It had lasted less than an simple and let the boys know it
hour. And as far as he knew he had, was just for them. We didnt try to George Monsma, (left) focuses on fishing under the watchful eye of
indeed, caught a worm. fish for ourselves. We focused only his granduncle Tom Carney. Mar ty Monsma photo

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on the kids. And we were, luckily,
smart enough to fish from land in-
stead of trapping the kids in a boat
until the grown ups decided it was
time to stop fishing. This proved to
be a good move because Georges
brother Henry quickly lost interest
and was thus free to roam around
and find stones to whip into the
water.
The most important element of
the day, of course, was the fish. In
this case they were panfish, mostly
bluegills. It seems as if every how
to get kids started fishing article
you read mentions getting them
into fish, as a primary if not the
most essential ingredient. And
nine times out of 10 the type of fish
mentioned is panfish.
Even for adults, bluegills have
prevented many a fishing day from
being racked up in the skunked
column. For instance, one last
Saturday of April in northern
Michigan, after a series of unsuc-
cessful visits to hotspots on big
rivers, I returned to our cabin,
traded out my 7-weight fly rod for
the 2-weight and had a ball with
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the willingly aggressive and highly
entertaining panfish that struck the
heck out of my spider imitation fly.
That night, in the cabin journal I
wrote, Id rather catch a bluegill
than not catch a trout.
George had more than fisher-
mans luck that day. He and his
family were staying at a lodge in
west Michigan that had a pond
available for anyone to fish. And
while the Michigan DNR doesnt
produce places to catch bluegill as
easily as trout in commercial trout
ponds, it has been experimenting
with making it easy for folks to
find easy-to-fish spots. You can
start your search at the Family
Friendly Fishing Waters web
page.
The page offers links to various
counties that house lakes people
have identified as family friendly
for fishing. Another link on that
page leads to a form one can fill
out to nominate more lakes for the
title of Family Friendly.
A quick sampling of lakes in
several counties revealed all the
lakes have some degree of shore-
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248-249-4710 Or Visit Our Website
www.thunderhillsranch.com
line fishing available. The specific
lake pages also offer links to PDF
versions of black and white maps.
This is a good website and
helps people plan a fishing trip at
the last minute, such as if someone
wakes up on a Saturday morn-
ing and wants to plan where to go
fishing (i.e., with kids, date, elderly
family member, visitors, etc.),
says George Madison, DNR Fish-
eries Manager in the West Lake
Superior Management Unit.
No one guarantees there will be
successful fishing. But the lake lists
at least provide a starting point.
Also, Mason says, the DNR has
begun a new program for stocking
panfish in lakes. The department
will transfer panfish from one
lake to another. Plus, it has begun
bluegill-rearing programs.
The rearing program in his unit
has been initially successful, and it
is continuing.
We are doing that to answer a call
for more panfish so we can offer
more quiet water fishing, he says.
Finally, for those wondering
about licensing regulations when
they are introducing young people
to fishing, here is what the DNR
says on its Family Friendly Fish-
ing Waters page:
An adult does not need a fishing
license to help someone under the
age of 17 fish. Those under 17 both
have the same fishing privileges
and must comply with the same
fishing regulations, as do those
with valid fishing licenses. People
without a licenses may help set up
fishing rods with the appropriate
gear, bait the hooks, fix tangles or
snags and cast the lines for young
anglers. They may also land fish
with nets or their hands and help
unhook fish. The DNR stresses
that the young anglers must be an
active participant while the person
assisting is only assisting.
To access the Family Friendly
Fishing Waters interactive page,
go to the Michigan DNR website
(www.michigan.gov/dnr). Click
on the Fishing button on the left
side of the window. In the win-
dow that opens, beneath Angler
Tools, click on the Family
Friendly Fishing Waters link.n
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 35
Hunting with a Self-Built 20 ga. Flintlock...

Turkey Time By Darryl Quidort

T
he first gobble boomed muzzle loader built on one and it
out when the new day held a really tight shot pattern. Its
was only a pink glow a turkey killing machine! I plan on
in the eastern sky. I building one for myself.
listened intently and Most muzzle loading shotguns
waited quietly. Soon are cylinder bore and, although they
two tom turkeys were sounding off work well enough for most small
regularly from their roosts in the game hunting, most dont hold a
hardwoods a quarter-mile away. dense enough shot pattern to cleanly
As I waited, I admired the beauti- take turkeys at longer ranges. This
ful flintlock fowling piece in my specialized barrel sounded interest-
hands. Running my hands over the ing.
long, sleek fowler made me feel My next call was to Scott, at
like a time traveler. The gun was the Colerain Barrel Company, to
very similar to those used by turkey get the low-down on the turkey
hunters on the American frontier choke barrel. We have had nothing
250 years ago, yet here I was, in but wonderful success with these
the present, hunting in Michigans barrels, he announced. The shot
2016 spring turkey season. I sat and patterns from this 20 gauge barrel
reminisced about the events that had are extremely tight, so tight that the
led up to this hunt. firearm should have both a front
It began with a phone call from and rear sight, not just a front bead.
my friend, Mike Yancey. Have With the right load, these barrels Success with the flintlock fowling piece makes the author, Darryl
you heard about the Colerain turkey are capable of out-shooting modern Quidor t, smile.
choke barrel? he asked. I shot a shotguns. I ordered a 20 gauge
turkey choke barrel from Scott and so the fun began with texting each
began to gather all the parts needed other pictures of our progress on the
to build my own flintlock fowler. builds and talking over problems
That project became the gun I was as they arose. Sometimes it seems
admiring as the turkeys were gob- as if building a muzzle loader from
bling on that early morning hunt. scratch is a process of solving one
As the clear sky began to lighten problem after another.
up, the hens started waking up. A I never heard the birds fly down
few soft clucks came from the big that morning, but as the cackling of
cottonwood trees along the ditch. the hens increased, I began call-
That wasnt good, because the hens ing. I challenged every word that
were roosted between me and the old boss hen said by cutting her off
toms. There was no need to call yet, with a loud response of my own.
Id wait until the hens flew down. She sounded angry. I dont think
Yancey and I began to compare she liked being challenged but, in
notes as soon as the parts started ar- the end, she led the ladies auxiliary
riving for our guns. He was building club away from me. Soon, the hens
a Lancaster style gun while I decid- joined up with the toms over in the
ed on an early Virginia style firearm hardwoods. Nothing for me to do
Used Used with a curly maple stock. Mike lives then but wait. My mind began to
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 Sometimes anticipation is a big
part of the experience. I remem-
bered the fun and excitement Mike
and I had while texting each other
about the progress on our builds.
Got my barrel lugs dovetailed in.
Working on the buttplate. What
trigger guard do you have? Im
inletting my lock. How far from the
sear is your trigger? Got the holes
for my lock bolts drilled and tapped.
Yee-Haa, this is starting to look like
a gun.
My goal was to finish my gun by
spring turkey season and, of course,
to hunt with it. After a winters
worth of work on the flintlock I was
finally ready to finish the stock and
blue the barrel and iron fittings. But
first, I wanted to shoot it! Traips-
ing through the snow out back of
the house, I hung up a large sheet
of paper to check the shot pattern.
I was very pleased with the tight
patterns from the gun. After trying
several different loads I settled on
75 grains of 2fG black powder and 1
ounces of copper plated #6 shot.
At 30 yards that load would con-
sistently put over a hundred pellets
inside a ten inch circle drawn in the
center of the pattern.
A loud gobble jolted me back
from my daydreams. Turkey time!
For the last hour and a half I had
been calling every 20 minutes or so
and that was my first response. My
patience had been rewarded. After
a pause, I used my slate to carefully
produce the plaintive, yelp, yelp,
yelp of a hen turkey. Then I waited
again.
When the time came to finish
the curly maple gunstock, I decided
to use aqua fortis to color it in the
historic method used by gunstock-
ers 250 years ago on the original
American longrifles. Although I had
built muzzleloaders before, I had
never tried aqua fortis. After apply-
ing the acidic liquid to the stock, I
let it dry overnight. In the morning I
was shocked to see that the beautiful
Use of historical aqua for tis brought out the beauty of the curly
maple stock. Author photo
curly maple had turned bright green.
I called Yancey. My stock looks
like treated lumber! I blurted out.
Yeah, dont worry, Mike my flintlock fowler was a wonder-
laughed. Just put the heat to it and
itll be all right.
Originally, they used a branding
iron, heated red hot in the forge, to
bring out the color by carefully wav-
ing it close to the wood. I decided
a paint-stripping heat gun would
be safer for a klutz like me. To
my relief, the heat soon turned the
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green color to a dark, honey col-
ored, beautifully banded gun stock.
Phew! When finally completed
fowler was a challenging goal,
fully balanced, quick firing gun that
held shot patterns that would rival
a modern shotgun. I was ready for
turkey season.
The next time the turkey gob-
bled he sounded closer. The third
time I knew that he was coming in.
Ive heard it said that when a tom
turkey responds to your call twice,
Hello, this is Charlie Morse.
At 63 years old I don't have a lifetime
to wait! Air pruned containerized
plants, equals RESULTS SOONER!
lay your call on the ground and sit
on it. Its easy to call too much. I
watched the gobbler as he slowly
and cautiously approached looking
for the hen he had heard.
Suddenly, my heart was pound-
ing, my palms were sweaty, and
why did my eyes have to start
watering just now? At 37 long
paces, he warily stepped into the
open and stretched his neck up. His
head turned this way and that, until
his black eye locked onto me with
a steady glare. I could just imagine
that his little pea brain had just real-
ized that he had been fooled.
Flint sparked on steel. KA-
BOOM! The sound echoed from
the hardwoods and a cloud of black
powder smoke rolled out toward the
big bird as he flopped his last.
Building my own flintlock
and a most rewarding one. There
is something special about success
using a gun you have invested many
hours of effort and care in building.
Making your own equipment feeds
the outdoorsmans basic instinct of
self-sufficiency. I cant wait until
the season opens this spring and its
turkey time again.n

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WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 37
 Fishing in
the moment
Fishing memories is
a term used by avid
anglers when the only
reason you are in a
particular area is be-
cause you have caught
fish there before...
By Mark Mar tin
paying attention to the time of year
youre there and not only what the
weather is doing, but noting what it
has been doing beforehand.
Is the spawn early or late? What
are the water temperatures the day
youre there? What were they be-
fore? Is there forage in the area? Is
there a major bug hatch happening?

A
As you can see, theres a lot that
dictates where youll find fish.
nd weve all been Overall, whether youre on a
guilty of it. Oh, sure, reservoir, natural lake, river system
youll stumble into fish or one of the Great Lakes, your hot
once in a while if you spot is more than likely only a hot
go back to the same spot during certain times of year.
place every outing; The Congregation Early On
but if the environment is not right in There was a Professional Wall-
that hot spot of yours, the catching eye Trail (PWT) tournament held
will suffer. many springs ago on South Dakotas
Yes, its as simple as that. Lake Francis Case, in 2007 to be
Catching walleyes (well, any exact, which is a perfect example of
fish for that matter) with any kind how not only the water temperatures
of consistency is more a matter of affected the spawn of the walleyes

Fishing Benzie County IS Catching!

This big walleye was not caught in a place where the author, Mark
Mar tin, had fished before, but rather where the environment had
Fish on some of Michigans finest waters, 2017 Fishing caused the fish to migrate. Mark Mar tin photo
in Benzie County, Michigan! Benzie CounTournaments in
ty, Michigan!
Enjoy Lake Michigan from our port city of Frankfort or try your 18th David Bih
lm an Memorial
- June 18
that roam within this impoundment well over 100 boats.
Battle of the
luck on one of our over 57 inland lakes, two rivers and several Betsie - June
30-July 2 of the Missouri River, but the moon Instead, I paid close attention
streams. Our waters are rich with Coho Salmon, Steelhead, Uncle Sams
Shoot Out - phase, as well. to the every-changing temperatures
Benzie Fishin July 4
Brown Trout, Bass, Pike, Walleye, Bluegill and Perch. Every g Frenzy - Au
fishing enthusiast will find just what their fishing for. Crystal
gust 26-27
I had fished this man-made lake of the water the couple weeks I
Lake, Big & Little Platte Lakes, the Betsie and Platte Rivers and of many times before, but never so was there, in addition, to the entire
course, Lake Michigan are the most well-known, but you will also early in the year; in this case, the environment around me both during
discover hidden gems like Turtle Lake, Long Lake or Herring Lake
that may just be the experience youre looking for.
tournament was held the end of the prefishing and tournament time. The
first week of April. To be blunt, had water temperatures, how long those
Lodging choice abound and area sporting shops sell all your fishing
needs and provide tips on the hot spots. Great local shopping I fished the memories of where Id water temperatures held steady, the
and dining options make for a well-rounded trip to Benzie County. caught fish in tournaments past, Id moon phase and the congregation
For more information, call our office or visit our website at never have placed as high as I did, of spawning walleye all dictated
800-882-5801 or www.visitbenzie.com
which was 6th place in a field of where the fish were as well would

FISH FOR STOCKING

Trout, Bass, Pike, Walleyes, Catfish, Pan Fish,
Minnows for Fast Fish Growth, Hybrid Bluegills.
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Benzie County
Visitors Bureau Imlay City Fish Farms, Inc.
www.visitbenzie.com
800-882-5801
Fish Consultants
1442 N. Summers Rd., Imlay City, Michigan 48444
Northern Michigan Preserved
/benziecounty.cvb Phone: (810) 724-2185
Photos courtesy of Gold Coast Charter Service and Benzie County Visitors Bureau #PureBenzieMI www.ImlayCityFishFarm.com
38 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
be later on.
In short; the unseasonably warm
air temperatures the week before
tournament time heated the water
quickly, which had the fish moving
up and out of their deep-water win-
ter haunts and onto rocks in shallow
water.
Water temps went from tick-
ling the freezing mark and into the
mid- to high-40s in no time, and
stayed there for at least a week. A
full moon was showing while the
water warmed, thus the steady rise
in temperature and perfect moon
phase was the textbook combination
for the rituals of spawning to com-
mence.
But then came the day before the
tournament, and a major cold front
moved in, with Arctic air blasting its
way into the area. Normally, a cold
front of this magnitude would have
the walleyes high-tailing it back
down into deep water and belly-
ing to bottom. This time, however,
I took note from what I saw on my
Lowrance sonar-that the fish were
reacting differently.
Instead of migrating back into
depths, the fish stayed shallow and
kept on spawning, despite water
temperatures cooling nearly 10
degrees. Had the water only warmed
up for a couple days and then cooled
off with another moon phase over-
head, the walleye would have held
off on spawning, moved off of the
first breakline offshore and sulked
til the next warm up.
As a whole, I paid attention to
the environment of the water, and
not just the day of the tournament,
but the whole week before. And
I didnt fish the places from my
memories of tournaments past, but
rather was in the moment and found
new water. And it paid off big time.
Despite the Weather
I caught a lot of fish in that
particular brutal South Dakota cold.
My technique was to position my
DETROIT RIVER WALLEYE FISHING
313-319-0100 or Greatlakesbassfishing.com
Lund offshore just far enough so I
could cast a 3-inch Berkley Power-
Bait Minnow, fish on a 1/8-ounce
Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Jig
right at the shoreline and then jig it
back to the boat.
The hits were subtle, and the
bitter cold made feeling strikes
difficult. The super-low stretch of
6-pound-test Berkley FireLine re-
ally helped me detect bites. And I
sprayed Blakemores Real Magic
onto my ABU Garcias filled spool
and Fenwick rods guides so the
frozen line would cast better.
Post-Spawn Spread
Even though they are bellied to
bottom after spawning, walleyes
get real hungry immediately after it
all, eating to regain their strength.
Anything from minnows, young-
of-the-year trout and salmon, smelt,
suckers, alewives and aquatic
insects, are the main food sources
as fish move off the first breaks
offshore.
After migrating back from the
rivers, creeks and off rock-strewn
shorelines and into the main-lake
basins, the biggest hen walleyes
tend to spread out rather than school
up. Thus fishing the same ol spots
this time of year can make for poor
results.
In the Great Lakes, large inland
lakes and reservoirs, the fish could
be anywhere from near pierheads
adjacent to river mouths they may
have spawned within, to miles off-
shore or into the main lake.
This post-spawn period is when
Ill crank up my 9.9 4-stroke kicker
and cover as much water as I can
with artificial baits that mimic min-
nows such as Rapala Shad Raps or
Original Floaters.
A three-way rigwhich is a
heavy bell sinker on a dropper line,
tied to a 3-way swivel, and then a
Rapala on 4 feet of leader line trail-
ing behindtrolled near bottom,
directly behind the boat is one of my
Experience some of the best
walleye fishing in the country.
This years walleye run is going
to be one of the best in years.
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Reserve your date today.
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favorite ploys. Trolling leadcore in
conjunction with Church Tackles
in-line planer boards is a great near-
bottom tactic when covering water,
as well. While pulling these rigs for
walleyes hugging bottom Ill also
put out Rapala Shad Raps and troll
them behind in-line planer boards
for fish which might be suspended.
This time of year I tend to roll
slowly, at 1.4 to 1.7 MPH. If I
dont get bit, Ill slow down even
more. And whether its used as my
mainline when tolling or as a leader
for my leadcore, I use Berkleys
12-pound-test Trilene XT.
Follow the Food
As spring wanes, walleyes be-
come even more focused on finding
food. This time of year the fish will
be found wherever baitfish and bugs
are congregating, either suspended
high in the water column near struc-
ture, or, tight to structure during
cold front conditions.
Ill troll crankbaits with a tighter
wiggle when fish are suspended,
and, at higher speeds. Rapala Tail
Dancers and X-Raps, for example,
can be pulled at speeds from 2 MPH
and higher directly behind the boat,
or out to the sides with in-line plan-
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Turkeyecoys
and D
er boards. If fish are not responding
to my speed. Ill either speed up or
slow down until I get bit.
If a cold fronts got the walleye
hunkered down, jigging with one
of the many Berkley Gulp! baits
hooked up to a Northland RZ Jig is
my go-to rig. And I tie the jig head
directly to 6-pound-test, Flame-col-
ored FireLine. Even in clear water,
the fish wont and dont care about
the brightly-colored line.
Faded Memories
Fishing memories? Thats not
a problem if the conditions are just
right in places youve caught em
before. But for more consistent
catches, its best to pay attention to
the environment around you.
Watch those water tempera-
tures, before and during your day
on the lake, and fish where the fish
are that day. Sure, that seems like a
no-brainer now, but sometimes we
forget.
Mark Martin is a professional
tournament walleye angler and in-
structor with the Fishing/Vacations
Schools who resides in Michigans
southwestern Lower Peninsula.
Check out his website at www.
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WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 39
The Maumee River walleye run
Gear and techniques that will land you some whopping sized walleye... By Brian Miller
W
ith spring already
approaching, it
is time for the
Maumee River
Walleye Run.
This amazing
spring walleye fishing is just 11
miles away from the Michigan
boarder. Northern Ohio claims to
be one of the largest tributaries with
excellent spawning grounds for the
spring walleye. This run continues
to thrive because walleye from Lake
Erie move to the Western Basis and
upstream to spawn.
Fishing the Maumee River is an
amazing experience, there is nothing
like it east of the Mississippi. The
walleye that youll catch are com-
monly in the 18 to 24 inch range
with the opportunity to catch a giant
30-plus inch walleye. Just fishing
the Maumee River doesnt mean
that youll be successful. Although
the fish are concentrated down, it
still provides some difficult fish-
ing. The most successful anglers
40 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
have developed a walleye-catching
methodology. Right here we want
to give you a guide on how to be
successful on the Maumee River
by sharing over thirty years of river
fishing experience. Lets cover the
most important aspects of fishing
the Maumee River.
Gear Guide
The great thing about the
Maumee River is Lake Erie wall-
eye, which are mostly unreachable
without a boat, come into the river
system. This allows anyone an op-
portunity to enjoy fishing them from
the shorelines. Although anyone
can pull out their dusty fishing gear
from the garage, here are a few tips
on tackle that will help you become
successful.
In the Maumee River, youre
dealing with finicky eating walleye
but some heavy current. Walleye
put up a moderate fight consist- A high-quality rod allows you to feel the subtle bite along with
ing of heavy pulls and headshakes.
enough power to handle the river current.
Plus, substantial river current and
many other anglers to navigate are a problem. monofilament or the equivalent in
Heading to the river with a the braided line.
medium-action graphite rod that is Catching walleye while standing
between 6 and 7 feet long is perfect. along the bank is possible but a ma-
Pick a rod with a sensitive tip for jority of the anglers prefer to utilize
feeling the subtle bite but enough chest waders to reach deeper pools.
power to navigate the current. I like Neoprene waders are the way to go.
a rod with a long handle for better During the spring, the water can be
fighting. Pair that with a medium 30 degrees, making a thicker 5mm
spinning reel that has around ten neoprene wader or insulated waders
bearings. The more quality bearings much more comfortable and du-
a reel has, the smoother it retrieves rable. Make sure to be comfortable
the line. Higher bearings reduce and warm so you can last a couple
the amount of noise and vibra- hours in the frigid spring water.
tion produced. That, along with a Now youre set up for success.
smooth drag, is needed for the many Since youll likely catch some big
rocks and bigger walleye that youll fish, bring a net suitable for scoop-
inevitably run into. Then spool up ing up walleye that could be over
something that is tough enough to two foot long. A short handled net
handle sharp rocks and snags. I will with an 18-24 inch diameter scope
often use either 10-14 lb. tough will ensure you successfully land
your trophy. Remember youre wad-
ing in the river. That means every-
thing must attach to your person or
be stuffed in your waders for easy
access.
Specialized Lure Setup
Undoubtedly, across all of North
America, the jig ranks number one
in popularity with walleye hunters.
The most popular and productive
combination is a Caroline rig using
a floating jighead and sinker. This
setup allows fishermen to catch
walleye both suspended and hold-
ing tight to the bottom. Walleye
have a tendency to rise slightly for
a lure instead of snatching some-
thing below them. This rig allows
a fisherman to put the lure either
even or just above the walleye. This
technique will dramatically increase
your strike rate.
For a jig, I recommend a me-
dium floating jigheads with a #2
hook. Smaller hooks are often too
flimsy and bend when larger fish
are caught. Then place a 2-3 inch
grub tail behind the floating jighead.
Under most conditions, anything
from a 3/8 1 oz. weight is used.
The weight really depends on the
river current, so having a variety
of sizes is necessary. Most popular
weights are either bullet weights or
inline sinkers. The right amount of
weight will help you stay in contact
with the bottom and control your
lure speed. With a Caroline rig make
sure to use a 2-6 foot leader to catch
walleye suspended off the bottom.
The Maumee River often has a
stained color to the water, therefore
in many conditions brighter col-
ors produce the best. Chartreuse,
orange, red, green, yellow, and
pink are often the ideal choices.
In muddy water, the brightest and
most visible colors such as orange,
chartreuse, and pink are often re-
quired to consistently net walleyes.
When water gets clear I have found
white, black and natural colors to
produce the best. Its important to
adjust your lure color based on light
penetration and water clarity to get
the highest success.
Location, Location, Location
The Maumee River is 130 miles
long, flowing through Indiana and
Ohio before discharging into Lake
The Maumee River is 130 miles long, flowing through Indiana and Ohio before discharging into Lake
Erie. The majority of the walleye fishing remains in the Maumee, Perrysburg and Water ville areas. The
river structure in these areas consists of pebble rocks and rapids with a mixture of riffraff.
eye fishing adventure. eye to strike. During higher water tures increase make sure to lighten
Not all locations are created conditions its imperative to increase up your lure weight and change lure
equal. There many unproductive your lure weight. The weight causes color back to traditional colors.
locations, and finding walleye the floating jig to slow down enough In Conclusion
within the river is part of the fun. for a sluggish walleye to strike. Having the opportunity to catch
Search out deep pools, structure Furthermore, walleye love current
a giant 30 plus inch walleye is very
and current. Stay clear of water that but heavy current pushes them into
is not flowing or stagnant, walleye the shorelines and riffraff. Focus all feasible while fishing the Maumee
need some flow. Some of the best your attention on areas where cur- River. Using a relatively simple fish-
ing technique with the ever popular
locations are deep pools adjacent rents are not too heavy.
to a current break, rock piles, or Then, as fishing conditions im- jig ranks number one among walleye
hunters. There are plenty of qual-
large structure. It can be tricky to prove and water descends, walleye
fish around the structure but it holds move back into the traditional loca- ity of fish, making strapping on a
substantially more fish. tions. Some locations that had ideal pair of chest waders enticing. Use
Water Level/Weather Conditions water flow will become too slow these techniques to set the hook into
and shallow as the water lowers. Its another marble-eyed beauty.
Fishing walleye in the river can
be an intimidating concept. Add in time to move out of those locations For more information about fish-
the equation that the river levels and focus on deeper pools with ing the Maumee River Walleye Run
can quickly rise, water tempera- more water flow. Furthermore, as check out the authors website at
tures will plummet, the water turns water clarity improves and tempera- www.maumeeriverwalleyerun.comn
into chocolate milk; and fishing
can be daunting. Dealing with less
than ideal conditions is a common
obstacle that needs to be overcome
during spring fishing. One of the
best ways to keep track of water
levels and water temperatures is to
monitor this at the local Maumee
River Walleye Run website www.
maumeeriverwalleyerun.com. This
location provides the most accurate
and hourly report on the Maumee
River.
Dealing with those conditions
means that fishing will be tough
Fisherman and Duck Hunters
and your strategy needs to be spot
on. Therefore, any lure needs to be
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fishing remains in the Maumee, Per-
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 Were definitely not normal here... Chief Steve McGee, Groveland Fire
The Great Ostrich Rescue
B
etsey the ostrich
slipped out of her
rural habitat late on a
gray February after-
noon. She may not
know why she left.
Maybe the gobble of turkeys
attracted her. Perhaps
it was a sudden case
of wanderlust fever, or
maybe just a burning
desire to explore the
glacially sculpted hills
or the enticing forests
on the wilder side of
Oakland County. Bet-
sey is
strong
and fast, By Jonathan Schechter
her wild kin even stronger and
faster. In the wild, ostriches
have demonstrated top running
speeds of more than 40 mph,
according to the National Wild-
life Federation. The long bony
legs of an ostrich can cover a
15 foot span in a single stride.
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Legs are not to be trifled with.
At the end of each leg is a
monstrously large foot, and at
the end of each foot are two
big toes with long sharp talons.
(Factoid: Most birds have four
toes, two in front, two in back,)
Back in the old country,
the African savannah,
Betseys kin have killed
lions and humans with
swift well-placed for-
ward lethal kicks.
What could possibly
go wrong on her adven-
ture?
Plen-
ty, when
the nu-
merous ice coated ponds and
flooded gravel pits are taken
into consideration. And another
fact; ostriches and ice are not a
good mix. Ostriches cannot run
on ice. They can barely walk
on ice. And if they fall down, It was the first ostrich rescue in the depar tments history. Photo
they cant get back up. Ive cour tesy of Chief McGee, Groveland Fire Depar tment.
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fallen and I cant get up, might
have been the thought in Bet-
seys muddled mind after she
wandered onto the ice of an old
gravel quarry. She did not get
far.
And thats where this big
bird adventure began, for the
ostrich on ice, and the Grove-
land Township Fire Depart-
ment. It wasnt long before the
911 call came into Groveland
Township Fire Department
and things started hopping, as
the ostrich kept flopping, and
the ice was cracking. A casual
observer might have thought a
dinosaur escaped from a hidden
Jurassic Park.
The Groveland Fire Depart-
ment provides fire suppression,
advanced life support, search
and rescue and hazmat services
to residents and businesses in
36 square miles of Oakland
County. They are also the first
responders for over 5,000 acres
of state land, including busy
campgrounds, located within
Groveland Township and seven
miles of busy I-75. Their
equipment includes 3 engines, 1
ladder truck, 2 tankers, 2 brush
trucks, 5 Medical Units and of
course, the Chief s car. There
is no specialized ostrich rescue
team, but the department trains
frequently, and most important-
ly they adapt quickly to chang-
ing situations.
In 2016 they responded to
1,249 calls. Ive seen them in
action and have also responded
to their territory during past
brush fire seasons as an on-
call member of neighboring
Brandon Township Fire Depart-
ment. Suit up, strap the Indian
Pump to my back, grab a fire
broom, and head for the fire
line. Ostriches were never on
my mind in the smoky woods.
Sometimes massasauga rattle-
snakes were. Never saw either.
I knew Groveland had mas-
sasauga rattlers, did not know
they harbored ostriches, even
captive ones.
I tracked down Chief Steve
McGee of the Groveland Fire
Department for the backstory.
As suspected, it was the first
ostrich rescue in the depart-
ments history. They have res-
cued horses and dogs, I dont
know about cats in trees, and
in the words of Chief McGee,
Were not normal around
here. I suspect those words
from Chief McGee exhibited
admiration and pride for the
men and women of his depart-
ment, blended with humor for
the situation.
A rescue team assembled at
the edge of the gravel pit. The
big bird was about 600 feet off
shore. Captain John Williams,
Russ Aderhalt, and Jeremy
Watson sized up the situa-
tion and suited up in the same
winter ice rescue gear they use
when humans go through ice.
The ostrich was not about to
come ashore. You cant lasso
an ostrich like a horse. And ole
Betsey was not about to slide
onto the MegaMover willingly.
MegaMovers are a heavy duty
fabric rescue device with six
handles on each side that can
be used to move patients in
areas that are not accessible by
a regular stretcher. They were
not designed for ostrich rescue.
The owner of the ostrich was on
scene and suggested they cover
Betseys head with a blanket to
keep her calm. And thats what
they did. Betsey relaxed. Her
legs stopped flailing.
From there it was just a
bit of pushing and pulling and
patience to get the Groveland
Township representative of
the worlds largest and fastest
running bird safely to shore.
Kudos to Groveland Fire De-
partment for not sticking their
heads in the sand when the call
came. Rescue is their business,
even when the victim, an os-
trich on thin ice, falls down and
cant get back up.
Jonathan Schechter is the
Nature Education Writer for
Oakland County Government.
He has never rescued an os-
trich. Email: Oaknature@aol.
com. n

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 Tactics for early season...By George Rowe
Shallow water walleyes
W
hen the walleye
season opens on
Lower Penin-
sula waters on
that traditional
last Saturday
in April, the fish are usually rather
hard to find. They wont be hard to
catch because the post-spawn bite
is one of the very best of the year,
perhaps second only to the pre-
spawn bite. In other words, if you
can find them, you can catch them.
But, to find them, you might have
to cover a lot of water. They tend
to be ganged up early in the season
and they will very often be in shal-
low water.
The shallows hold walleyes
more often than not, especially dur-
ing the feeding times. Even some
experienced walleye anglers pass up
some fish because they simply dont
believe that walleyes could be in
eight feet of water in the middle of
a sunny day. Believe it and you will
catch more fish. The key, of course
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44 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
is the presence of minnows, a favor-
ite walleye food, or perhaps wig-
glers, another prime food, especial-
ly in the spring and early summer
before the big mayflies hatch. Find
the food and you will find the fish.
Even crayfish, the third staple in the
diet of walleyes, are to be found on
shallow flats in the spring.
One good approach to finding
fish is to cover a lot of water. If you
know your lake well, it will usually
pay to fish each hot spot you have
identified over the years hitting it
for a short period and then moving
along to the next spot that is usually
productive. I recall one early spring
day when there were three of us in
the boat and we were casting jigs
tipped with minnows. The second
spot we visited, a huge shallow flat
with eight to ten feet of water on
it, produced a couple of fish. We
moved on then and fished perhaps
a dozen other spots before we
resolved to go back to that first flat
and fish it some more. We ended
A small leadhead jig, tipped with a minnow, is a superior lure in the
spring - one accounted for this nice fish.
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up with a limit when we drifted
back and forth on that big flat. On
other occasions, we have found a
few fish on a shallow flat with just
a few bottom weeds. When we took
our clue from that and visited other
spots with similar characteristics,
we found more fish.
Trolling can be a good way to
find the fish early in the season.
You can cover a lot of water in a
relatively short time and if you are
watching your graph carefully and
noting the depth and the character
of the bottom, you can get a feel for
the right conditions fairly quickly.
Troll a small wiggle plug that runs
along a foot or two off the bottom
or troll something like an Erie Dea-
rie with a minnow or a crawler on
the hook or troll a nightcrawler har-
ness, dead slow. If there is a suit-
able wind, you can just drift along
with any of those lures or perhaps a
leadhead jig tipped with a minnow.
When you hit a fish, it would be a
good idea to put out a marker or
drop the hook and cast around that
area for a few minutes, to see of you
have hit the jackpot. You should
expect the fish to be ganged up and
at least in the same sort of cover.
Even though the fish might be
feeding actively, you should expect
them to be lethargic. Walleyes
dont ever seem to be in a hurry to
grab food or a lure and you really
have to give them a good opportu-
nity to take your offering. You can
recognize this trait by presentations
that are really slow. If you are fish-
ing water that should be productive
without result, the first reaction you
should consider is to slow down
your presentation, whether you are
trolling or casting. I had a good
lesson in slowing down last year on
Burt Lake. My companion, the best
walleye angler I have ever known,
was catching fish right and left
while I couldnt seem to get one to
take my jig. In an hour or so, he had
hooked six or eight fish while my
score was two on and both promptly
lost. He suggested that I slow down
the retrieve on my jig, giving it just
one bump instead of two or three
and letting it hit bottom at the end
of every bump. The results were
instant and very gratifying. In the
next hour, I caught as many fish as
he did and we ended up with a fine
catch, releasing a big female or two.
On occasion, and particularly if
it has been a cold and/or late spring,
the walleyes can remain fairly close
to their spawning grounds. For that
reason, folks on big lakes might
want to try the shallow gravelly
banks. Anglers on any lake with
natural reproduction might want
to try the weedy flats closest to the
creeks and rivers that empty into the
lake.
It will pay to observe the wall-
eye ritual of retreating to deeper
water as the sun rises. While they
might be in water you could wade
at night, they will begin moving
deeper at sunrise and they might
continue to move as the day gets
brighter. Some anglers are amazed
to learn that walleyes can be caught
in water no more than knee deep at
night and during low light hours.
Some folks even catch them by
wading, at night, casting plugs over
the feeding fish. They will remain
on those shallow flats for hours,
some days, particularly if the food
remains abundant there.
On some special days, with an
overcast sky and a light wind, you
can even get some sight fishing on
shallow flats. You may not actually
see the fish but you will see the
rings and splashes as the fish chase
minnows to the surface. It is much
like watching rising trout. The
fish are hard to catch by casting
to the rise but the visible action
surely lets you know that the fish
are present and, if you keep fishing,
you are bound to catch one. Either
a wiggle plug or a jig tipped with a
minnow would be the logical lure
choice in this situation. We often
catch walleyes in six to eight feet
of water when they are actively
feeding and the action can continue
to mid-morning or later. It is, of
course, very important to employ
some stealth when fishing those
shallow flats. Get there by drift-
ing down on a breeze or using an
electric motor. Once there, move
around very slowly and carefully
and ease that anchor down when
you want to stay put. Avoid clank-
ing around in the boat and you may
be able to catch fish on that flat for
hours.
Early walleye fishing is a great
joy to those who have been look-
ing forward to real fishing action
all winter. Try the shallows this
season and perhaps you will have
the best year of your career.n

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WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 45
 Organization Yields Confidence and Efficiency...

Kevin VanDams
Secret to Success
I changed every single treble hook on every single bait. Kevin
VanDam was focused. You could hear it in his voice. Ive never

W
been more organized. I know everything thats in my boat.
hile he rebounded
well last season,
hammering out
multiple wins
in classic KVD
fashion and plac-
ing high in the 2016 Angler of the
Year points race, one could sense a
lingering sting in the anglers voice.
Long heralded as the greatest com-
petitive fisherman of all time, Van-
Dam stumbled a bit during the 2015
Bassmaster Elite Series season,
missing the year-end championship.
It seemed clear that he was still
trying to put it all behind him, and
his champions work ethic would be
the key.
Within many circles, VanDam is
regarded as a bass fishing phenom,
Kevin VanDams attention to tackle detail and organization translates to operating at a level beyond other
positive time management on the water, and is critical to his success. anglers including the worlds best.
His all-time record for national
tournament wins is proof positive of
an ability never before seen in the
competitive bass realm. VanDams
long-time secret is his capacity to
quickly master nearly any technique
to catch bass. Hes never been a
specialist when it comes to fishing
methods; in contrast, VanDams
strength lies in his versatility.
Given massive advancements in
modern bass fishing, its necessary
for the versatile VanDam to own
and utilize tremendous amounts of
tackle, whether on the road or at
home in his Michigan test facility.
Cataloging his significant gear and
keeping it organized is one way
VanDam focuses on the job at hand,
and he never tires of the process.
VanDams attention to tackle
detail and organization translates to

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46 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
positive time management on the
water, and is critical to his success.
Confidence in his ability to operate
at maximum efficiency means never
having to second-guess his deci-
sions. VanDams aforementioned
obsession with treble hooks is a case
in point.
After changing 1,500 or more
hooks in his shop, VanDam neatly
organized each newly adorned lure
into Plano waterproof Stowaways,
certain they would protect his
investment. I spent that much time
changing all those hooks, VanDam
mentioned, so I made sure they got
placed into a box that never pops
open, never lets in water and can
handle rough boat rides. The me-
ticulous system lends confidence to
the anglers efficiency, which seems
to ease his mind.
Soft plastic baits are a source of
tackle confusion within the boats
of many bass fishermen. VanDam
ensures hes not overwhelmed: I
carry plastics by category in Plano
Speedbags, he said, explaining that
flipping baits are separated from
those used for Carolina rigging or
drop shotting. I only carry a few
Protect your property from deer or trespassers.
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colors of each, and enough to last
one day on the water. From there,
VanDam simply restocks each eve-
ning from the mobile system aboard
his Toyota tow vehicle.
During the off-season, VanDam
tests and masters techniques that
need sharpening. This year, it was
nail-weight rigs, he explained.
VanDam meticulously reviews all
aspects of such a system including
hooks, lines, weights and lures, and
then tests fall rates and actions of
each combination in a swimming
pool at home. From there, he moves
to a custom-built pond on his prop-
erty - complete with various forms
of structure and cover as well
as bass and reviews real-world
results.
Throughout his detailed test-
ing procedures, VanDam constantly
refines his lure selection for each
body of water he will encounter on
the Bassmaster Elite Series over the
coming year. Part of his planning
and mental focus involves packing
a series of tackle boxes for each
fishery. From there, VanDams gear
is cataloged and stowed inside his
vehicle in Plano Marine Trunks, al-
Soft plastics are organized by category inside KVD Elite Speedbag Worm
Files giving the bionic basser immediate access to the specific baits needed.
lowing him to stack gear and maxi- VanDam summarized.
mize cargo space while remaining Kevin VanDams life is a search
incredibly organized. As the year for perfection in every detail of bass
progresses, he simply adds or re- fishings overwhelming methodolo-
moves trunks based on the fisheries gy. Like a chemist with a laboratory
he will be visiting. Like everything full of potions, the sheer number
VanDam, its a sequence of constant of choices at VanDams fingertips
change, refinement and motion. staggers the ordinary anglers
Test. Refine. Tinker. Repeat. imagination. To succeed at this
Lures at VanDams home shop level, he must remain confident,
are kept on hanging pegboards, which requires fastidious
much like a retail store, for maxi- organization.
mum visibility and ease of inven- It was this confidence that I
tory. Large tubs and boxes are kept could hear in VanDams voice. As
on Plano shelving units. My truck the 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series
is an extension of my boat, and my kicks off this month, his competitors
garage is an extension of my truck, will be hearing it too.n
Crooked Foot Hunt Club
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Crooked Foot services include
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517-599-4287 cell
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 47
 The strangest thing you
ever caught while fishing?
Dear Fish Diary: Fly Fisherman turns deer hunter...

I
THE ORIGINAL
By Ron St. Germain
n February, I The explosion from the
4 SIZES, 29 COLORS launched my search bush and the tug on his line
1-7/8 MIDGET through for readers to write suggested hed hooked into
3-7/8LARGE. to me about the strangest thing theyve a monster, but it was actually a fawn that sprang
Classic nishes. ever caught while fishing. As the stories five-feet into the air. Thats right, a fawn.
come in, Im sifting through them and Ive been spooked by many of things in the
getting some pretty good laughs. I got this idea quiet north woods, but that had to be a real stand
after I read about a fisherman in Miami, Florida, the hair up on your neck episode. How do you
catching a kilo of cocaine off the coast of Miami. trump this Mark? Do you next hook an elk? A
If youve had an odd catch, I certainly want to moose? A bear? Youve started a whole new evo-
Watermelon hear about it. lution of fly fishing.
#46 Last month you met Nancy Hascall, of Ot- I know, these stories are supposed to be re-
sego, and got the hilarious story of her adventure served for tales about the strangest thing youve
Favourite for
catching and releasing a bat while fly fishing. ever caught while fishing. Technically, Mark
trout and salmon.
This month, Im going to stick with the fly fishing didnt actually catch the fawn. Catch meaning,
Time tested
and catching mammals theme and bring in Mark you actually landed it. But what are the chances
and proven.
Leegstra, of Grayling.
From what Ive learned of
Mark in our back and forth email
conversations is that hes an
avid fly fishermen. Mark is not a
fly-tier, but he has, however, had
some strange thoughts about ty-
ing flies with his own strawberry
Genuine silver, copper blonde hair. According to Mark,
his hair repels water. I never re-
and 24k gold nishes.
ally thought about that much, but
when I did, I had to wonder if that
Proudly North American was a good thing or a bad thing.
Made. On one hand you never have to
wear a hat in the rain or snow, on
the other hand, its got to be hard
soaping up in the shower. Either People have caught a lot of strange things while fishing,
Willow leaf, slender way, Locks of Love would not but has anyone youve ever known caught a fawn? Caught
minnow/smelt be a good resource for Marks something strange while fishing, Id like to hear from you.
hair.
imitaon. Locks for Lies would be a
2-3/4, 1/4 oz better option. I dont mean lies as in the stories of even hooking into one in the way he did? The
fishermen make up. I mean lies as in, the areas in fact that he didnt spook it prior to jolting his line
12 colors a river or lake where fish hang out. The lie is that free suggests that maybe he is a better deer hunter
place located out of the main current that presents than he gives himself credit for. If you can sneak
cover from predators and provides a good source up on a deer and hook it with a fly, not even
of insects and other food. The lie is where Mark knowing its there, you dang well can sneak up
was probably trying to place his fly that morning on a fish. For certain Mark has some skills.
on the Black River, in the Pigeon River Forest And Mark might also consider going into
area, when he caught more than he probably ever the fly tying business, not with his own hair,
imagined he would. but rather, deer hair, if he continues to collect
Inadvertent casts turn up some pretty odd it the manner only he can do. Locks for Lies
3, 1/3 oz things. And there arent too many people who awaits you Mark. I hope this story doesnt start
make more inadvertent casts than a fly fisherman. an epidemic of fly fishermen trouncing through
12 colors Just ask me, Ive caught everything but fish while the woods now aimlessly tossing flies into the
Classic Fluerspoon trying to figure this sport out. Of course, I usually brush, you know, like me. While Im fly fishing, I
catch just about anything but fish no matter how probably spend more time on land undoing what
design in a tradional Im fishing. The good news is, fly fishermen are I didnt want to do than actually spending in the
spoon weight. probably the best at undoing an accidental cast. If water fishing or trying to fish. Its bad enough
anyone can save a hook, it would be a fly fisher- that I am a hazard to kayakers and canoes, Id
men. certainly now be a hazard to hikers as well.
Proudly North American So here is Mark, whose nickname is stump- Funny Fish Stories Wanted:
Strangest thing youve ever caught. Send a
Nothing matches the visibility jumper, casually and quietly making his way to
locate fish somewhere near that lie. With each short description of your best or worst fishing
of genuine silver & 24K gold. cast hes anticipating a swirl of delight from an day, or worst fishing-related adventure to me. You
unsuspecting trout. As it many times happens, dont have to write the entire story, just a brief
Mark made one of those unintended casts right outline of what happened. If it has some humor
into a bush across the river. Well now what? I to it Ill be getting in touch with you and well
told you, fly fishermen have a unique way of work on the completed story together. Contact -
undoing a boo-boo. After accessing the snag, and Woods-n-Water News columnist Ron St. Germain
/williamslures not knowing exactly where, or what, his fly was by calling (517) 626-2814, e-mailing DaPho-
hooked onto, he decided it was best to give it re- toDude@aol.com. Visit the authors Facebook
www.mooselook.ca ally hard yank. So he did. page www.Facebook.com/BearwaveBooksn
48 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
 Ever Wanted To Be On The Cover Of The . . .

Woods- n -Water News?

NOW YOU, YOUR CHILD OR YOUR
HUNTING AND FISHING BUDDY CAN BE!
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WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 49
 WHY YOU SHOULD STALK TURKEYS
You can revolutionize turkey hunting with a simple turkey fan and some stalking skills...but safety is always the first consideration!
T
heres a new, radical wild turkey hunt-
ing strategy that is catching on across
Michigan like wildfire for those with
enough gusto to try the hottest hunting
tactic ever devised, stalking. Now, Im
not talking about sneaking up on turkeys
using camouflage and terrain to conceal
your approach. Im talking about using a
direct frontal approach on wild gobblers hung up in open
fields by using a fanned gobbler decoy to conceal your
approach. No spring gobbler hunting tactic is bolder, hot-
ter than approaching open country toms.
No hunting technique provides more heart-
pounding action and makes you feel like a
tiger on the prowl, the ultimate predator.
Are you tired of spending countless
hours hitting the woods before dawn only
to see your monster gobbler walk in the
opposite direction out of sight? The reason
only 30% of Michigan turkey hunters
score is they dont have a handle on deadly
tactics that produce results. Forget getting
set up before daylight, leave those jake
and hen decoys back home along with the
camouflage pop-up blind and turkey vest
full of calls. For this exciting tactic you go
lightweight and often wear tennis shoes.
By Kenny Darwin
More importantly, this deadly strategy
works best during mid-day when you
can spot and stalk the bird of a lifetime
with ease. If you want amazing results hunting turkeys
this spring, listen up because Ive got unbelievable good
news.
When I tried the deadly method I felt strange creep-
ing toward two adult gobblers fully fanned in a southern
Michigan wide open field. Gosh, I felt naked as I crawled
with a handheld, fully fanned decoy and a camera
strapped to my back. At 100 yards the duo ignored me but
when I slipped into 60 yards they walked away from the
hens, lowered their tail feathers and waddled in my direc-
tion. Then they broke into a jog and closed the distance to
20 yards at lightning speed. Thats when I snapped some
interesting close up photos. I could have easily harvested
a bird with crossbow, shotgun, bow, heck even a sling-
shot. One of the gobblers worked his way to my side and
got a good look at my human form, sounded an alarm
putt and made a sprint in the opposite direction. The other
gobbler stood tall, just stayed in position, not believing
he was in danger, eyeballed my decoy, and slowly walked
away. I could have dusted him with ease.
Since that initial encounter Ive used decoy stalk-
ing tactics to get kissin close to gobblers for close-up
photography and hunting with crossbow or shotgun. This
tactic produces fantastic results when birds are henned
up in wide open fields. You can keep hunting all day long
and stalk birds when gobblers are displaying and chasing
hens and unwilling to respond to the best turkey caller in
the county.
Stalking turkeys with a decoy is a great way to score
throughout spring season, but one priority is you need to
locate gobblers in an open field Preferably they are court-
ing and have tail feathers fully fanned and are a hundred
to a couple hundred yards away; then you begin your
approach. What about you, bored with traditional sit and
call strategies? Are you willing to revitalize your turkey
hunts and slip into easy range using a fanned tail decoy?
Heres why you should be stalking turkeys and how it is
done.
This is radical turkey hunting at its finest and the
50 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
tactic will put you on trophy birds at lightning speed.
It all begins when you spot a gobbler in the open. Next
you grab your photo gear or weapon of choice and begin
crawling toward the target gobbler. If the field is dirt or
low grass you will need to belly crawl. Tall grass, hay-
fields or weeds offer camouflage and you can hunch over
and creep or get on your knees and move directly toward
gobblers. It is a good idea to match your camouflage with
the surrounding environment and try to conceal your
movement. If you get a chance check out the clips on
YouTube of hunters slammin gobblers while wearing no
face mask, white shirt, blue jeans, black hat
and much more. Recent videos of gobblers
storming within arms reach of hunters have
fueled much of the buzz surrounding this
deadly hunting strategy.
Now hear this! The most important
variable for success is you need a full fan
decoy. The idea is to hide behind the decoy
and use the fan to conceal your human form.
Native Americans used simple turkey fans
to hide behind because they understood the
power of a turkey tail fan. Today you can
take this deadly strategy one step farther
and use a plastic shell decoy with bright red
head, full fan, and body that looks like a live
gobbler. To sweeten the pie, remove the fake
tail fan and replace it with real feathers
from an adult gobbler. Another trick is
to custom paint the head and neck bright
red, blue and white to drive birds bonkers. The results can
be unbelievable. When that boss gobbler comes dashing
your way, stops to display, spit, and drum and break into
full fan I guarantee you will be hooked on spot and stalk
turkey hunting for the rest of your life.
There is nothing like becoming the total predator,
crawling with full turkey tail in front. You ease through
grass and across open ground until your presence is
unavoidable by gobblers. You feel like a coyote sneaking
up on a meal, and with every step you can feel your pulse
quicken and heart rate explode like no other turkey hunt-
ing strategy. Get a boss gobbler all fired up and he will
charge full tilt boogie, get in your face and challenge the
decoy. Ive had multiple birds rush me, even slam into the
decoy and scare the heck out of me. Im telling you this
is action turkey hunting that is fast sweeping the country.
Some major manufacturers are tentative about explaining
how deadly and simple the tactic really is because
consumers will stop buying calls, vests, seats, decoys
and even camouflage. Truth is, you can revolutionize
turkey hunting with a simple turkey fan and some
stalking skills.
You see, wild turkeys are very aggressive during the
spring mating season. When you get down and dirty,
crawling at them with fan blocking your stalk, turkeys
think it is a live gobbler, a new boy on the block. They
think it is another bird challenging their turf, moving in
to steal their hot hens. Since spring gobblers are territo-
rial and jealous, the result is they come to investigate. No
calling is needed but can enhance this tactic, and in many
ways this is the most sporting way to harvest a gobbler.
So, the choice is yours, do you want to sit on your tail
feathers and eat turkey tag sandwich come the end of sea-
son? Or would you prefer to experience a thrilling hunt
and score on the gobbler of a lifetime?
Some wary old gobblers simply refuse to come to a
call. Many have been spooked by hunters and smart old
gobblers know not to go running to every turkey call be-
cause receptive hens will come to them. Henned-up toms
are the worst. You can call until you are blue in the face
and they are not coming. A gobbler that spends all day
strutting in a field with his girls is difficult to call. Thats
when stalking behind a fan works best.
Keep in mind this tactic is designed for open fields,
pastures, croplands and farm country. Michigans DNR
warns against stalking because it is an unsafe practice in
the woods. However, a check with Lansings DNR Law
Division quickly revealed no one has ever been mistaken
for a wild gobbler; no one has ever been shot. The NWTF
also informed me that the same is true for all Midwest
states; there has never been a shooting of a hunter stalk-
ing turkeys by using a gobbler fan. Bottom line: hunting
has an element of danger. So, make certain you can see
your target and identify it as a wild gobbler before you
make your move. Michigans Wild Turkey Guide sug-
gests Never stalk turkeys. Tail fanning is an aggres-
sive, mobile technique that allows you to hunt fields that
appear impossible. This productive hunting technique
is taking the turkey hunting world by storm because it
transforms your hunt from a game of yards to a game of
inches.
Stalking with full fan has allowed me to get excit-
ing wild turkey pictures and getting kissin close to wild
gobblers. It is certainly a rush. Ive used just about every
decoy on the market and they all work. As mentioned,
you can greatly increase success if you replace fake tails
with real tail fans. I love the MOJO Scoot & Shoot which
has a handle for carrying and flared wings to block your
movement. It provides much more concealment than a
plain fan or many other products that are available, but it
is bulky and retails for around $80. Primos offers Chicken
On A Stick collapsible decoy with two piece stake for
easy transport. This decoy is lightweight, realistic and
has a gun rest on the stake. Ive done great stalks with
the Primos Killer B full body decoy but it is bulky and
requires a slow stalk. MOJO also has a full fan called Tail
Chaser that is super lightweight and clamps to a shotgun
barrel. While this decoy is extra lightweight, folds for
easy transport and will work in a pinch, it lacks the body
detail, bright head and overall shape of a wild bird. Enter
Turkeyfan which is much like a fold down umbrella with
shooting or viewing hole in the center. The Turkeyfan
is super lightweight and when it is folded out resembles
a huge gobbler with bright red head in full fan. It offers
reliable cover to hide behind and is the perfect choice
for archers who need a decoy that blocks their move-
ment as they draw. The unique umbrella-style open and
close system mimics the movement of gobblers going in
and out of strut that triggers aggressive responses from
dominant gobblers. It has a canopy made of 20% nylon
and 80% polyester and black fiberglass shaft and ribs. Its
not cheap.
It is important that birds you plan to stalk do not see
you. Just because they are a long distance away, dont
think for a second they cant see you or pick out your
outline before you get down and dirty behind the decoy.
Each hunt is different. Sometimes you need to go slow
and easy and turn the tail to make the decoy look like a
wild bird shifting positions. Other hunts you can almost
run at them and they dont give a hoot. Savvy hunters will
sweeten the pie with seductive calling to get the atten-
tion of henned-up birds and draw them close. You will
learn by trial and error how to effectively crawl up on
wild birds and fill your tag with ease. One thing is certain:
when that boss gobbler breaks rank and charges your
decoy your heart will be pounding and the adrenaline
rush of an adult gobbler arms length away will provide
memories like no other.n Wild turkeys ignore author as he stalks into easy shooting range using a decoy to block his approach.
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 51
 Michigan Meanders...By Tom Huggler

Theres something about pigeons

W
hy do many of
us find pigeons
so intriguing? Is
it their relation-
ship to the dove,
that bird of peace
known throughout the world? Is it
because common pigeons are every-
where? Having learned to live with
us, they thrive in both the country
and the city? Do we romantically
link them to the passenger pigeon,
extinct now for more than 100 years,
but at one time so plentiful their
migrating flocks blotted out the sun?
In an 1813 essay, John James
Audubon estimated that a single
mile-wide flock of passenger
pigeons, flying overhead for three
hours along the Ohio River, con-
tained more than a billion birds. It
was a small flock, part of an im-
mense migration that lasted three
days. Such abundance staggers the
imagination, even in these digital
times. I once had the good fortune to
see three mounted specimens of pas-
senger pigeons stored in a climate-
controlled vault at Michigan State
University. Like me, you would
have wanted to touch history. Like
me, you would have been disap-
pointed to hear, No! You can look The author, Tom Huggler, as a high school pigeon shooter.
but not touch. sticks (the same kind that doubled guns in the barn, he would admon- and are often in the market for more.
But as they say, seeing is believ- as stakes for our muskrat traps), we ish, and no rifles on the property. My younger brother raised pigeons
ing. propped up any pigeons we killed In those days we young gunners as a kid and returned to the hobby
Some of my earliest hunting for decoys. A typical hunt might loaded our own 12-gauge ammo after retiring a few years ago. Every
experiences involved what we Gen- last an hour before the birds wised with a Herters table press in my morning he enjoyed flying the flock
esee County schoolkids called barn up and went somewhere else to eat. familys basement. After the Sykzai from his northern Michigan home
pigeons. On winter weekends when Shooting pigeons sure beat watching farm, if we had shells left over, off and marveling at their aerial acro-
the house beagle grew tired of chas- cartoons on a Saturday morning. wed go to Oregon Township in La- batics while sitting in his lawn chair
ing rabbits for us, we turned from The sport was more challeng- peer County where another farmer in the front yard. One year he hauled
fur to feathers. Our number one ing at the Sykzai farm, a few miles allowed us to shoot pigeons that the entire troop of some 30 pigeons
stop was the Knickerbocker farm east on Irish Road, because the dairy boiled from the rusted crown of his to North Carolina where he spent
on Stanley Road where the owner, a cows there typically loitered in the cement-stave silo. This was supreme the winter.
kindly fellow who was half-kid him- barnyard until the shotguns went sport, similar to shooting the No. 8 I always wanted to go to Europe
self, allowed us to use his wooden off. Then they would shuffle into the station at skeet. I no longer recall and shoot in a competitive pigeon
cattle feeder as a blindprovided barn, which actually helped to scare the farmers name but I remember ringthe elitist sport of royalty and
his livestock were at a safe distance. remaining pigeons into flight. Mr. he smoked a pipe and was missing skilled wing shooters. While on a
Squatting on hay bales, my Sykzai was always glad to see us an arm and told us not to smoke in trip to Spain one time, I toured a
friends and I hunkered down because the pigeons soiled his valu- or near the barn. century-old pigeon ring but the guns
whenever a flock of hungry pigeons able alfalfa. He always asked if we Joy riding in the country turned were silent. I finally did enjoy a
swooped into range. Using forked were shooting .22 caliber rifles. No up other farms infested with barn taste of competitive pigeon shooting
pigeons, and we werent shy about at a preserve in Ohio one time and
asking for permission to shoot quickly learned I was only average
them. If I remember correctly, a pal at best. Thrown pigeons at thirty
and I killed more than 200 pigeons yards are tough to hit!
one winter. Sometimes we actu- Band-tailed pigeons are legal
ally cleaned and ate them, and they targets in some states of the Pacific
tasted good. Other than crows and Northwest. I tagged along on a hunt
starlings, there were no other birds one time but didnt shoot any.
to shoot (or eat) in winter. In those Although not as challenging
days, pheasant hunting season ended as truly wild birds, barn pigeons
on November 14, the day before the offer sporting fun. Unlike mourn-
firearms deer opener, and there was ing doves, they are not protected in
no December grouse hunting season. Michigan and can be harvested year
I dont think anyone shoots barn round. You just need to find a local
Pigeons streaking pigeons anymore, although I know flock and a willing farmer. Go for
into the silo. several dog trainers who raise them it.n
52 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
 Dog Training...By Charlie Linblade

Regular exercise key to training

M
ost dogs, and espe- introduce the leash after the pup has
cially the hunting run for a while. During these walks
breeds, need exercise you should be calling the pup to you
on a regular basis. and then releasing them to run again
This is the key to about every ten to fifteen minutes,
maintaining good This will show the pup that he can
physical and mental health. But continue to run after coming back to
exercise alone without the mental you, thus making it easier to catch
stimulation of being in the field him in the future. You should also
or woods covers only part of their have the leash visible during the
needs. For, you see, as we walk walk. Dogs are looking for patterns
through the woods and fields we in us and if the pattern is when you
see many different things. Many of call, catch and leash him the fun is
which the young dog will miss. over, thus making it more difficult to
But we will not find any of the recall him. By doing it regularly on
interesting smells the average pup the walks he wont see it as end, just
does; that coyote that walked by a break.
twenty minutes ago or the rabbit that Remember to use nonverbal
stopped for a second ten minutes coaxing when recalling a pup. Clap
ago. The scent post of the local your hands or slap your leg to help
fox is obvious to the pup while we him understand. Treats can be used It is impor tant to be running your pup in the wild for months before
walk around clueless. These are all when first teaching this but should any actual formal training takes place.
distractions for the young pup. You be quickly eliminated in just a day
may be standing there calling the or two. Use praise as the reward and rapid changes in just a month or The old saying goes, A good
pup and he seems to be ignoring lavish it on them. The time to work two. That sweet pup that used to trainer is expensive but a bad trainer
you when he is actually caught up on control measures, stay, sit or heal come every time you called may will cost you more in lost time and
in this new and interesting scent. is after the run. The object is to set now ignore you and even run off. It money.
This is why I think it is important the pup up to succeed not fail. As he might be adolescence and it might Next months training tip will be
to be running that pup in the wild matures, gains confidence and ex- be time to see a professional trainer introduction and proper use of the
for months before any actual formal perience we can make things more to help the two of you through it. electronic collar.n
training takes place. Walking your challenging.
dog around the block will help him Remember dog training is
mentally by giving him various repetitive, requires patience and a
smells and sights in the neighbor- sense of humor. Common sense will
hood. But as far as exercise goes it take you further than the latest and Great fishing trips on Lake Superior
is nothing compared to running the most heavily marketed approach. and inland lakes for Salmon, Trout,
field for two or three hours as one A firm hand with kindness and a Pike and Smallmouth Bass
would during a hunt. sense of humor are valuable tools.
Jogging or bike riding with the Also remember that dogs are not
dog would be better. I recommend language based so keep your talking
that starting at twelve weeks of age to a minimum. Too much blah blah
you get the pup out to state land or from you wont serve any purpose.
a friends farm and run them for at Speak when you have something
least an hour off leash. If you start to say otherwise just reassure them
at twelve weeks the pup is still too with Good dog. Maintain a calm
little to run off and you start the disposition and friendly demeanor
pattern of you being the leader and while using a firm hand.
directing the direction and speed of Understand that every month
the outing. in a pups life is comparable to one
This is also a good time to year in ours. So they will go through

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WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 53

 Part III...COs on deer season patrol
I
DISTRICT 5
f you read Februarys and
Marchs edition, it covered the
COs on patrol during the Michi-
gan 2016 deer opener in the Up-
per Peninsula covering Districts
1 and 2, along with Districts 3
and 4, primarily the northern part of the
Lower Peninsula. In this issue, the cases
continue with District 5 and 6.
CO Phil Hudson recently contact-
ed an angler on Saginaw Bay. When
CO Hudson asked to see his fishing
license and fish, the angler immedi-
ately admitted he was over limit. CO
Hudson counted out the perch and the
angler was 43 perch over the limit.
Enforcement action was taken.
While patrolling backroads in
rural Gladwin Co., CO Mark Papineau
observed a vehicle slow rolling and
repeatedly stopping in the middle of
the roadway. CO Papineau activated
his emergency lights and stopped the
vehicle. During initial contact, the
passenger of the vehicle appeared very
uncomfortable and nervous. As the
conversation continued, the subjects
admitted to road hunting for deer
after dark, and an uncased firearm was
located in the backseat. Enforcement
action was taken.
CO Papineau responded to reports
of a trespassing complaint on the
Gladwin/Clare Co. line. CO Papineau
was informed that during the after-
noon of Nov. 17, a single gunshot
was heard coming from an adjacent
property followed by a subject tres-
passing, wearing full camouflage. The
complainant advised CO Papineau
that they had numerous issues with a
particular neighboring property owner.
CO Papineau was able to make
contact with the suspect and obtain a
full confession. It was also determined
that the subject was unlicensed at the
time the 5-point buck was shot. War-
rants are being sought for various vio-
lations including taking a deer without
a license, recreational trespassing, and
failure to wear hunter orange.
CO Papineau received a report of
several deer carcasses dumped in a
private lake in northern Gladwin Co.
While investigating the complaint, CO
Papineau made contact with numer-
ous subjects hunting an adjoining
private deer camp. During an informal
conversation with the hunters, CO
Papineau obtained a confession on the
illegal dumping of the carcasses. Dur-
ing further investigation, several mem-
bers of the secluded private deer camp
had been hunting without licenses
since 2010. It was also determined that
one of the dumped deer carcasses had
been shot a week prior to the firearm
opener without a license. After a
consent walk-around of the camp, CO
Papineau discovered an untagged ant-
lerless deer stashed in the woods. With
the discovery of the untagged deer,
one of the hunters quickly confessed
to taking the deer without a license. In
54 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
By Jeff Pendergraff
total, two subjects were cited for hunt-
ing without a license, one for taking a
deer without a license, and a warrant
is being sought for another member
for taking a deer without a license.
CO Joshua Wright received a
complaint referencing an 8-point buck
that was killed during bow season. It
was reported that the suspect was a
non-resident and that he was hunting
without a license. CO Wright and CO
Gainforth tracked the man down and
located the buck that had been shot.
Upon interviewing the suspect, the
suspect informed both COs that he did
plan to purchase a license eventually
so that he could take the deer to the
taxidermist. Enforcement action was
taken for possessing an untagged deer.
CO Wright and CO Steve Lock-
wood received a complaint via Central
Dispatch regarding a rifle shot that had
rang out after hunting hours during
the tail end of archery season. The
COs contacted the complainant and
gathered information regarding the
suspects. The COs were able to locate
blood on one of the suspects large bait
piles and tracked the suspects back to
their residence. Upon interviewing the
subjects, their story started out with a
twist. Both suspects claimed to be out
coyote hunting. They further claimed
to have shot at a coyote and the bullet
missed the coyote and struck a nearby
deer. They further claimed to panic
after shooting the deer and then went
to the local store to buy a deer tag.
Their far-fetched story did not hold up
long and they eventually confessed to
their improper activity.
CO Wright, CO Lockwood, CO
Ethan Gainforth and Sgt. Jon Wood
received a complaint after dark about
a barn with several untagged deer
hanging inside. The specific location
was reported as three and a half miles
from a named road. The problem
was they did not specify east or west
of the named road. COs could only
narrow the location down to a seven
mile stretch of road that ran through
both Clare and Gladwin Counties. The
COs split up and began knocking on
doors in an attempt to locate the deer.
CO Lockwood and CO Wright located
a farm in which the owner admitted
to having several deer in the barn.
While speaking with the owner, CO
Lockwood noticed a young subject
dart from the house to the barn in the
dark and he appeared to be in a real
hurry. With CO Lockwood fast on his
heels, he was able to catch the subject
who was frantically attempting to put
tags on the three untagged deer. The
subject admitted to taking all three
deer and never putting tags on them.
Enforcement action was taken for the
untagged deer.
CO Nick Atkin responded to an
illegal woodcutting complaint on state
land. The investigation found that the
woodcutters were in possession of the
proper permits and no violations were
present. CO Atkin then re-contacted
the complainant, along with his pas-
senger, who were both in a vehicle
down the road. During the conversa-
tion, both subjects openly bragged
about killing nice bucks during the
firearm season. A quick check of their
unused licenses raised some suspi-
cions about the passenger. It seems he
handed CO Atkin a hunting license
with a date of birth that did not appear
to match what would be appropriate
for his appearance. Further interviews
and investigation led to the passenger
admitting that he was a non-resident.
He went on to admit that he had hunt-
ed without a license. After he killed
the nice 8-point buck, he asked his son
to purchase a resident tag and he was
then able to borrow the tag from his
son. Warrants are being sought for the
subject and his son.
Working the wee hours of the
morning, CO Atkin located a vehicle
shining in a rural part of Arenac Co.
The suspect vehicle led CO Atkin on
a high-speed chase which ended up at
a local tavern in a small rural commu-
nity. Driver and passengers dispersed
into the establishment and attempted
to blend in. With assistance from the
Arenac Sheriffs Department, the driv-
er was located and arrested. Interviews
with the driver led to more names and
an admission that the group of men in
the vehicle had just used a spotlight to
shoot at a deer prior to the pursuit. The
driver was lodged in the local jail and
numerous warrants are being sought
for the other individuals involved.
While patrolling a rural part of
northern Oscoda Co. during the last
week of archery season, CO Casey
Pullum noticed a deer lying in the
roadway. The deer got up and ran into
the ditch before lying down again. CO
Pullum noticed blood coming from the
side of the deer. After dispatching it,
he attempted to locate the owner of the
recent kill. Looking around it was ob-
vious the deer came off private proper-
ty. With the help of CO Bobbi Lively,
they tracked it back to a baited blind
about 60 yards into the woods. During
the track, a bolt from a crossbow was
located with blood on it. At the blind,
CO Pullum could see a crossbow lying
in the blind with bolts that matched
the one they had found. A very obvi-
ous foot path led from the blind back
to the same camp where neither hunter
had admitted to seeing any deer. Dur-
ing a second interview, the older male
subject admitted to shooting the deer.
However, he claimed it was too small
and he didnt want to waste his kill
tag so he didnt track it. The deer was
seized and enforcement action was
taken.
CO Kyle Bader took a complaint
from a hunter on state land in Oge-
maw Co. He said he had located a
dead deer near a bait pile right in front
of a tree stand. The deer was slightly
bloated and look as if it had been there
a day or two. There were also multiple
live trees cut for a shooting lane. CO
Bader located the tree stand and the
dead deer. After multiple interviews
at a hunting camp and in the West
Branch area, CO Bader developed a
suspect. He interviewed the man who
confessed to shooting the deer opening
morning of firearm deer season, know-
ing he didnt have a license for it.
Since he couldnt tag it, he just moved
it aside and continued to hunt, later
killing two more bucks. He was cited
for taking a deer without a license.
Another person at the camp was cited
for cutting live trees on state land.
CO Kyle Cherry and CO Jeff Pan-
ich were on patrol in Alcona Co. when
they saw a house with three deer hang-
ing in the front yard. They approached
the residence and greeted three hunters
in the yard. After talking with them,
the COs found out that all three deer
were shot over bait in a restricted bait-
ing area. The hunters showed the COs
the bait piles where they shot the deer.
The COs soon became suspicious of
one of the hunters after he was very
wary in describing when the deer had
been shot. After talking further with
him, the COs found that the man had
shot the deer without a license and
bought one after the fact. Enforcement
action was taken.
CO Jonathan Warner was contact-
ed by Iosco Co. Central Dispatch to
investigate a possible car submerged
in Lake Huron. A helicopter had
noticed the wreck while flying along
the shoreline south of Tawas City.
CO Warner arrived on scene and used
polarized sunglasses from an elevated
position to confirm the report. A tow
company was contacted to remove the
car, which was approximately 150 feet
from the shoreline completely sub-
merged. Further investigation deter-
mined that the car had been in Lake
Huron for approximately one week.
The owner has been contacted and the
investigation is still ongoing.
CO John Huspen received a
complaint of a subject possibly hunt-
ing over bait using an artificial light.
The subject was hunting out of a
small wooden shed. He had about five
apples for bait and a 60 watt utility
light shining on the bait. The subject
had a loaded crossbow when contacted
by CO Huspen. Enforcement action
was taken.
CO Huspen contacted a subject for
the third time in four years for hunt-
ing over too much bait. CO Huspen
located the subject this year hunting
about a mile away for the two previ-
ous contacts. Each of the three piles
of bait had been the size of a pickup
truck box. CO Huspen explained to
the subject two years ago during that
contact that if the over baiting contin-
ued he could be charged as a habitual
offender. Enforcement action was
taken.
CO Mike Hearn and CO Sam
Schluckbier received information of
a convicted felon that was allegedly
hunting with a rifle in Orange Town-
ship the opening day of firearm deer
season. The COs responded to the
area and were in proximity to a single
rifle shot that was fired. The shot was
tracked back, and the felon was lo-
cated, hunting on private property. The
suspect told the COs that he had shot
and missed a 10-point buck. How-
ever, during the investigation it was
found that he had shot a small spike,
which was in violation of the antler
point restrictions for Kalkaska Co.
The suspect was subsequently arrested
and lodged in the Kalkaska Co. Jail
without incident.
CO Mike Hearn and CO Matt
Liestenfeltz made contact with a
suspicious vehicle during a recent
snowstorm. Although the weather was
severe, the windows on the passenger
side were both down. Upon seeing the
COs, the vehicle attempted to speed
up and ignore the COs. A traffic stop
was conducted. During the investiga-
tion, uncased guns, open intoxicants,
and marijuana were located inside
the vehicle. One of the suspects also
had multiple warrants for his arrest.
The suspects were arrested without
incident.
During a license check with a
firearm deer hunter afield, CO Mike
Hearn detected the odor of marijuana.
The suspect denied having narcot-
ics on his person, and said he had
smoked the drug several hours before.
The suspect was searched and several
marijuana cigarettes were found in his
clothing. The suspect was questioned
again and admitted smoking the drug
just an hour before. The hunter was
checked for impairment, and subse-
quently placed under arrest.
CO Matt Liestenfeltz was called
out on a late shooting complaint that
occurred near a private land deer
camp in Missaukee Co. during archery
season. CO Liestenfeltz made contact
with a North Carolina resident, who
after a lengthy interview, confessed to
having shot at a deer with a firearm.
The suspect was arrested for hunt-
ing without a license and attempt to
take deer with firearm season closed.
A second suspect, who had left camp
earlier that evening, was also cited for
hunting deer without a license.
CO Chris Bowen responded to a
wildfire that had been started by hunt-
ers. The hunters had been successful in
taking a deer. One of the hunters made
a fire to make lunch while two others
tended to the deer. The fire spread and
became large very quickly. The hunt-
ers attempted to extinguish the fire
but were unsuccessful. Enforcement
action was taken.
CO Ben McAteer, CO Sam Schuclk-
bier and Sgt. Jeremy Payne worked
a nighttime shining patrol during the
month of Nov. with the aid of a De-
partment airplane. The plane located
a suspect vehicle shining near the Mis-
saukee Kalkaska Co. line and the COs
responded. After the stop was made,
three pistols and one spotlight were lo-
cated. The driver and passenger were
lodged for shining with a weapon.
DISTRICT 6
CO Will Brickel made contact
with a suspect in Saginaw Co., Rich-
land Township who was reported to
have already shot his two bucks for
the year during archery season and
was continuing to hunt during the rifle
season. CO Brickel located the suspect
vehicle and checked for blood and rifle
cases. Later that day contact was made
with the suspect. He had a 5-point
buck he had shot that morning with his
tag on it. After a short interview, CO
Brickel obtained a confession from the
suspect that he had already shot his
two bucks that year and had used his
wifes tag. A ticket was issued.
CO Brickel and CO Quincy
Gowenlock received a complaint
at the Saint Charles Field Office of
subjects waterfowl hunting out of their
zones. The COs loaded a canoe into
the patrol truck and drove to the Shia-
wassee River SGA. They launched the
canoe and paddled through the white-
out conditions until they spotted four
subjects beginning to pull their boat
over the dike. The COs questioned the
hunters as to what zones they were in
and the hunters stated they were all in
different zones. When separated, the
hunters stories began to fall apart. Af-
ter a few minutes of questioning, the
hunters finally admitted to all hunting
in zone 5 because thats where the
ducks were flying. The COs conducted
a bag limit check and the hunters did
very well with all taking their limits of
mallard ducks. Citations were issued
to the three hunters that were hunting
out of their zones.
While on patrol in Huron Co., CO
Kyle Bucholtz observed two individu-
als sitting in a parked truck. One of the
subjects had a long gun hanging out
the window. CO Bucholtz made con-
tact with the individuals. The driver
admitted to hunting from the truck.
Enforcement action was taken.
CO John Byars observed some
suspicious activity on the opening
day of the firearm season for whitetail
deer. CO Byars made contact with a
suspect with two dead deer (one buck
and one doe) that had been shot. The
suspect told the CO that he didnt
shoot the doe and that it came out of
state land wounded and that he didnt
have a doe tag. CO Byars left the deer
and returned to the location a couple
of hours later with Sgt. Kimmerly.
CO Byars noticed the deer had been
field dressed and missing. The COs
investigated the scene and determined
the deer did not come from state land
but was shot there and dropped on the
spot. The COs contacted the suspect
again and he confessed to shooting
both deer. A ticket was issued for a
tagging violation.
CO Chad Foerster made a traffic
stop in northern Bay Co. and found the
driver to be in possession of two deer,
one antlered and one antlerless. Upon
further investigation, it was deter-
mined that the hunters were hunting in
northern Michigan on their way home
to central Michigan and the antlerless
deer had a southern Michigan kill tag
attached. The subject confessed to
being unsuccessful in the antlerless
drawing for the northern Co. that he
hunts so while at the license vendor,
he went down the list of counties until
he found one where he could buy an
over-the-counter antlerless permit.
The deer was seized and enforcement
action was taken.
CO Mike Haas located an illegal
stand on state land where numerous
large shooting lanes had been cut.
During the opening day of Michigans
rifle season, CO Haas located a hunter
in full camouflage, rifle hunting in the
stand. The illegal cutting of numerous
trees, the unmarked stand on public
land and not wearing hunter orange
were addressed. Enforcement action
was taken.
While conducting a meat proces-
sor inspection, CO Mike Haas located
a deer with a suspicious tag attached.
The hunting tag had been bought just
a couple hours prior. CO Haas went to
the hunters residence and interviewed
her about her deer. The hunter stated
she shot the small buck early morning
on Nov. 15. CO Haas then pointed out
she had not bought her license until
the early afternoon on Nov. 15. After a
short discussion, the woman admitted
to shooting the deer prior to purchas-
ing her hunting license. A review of
the womans hunting license purchases
suggested she had hunted the past ten
years and not purchased a license until
after harvesting a deer. Enforcement
action was taken.
CO Mike Haas contacted a family
that had a large buck in their garage
and asked them about their hunt. The
father and daughter stated that they
had went out hunting the day prior
and the daughter shot the deer which
was her first buck. CO Haas noticed
some discrepancies in the story and
the deer license, but congratulated the
hunter and left. After looking into the
hunters license purchases, CO Haas
was able to determine that both hunt-
ers were hunting without a license and
only purchased a license after the buck
was shot. CO Haas called the daugh-
ter and expressed his suspicions but
the woman continued to stick to her
story. CO Haas then stopped back at
the house where the deer was located
and spoke with the father again. The
gentleman eventually admitted to
hunting without deer licenses, buying
their deer license after shooting the
deer and lying to CO Haas previously.
The deer was seized and enforcement
action was taken.
On opening day of the firearm
deer season, CO Robert Hobkirk was
foot patrolling property owned by the
Michigan Nature Association due to
trespassing complaints. CO Hobkirk
encountered a hunter trespassing on
the MNA. The hunter was also not
wearing hunter orange. He was cited
for the hunter orange violation and
warned about trespassing.
While on patrol in Isabella Co.,
CO Haas and CO Dan Robinson
observed a vehicle traveling towards
them. The COs could see a light shin-
ing out the passenger side window in-
termittently. The COs initiated a traffic
stop and found an adult male driver
and a vehicle full of young kids. The
driver stated that he was taking the
kids out to look for deer. There were
no weapons in the vehicle and the COs
warned the driver and the young man
in the passenger seat for shining dur-
ing the month of Nov.
Sgt. Ron Kimmerly took a com-
plaint of a single gunshot early in the
morning just before the firearm deer
opener. Sgt. Kimmerly searched the
area with assistance from a Saginaw
Co. Deputy. They located a large bait
pile behind a house close to where
the shot was heard. They also found
a fresh 4-10 slug casing between the
house and garage only 30 yards from
the bait pile. When the suspect was
asked if he had been doing any shoot-
ing this morning he advised he had
COs on patrol page 56
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 55
COs on deer patrol 2016: from page 55
not. Sgt. Kimmerly advised him he
would have one more opportunity to
be truthful with him. The suspect then
said he shot a .22 rifle at some squir-
rels behind the house. Sgt. Kimmerly
removed the 4-10 shotgun casing from
his pocket and showed the subject.
The suspect apologized for lying and
stated that he shot at a deer with his
4-10, but missed. Further investiga-
tion showed that he did in fact miss.
The violations included attempting to
take a deer with a firearm during the
closed season, hunting deer with no
license and baiting over the legal limit.
Enforcement action was taken.
CO Ken Lowell received a com-
plaint regarding a hunter that was
hunting from the back of his truck and
not wearing hunter orange. The CO
made his way to the state land where
the complaint originated and located
the hunter. The hunter was sitting in
the back of his truck in a pop-up blind
with a loaded firearm in hand. The
hunter was not wearing hunter orange
and admitted to shooting a doe from
his blind the previous day. Tickets
were issued for having a loaded fire-
arm in a motor vehicle and for failing
to wear hunter orange while firearm
deer hunting.
CO Lowell was conducting a deer
processor inspection and located an
8-point buck that was shot on Nov. 15
and the tag was purchased the same
day. CO Lowell made contact with the
suspect and talked with her about her
hunt. After a short discussion, it was
determined that she did not shoot the
buck, but she bought a tag for her son.
CO Lowell then made contact with the
hunter who shot the deer and received
a full confession. The hunter also
admitted that he had already shot two
bucks with his bow and this was his
third buck of the year. Tickets were is-
sued for taking an over-limit of bucks
and using the deer tag of another.
CO Joseph Myers and CO Josh
Russell received a complaint of two
bucks being taken in Sumner Town-
ship where one of the bucks was not
claimed by the hunter. The investiga-
tion revealed the hunter did in fact
shoot two bucks and failed to retrieve
and tag the first buck he shot in the
evening. Further investigation found
that the hunter also had an over-limit
of bait and had put out poison for
raccoons. Tickets were issued for the
tagging violation and poison.
CO Joel Lundberg stopped a
vehicle for a traffic infraction and
walked up to the vehicle and found
two uncased rifles in the passengers
laps. One passenger had an old spot of
blood on his shoe as well. After a thor-
ough investigation, it was determined
that both hunters had been hunting
the first two days of the firearm deer
season without licenses and one indi-
vidual had shot a big 8-point buck and
had it hanging at the house without a
license attached. Enforcement action
was taken.
CO Lundberg checked two hunters
56 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
on state land and while approaching
them, one hunter got a knife out and
frantically began to try to validate his
deer license. CO Lundberg located a
gunshot doe that the hunters had been
dragging, with no license attached.
Neither hunter had an antlerless tag
for the deer. The hunters admitted they
were just going to go to the store and
buy an antlerless deer license for the
deer for whatever area of the state still
had antlerless licenses available and
put it on the deer. Enforcement action
was taken.
CO Lundberg located a hunter
hanging a deer up to begin processing
it. CO Lundberg contacted the hunter
and found the hunter had not tagged
the deer and advised he shot the other
deer that was hanging on Nov. 12.
After a close inspection of that deer,
it was obvious it was shot with a
shotgun. The hunter admitted to shoot-
ing the other deer on Nov. 12 with a
shotgun during archery season from
the window of his cabin. Enforcement
action was taken
CO Lundberg stopped and spoke
with a hunter who had shot a deer the
first day of the firearm deer season.
CO Lundberg checked the hunters
deer license and discovered it was
purchased after the first day of the
season. After further interviewing the
hunter, he admitted to killing two nice
bucks the first two days of the season
and went and bought another combo
deer license and reported his original
combo deer license as being lost. The
deer were seized and enforcement ac-
tion was taken.
CO Jay Person followed-up on
two separate Report All Poaching
complaints that focused on Facebook
posts. The first subject had posted two
illegal deer (one back in 2013) and an
illegal turkey. When presented with
the photo evidence and a print out
of when he purchased his licenses,
or lack thereof, the subject admitted
to taking all three animals illegally.
The second/separate subject was also
presented with the same type of evi-
dence and admitted to taking his deer
illegally. Charges have been filed on
both subjects.
CO Jay Person assisted the Mid-
land Co. Sheriffs Department on a
search for a two year old boy that
walked away from his residence with
the family dog. His socks were found
by a river that is a short distance from
the residence. There was also evidence
that he had entered the river, but then
got back out. A Midland City Police
K9 unit started the track there. The
boy had been missing for about four
hours when a neighbor on the road a
half mile to the north went out to help.
He came to a pipeline just behind his
residence and found the small boy
hugging a tree. The man picked up
the boy and turned him over to the K9
officer who was a few hundred feet
away. The young boy was checked
out by EMS and found to be in good
health. He was returned to his parents
for a happy ending for all involved.
While checking anglers at the
Lexington Harbor, CO Seth Rhodea
contacted an angler that was in pos-
session of an over-limit of Atlantic
salmon. The angler was cited and the
over-limit of fish was seized.
CO Rhodea and CO Mark Siemen
received information that a subject
from Argyle Township in Sanilac Co.
had shot a 7-point buck on Nov. 16
with a rifle. The deer was located and
was hanging in the subjects grand-
fathers shed. The COs examined the
deer and it was determined the deer
had been shot with a rifle in the lim-
ited firearm zone. Contact was made
with the subject and a confession was
given by the subject. Enforcement
action was taken and all evidence was
seized.
CO Rhodea and CO Jason Smith
worked an area with a large number
of Atlantic salmon. When the COs
arrived to the location, they immedi-
ately observed a subject attempting
to snag fish. The subject would stop
snagging anytime anyone came into
his area and then resume immediately
after they left. After a couple hours of
observation, contact was made with
the subject as he was getting ready to
leave and he was cited for snagging.
CO Seth Rhodea and CO Jason
Smith investigated a complaint in
Tuscola Co. of a deer that was possi-
bly shot with a firearm the day before
the firearm deer season started. Upon
contacting the suspect, he was found
hunting over an illegal bait pile and
not wearing hunter orange. After a
brief interview, the hunter admitted to
shooting a deer with a gun the night
before gun season opened. The firearm
and deer were seized and the subject
was cited for several violations.
While on patrol in Isabella Co.,
CO Dan Robinson was dispatched to
a shots fired complaint. The complain-
ant stated that her trailer house had
been shot and reported that it hap-
pened sometime while she was gone
the day before. CO Robinson checked
the outside of the house and found a
large hole in the steel siding of the
mobile home. The projectile went
through the side of the house, into
another room, ricocheted off the ceil-
ing and dented the wall on the other
side. CO Robinson and the complain-
ant searched the room and recovered a
large rock that did not belong. Further
questioning, and the fact that the grass
appeared cut, revealed that the com-
plainants neighbor mowed her grass
the day before, also during the time
when she was not home. The rock also
fit the entry hole where the projectile
went through the metal sheeting. The
complainant and the CO were glad to
find out that her house had not been
hit by negligent gunfire, but rather by
a rock that had been thrown by the
mower.
While patrolling during the fire-
arm deer opener, CO Dan Robinson
was out on foot when he heard what
sounded like an air-horn. Knowing
that was unusual, CO Robinson began
listening to locate the source, thinking
that maybe a hunter was in trouble.
CO Robinson found the source and
witnessed a subject blowing an air
horn out the window of his car while
sitting stationary on his property.
After watching the subject for a while,
CO Robinson made contact with him
and he stated that he was making as
much noise as he could that morning
to keep the deer away and mess up
his neighbors hunting. The subject
was unhappy with where the neighbor
placed his blind. Enforcement ac-
tion was taken against the subject for
hunter harassment.
CO Josh Russell received a
complaint of hunter harassment on
opening day. The subject was banging
on pipes, shooting his gun, and driving
his ORV up and down the property
line at daylight and just before dark.
CO Russell sat in the complainants
blind one morning and witnessed all
of the above actions occur. CO Russell
then made contact with the subject
and explained what he was doing was
a criminal offense. A ticket for hunter
harassment was issued.
CO Mark Siemen received infor-
mation that a female subject from the
Sandusky area had shot an 8-point
buck during bow season without a
deer license. CO Siemen made contact
with her and a confession was ob-
tained. All evidence was seized and
enforcement action was taken.
CO Siemen and CO Jason Smith
conducted a late night patrol for
subjects fishing from the Lexing-
ton Harbor in Sanilac Co. The COs
received information of fishermen
netting Atlantic salmon from the boat
docks in the harbor. COs conducted
surveillance late into the night and
early morning hours, and watched four
subjects that were netting the salmon.
After watching them, contact was
made. The subjects had three salmon
with them and eight more salmon in
plastic bags in the back of a van. After
the investigation was complete, all
subjects were issued citations for net-
ting the salmon and all evidence was
seized.
While on patrol in Tuscola Co.,
CO Wright observed a vehicle that
appeared to be road hunting. After
stopping the vehicle, it was found that
the operator had an uncased gun in his
possession. Enforcement action was
taken.
On an evening patrol in Tuscola
Co., CO Wright encountered a hunter
deer hunting outside the legal hours.
Enforcement action was taken.
These are just the ones that were
caught! It gives us a pretty good idea of
how much poaching is really going on.
Next month I will cover districts
7, 8 and 9, the southern portion of our
great state.
Author is Jeff Pendergraff, retired
Captain from the DNRs Law Enforce-
ment Division.n
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WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 57
Early Spring? Take advantage
of these fishing Opportunities!
I waited as long as possible to write this months
article. The reason was very simple, who in the
world has ever seen this much spring weather in
the middle of February? Im looking at the 15-
day forecast and thought that I better give peo-
ple options that they can useso here goes.

T
Saginaw Bay and River the river and make things tough so
his seems blatantly choose the right time to go. When
obvious, but any spring it is right it can be the best bite
bite report that doesnt around. For a great charter get ahold
talk about the great of Ken at Legend Killer Charters.
perch and walleye fish- Detroit River
ing available at the bay
and river would be incomplete. The
and Lake Erie
The Lake Erie bite started in
early bite on the bay for
mid-February as very warm
perch has been outstanding!
temps melted all the ice.
The fish are holding in the
The fish have been holding
cuts and shallow waters all
in their normal pre-spawn
around the bay. Marinas
areas and have been bit-
have been producing well
ing well on slowly trolled
this spring. Perch rigs have
crankbaits. The key to this
been the ticket with red and
bite is the combination
white beads doing great.
of speed, settings and the
Tip the rig with minnows
brightly colored
and move around
until you start By John Bergsma baits. I usually
always start in
catching them. If The early bite on the bay for perch has been outstanding! The fish
15-30 feet of total
the bite quits just start the process are holding in the cuts and shallow waters all around the bay.
over or sit tight and wait a bit as water depth when fishing Michigan
they may come back around. waters early. First, you must locate move the others to or all around that means when Im at rest the jig is
The river was free of ice on decent numbers of fish on your set and let the fish talk to you. A three inches off the bottom, jigging
March 1 and has been very good electronics. Once you are on the great rule for trolling speed early is is dropping down and pounding the
for early jigging. Brightly colored fish, set out a spread of cranks that around 1.2 MPH. This speed seems bottom and then right back up to the
jigs and plastics have been work- will cover several different depths at to be a great starting point in the rest position. This method reduces
ing well. Stinger hooks can be the the same time. I usually try to have early spring. snags and the bite is very easy to
key to better numbers. Jigs that are three guys in the boat and run six Detroit river fishing is a jig and feel.
orange or chartreuse seem to be rods at three different depths. I per- brown worm bite for me. Three
producing the best. The wind can be sonally will divide the water column keys are: staying vertical, using a Lake Michigan
a factor in boat control and rain can in thirds and put two rods in each heavy enough jig and not moving Lake Macatawa
greatly reduce visibility and bites. column to start. the jig t oo much. I personally use There are two great fishing
Heavy rain can increase the flow of Once a set starts catching fish a Down jigging technique. This opportunities early in the Holland

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Elk, Sheep, Bl. Bear >13, Grizzly Bear, Caribou, Boar >13 $140 $155

j.ohmer@yahoo.com
58 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
Michigan area. The first is the early
season brown trout and coho salmon
fishing. Captain Don from Tangled
Mess Charters has this advice for
those trying this exciting fishery. In
the early spring set up right in the
channel as this gives you a great
chance at a walleye or two on the
way out of the pierheads. Turn out
to troll with the wind and slowly
head to 15-20 feet of water. Run as
many boards as you can control up
to the limit. The best baits are mini
and junior streaks in the gold/orange
colors. I run a to oz. bullet
weight in front of the cranks and 2-5
colors of lead in front of the spoons.
Speed and depth will determine how
much lead to let out. Fluorocarbon
leaders are a must at this time of
year, as the water is very clean.
Work between 20-40 feet of water
and you will pick up a mixed bag of
browns, coho and the bonus wall-
eye. If you have never done this, it
is a riot!
The other great bite is unique.
Slab sized crappie will swarm the
posts and pilings in the marinas
around Lake Macatawa. This is not
a year-round thing but consistently
occurs each spring in the month of
April. The presentation is classic
crappie fishing. Slip bobbers and a
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
#4 hook tipped with a lively min-
now will work nicely. Flip this rig
around and under the large docks
throughout the marina. The trick
here is to find the right depth as
most of the fish will hold about the
same depth down no matter what
docks they are on. You can also
get into the white bass which are a
bundle of fun to catch.
Green Bay Wisconsin
The small town of Oconto, Wis-
consin has some of the finest early
season walleye fishing anywhere in
the great lakes. Almost as soon as
the ice leaves the bay of Green Bay,
the walleye action heats up. This
is a very fun rod in hand method
of fishing for some very aggressive
great lakes walleye. This bite starts
this year in late March and will go
for a good month to six weeks.
This bite is as follows: Big
groups of larger than average
walleye migrate to the shallows to
spawn. Some will spawn on main
lake rock and gravel and some will
head up the rivers. These fish will
slam jigs and plastics as well as
The author caught this early spring coho out of Holland.
jerk baits and even spinner baits. gravel and weed areas are also great. Great Lakes Fishermans Digest
Make long casts out in these shal- For the trip of a season get ahold television show on the World Fish-
low water flats, and work them quite of Captain Lynn Niklasch for Your ing Network. For updated fishing
aggressively back to the boat. You Fishing pal guide service. reports and online shows go to:
can choose flats that have rock or John Bergsma is the host of www.fishermansdigest.comn
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 59


TROPHY PAGE

Duane Allen took this huge 10-

pt. Nov. 17 in Shiawassee Co.
The record book buck scored
158 7/8 typical by CBM.

Jacob Haken took this
monster 9-pt. with his
muzzlerloader hunting
Sanilac Co. Nov. 18.
Lilly Young, 10, of Oxford
took her first deer, this
dandy 8-pt., with her 20
ga. after passing up several
smaller bucks.
Dave Mullin took this 10-pt. buck
hunting Livingston Co. with his
crossbow. The massive buck had
an 18.5 inch inside spread, and
green scored 155 inches.

Mason
Crane,
16, of
Manitou
Beach, Erick Ward, Jr., 14, harvested
took his this beautiful, wide-racked buck
first coy- on the evening of Nov. 16 while
ote while hunting with his father, Erick Sr.
hunting (rt) in Livingston Co.
with his
brother in
Lenawee
Co. The
male
weighed
in at 38.2 Noah Kuenker, 12,
pounds. took his first buck, this
Scott Haken took this
Sanilac Co. 8-point. 4-pt., hunting with his Beth Antor, show coordinator
November 13. Gramp Don. for Huntin Time Expo, took
this beautiful buck with her
crossbow last fall.

Scott Vande Veegaete of

New Baltimore took this
8-pt. in Sanilac Co. Nov. 23.
Dave Ross Sr. said this is the most memorable season I have had in the
last 40 years. Sharing time in the outdoors with my sons and grandsons Brian J. Watson of Buchanan SEND UP YOUR
and then seeing them be successful is all that much better. (Lt-rt) Dave crossed into Indiana to arrow
Ross Sr. 8-pt. opening day, Dave Ross II a 9-pt. four days later, and Dave this nice 10-pt. buck on Oct. TROPHY PHOTOS
Ross Jr. 9-pt. during muzzleloader
29. His biggest buck to date! wnw@pageone-inc.com
60 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS


TROPHY PAGE

The Fisher family of Yale had a great

deer season. (Top) Ryan, 9, took an 8
pt. Jason, 8, took a 6 pt. (Bottom) Misty
brought home an 8 pt. and Rob also took
an 8 pt. during gun season in St. Clair Co.

This fishing party had great success

Matt Gonyea took this beauti-
ful 15 1/2 inch perch in Alcona
Co. Feb. 11.
Paul Arnell took this 25 lb.
male bobcat in Presque Isle
County on January 2.
on Hubbard Lake, Feb. 11, 2017
with their limit of walleyes (two are
missing in the photo). The perch
was 15.5 inches long! What a day!

Im Vince Pagano of Chesterfield, 48

William Taylor of Lapeer
caught this 30 inch carp
on a little bluegill jig with a
grub on 6 pound test line!
years old and have been hunting NW
Michigan since I was 14. My family and I
purchased 40 acres in 1994 with hopes
of having better hunting than what we
have been experiencing on state land. But
I recently moved to the U.P. from lower Michigan it was the same. The occasional 1.5 year
Mary Jo Stasie with her to attend college. I had gotten in contact with old buck and lots of does. It was around
first buck, a nice tall a local guide whom I befriended. We had gone 2001 that I was given the opportunity to
fishing a few times together and had great suc- hunt a friends place in zone 3 and was
tined trophy. blown away at how different hunting
cess. Coming from some great bass fishing wa-
was compared to zone 2. I pretty much
ters in lower Michigan to the great trout waters gave up on my place and we just used it
Father and of U.P. was quite a change. One species that Ive for the occasional bow hunt and a family
Son Success: never fished for was walleye, so I when I got the summer getaway. In 2005, I started to get
Brandon call a few weeks ago from my friend, Caleb, ask- more involved in reading about improving
Calkins of ing how fast I could get to his house, I practically habitat and hired a logger to select cut the
Belding took sprinted out of my dorm room with my fishing property. Things did improve and in 2010
his wide 8-pt. gear in hand. He had told me that the other day I shot my biggest deer off the property,
on Nov. 15 at a 1.5 year old 4-pt. It was a great year!
he had caught several walleye, including an 8 In 2012, I started hearing things about
11 a.m. in Lake lb. and 10 lb. fish. My biggest walleye to date APRs for my area and to be honest I was
Co. Robert (lt) was maybe 16 inches that I had caught while against it. I was just starting to see bucks
of Rockford smallmouth fishing in the Grand River. We ended and they were going to limit my opportu-
took his wide nity. Then I started reading more about it
10-pt. on Nov. the day catching six walleye The photo is a 27.5
walleye, which was my biggest walleye and the and asking questions of people like Tony
30 at 11 a.m. Smith and Jim Brauker. They changed
first fish we caught that day. - Maxwell Majinska my mind so much that I took a huge step
and my wife and I bought an additional
40 acres behind us in what we hoped will
Allison be a great deer hunting area. I invested in
having Jake Ehlinger come out to make
Dix, 13 a habitat plan for the now 80 acres and
with started working my butt off with fam-
her first ily and friends. The 2013 and 2014 deer
seasons went by with a few small bucks
buck, a seen but nothing I or my girls wanted to
dandy take. Then 2015 came and it was like a
Sean Connaghan was different area. I was getting a lot of bucks
and The- fortunate to shoot his big- on camera all summer long and was lucky
resa Dix gest buck yet on state land to harvest my biggest buck to date on
with her in Bay Co. on Oct. 10. After Oct. 17, 2015 an 11 point , and just when
fighting off a bought of I thought things couldnt get better I had
second buck fever Sean was able even more bucks on camera in 2016 and
bear, a to put a lethal shot on the harvested a beautiful 8 point on 10-30-16.
big buck that his trail cam My property in Missaukee Co., an area that
jumbo! had caught in the early was never known for its big bucks, is truly
morning darkness! turning into a special place!
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 61
 Veterans retreat a perfect
partner for ice fishing school

Brave Hearts
on Ice...
Accept the challenges
so that you can feel the
exhilaration of victory.
~George S. Patton
day of pre-fishing and also attended
the seminars prior to the attendees
first day on the ice. The cadre of
professional anglers shared strate-
gies ranging from how to best em- Mark Mar tin (lt), veteran Rick Bloss, and Mike Schneider show off a

A
serendipitous connec-
tion between walleye
king, Mark Martin,
a group of sports-
men soldiers, and
Brave Hearts Estate in
Pellston, occurred recently on Burt
Lake.
Martin hosts three Ice
Fishing Vacation Schools
annually in Michigan.
The latest was planned for
walleye-laden Saginaw
Bay but poor ice conditions
caused him-and his pro
staff to look for locations in
Northern Michigan. Martin
connected with
Brave Hearts
representatives
By Patrick Bevier
ploy electronics to lure preference,
and jigging techniques to tip-up
use. The information had a common
theme as all of the pros talked about
the little things that determine if during the ice fishing school. Their
anglers will put targeted game fish
on the ice or if theyll have nothing
but mangled minnows and cold feet
to show for their efforts.
Brave Hearts Estate (BHE)
is a remarkable property
on Ely Road in Pellston.
It was gifted by an enor-
mously generous Korean
War veteran and includes
a large home, cabins, and
240-acres of lovely river
valley land. Its been in
operation for almost three
years and is part
of the 1500-mem-
ber Operation
hefty walleye Bloss got to bite at the ice fishing school for soldiers.
wouldnt get to do.
All of the veterans caught fish
haul included numerous plump
walleye and jumbo perch that were
surely destined for a sizzling skillet.
A pleasant bonus was several behe-
moth brown trout.
When I asked 7-year Army
veteran John Dupuis, who travelled
from Kansas City to Brave Hearts,
what he hoped to get from the ice
fishing experience he said, Ive
already learned a lot about how to
use electronics to locate fish. Im
looking forward to putting it to use
and landing some nice fish!
The father-son team of Jeff and
Rick Bloss, from the Detroit area,
were unified when they said, We
Were planning to go out on
Burt Lake with veterans from Brave
Hearts this September as well. It
will be our second open-water day
with veterans on the lake. We are
also planning another ice fishing
school up here next year, said
Martin.
If youre a veteran and would
like to join your comrades on an
outdoor adventure visit www.
injuredsoldiers.org for details about
upcoming outings. To attend one of
Martins schools go to www.fishing-
vacationschool.com.
Because OIS is a non-profit they
could really use your help. Please
consider making a profound impact
on the lives of the brave women

and they wel-
comed his group with open arms for
a three day ice fishing adventure on
the lake.
Martin said, We only had about
two weeks to put it together with
Dav Herriman and the terrific folks
at Brave Hearts. It turned out really
well and the fishing was phenom-
enal!
I accompanied the group for a
Walleye-exper t Mark Mar tin (lt) shows veteran John Dupuis a preferred ice
fishing spoon at the Brave Hear ts Estate in Pellston. Patrick Bevier photo
62 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
Injured Soldiers
(OIS) organization that is headquar-
tered near South Lyon.
OISs mission is, Taking Care
of Our Own and a BHE commit-
tee member said, we do every-
thing possible to make things better
for veterans and their families by
providing outdoor retreats. Brave
Hearts gives them a unique opportu-
nity to do something they normally
just want to learn how to catch more
fish!
Even the pros were impressed
with the fishing on Burt.
While we were out there, a
fishing buddy caught a gargantuan
17-inch perch. Ive been fishing for
decades and have never seen a perch
that big. It was easily 2 pounds
and the fisherman said he has caught
three that size this year. Burt Lake is
a world-class perch fishery! Martin
said.
He continued.
The anglers donated several
huge perch, walleye and brown
trout to be displayed on the walls at
Brave Hearts. A local taxidermist
volunteered to mount them for free.
They are going to look awesome on
the walls of the estate! A proud veteran displays a Canada
Dav Herriman, OIS fishing di- goose taken on a hunting outing
rector said, Were planning lots of sponsored by the Operation Injured
fishing activities for veterans in the Soldiers organization.
future including a salmon trip out of
South Haven, Walleye for Warriors and men who have fought for our
on Saginaw Bay, and the annual freedom in places that are the polar
Muskie Meet on Lake St. Clair in opposite of the environs we enjoy
late summer. in the outdoors. Many physically or
More globally, OIS sponsors emotionally disabled veterans dont
hunting and fishing excursions for have the connections or means to
injured or combat veterans includ- have outdoor experiences like these.
ing deer hunting in Kansas, pheasant Donate at my Facebook page at
and turkey hunting in New York, Patrick Bevier or at gofundme.com
and fishing in the Florida Keys and titled, Support Operation Injured
Soldiers.n
northern Ontario.
KAYAK FISHING:
Heres what you should
know before you go...
W
ith warming
temperatures in
February, many
kayak anglers
rushed launch
day and headed
out for some much-needed time on
the water. Kayak fishing has really
gotten popular in Michigan over
the past couple of years. In five or
six years, you could find one or two
kayak fishing tournaments during
the year. Now they are popping up
all over.
There are basically three styles
of kayaks. A river kayak is short
with a cockpit. Paddlers usually use
a spray skirt to keep water
out while riding a rivers
rapids. Sea kayaks were the
most popular type in these
parts. Maybe they still are.
They too have enclosed
cockpits, but are generally
in the 17-foot range to bet-
ter handle open lakes and
weather. Then
there are fishing
kayaks. They By Roger Beukema
come in cockpit
models and sit-on-tops with the lat-
ter probably being the most popular.
With a sit-on-top (SOT), pad-
dlers or anglers actually sit on top
of the yak paddling or pedaling
their boat depending on the model.
Scupper holes located in the cockpit
and aft of the seat allow splash from
waves to come into the boat and
flow right back out through these
holes. Kayak fishing can be a wet
sport. If you understand that go-
ing in, youll be better prepared for
dealing with water, keeping lures
dry and wearing clothing that keeps
Lund Catch of the Year
you, the angler, comfortable.
The most important piece of
equipment youll need for kayak
fishing is a good, reliable personal
flotation device (PFD). All kayak-
fishing tournaments require them.
Some demand you wear them at
registration or the captains meeting.
And if you are caught on the water
without one, youre disqualified on
the spot.
If youre new to kayak fishing,
you no doubt are wondering which
yak is the best. There isnt one
best. There are many kayaks on
the market. Some will work better
for you than others. The best way to
find out which boat works
well for you is to paddle
one. Kayak dealers usu-
ally have a demo day in the
spring. Thats good for you.
A dealer will bring several
different boats to a lake and
allow interested people to
take them for a ride. Youll
quickly find
some are more
stable; others
have a tendency
to be a little tippy. Youll sacrifice
speed through the water and usually
weight if you are going with a stable
boat.
But keep this in mind. What
works for one angler wont neces-
sarily work for you. Try before you
buy. Even then, the following year
you might be looking to upgrade to
something different.
Because a kayak is small, youre
going to have to learn to leave some
tackle at home. Figure out what your
confidence baits are and bring them.
Instead of a tackle box or bag, many
Lund 1650 Rebel XS SS Lund 1650 Rebel XS SPORT
$17,295
Always
Service After
the Sale
Tom Mullins from Grand Rapids holding a 40-inch redfish during the
Hobie Worlds in Leevile, Louisiana.
people use a milk crate to carry a
couple of trays with lures, perhaps
their lunch, and if you have one, an
anchor. Youll want to bungee your
crate to the kayak in case you go
over. Most crates are concoctions of
their owners. There are plenty of do-
it-yourselfers in the kayak fishing
world.
Usually people attach rod hold-
ers to their crate. Some anglers will
figure out a way to carry as many
as eight rods. Others use as few as
two. Its definitely your choice as
to whether you go with a baitcaster
or spinning rig. Just be sure youre
comfortable using what you bring.
Dry suits have become popu-
lar in the kayak fishing world. But
waders are still often seen. Up top,
consider going with light-colored
long sleeve shirts and if its chilly, a
fleece outer garment.
A floppy hat or cap is mandatory
to keep the sun off your face. Look
into the popular Hoorags that can
be worn to cover the face, neck or
head. Speaking of sun, dont forget
the sunscreen and remember to re-
apply it as your day goes on.
Good sources for equipment
include the Facebook page of
Michigan Kayak Fishing (MKF)
and Kayak Fish the Great Lakes
MSRP $20,824
*All prices are in US dollars
and do not include dealer
freight and prep charges,
taxes and registration.
with 60 ELPT
10 Miles East of Bay City on M-25 in Quanicassee
989-893-9931 www.lindyssales.com
(KFGL). Before you ask questions
go on these sites and take some time
to read what others have posted. You
may get your questions answered
without writing anything. Take a
look at YouTube. Enter specific
searches for making a crate, anchor-
ing a kayak, or kayak fishing in
general.
Like other outdoor sports, be
sure and leave word with some-
one as to when you will return and
where youll be going. Its also a
good idea to carry a cell phone in a
watertight container with a lanyard
tied to you or the boat.
Just in case you lean too far to
one side or the other, a kayak has
a tipping point. Go too far and you
get wet or lose gear over the side.
Keep your paddle, rods, net, bump
board and crate tied to the boat with
bungees or rod and paddle leashes.
If youre new to kayak fish-
ing, take your time before plunking
money down for something you find
you dont like. Paddle some boats,
do your research and talk to others
that have kayaks. And remember,
safety is number one on the water.
Wear that PFD. Have great time
kayak fishing.
Email Roger Beukema at duth-
beuk12@gmail.com.n
MSRP $22,368
$18,640
with 60 ELPT
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 63
 Boat Smart... They Dont Work If You Dont Wear Them

Boating safety is catching on

T
ake a look around
as you visit the boat
shows this spring.
Boating safety products
and messages stand out
and are gaining more
recognition all the time. In the past,
safety on boats was rarely men-
tioned. It was feared the
image of something going
wrong while boating would
somehow diminish the
activity. Those investing in
boats today are fully aware
of the dangers that can be
encountered offshore and
welcome help to avoid
them. Boaters
who are un-
aware and pay
no attention to
safety are a big cause of the risk.
Many boaters have actually read
and understand the Rules of the
Road, and they comprehend the
need for governing those traveling
our waterways.
The fact more boaters are
practicing safety is noted at the boat
shows and published in nautical
magazines. Ads frequently show
boaters wearing lifejackets, espe-
cially the youngsters.
Safety is also evident at harbors
and launch facilities. It is com-
mon to observe boaters putting on
Personal Flotation Devices
(PFD) before getting under-
way. One of the National
Safe Boatings slogans is
They Dont Work If You
Dont Wear Them and it
has finally sunk in (no pun
intended).
Todays PFDs are
comfortable
By Capt. Fred Davis to wear, the
inflatables are
very reliable
- used manually or automatically.
When purchasing any lifejacket,
dont jump into the first one you Check out the great coverage Rescue 21 provides for our area.
see. I was excited to examine and
try on a new style inflatable at a producing it expects it to be avail- or more towers, the system gives
recent Miami Boat Show. It is still able soon. The device is uniquely a more precise location. See the
in the testing stage but the company designed to fit your bodys contour graphic for locations in our area.
with comfort. As of early 2015, the Coast

IR2,000EAGunsRinMStockS
Guard activated the final tower

TOTAL FOver
Did you know there are PFDs
for your pets? They come in all of the coastal phase of Rescue 21
shapes and sizes and will keep your near the Pamlico Sound in North
pets afloat until you can retrieve Carolina. Over 258 towers had been
them. There are also special board- installed in the coastal phase cover-
INDOOR GUN RANGE ing ladders for them which greatly ing about 260,000 square nautical
assist getting them back onboard so miles. The upgrades, including
Hand Guns, Long Guns, Muzzleloading, you dont have to go in the water. Coast Guard search and rescue capa-
Reloading Supplies, Ammo, Archery & Accessories There are electronic safety bilities, are now in place along the
CASH FOR USED GUNS INDOOR GUN RANGE devices that can be selected at boat- Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts of
GUNS, NEW & USED CCW COURSE GUN SAFES (In Stock) ing outlets, Emergency Position the contiguous United States. The
Full Line of Gunsmithing NRA Certified Instructors Indicating Radio Beacon (Epirbs) Great Lakes, Hawaii, Puerto Rico,
and Personal Locater Beacon, (PLB) the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and
Full Line Archery & Fishing Tackle that are intended to be worn or car-
Live Bait & Tackle Available Northern Marianas Islands of Rota,
Open Mon thru Fri 9am-7pm Sat 9am-6pm Sun 9am-4pm
ried. An Epirb should be a must for Tinian and Saipan are also com-
1380 N. Cedar (517) 699-0597 anyone taking their boat offshore for pleted.
( Mile South of Holt, 127 to Cedar St. exit, North 2 Miles) long distance cruising. The choices The Coast Guard will continue
range across many sizes and price deployment of improved disaster
2017 GUN & KNIFE SHOWS ranges. recovery equipment to island sectors
For information call (517) 676-4160 The very best safety equipment to support the Rescue 21 system.
that has been available the past few Alaska and sections along the Ohio
Mar 18-19 . . . . . . 700 Tables . . . . . . . . Birch Run Apr 22-23 . . . . . . . 530 Tables . . . . Grand Rapids years is the Rescue 21 Combina-
tion VHF, GPS DSC and U.S. Coast
and Mississippi Rivers will continue
to receive towers to meet geo-
Mar 25-26 . . . . . . 250 Tables . . . . . . . . . Cadil ac Apr 29-30 . . . . . . . 400 Tables . . . . . . . . . Monroe Guard registration system MMSI. It graphical demands with completion
is a digital-selective calling, radio
Apr 1,2,3 . . . . . . . 440 Tables . . . Lansing/Mason May 6-7 . . . . . . . . 700 Tables . . . . . . . . Birch Run
targeted for 2017.
technology that allows mariners If you have an old radio, update
Apr 8-9 . . . . . . . . . 275 Tables . . . . . . . Kalamazoo May 20-21 . . . . . . 300 Tables . . . . . . Cheboygan to voicelessly transmit their vessel
name, description and GPS location.
to one of the new ones with DSC.
When hooking up your Rescue 21
Apr 14-15 (Fri & Sat ONLY) 900 Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Novi May 27-28 . . . . . . 275 Tables . . . . . . . . . Harrison One push of a button and help system, be sure to file the paperwork
is on the way to your exact location you receive with the VHF radio you
Sport Shows Promotions, INC. with a description of your vessel. purchase. Failure to file your MMSI
www.migunshows.com sportshows@gmail.com If you are within the radio signals form that comes with the radio will
P.O. Box 404 Mason, MI 48854 of the U.S., the button push will exempt you from using the system
Ph: (517) 676-4160 Fax: (517) 676-6824 connect you to the nearest available and your calls for help may not be
Birch Run: Manistee Little River Casino Jackson Port Huron Lansing/Mason Ingham
Expo Ctr Intersection ORS Field House
500 Thomas Edison Pkwy County Fairgrounds
resource. Nearby vessels equipped heard.
Blue Water Convention Center
I-75 @ Exit 136 US.31 & M-22 3055 Shirley Drive 700 E. Ash with R21 systems may also respond. Boating safety is indeed ad-
Cheboygan Ice Arena Flint: Jackson, MI Novi
Grand Rapids Suburban Collection Showplace
When a distress call is received vancing on many fronts, which
480 Cleveland Dort Federal Event Cntr.
I-69 @ Center Rd. 1256
28th St. Showplace
28th St. S.W. Wyoming 46100 Grand River the direction-finding generates a benefits boaters who venture on
Monroe County Harrison
Fairgrounds Kalamazoo: County Fairgrounds Cadillac: Wexford Arena Clare County Fairgrounds
line of bearing from a tower to the rivers, Great Lakes and coastal areas
MBT Expo Center 2900 Lake St. 131 & 13th St. 418 Fairlane source of the call. If received at two everywhere.n
64 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
Next BiteBy Gary Parsons and Keith Kavajecz
Move out
to jig pigs
I
f youd like to catch big
walleyes, (and dont live near
Lake Erie) and are bummed
out because the walleyes just
finished spawning and you
think the bite is going to stink,
you need to keep reading!
For years, a belief in the walleye
world was that after fish spawned in
the spring the larger fish wouldnt bite
right away. Over time we have found
out that isnt necessarily the case. One
of the things that seem to be common
when looking for these early bites,
is that walleyes tend to be feeding in
areas near the areas where they just
finished spawning. We are used to
fishing shallow, and normally can
catch the smaller males, but where are
all of the bigger females? Well, you
will need to look at spawning areas
where rocks and gravel extend out
into deeper water. The females seem
to like these areas that are 15-35 feet
deepyes, that deep, even early in
the year!
The fish can be pretty lethargic at
this time, and they like to hide tight
to bottom in the rocks. The water at
this time is less than 50 degrees, so
crawler harnesses wont be effec-
tive and even the slowest trolling of
Crankbaits usually wont solicit a bite.
This is the time to bring out the jigs.
We like to tie on a 1/4oz 3/8oz long
shank Bass Pro Shops XPS or a Mus-
tad WL Elite Series jig. Strike King,
Berkley, or Mustad Darter heads can
also work.
The key is the artificial bait you
put on the jig. We like to use 4-inch
Berkley GULP! Minnows or Pow-
erbait minnows that are 4-5 inches
long. While you might think that the
best way to work the jig is to crawl
it across bottom, you actually will
not want do this. Instead, jig it fairly
aggressively. Either cast it out and
work it back in or slowly rip jig it
way behind the boat in a slow electric
motor troll using 2-3 foot sweeps. It
is insane how many fish will bite, and
on a lake like Green Bay, the fish will
be big too! This is a great time of year
to catch giant fish.
As the water warms youll want
to switch to different types of tails.
Many walleye fishermen have taken
a lesson from the bass guys by using
a smallmouth bedding bite technique
with hair jigs. With a small black or
purple 1/4oz hair jig, cast beyond
where you think the fish might be and
let the jig free fall to the bottom. Once
the jig hits bottom, slowly crank it
two times and then let it fall back to
bottom. Once it hits bottom, crank it
again two times. Point the rod to the
jig or at a slight angle to do a semi-
swim back to the boat. While hair jigs
have been here forever, this technique
is new and deadly effective down to
30 feet.
The last technique you want to try
is working a 3/8oz or 1/2oz jig with
a 3.5 to 5 inch Berkley Ripple Shad.
When you take the Ripple Shad out
of the package, stretch it out, like lim-
bering a rubber band. By doing this, The Next Bite team has dispelled the belief in the walleye world that after
the bait will swim two to three times fish spawned in the spring the larger fish wouldnt bite right away.
more effectively. This is important as
the tail will swim much more natu- the passive bait mode sound and On a good day you might only
rally and elicit more bites. experiment from there to see if catch ten fish, but they will be
Just like the hair jig, you will want you get more bites. Some days it quality fish. This is a very fun
to cast it out, then give a couple of really makes a difference! If you bite that we look forward to each
turns on the reel. Visualize the bait are in an area where youre catching year. Give it a shot and we think
swimming along the bottom. Let it sit fish, dont go far to find the next you too will be hooked on jigging
for a second and then reel again. It is one. This isnt a fast and furious bite. up your Next Bite!n
amazing how hard the fish will hit!
The cool thing about this technique is
that it also becomes deadly in late fall.
In many cases you will catch fish in
the same types of places as the spring
bite, in addition to the typical sunken
Superior Game Ranch
island and steep breaking shoreline Route 3 Box 163 Cornell, MI 49818
fall hotspots where live minnows
are usually used. We have absolutely Incredible U.P. of Michigan
crushed big fish with this technique. Hunting Opportunities
For gear, we like to use a conven-
tional jigging rod like the 6 or 66 Private farmland in south Marquette
medium light Walleye Angler rod County Michigan, fully guided
with a fast taper. For line we use 10lb
Berkley NanoFil or FireLine and 10lb bow and firearm hunts in
100 percent Fluorocarbon leaders tied hunting preserve for: Elk,
directly to jigs.
The neat thing about this type of Whitetail Deer, Buffalo, Wild Large Russian Boar
fishing is that you can often see the Boar, Red Stag & Fallow Deer. Hunts Available!
fish on your electronics before you
even put a line in the water. If you see
one or two just off bottom, you can
assume there are several more there,
as they usually hang tight to bottom
Trophy Elk,
(hiding in between the rocks) this
time of year. This is where the use of Trophy Red Stag &
a Lowrance HDS is important. Using
2D sonar and side scanning modes
will help you locate the deep rock
Trophy Fallow Deer
and fishy looking spots. If you see an
interesting area, switch to downscan, Lodging available for
to see if some of those marks have groups of up to 12 people.
separation from the bottom, assuring Still Booking Hunts!
you that they are fish.
When fishing a good looking area
you are searching for that first bite, Call (906) 238-4482 or
and if you get it make sure that you
put your trolling motor into anchor (906) 630-1617
mode (we use a MotorGuide Xi5 troll-
ing motor for this) and begin to work for more information and reservations.
the area thoroughly. This is also when www.superiorgameranch.com
a HydroWave works well. Start with
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 65
 Low entry fees and fun waters might just turn you into a kayak tournament junkie...
Get ready for Michigan Kayak Tourneys!
I
f you like competitive kayak
fishing or just want to check
out a kayak tournament to
see if its for you, Michigan
will be the place to be this
season. Even if you never
have fished a tournament before, low
entry fees and fun waters might just
turn you into a kayak tournament
junkie.
And some of the payouts ought
to tempt those tournament anglers
who roar around in bass boats to
give the plastic boat competitions a
try.
Last May I loaned one
of my Hobie kayaks to
friend Neil Vande Biezen
of Otsego so he could
compete in a tournament at
Gull Lake, by the village
of Richland. Gull is a great
fishing lake, and Neil,
a serious bass boat
tournament competi-
By Dave Mull
tor, knows it well. In fact, some guys
groan when they see him show up to
fish a tournament thereand we 40-
plus kayakers learned why. Although
it was Neils first time in a kayak
let alone fishing a tournament out of
onehe blew everyone else out of
the water. He won more than $800
for his $40 entry fee.
A few of my kayak buddies sug-
gested I be more selective about who
I loan a kayak to in the future.
Starting in mid-April, Michigan-
ders can find some kind of kayak
event to fish almost every weekend
right into September. Many are one-
day tournaments; some are fundrais-
ers and others provide kayaks and
instruction for disabled vets to go
fishing. Still others are just family
days on the water.
In the interest of staying happily
married (well, maybe just staying
married), Im focusing on the five
contests in the new Michigan Kayak
Trail. These tournaments guarantee a
new kayak and $1,000 to first place-
a package worth from $1,700 to
more than $2,400, depending on the
kayak given away.
Tom Mullins of Allendale and
Russell Wilson of Portage are run-
ning this trail. Tom negotiated with
sponsors for prizes and researched
national tournament organizations
that could partner with the MKT.
While competitors dont need to join
any of the national organizations,
they can qualify for both the Kayak
Bass Fishing Championship and for
the River Bassin Championship sim-
ply by doing well in the Michigan
Kayak Trail events. For instance,
the five anglers who accumulate the
66 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
most points for good finishes in the
five MKT events will qualify for the
KBF Championship, which guaran-
tees $35,000 for first place.
Tom and Russell were two lead-
ers of last years Michigan Kayak
Series, which was a big success.
Their experience should combine
with big payouts and low entry fees
to make this new circuit a great one.
The MKT starts April 22 at Gull
Lake, which will probably mean
anglers will find a lot of fish up
shallow and cruising, with some
already on beds. Since all
kayak tournaments are
catch-photo-release, were
allowed to target these fish
before the catch-and-keep
season begins Memorial
Day weekend. With a Hobie
Quest 13 worth $1,350 and Kayak tournaments are mostly catch-photo-release events, where
$1,000 cash for first the highest number of inches for five bass determines the victor.
place and a $50 entry
fee, turnout should the interloper away and was vis- held within a 50-mile radius of the
be pretty good. Gull Lake Marine is ibly perturbed, fins flared. This time sports store, and a NuCanoe will be
hosting the contest, supplying bever- when I dropped the Ned Rig in front awarded in addition to the $1,000
ages and a free place to launch. of him he grabbed it instantly and I first-place cash.
The next stop on the MKT will quickly had a landing net underneath D&R is partnering with En-
be at Gun Lake on May 6, another him. He was only 16 3/4-inches bridge to sponsor this event. You
lake where bass will probably be long, but ended up being big bass of might recall that Enbridge acciden-
up shallow looking for places to the tournament and worth $130. tally spilled a bunch of oil into the
spawn. Its fun to sight-fish from a Now thats a fun memory. Kalamazoo a few years ago. The
kayak--you can get amazingly close Maybe hell be there again this year. companys wants to show a group of
to fish on beds. At a Gull Lake event The MKT takes a break for the hardcore anglers how the river has
three years ago, I dabbled a Ned Rig month of June, reconvening for a cleaned up.
2 3/4-inch worm in front of a big Grand River tournament out of the Both of these river contests are
male on a nest--right below my rod Gull Lake Marine store in Coopers- also qualifiers for the River Bassin
tip. My kayak had drifted right over ville on July 8. Rules are still being championship later in the season.
the top of this fish without spooking hashed out, but it looks like anglers The MKT culminates with its
it, and then came to rest against a will be able to fish anywhere on the Championship on September 16, on
vacant pier. This fish and I made eye Grand within 50 miles of Coopers- a water that hasnt been selected yet.
contact, and I started talking to him. ville. An 11-foot Hobie Quest worth Another kayak and $1,000 will go
I promised I just wanted his pic- $1,250 is part of first place. to the winner. The Championship is
ture and would let him go if he just Next up will be the Kalama- likely to decide the Jackson Kayak
would bite. zoo River on August 12, based at Angler of the Year. This awarda
Finally, after about 10 minutes of D&R Sports Center, a great tackle brand new Jackson Coosa kayak val-
idly ignoring my lure, the bass saw a and boat store on M-43 just west ued at $1,400will go to the angler
bluegill swim above him. He chased of Kalamazoo. Again, this will be who accumulates the most points by
placing high in the standings over
the course of the five tournaments.
MICHIGAN KAYAK EVENTS FOR 2017 Some people want nothing to
April 22-Gull Lake (Michigan Kayak Trail) do with tournaments and thats
April 29-Kayak Bass Fishing At Kent Lake (KFGL) understandable. Others of us enjoy
May 6-Gun Lake (MKT) friendly competition and seeing who
May 13-Kent Lake, Portage Lake, Woodland Lake (Kayak Anglers Tournament Series) can catch five bass that add up to
May 20-Twin Bay Kayak Adventures Open (Northern Michigan Kayak Fishing) more inches than anyone else and
May 21-8th Annual No-Mo Charity Tournament (KFGL) winning a nice chunk of change and
May 27-Fly Fishing Fun (MKF) a new kayak. Plus, some of the best
June 10-Tip Up For Troops Charity Event (KFGL) friends Ive made in the last few
June-24-25-Border City Classic On Lake St. Clair (KATS) years are fellow competitorsits a
July 8-Grand River (MKT)
pretty congenial crowd.
July 15-Lake Lansing, Lake Ovid, Grand River (KATS)
July 23-MUCC Kids Camp Charity Tournament (KFGL)
Even if I dont cash a check
July 29-Family Fishing Day (MKF) (continuing my streak from last
Aug. 12-Kalamazoo River (MKT) year), I have a good feeling were
Aug. 19-20-Camp Liberty Veterans Kayak Fishing Event (KFGL) going to have fun fishing out of our
Sept. 16-Michigan Kayak Trail Championship kayaks this year.
Sept. 23-Maceday Lake, Union Lake, Orchard Lake, Pontiac Lake (KATS) Well cover the other Michigan
Sept. 30-KBF Lake St. Clair (KFGL) events in the next issue.n
 Alone on the ice with only a spud and knife for protection...By Sharon M. Kennedy
The Fisherman and the Wolf
T
he sun was low in the
sky and the day was
almost done when
Jimmy Mills of New-
berry spied the wolf. It
was lurking 200 yards
from his fishing hole on Milikokia
Lake near Gould City, MI. Jimmys
no stranger to wildlife, having fished
and hunted since childhood, but this
was the first time he encountered a
wolf who appeared to be eyeing him
up for supper. Jimmy had snowshoed
in from the east public access and
was about 300 yards offshore and
an equal distance to the north of the
landing. His heart beat a little faster
as the wolf neared.
When a man is alone on the
ice with only a spud and knife for
protection from what appears to be
an imminent predator, he might get
a little shaky. As Jimmy put it in a
recent interview, You talk about
scary. At 62 years of age, I wasnt
going down without at least a couple
seconds of glory if it came to that. I
respect the natural wonders we are
given from our Creator, but I was
prepared to use the only weapons
at hand if it was between me and
the wolf. At different times, Ive
encountered bear and a mountain
lion in the wild and both ran when I
yelled, but the wolf was different. It
wasnt fazed.
I was facing the shoreline and
had been fishing since 2 p.m. and
caught a couple of small perch. It
was starting to get dark but I wasnt
ready to head for home. I was think-
ing I might get a walleye around
dark. Theres nothing like walleye to
make an ice fishing trip worth endur-
ing a cold northwest wind, but as I
looked shoreward and saw the wolf
coming towards me, I knew it was
time to hightail it off the ice.
Jimmy paused as he mentally
relived what he had seen. It was
obvious the sight of a wild animal
approaching had deeply touched
him. Although fishing is his favorite
pastime and he enjoys all aspects
from fly to trolling to sitting on
the bank of a lake or river or boat-
ing, ice fishing is often fraught with
dangers. Theres the possibility of
the ice being too thin to hold the
weight of a man or a sudden change
in the weather turning a sunny day
into a blinding snowstorm. If theres
no shack with a small stove in it, a
fellow sits on a bucket and hopes his
parka keeps the cold at bay. It takes
a serious fisherman to withstand the
obstacles winter imposes.
Jimmys fished in Wyoming,
Montana, Oregon, Washington,
Colorado, Arizona, and Canada, but
it took dropping a line in an Upper
Peninsula lake to remind him of un-
known perils. You never know what
surprises are going to happen. By 4
p.m. a dog had been barking steady
for at least an hour. I wondered why
someone hadnt checked on it to find
out what had disturbed the animal. It
was about this time I saw the wolf. It
was huge. Its tail was in a high posi-
tion indicating its dominance as an
alpha male. I yelled and waved my
arms, but it did not move. I stood up
and yelled again, but the wolf never
changed its posture.
I forgot about catching a
walleye and slowly packed my gear
back on my sled while keeping a
sharp eye on the wolf. It kept its
position, not moving anything but its
tail. Although it began slowly wav-
ing it back and forth which usually
means an animal is starting to relax,
I wasnt taking any chances. Text-
books might say one thing, but when
you see a lone wolf gazing at you
as if contemplating its next move,
a wagging tail means anything but
relaxation. It means head for shore,
pronto!
I put on my snowshoes and
when I looked up, I noticed the wolf
had moved closer to me. I decided
to walk slowly back to my truck
while pulling the sled and watching
for any movement from my stalker.
The wolf followed me and ducked
just inside the tree line parallel to
me within 50 yards of my truck and
did not run when I honked the horn.
It just watched my every move as
I stowed away my gear. When the
engine started, I was thankful for the
warmth and safety of the vehicle. I
decided this might be the last time
Ill venture onto the ice alone. Next
time Ill bring a buddy or relative.
He can record any wildlife encoun-
ters. I was lucky, and its good to
remember that here in the Upper
Peninsula were not at the top of the
food chain. At least not yet.
And with those sage words, our
interview ended. So for all you ice
fishermen out there, be careful and
keep your powder dry. You never
know when youll need it.n
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WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 67
A Look at a Historic Collection of Shot & Bullet Bags Dating Back to the 17th Century...
GETTIN THE LEAD OUT
H
ere we tell of a man,
Karl Z. Smith, abso-
lutely dedicated to
an important part of
our primitive
American his-
tory, who has accomplished
what few men before
him have undertaken. He
concentrated on collecting
just one item that many
folk had overlooked, from
an era where long guns and
muzzleloaders were the
firearm of the day.
It is only logi-By Betty Sodders
cal that hunters
and soldiers of the 16th and 17th
century would need a bag of some
sort to carry bullets in and keep their
powder dry. An antique firearms
collector friend of Smiths had this
to say about Karls hobby, The
discovery of bullet and shot bags
on todays market, is the finding
of good old things that are highly
sensitive to wear and tear that has
progressed over time.
Karl Smith is a retired teacher.
He began his collection of bullet
and shot bags in the 1970s. He made
this comment, All men who used a
muzzleloader needed a powder horn,
and if you had a powder horn you
had to have a bag to put shot or ball
in. Some of these bags were very
beautiful and were created through a
great deal of time and effort. I guess
it was all before video games!
His appreciation remained
strong for vintage guns and accou-
trements. As time passed, his col-
68 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
lecting of hard to come by pouches
and bags truly took off resulting in
Karls writing a book, titled GET-
TIN THE LEAD OUT - A Study of
American Primitive Bullet
and Shot Bags.
This is a one-of-a-kind
book as there is nothing
like it on todays market. It
deals with a much ne-
glected part of our nations
historic past. Author and
vintage firearm collector,
Karl Z. Smith strongly felt
a need to touch
on these interest-
ing bullet and
shot bags...each pictured...each
somewhat different...all unique.
Even more interesting is the fact
that they were all taken from his
private collection of over 200 of
these somewhat forgotten historical
artifacts. Each depicted bag holds
a photograph and a write-up within
the 243 pages of this over-sized
volume.
While just 50 copies remain
unsold, the theme of this article is
not the book as much as relating the
story of Karl Smith and his collec-
tion of early period firearms and the A sampling of bullet and shot bags and pouches. One is a double bag.
shot and ball bags themselves. How- an antique point of view. Surlock that walked, ran, hopped, crawled,
ever, it is interesting to note that Publishing was wise enough to view slithered or flew was fair game.
copies of his book are featured at it as something the Rendezvous Eventually the buffalo and passen-
historical sites such as Fort Ticond- crowd would appreciate; especially ger pigeons were virtually wiped
eroga, Fort Niagara, and the Mu- to duplicate. off the face of the earth. Wildlife
seum of the Fur Trade located in the Since publication of this refer- suffered. I imagine these bags and
state of Nebraska. They also show ence edition, which contains all my pouches were highly utilized during
up at various Rendezvous. Karl own collection of bullet and shot that particular period.
Smith commented, My thoughts on bags, I have sold some and found Karl Smith adapts the terms
writing the book were strictly from new ones; 30 to be exact. There pouch in reference to small ammo
are so few shot and bullet bags on containers; the term bag when
todays market. They are sadly over- writing about larger portable bags.
looked. Each and every one of them Dating the bags is sometimes dif-
represents a puzzle piece of our past. ficult. Most require care and restora-
If you had to carry a powder horn or tion and the collector needs to be
musket, you certainly needed some- careful of fakes and counterfeits.
thing to put bullet or shot in. Many These shot and bullet bags contain
of the bags are detailed, others prove varying construction methods with
to be plain or nondescript. It appears stitching often concealed and a va-
as though back-in-a-day, these bags riety of stitches employed. In many
represented personal choice; plain instances the spout uses different
or fancy, depending on the users methods of closure, and it is inter-
individual status. esting to see all the different styles
I was not prepared for the examining them from spout to stop-
vastness of Smiths collection. per; especially, its decorative aspects
Numerous styles and designs are to its stitching.
photographed. Periods highlighted Each year finds Smith scour-
for manufacture of both the bullet ing east coast states for hard to find
and shot bags include: Early Types Americana primitive bullet and shot
(1760 - 1820); Golden Age (1810 - bags. A gratifying hobby to say the
1840); Strictly Utility (1820 - 1900); least.
and Market Hunter (1830 - 1900). Author Smith also collects
Of course, the market hunting primitive firearms and belongs to the
era was most devastating. Anything following organizations; Ohio Long
Rifle Association, Contemporary military items.

Long Rifle Association, Kentucky
Rifle Association and Tri-State Gun
Traders Association.
During an interview some ques-
tions arose:
Q Karl, back-in-a-day, what
sparked your interest in antique
firearms?
Q
At times its a small world. The
February issue of Woods-N-
Water News held my story on Dan
Swanson, a Michigan hunter who
recently took a moose in a New-
foundland hunt. I also wrote a story
published in the same magazine on a
good man with a knife...Scott Sum-

A I grew up in the Adirondack

Mountains of New York State.
We all hunted, fished and camped.
And then I stumbled on one...
merville, who attended that hunt
with you. He specializes in creating
antique knife models. Both of you
were a part of that hunt having the

Q What drew your interest to
bullet and shot bags other than
the fact that they had been neglected
by outdoor and antique collectors
media with few collections existing?
same outfitter as Dan and his friend.
How did you and Scott meet?
A Scott and I came together at the
Contemporary Knife Show at
Lexington, Kentucky. I was looking

A I was searching for antiques
back in the 1970s when I
bought a half stock muzzleloader
and some accoutrements to hang
over the fireplace. An old gun com-
plimented the furniture. That was a
start!
at his knives and somehow the topic
of elk hunting came up. As it turned
out, we both hunted with the same
outfitter in Cody, Wyoming. One
thing led to another and I told him I
could set him up with a great moose
hunt. Before the day ended, I called
Newfoundland and as it turned out

Q You said you attend the Michi-

gan Antique Arms Show in
Novi, Michigan...how large a show
is that? I heard this gun and knife
show is held several times annually.
there had been a cancellation and
there was an opening for September.
Scott jumped at the chance to hunt
out of Portland Creek Outfitters. So,
Scott met me at my camp in the Ad-

A
It is put on several times a year
by the Michigan Antique Col-
lectors and holds some 400 display/
sales tables. They highlight ammo
cases, holsters, gun books, military
uniforms, period clothing, accoutre-
ments as well as period antiques and
irondacks and the next morning we
were off to see the moose wizard. It
was the same hunt the two Michigan
men attended. All four hunters took
down a moose.
Q You say you are also a collec-
tor of vintage firearms, please
A I like early period guns from
the French and Indian War to
the 1850s. My all-time favorites
are Hudson Valley Fowlers and
New England guns. Presently, such
sociation and Tri-State Gun Traders
Association.
Q I am curious. As a fan of
Scrabble, what does the Z
stand for in your name?

A
firearms are extremely difficult to It is a Mennonite family name.
of course guns, swords, knives and describe some of your unusual guns. locate. Zehr. I know there are Zehrs in

Q Do you attend Rendezvous? Michigan.

A Only to shop or see friends with

similar interests.
Q Tell me some of the highlights
of your recent moose hunt in
Newfoundland. How large was your

Q Lets discuss your book. When moose?

I picked it up I said, Wow! It
is a comprehensive edition, one of
a kind...no other like it. How many
bullet and shot bags do you have?
Is it possible to still find others?
A Wonderful hunt! This year,
moose were very even; 20
points, 40 inch spread and quite tall.
The outfitter I work for does several
shows in Michigan at Ann Arbor

A The book holds my entire col-
lection, over 200 individual shot
and bullet bags. After the book was
published a lot of people wanted
something pictured in the book. I
just kept about 50 bags or pouches.
Now I buy only bags that afford
a buzz or are regarded as being
golden age ones. At present, I have
collected about 30 keepers (after
book was published). I also have
bags and pouches that I specifically
take to gun shows to sell. Some
have turned tips or fancy wooden
Only effigy bag in Smiths tips. Unique models.
collection - Some bags
held designs - One of the
few stoppers or plugs Q What organizations do you be-
long to as a firearms collector?
that held the date made.
A Kentucky Rifle Association,
Contemporary Long Rifle As-
sociation, Ohio Gun Collectors As-
and Novi. When I display firearms
and shot and bullet bags at a show, I
also display information on Portland
Creek Outfitters, Newfoundland.
Scott Summerville and I are booked
for 2018 during the same week and
at the same camp we experienced in
2016. Scott got a great moose too,
with a 4l inch spread.
Authors Note: The outfitters
camp held four hunters. I found it
interesting that I came away with
three articles; Dan Swansons moose
hunt, Scott Summerville who forges
antique replicas of period knives
and other early era implements, and
Karl Smith who collects ball and
powder pouches and bags as well as
vintage firearms. Three articles from
one source is like hitting the jack-
pot at a casino.n
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 69
Fly fishing
made easy
By John Schmittroth
W
hy has fly fish-
ing been around
since ancient
Roman times?
Most simply, it is
the best way to
catch more fish in certain situations.
Last month discussed basic gear
and technique. This month cov-
ers a couple of specific fly fishing
opportunities widely available in
Michigan.
Bluegill on a Fly
A major joy of fly fishing is the
rods sensitivity to the fight of the
fish, which can feel like hand-to-
hand combat. A great way to start
is with bluegills, a personal favorite
that I target several times a year.
Gills are a riot on fly rods, found
everywhere, and usually willing
participants.
Find some nearby bluegill water,
such as a small lake, pond, or river
backwater. Start fishing with the
equivalent of a dry fly (Plan B is
later). Small wooden poppers work
well for this. Generic trout flies also
work and you can sometimes find
little packs of these in a store like
Walmart.
Tie the fly directly to the end
of your leader using the improved
clinch knot. The leader crucially
puts distance between your fly and
the main fly line. The fish will not
want to see your heavy fly line any-
where near them! If you are pur-
chasing pre-made leaders (which I
use), look for strength 5X, which
is equivalent to 4 pound test, in stan-
dard length such as 71/2 or 9 feet.
Search the Water
The best time of year for using
the dry fly for gills is pre-spawn
well into summer. You can fish
from shore or wade, the latter
providing more flexibility. Cast so
Fly-fishing is simply a better way to catch more fish in cer tain settings. Daves
Hopper is a classic summer fly pattern. Illustration by Sue Schmittroth.
70 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
that the fly and leader hit the water
first, fully extended, with the fly line
settling in behind. Be ready: some
70 percent of your strikes are going
to come almost immediately after
the fly hits the water. If there is no
immediate strike, slowly retrieve in
short bursts with rod tip up. Avoid
any slack along the length of your
line (hard to do), or you wont be
able to quickly set the hook. You
will miss many fish like this.
Systematically cover all the wa-
ter you can reach on all sides using
casts of various lengths (20-30-40
feet, the shortest first). Dont forget
up against shore. Then move to the
next spot and repeat. Still no fish?
The big question in all small-water
fly fishing is: are you seeing any
fish in the water, either swimming or
better yet, swirling near your fly? If
not, you need to relocate in place or
time until you are seeing fish.
Fishing Wet for Gills
Plan B, if you sense that fish are
around but not rising to your dry
fly, is to fish wet (this refers to the
fly, not you!). Typically this means
fishing with a nymph, such as the
classic trout nymph known as the
bead-head hares ear, which works
great for gills feeding underwater. If
a nymph isnt immediately handy,
for practice purposes, you can
instead use a kernel of corn or other
bait on a small hook tied at the end
of your leader. In either case, nymph
or corn, cast it out, let sink a bit, and
slowly retrieve underwater with oc-
casional lifts of the rod tip. A varia-
tion is to attach a small ice-fishing
bobber a couple feet above the lure
and slowly reel in with pauses.
If you hit the gills at the right
time while fly fishing, you can eas-
ily hook up with 20 or 30 an hour, as
fast as you can land them, release,
Bushy, grassy riverbanks
mean lots of bugs falling into
the water for hungry trout.
and cast again. This is a complete
blast on lightweight fly gear.
Hopper Fishing
For Stream Trout
Many folks take up fly fishing
to go after trout in a stream. Cover-
ing that in detail is the subject of
entire books. But if you have been
catching bluegills as described here,
you are ready for a similar type
of stream fishing for trout. That
is terrestrial season, the time in
midsummer when fields are crawl-
ing with grasshoppers, crickets,
ants, and other insects. These bugs
regularly end up in the stream, and
fish begin to rely on this major food
source as summer progresses.
Can you picture a hopper falling
into the stream and kicking a few
times as it drifts downstream with gear. Spend an hour or two wading
the current? If you can mimic that
sequence with your fly you could
be into some great trout fishing!
Following are details to get started.
This assumes that if youve read
this far, you have an idea of where
to fish, and also an idea of what you
will use for waders (old sneakers
work fine as a start in many cases).
If not, check Information & Re-
sources below.
Summer Flies
To keep it simple, you could
start with a couple of flies for this
type of fishing. One classic pat-
tern with many imitators is Daves
Hopper. Pick up a few of these
similar in size to the actual bugs you
see in nearby fields (e.g. smaller in
early summer). This fly represents
a substantial meal for fish that may
be feeding on mosquito-size bugs
such as the blue-winged olive. Its
a charge to see a sizeable brown
trout in a small stream slashing at
a hopper fly like a largemouth bass
exploding on a frog.
The Muddler Minnow is an
extremely versatile and popular pat-
tern. This fly can be fished exactly
the same way as a floating hopper-
type bug. But it also has another
great use: when retrieved against the
current, it dives underwater darting
from side to side. This is a convinc-
ing imitation of a struggling baitfish
that incites trout that are feeding un-
der the surface. Its useful to carry
Muddlers in various sizes since
baitfish are present that way in any
stretch of stream.
A suitable leader (e.g. 5X, 9 foot)
is very important on the water since
trout are even more shy of fly line
than gills are. A fly shop can help
with these items and suggest addi-
tional flies to use for their area.
On the Stream
If you have never waded a
stream, give it a try without fishing
upstream and down. Poke around
for fish (how many can you spot?),
check out the available food sources
(e.g., drifting bugs), get used to the
current and your footing, and imag-
ine casting angles.
Once you are on the water for real,
generally wade upstream to start.
Thats the direction the fish are
facing as they watch for drifting
food, and approaching them from
behind is the best way to ambush
them. Move slowly and quietly,
scanning for target areas holding
fish. The fish usually want to be
near the main current bearing the
food, but also near cover (e.g., logs,
rocks) or deeper water. In full sum-
mer where fields are present, they
may be stacked in the current that
runs alongside grassy banks. With
practice -- and a few fish! -- you will
learn these sweet spots.
Drift Naturally,
Watch Closely
Careful planning is important
for each cast. Your fly should land
above the target stretch and float
naturally down to it, like a bug in
free drift. Dont let the fly be pulled

along by your line dragging in the
current. Hold the rod tip high to
keep excess line off the water. Also,
dont let the fly line drift over the
target spot before the fly doesthat
will spook the fish before your of-
fering gets to them. To achieve a
natural drift, its best to cast from
an angle, such as from below and
off to the right of a target up on the
left, and reel in slack line as the fly
gets closer. Practice casting for this
before you hit prime water.
As your fly drifts, follow the
progress closely for any sign of
activity near it. A flash of silver
underwater, a boil near the surface,
even a shadow fleeing the other way.
Crucial to your success is seeing fish
and noting their behavior. If you
are getting refusals (fish that turn
away at the last second), often it is
because the fish want a smaller fly
than what you are presenting, so try
that. If you are not seeing any fish
at all as you move along casting and
looking, its time for a new stretch
of water, or more careful and quieter
wading.
Downstream
with a Muddler
After a couple hours of fishing
upstream, turn around to fish back
to where you started. You now
have the advantage of knowing that
stretch of water and where the fish
may be. If you were having luck
with a hopper, you can continue
with that, but sneaking up on the
fish and getting a natural drift are
trickier working downstream. I
prefer to use the Muddler Minnow
when heading downstream. Cast
across the river and slightly down-
stream, let the fly drift and sweep
into the current, then begin retriev-
ing in short bursts as it dives under
the surface. Watch for the strike on
the first burst or two, especially if
youve timed it so the retrieve is
hitting a sweet spot at that moment.
And keep your eyes open. A fish that
swipes at the Muddler seems more
likely to strike again on follow-up
casts than a fish that has refused a
dry fly.
For more information on this
beautiful summertime stream fish-
ing, search fly fishing with terres-
trials, and consider the following
resources.
Information
and Resources
You can never learn enough
about fly fishing, and there always
is the opportunity to upgrade some
piece of gear or another. Speaking
of equipment, if you wanted to take
the immediate leap to fully gear up,
it could run close to $1,000 for a
new rod, reel, and line, flies and fly
boxes, waders, vests, rain jackets,
etc. But this can be done piecemeal
over time. Following are suggested
leads for getting deeper into fly fish-
ing.
Fly Shops and
Guide Services
Fly shops, of course, are sources
of gear, plus they offer expertise
on current local fishing conditions.
Anyone in the shop when asked will
tell you what is happening in local
streams and will set you up with
a handful of flies if needed. Reps
also will provide general how-to
advice and sometimes even lessons.
Two good fly shops in the Au Sable
waters near Grayling are:
Gates Au Sable Lodge (www.
gateslodge.com). Web site has
detailed current fishing reports, with
an archive of past reports so you can
brush up on conditions any time of
year.
Old Au Sable Fly Shop (www.
oldausable.com). Web site includes
an informative Learn section with
river details.
Both fly shops, among other
outfitters, offer guided fishing trips
on area rivers. Such a trip can
serve as an excellent crash course
for the beginner. The trips can be by
drift boat, which is scenic and easy,
or by wading, which usually is less
expensive but more instructional for
reading the water, fly selection, and
casting technique.
Books
Michigan is lucky to have (at
least) two outstanding guides to
streams and rivers for fly fishing.
Jim Bedfords Flyfishers Guide
to Michigan lists and describes all
types of waters across the state in-
cluding blue-ribbon trout streams as
well as predominantly smallmouth
and panfish rivers. Michigan Trout
Streams by Bob Linsenman and
Steve Nevala more narrowly focuses
on trout waters and recommends
specific flies to use. Both books are
older but can be found on Amazon.
For general advice on technique and
gear, search best fly fishing books
and read the Amazon reviews of
the many books available. Finally,
just for fun, Robert Travers Michi-
gan fishing classic, Trout Magic,
provides hilarious, down-to-earth
accounts of fly fishing in the U.P.
Michigan
Trout Unlimited
Michigan TU is a grassroots
organization with 20 chapters and
8,000 members across the state.
Activities include environmental
conservation and advocacy projects,
a three-day fly-fishing school each
June, magazines and newsletters
(online and print), and great net-
working opportunities, (http://www.
michigantu.org/)n
Gun Chat: .25 ACP
By Lee Arten
Y
ears ago, a friend and I went shooting on his
farm. He had a semi-auto pistol in .25 ACP
and an empty cardboard oil can along. We set
the can against a dirt bank, and backed up a few yards. I'd never
fired a .25 ACP before and wanted to see what it was like. It was a lot like
missing with every shot.
I was used to seeing cans I shot at fall over, jump around, or fly into
the air. The oil can just sat in place while I fired a full seven-round maga-
zine at it. The pistol was unfamiliar and the trigger was heavy. The sights
were small and hard to see but I was sure I had lined them up, more or
less, correctly. Finally, with the pistol empty, we walked over to see what
was going on.
Turned out I had been hitting the can. The cardboard side was full
of holes and most were near where I'd been aiming. The empty can was
so light that the bullets passed through and the can showed no sign of
being hit. That experience left me with an uneasy feeling about the .25 as
a defensive cartridge.
The .25 ACP was developed by John Moses Browning for the FN
Modele 1906 self-loading pistol. It has been chambered in many other
pistols since then. Dates I've seen for the introduction are 1905 (Wikipe-
dia) and 1906 (Handguns Of The World). Browning also developed the
.32 ACP, .380 ACP, and .45 ACP. Of the four cartridges I've fired the .45
ACP most, and the .32 ACP next. I've fired a lot less .380 and .25 ACP.
For years I didn't own a pistol in .380. I did have .45s, 32s and one
solitary .25 ACP. The .25 was a copy of the Baby Browning made by
Bauer Firearms in Fraser. The main selling point of the Browning, the
Bauer, and other copies of the Browning, is their small size. The Bauer
weighs 10 ounces, is four inches long, three inches deep and just over
three quarters of an inch wide. The Bauer's magazine holds six rounds
but my gun didn't always feed the last one correctly. This may have been
because I didn't hold it tight enough. One finger and my thumb were all
I could get on the small grip. Or it could have been a peculiarity of my
gun.
Ammo for the .25 ACP is often loaded with a 50 grain full metal
jacketed bullet. Velocity is listed at under 800 fps and that bullet weight
and speed generates 65 foot pounds of energy. Other loads with 35 and
45 grain bullets are listed with slightly higher velocity and the same, or
lesser, amounts of energy. Many .22 Long Rifle loads go faster and gener-
ate more energy. The advantage the centerfire .25 ACP has is reliability.
Rimfires have more failures to fire than centerfire cartridges. Spinning
priming compound into the rims of .22 cases is more imprecise than it
might be, even when done by trained workers using expensive machines.
The .25 ACP has been around for over 100 years. In that time it's
been relied on, now and then, for self-defense and also appeared in
literature. Ian Fleming's fictional spy, James Bond, used one before going
to a Walther in .32 ACP. The round has been vilified as too weak, and
praised (faintly) as a cartridge that is made for guns so small, that you
can carry them when you can't carry a gun.
Still, the .25 ACP inspires some people. I know a guy who reloads the
.25. He even bought 1,000 once-fired brass so he could reload more of it.
Gunsmiths have also been inspired by the .25. I can't find a picture now,
but think I remember a smith who crafted an ornate double rifle in .25
ACP. I don't know if the owner ever went on a fieldmouse safari in the
back 40 with the .25 ACP double. I hope so.
There were miniature Thompson Submachine Guns made in .25
ACP. The late machine gun dealer J. Curtis Earl had some in his catalogs
in the 1970s. I've seen photos of others (or the same ones re-photo-
graphed) more recently as well. I think most were semi-auto, but some
full-auto miniatures might have been made. Subguns I've fired have
mostly been in .45 ACP or 9mm Luger, but I would get a kick out of fir-
ing off a magazine of .25 ACP from a full-auto firearm.
The .25 ACP is a niche cartridge. It's not powerful, although it can
be lethal. It's been chambered in fine guns, and some that were less than
finely made (to be charitable.) Despite it's diminutive size some people
do reload it. About every decade an ammunition maker brings out a
load that is supposed to make the .25 ACP more capable as a defensive
caliber. They usually don't find much of a market. A lot of people, me
included, still have the original box of ammo bought with a .25 ACP. (I
have 19 of the original 50 rounds left.)
Despite all that, no one really wants to get shot with anything, even a
.25 ACP.
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 71
Planting Roundup Ready sugar beets
Y
es, location is important
and that is where you start.
Soil type is job number
one, with a medium to
heavy loam preferred.
Light sand will not work.
Soil such as loamy sand is fair and
works better with a high water table.
Planting alongside a drainage ditch is
a good idea for any soil type especially
loamy sand. For the more heavy soil
types, loamy clay, planting on a slight
southern slope helps aid drainage. Pure
clay also will not work. While growing,
sugar beets love moisture, especially
as they reach maturity. Young sugar
beet plants are sensitive to excessive
moisture and easily killed, so please,
keep this in mind. You want to
stay away from hills of lighter
soil and try to plant in the
valleys between these hills.
Think lower elevations for
more moisture but dont forget
about the drainage factor.
Sugar beets are also fussy
about the sun, they love
the sun and this means you
need to keep the area
Mr. Food Plots
cleared. If you are
planting a narrow strip
of sugar beets in a
wooded area and want
Ed Spinazzola
to keep the clearing
to a minimum try to plant in an east to
west direction primarily and stay at least
30 feet from the wooded edge. This
30-foot strip can be planted in forage
more tolerant of shade, such as white or
ladino clover. You havent lost a thing,
in fact you added to the attractiveness of
the area. Woods, a strip of clover, a strip
of sugar beets, another strip of clover
and woods again. This multiple forage
strip can be a long winding kill path in
the woods, passing several bow sites
selected for different wind directions.
Roundup Ready
Sugar Beet Ruling
A lawsuit against the seeding of
Roundup Ready (RR) sugar beets by
Oregon red beet seed growers was
settled in July 2012. The Federal court
ruled and United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) agreed to totally
deregulate the buying and seeding of
RR sugar beets. That means anyone can
buy and seed RR sugar beet seed for
any reason. However, Monsanto, the
developer and patent holder of RR sugar
beets still can add some restrictions to
their seed dealers and they did. They
do allow the seeding of RR sugar beets
for any use such as grazing cattle but
not the seeding of wildlife feed plots.
This is rather confusing, for anyone can
seed RR sugar beets in the deer woods
and just by saying its for cattle makes
it legal. Monsanto seed dealers are
asked not to sell RR sugar beet seeds
to anyone intending to plant them for
wildlife feed plots. This is due to the
plaintiffs appealing the ruling. Mon-
santo has given the okay to seed in the
72 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
past, (I was one of two sources licensed
to sell to food plotters) and I believe
this restriction for dealers is temporary.
If interested I suggest you plan for the
near future and call me for answers.
Soil Preparation
Sugar beets contain many nutrients,
which means they take it from the soil.
For you to have a good crop of sugar
beets, the soil must have high nutrient
and organic matter content. It may take
you years to build up that lighter soil
found too many times in typical hunting
lands. No problem, you can build it up
in preparation for that future sugar beet
planting, while at the same time pull
and hold deer by following the instruc-
tions found in our book, Ultimate Deer
Food Plots in the chapter,
Soil and its characteristics.
Even with better soil types
such as loam that has good
drainage, the nutrient level
should be very high along with
the organic matter content.
Take soil tests of selected plots
and think very high nutrient
levels. Soil tests results may
show grades such as
low, medium, high
and very high and or
in, Parts per million
(PPM). For PPM think
phosphorous at 40-150
PPM, potash and magnesium at 200-300
PPM. Get that Ph at 6.5 to 7.5. That first
year planting of sugar beets should be
in a field that was sprayed and tilled the
previous fall or following an effective
plant rotation.
Plant Rotation
Sugar beets take many nutrients
from the soil and are hosts to several
pests from insects to mold, fungus and
other villains. You need to break that cy-
cle of pests and replace those nutrients.
Plant rotation does this very well. There
are several effective plant rotations rec-
ommended by agricultural agents. Here
is one of them for maximum results.
A four-year rotation is recommended.
Plant RR sugar beets that first year, the
second year plant RR soybeans in mid
May, followed with the broadcasting of
oats, rye grain and winter wheat in early
September. In early August of the third
year you will till the grain blend and
seed a brassica blend in early August.
The fourth year you will be planting
Mammoth red clover in spring. Do
not mow the clover. In mid-September
spray one quart of Roundup with one
pint 2-4-D ester per acre. 4-6 weeks
later till the Mammoth red clover for the
following spring planting of RR sugar
beets. Note: the last planting of Mam-
moth red clover is designed to rebuild
the organic matter and add nutrients to
the soil. Plant Mammoth red clover not
medium red clover for maximum green
manure and dont be concerned if deer
shy away from it during maturity. You
are not only breaking the pest cycle you
are also building up the soil.
Its the authors experience and research of over 15 years that nothing
beats sugar beets for winter carry over nutrition and deer attraction in
late November and the December hunting seasons.
Note; the above is important when
you seed only sugar beets. However, if
you plant our suggested, Ultimate corn
based kill plots and seed the sugar beets
at 1/3 of the normal seeding rate the
picture changes. My research experi-
ence shows, that when spring-seeding
the reduced rates of RR corn, RR soy-
beans along with RR sugar beets at 1/3
seeding rate there is less need for full
rotation of 3-4 years. Rotation of seed-
ing beets every other year works. This
is short term research not long term, but
still encouraging.
Planting and
Fertilization
Sugar beets are a long season crop
and need to be planted as early as condi-
tions allow. They are a cool-season for-
age and can take fairly cool weather but
not freezing when young. In mid-Mich-
igan It would be advisable to think late
April to an early May planting, further
north, a late May to early June planting
may be advised. Sugar beets are grown
commercially from Maine to California.
Tillage is usually recommended
prior to seeding sugar beets. If you
have tilled the previous fall and have a
clean field as recommended above, you
can plant beets using a heavy duty, (or
no-till) V double coulter planter that
slices into the mellow but not spring
tilled soil, drops individual seed spaced
correctly and has compress wheels for
good seed soil contact. Many planters
can also incorporate fertilizer. Even
with no-till, never plant into wet soil.
Plant sugar beet seed - inch deep.
You are finished. All you need to do is
several timely sprayings and additional
fertilization. Unfortunately this is not
the situation for most food plotters.
We just do not usually have a $30,000
planter that has the ability to accurately
seed corn, soybeans or sugar beets. So
you adjust.
Take a soil test of the clean field
that was tilled the previous fall. If
you havent, broadcast 300-350 lbs.
of 19-19-19 and 25 lbs. of manganese
sulfate per acre. Till in the broadcast
fertilizer with the blades set no deeper
than four inches. Around six to eight
weeks later broadcast 100 lbs. of urea,
46-0-0 per acre. Around September 15
broadcast another 100 lbs. of urea per
acre. Never till wet soil. You are setting
up a condition of the soil surface being
brick hard after drying, which prevents
plant emergence. Make a ball of dirt
with your hands, and then drop it on
your foot. If it breaks up, the soil should
be dry enough to plant, if not wait. Pa-
tience is a virtue not seen often enough
when dealing with Mother Nature, but
patience you need, for Mother Nature
wins every time.
Above, I mentioned that sugar beets
are a cool season crop and should be
seeded as early as possible. To offset
seeding problems when using a hand
operated broadcast spreader I advise the
following:
The seeding date is now changed
to satisfy the recommended date for
soybeans. For southern Michigan it is
close to May 1, for mid-Michigan think
May 12, for the tip of the mitt and lower
UP try May 25. Mix 30-35 lbs. of RR
soybeans with 25,000 RR sugar beet
seeds. 50,000 sugar beet seeds is the
normal number for seeding a one acre
sugar beet kill plot. Now broadcast that
25,000 sugar beet seeds blended with
30-35 lbs. of soybeans and now plant
one acre. Another option; mix 50 lbs.
of RR soys with 25,000 RR sugar beet
seed for 1-1/2 acres. You will find that
it now becomes rather easy to broad-
cast RR sugar beet seed accurately. I
still recommend to keep those kill plots
small in size for effectiveness, but sow
perhaps several kill plots of RR soys
and sugar beets. It may take a few dry
runs to get the feel of broadcasting seed
accurately but accurate you will be. You
will learn in a short time the rhythm of
turning the crank and walking speed for
minor adjustments.
You have now fertilized, tilled and
accurately broadcast RR sugar beet seed
with RR soybeans. Now lets till that
blend into the soil with tools set at 2
inches deep and follow with a slow cul-
tipacking pass or two. Sugar beet seed
should be planted at the depth of 1/2
to 3/4 inch, with firm seed soil contact.
The above sequence of broadcasting
fertilizer, tillage, (disking, rototilling,
field cultivator) to a depth of 3-4 inches
and no more, then broadcasting seed,
rows of corn within the soys and beets
aimed at your blind where you can see
the deer clearly within these rows at
more than 200 yards. For more info see
our web site www.deerattraction.com.
I have produced a DVD covering the
above Ultimate corn based Kill Plots,
plus several other options, and in detail.
Spraying Roundup
This is now an easy chore com-
pared to the delicate task of yesterday
and thanks to the technical expertise of
Monsanto and their sources. It is very
important that you still spray timely and
an accurate amount.
From Monsantos Roundup Ready
Sugar beet Technical Bulletin, Round-
up ready Sugar beet varieties have in-
your spray system and what it takes to
spray an acre of land, then add that 32
ounces of Roundup per acre.
The second spraying takes place
before the weeds reach four inches in
height, (approximately three weeks after
the first). Weeds should never grow
higher than the beets. You are now close
to six weeks after the planting date and
may be close to full canopy cover, which
suppresses weeds in a big way. Full leaf
canopy cover is your goal. You may not
need to spray any more.
If the third spraying is needed,
follow the rule above, Spraying takes
place before the weeds grow to four
inches of height. Think 3-4 weeks after
the second spraying. The above spraying
instructions are in detail for a reason.
They are there to insure your success.
Keep the fun in hunting!
Ed Spinazzola, is an associate with
Tony LaPratts Ultimate Land Manage-
ment. For more information call 586-
784-8090 or www.deerattraction.com or
www.tonysulm.com.n

FAST & EFFECTIVE

followed by a shallow tillage and slow plant tolerance to Roundup agricultural
cultipacking pass will accomplish this. herbicides, enabling growers to apply
The subject of the value of sugar labeled Roundup agricultural herbicides

beets for wildlife deserves a book. My
experience and research of over 15
years shows that nothing beats sugar
beets for winter carry over nutrition and
deer attraction in late November and
the December deer hunting seasons,
absolutely nothing.
Ultimate Corn
Based Kill Plots
Add 8 lbs. of 80-90 day Roundup
Ready field corn seed to the blend of
25-30 lbs. of RR soybean seeds and
25,000 RR sugar beet seeds and broad-
cast for a one acre kill plot or several
small kill plots. The corn is now not
only forage deer cannot resist, it is also
cover. Yes, the corn is cover but due to
the low seeding rate of corn the deer are
visible to you easily at bow range and
also at 100 yards. You just need some
height for your blind. You will prob-
ably need to plant acres of this Ultimate
corn based kill plot formula for success.
Depending on deer density in your area
deer will target the corn early and never
stop and leave you an open food plot if
its not large enough. You may need to
plant up to four acres in high density
deer areas. I highly suggest that these
Ultimate corn based kill plots be adja-
cent to good deer cover or corn seeded
normally. This normal rate seeded corn
field should be adjoining woods, dense
cover, high switch grass, evergreens etc.
The key is security for deer and the corn
is the answer.
Instead of the above mentioned
recommended small plots when seed-
ing only soybeans and sugar beets as a
blend, now by adding corn, the larger
the Ultimate corn based kill plot the
better. Due to the addition of soybeans,
your seeding date should be mid May
in mid Michigan. Now lets finish the
job. You will add to this creation of
maximum deer attraction the follow-
ing: in early August broadcast two lbs.
of a brassica blend per acre by hand or
Quad equipped with a 12 volt spreader.
In early September broadcast any grain
or a blend of oats, rye grain and winter
wheat at no more than 30 lbs. total per
acre. In mid-September think of doing
the sweetening thing, check our web
site deerattraction.com for details.
You have many options by using
seeding equipment. For example, seed
LAND
from planting through 30 days prior to
harvest for unsurpassed weed control.
Sugar beet seedlings are extremely
sensitive to weed competition for light,
nutrients and soil moisture. Research
on sugar beet weed control suggests
that sugar beets need to be kept weed
free for the first eight weeks of growth
to protect yield potential. Therefore,
control weeds when they are small (2-4
CLEARING
inches in height) to minimize weed
competition and preserve yield poten-
tial.
The following spraying recom-
mendations are very important. You
will spray more than once. Early season
weed control is critical. Always add
spray grade ammonium sulfate (AMS)
with Roundup herbicide to maximize
product performance.
Your first spraying should take place
around 3 weeks after planting. You
should be planting sugar beets as early
as soil conditions permit. This may
mean cool soil temperatures, which sup-
press weed emergence. Things happen
and you may not be able to plant until
late May. Soil is warmer and weeds
grow fast, therefore a spraying two
weeks after planting may be necessary.
Your first spraying should be before
weeds exceed two inches in height or COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL
when the sugar beet plant reaches the
two-leaf stage, whichever comes first. If RESIDENTIAL
you use a four-gallon backpack sprayer
add one cup of sprayable ammonium
sulfate (AMS) to a half full tank of
water. Add six ounces of Roundup, (3/4
cup) then top off with water. You are set
to spray 1/6 of an acre. Know the acre-
age of the plot being sprayed and spray
accordingly. You should have spray
material left after spraying this size of
a plot. The above is not difficult. Once
you get the hang of it, it becomes fun.
If you have a quad with a spray tank
and spray boom mounted, it becomes
easier. For a 14 gallon tank that is set up
normally to do an acre, fill with water to
full, add one quart of AMS, then add
32 ounces (one quart) of Roundup then
fill with water. Know what speed, (usu-
ally 5-6 miles an hour, a fast walk) you
need to travel to spray one acre. www.lakeeffectps.com 616.312.7811
For larger setups, (fifty gallon or
more spray tanks) add 17 lbs. of AMS
per 100 gallons of spray solution. Know
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 73
My Big
Buck
Story!
Guest Column...
By Jeff Blake
E
ach November for the last
10 years or so, I spend
four or five days in Hills-
dale County hunting some
of most beautiful farm-
land in Michigan with my
buddy Jude. We stay with his aunt
and uncle at their dairy farm and
hunt a couple different areas owned
by his family. We usually try to get
in two or three days of bow hunting
before hunting the gun opener, while
also catching up on our lives and
retelling hunting and fishing stories
that we have shared together over the
past 25 years.
This year, our deer camp
started on November 11, arriving in
the evening after our two hour drive
from my home. We dont use trail
cams on this farm, or hunt this land
before our mid-November trip, but
we have a good idea of where the
deer move and we can always count
on seeing a decent buck or two and
plenty of does.
The first morning we put our
climbers in our favorite spots and
each of us passed on a couple small
bucks, we are not trophy hunters
but usually look for a decent eight
point or a fat doe for the freezer.
After getting busted by a mature
doe that morning, I decided to move
my climber stand for the afternoon
hunt to a spot just off a cut bean
field about 20 yards inside a woods
that looked down on a river bottom
thicket. I had confidence in this spot
because the prior year I hunted this
same tree and shot a nice 9 point, but
hit him too high and only caught one
lung. After tracking him most of the
night and the following morning, we
lost the blood trail and never recov-
ered him. The rest of the evening
passed without seeing a deer, but I
decided to give the spot another try
the next day.
The next morning, November
13, I set up early in the same tree,
facing south toward the river bottom
where I expected to see some rutting
activity. A crisp clear morning was
warming up quickly with the sun,
but still no action. At round 7:30
am I looked over my right shoulder
and behind me stood a monster buck
about 75 yards away. He was in a
small grassy opening surrounded
74 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
The author reflected on his 30 years of deer hunting and how lucky he was to finally get an oppor tu-
nity at a deer like this with his bow.
by wild raspberries just inside the
woods with his nose in the air and
the sun glistening on his antlers. I
didnt have to use my binoculars, I
knew he was big, so I slowly started
to stand up and position my Mathews
Z7 for a potential shot.
I figured he was going to head
down to the river bottom and into the
thick stuff, so I could only hope that
he angled his way toward me close
enough for shot. Instead, he cau-
tiously began working his way east
along the inside edge of the woods,
checking the wind blowing up from
the river, and rubbing his nose and
antlers on any branch along his path
that was leading him directly behind
me. I continued to try to position
myself with my face and body stuck
against my tree as he approached,
trying to stay calm and not look at
his rack. I had to make a decision,
take a shot at him slightly quartering
toward me before he had a chance
to scent me, or wait for him to pass
behind my tree so I could draw with-
out spooking him and get a quarter-
ing away shot before he got directly
downwindI decided on the latter.
As I lifted my bow to clear my
broadhead and arrow from scraping
against my tree to get the right side
of it, I realized my safety rope was
wrapped around my neck and in my
way, I had to choose againspin all
around to my left to untangle myself
or try to unhook my rope quietly. At
this time he was directly behind my
tree and stopped, he knew some-
thing wasnt right. He had scented
the path that I walked in on two and
half hours earlier with all my scent-
lok clothing, rubber boots and scent
killer spray.
A little panic started to set in, I
had no shot at this time and he was
spooky. I used my tree to conceal
me as best as possible as I got my
safety rope unclipped. After 10 or 20
seconds of him trying to evaluate the
situation and concluding that some-
thing wasnt right in his world, he
spooked and took off from the direc-
tion he came from. Everything fell
apart instantly and I thought I had
blown my opportunity. All I could
do was give a couple mouth grunts to
try and stop him while I swung my
bow back to the left side of my tree
that I was facing.
Amazingly, he stopped in his
tracks from my desperation grunts,
but all I could see of him was his
front shoulder in a 12 inch opening
between some trees at what I guessed
to be about 30 yards away. I quickly
drew back my bow, anchored, put
my single pin sight that was set for
20 yards a little high and behind his
shoulder and released as soon as I
had the pin in my peep sight. I still
remember clearly my lighted Lume-
nok arrow in flight and disappearing
into both of his lungs. As a bow
hunter, you know a million things
can go wrong in a situation like this,
but I knew right then that I was lucky
enough to have enough go right to
kill this buck.
He took off and after about 50
yards slowed to a wobbly walk and
disappeared behind some trees. I
kept staring but couldnt see him on
the ground, but also didnt see him
leave the spot where I last saw him.
This is when buck fever started to set
in and I started shaking uncontrol-
lably. I was almost positive he was
down, but couldnt see him to be 100
percent sure until I laid my hands on
him.
I gathered myself enough to text
Jude, telling him that I thought I had
just killed the biggest buck I have
ever seen while hunting. By this
time it was about 7:40 am, so he told
me to stay in my stand because it
was early and bucks were moving!
I agreed I would hold out as long
as possible, but I knew I wouldnt
last long. It took almost a half hour
to calm myself, and then started my
climb down the tree to see for sure
that he was dead.
I walked right to where I saw him
last and there he was. There was no
ground shrinkage; he was wide and
tall with big thick brow tines with
one of them split and couple stick-
ers at the base, a total of 13 points.
After a quick prayer to the hunting
gods, I reflected on my 30 years of
deer of hunting and how lucky I was
to finally get an opportunity at a deer
like this with my bow. After texting
some photos to Jude and letting him
know I was ready to celebrate, he
let me know that he was going to sit
until 10:30. I was so pumped up
that I didnt know what to do, so
I headed to the truck to enjoy a
couple cold ones by myself while I
watched the rest of the sun rise
over the woods, and then called
my family to tell my story. This
was an incredible morning that I
will replay in my mind for many
years to come.
After the 60 day drying period,
my buck grossed 176 total inches
with a net P&Y/B&C Typical score
of 161 3/8, by far exceeding anything
I had previously shot or ever imag-
ined shooting.n
 DNRs Tom Cooley given LOG CABINS OF OLD
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in Michigan. and is devoted to the conservation of
Tom is a key employee who is wild turkeys and the preservation of
very effective at his job, said Russ hunting heritage.
Mason, chief of the DNRs Wildlife This is an especially important
Division. We rely heavily on his tribute to bestow upon a wildlife
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hind-the-scenes activities associ- tions from their wildlife employee

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was recognized for his continued
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diseases and other issues that could
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turkey population.
Al Stewart, upland game bird
specialist for the DNR, had high
praises for Cooley: When we were
actively involved in our wild turkey
restoration efforts, all wild birds that
came from out of state or that we
provided to other states and Canada
had to be tested for disease. Tom
was part of the team that helped
test each bird. Many times wild-
captured birds would arrive at the
lab in the evening, get tested during
the night and be prepared for release
the following morning at a new site.
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WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 75
 Early
spring
panfish
I
ce out and early spring is a drainage ditch or a culvert. The
perhaps the best time to fresh warm surface water running
panfish. Nothing beats cabin into a back bay will stack up the
fever better than hauling in fish. A calm day is a near must dur-
a plump perch, a platter size ing the first 4 weeks after ice out.
crappie or a bull bluegill. Panfish expert Bill Ferris
This is the perfect time to enjoy the searches out the new weed growth.
water with a young angler. New weed growth of any type will
Early spring fishing is draw plankton and aquatic
best once the warm sun has insects for the panfish to
warmed the surface, said feed on. Often I will find
Jim Sprague. Jim is an avid early season fish in depths
bass and panfishing angler of 2 feet or less, said Fer-
and owner of K&E and ris. These shallow water
Stopper Lures. To me this fish are spooky so keep
means sleeping in, enjoying some distance from them.
a second cup of coffee. Some of these shallow
I search out water locations can
dark bottom ar-
eas that warm up By Jack Payne be fished from shore.
Politely asking a
the quickest said homeowner can
Sprague. An overlooked area would result in access. Perfect when taking
be docks that are not in yet or docks a youngster along.
where the boats are not in the water. In addition to the shallow wa- Bill McCar ty early spring crappie on a jig.
Often times when starting up an ter locations mentioned I also look
engine a small blow out area is cre- for rings on the surface, stated Jack slow sinking fly behind them. Tungsten teardrops and plastics. He
ated. Horning, a local panfishing guru. I Tie the float to your main line. is a big fan of plastics especially
Other dark water or warm water fish very light tackle with a super Then on the other end tie on a sec- scented plastics. Garlic scented plas-
areas include cat tails, marshy soft approach in the spring, said tion of fluorocarbon leader material. tics are a steady producer for him.
shorelines, seawalls, any brush Horning. Keep the entire length just shorter The Impulse scent impregnated
standing in water regardless of the His favorite technique is casting than the length of your rod. On the plastics from Northland Tackle are
depth, old lily pad locations and a missile float from Stopper Lures business end you can use a gnat, a very popular. They come in many
where ever you might spot turtles or which is similar to the old plastic fly or a spider. The gnats and black shapes and styles reflecting the type
muskrats. Never pass up a channel casting floats. Some of these floats flies work best when the water is of insects that you will find in the
or man-made canal! you can add water to them for more real cold, the spiders start coming water. Some are shaped like blood
One of my favorite locations distance. The beauty of these floats on 3-5 weeks after ice out. worms ants, water fleas, spiders and
would be at the mouth of a creek or is that you can fish a surface fly or a Cast this delicate rig out, let it sit very small creatures. All are very
until the ripples are gone and then thin plastics that dance and wiggle
slowly twitch it in 4-8 inches, stop with the slightest of movements.
Hot Shot Outfitters and continue this pattern. Some days The Stopper Whip R Snaps and
adding a spike or a wax worm helps. Whip R Knocker plastics are favor-
Ray Hoody A second rod is equipped with the ites of Sprague, Ferris and Horning.

same missile float but an ice fish- My experience with these small
ing teardrop is added. A glow moon plastics goes back 10 -15 years. At
Licensed Shooting Preserve teardrop or a moon glitter tear drop times we land more on the plastics
Mayville, MI tipped with a mushed wax worm is untipped than with meat. I doctor
(989) 843-6576 Goose Hunts hard to resist. my unscented plastics with garlic
Dogs with Guides Available Clubhouse Youth Deer Hunts
The Big Top Float is one of scented chap stick, it works!
Open 7 Days A Week Bird Cleaning my favorite spring tools, said Fer- Brian Brosdahl a nationally
Turkey Hunts Coyote Hunts
Fields With Excellent Cover & Morning And Afternoon ris. The Big Top Float is a float that known panfish angler and innova-
Whitetail Hunts
Safety Fields In Between Hunts lies on its side. When a fish bites the tor loves the Impulse Line. Many of
Birds Released After You Arrive Extra Birds Shot are Free 6900 Huron City float will stand up, thus the lightest the products are names as the Bro
No Gun Or Membership Fees Gift Certificates Available Port Hope, MI 48468 of hits will quickly be telegraphed Bloodworm, etc. This guy studies
Also available back to the angler. panfish as does Northland Tackle.
Non GMO Food Plot Corn Mon - Fri: 989-428-5071 Bill uses a lot of the 2-4 pound Working with the University of
Located 17 Miles North of Lapeer Weekends: 989-670-4336 test Gamma line, fire tiger and white Minnesota, many hours of obser-
www.jankspheasantfarm.com www.hotshotoutfitters.com tiger colored teardrops, Skandia vation and data were collected.
76 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
The smaller and more life like the well.
plastics the greater interest from the As the waters warm up I love
panfish. According to recent studies fishing a Rival plastic worm, said
scented plastics enjoyed a whopping Horning. Consider the Rival worm
a 140% higher success rate than a miniature Bass Stopper worm.
non-scented baits. Anglers should This 2-3 inch plastic worm flutters
study the catalog and see all of the and dances much like a leaf worm
life like aquatic insect baits that and has two razor sharp small hooks
Northland offers. built in. It can be cast out behind a
I also like UV baits, said missile float or with one super small
Brosdahl. UV baits when charged split shot. Work it back to the boat
up with a UV flash light glow much with short lifts and drops.
longer and work great in deep water An over looked bait that was
or in muddy run-off spring back bay hot years back would include the
type areas. One suggestion from original Pinkie Jig and the Tumble
Brian is fish slowly. Bluegills and Bug, said Sprague. Both of these
crappies are not designed to turn hair or marabou style jigs work awe-
quickly nor show great burst of some under a float. Stick with the
speed as does a pike or a bass. Fish smallest sizes, never heavier than a
slow, pause and give the panfish 1/16 ounce jig. They can be tipped
time to devour your morsel. with a minnow for perch and crap-
Pay close attention to how the pies or a wax worm for the gills. A
fish bite and watch the point of your very simple rig that can be fished in
hook said Brosdahl. Some days it skinny waters, used with a long Luke Wolfer t with a crappie caught in a sheltered bay with a small inlet.
really pays keeping the point of the rod in bushes or timber or cast in vegetation at ice out. A topographic be easy but locations can change
hook covered with meat or plastic. front of flowing current and drifted map will show inlets but it might not with the weather. Remember deep
Brian also suggested watching your back. show culverts and ditches flowing basins are their winter holding spots,
temperature gauge; a few degrees Across Michigan there are many into the lake. Armed with two rods, then the first drop-of or breakline
can make a huge difference. Wind, great lakes and backwaters to fish. each set slightly different anglers that is the closest to the shallow
sunlight and clouds all can change Some are a few acres in size; others should enjoy a nice mixed bag of water haunts. Last, try plastics and
the temperature. Warm run-off water might cover a thousand acres. Small fish. small flies this spring, you will be
will increase the temperature as bodies of water and backwaters are Early spring panfishing can surprised.n
everywhere. If you are looking for

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WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 77
 Sporting Collectibles...By Terry McBurney
More sport show finds
I
just finished the Novi
Outdoorama show several
weeks ago where I set up my
antique tackle displays, talk
to people that stop by the
booth, take photos for my
Woods-n-Water News articles and
offer free appraisals. I am also revis-
ing George Richeys book, Made
in Michigan Fishing Lures, so I
concentrate primarily on Michigan-
made lures, reels, rods and acces-
sories. I never know what surprises
are just around the corner, and the
Outdoorama was no exception.
Also, outdoor writer, Lydia
Lohrer, wrote a very nice article
about me that ran in the Detroit Free
Press the Sunday before the show
opened, which brought in quite a
few people with old tackle boxes.
Here are five items that came to
the show I hope will be of interest to
my readers.
Susan and Wayne Thomas from
Novi brought in an old tackle box
with a lure in it that completely
stumped me. It was called the
Multi-Lure and was manufactured
by Rene-Craft Products Multi-Lure
Division, which was located in Wil-
mette, Illinois, a suburb on the north
side of Chicago. This Patent Pend-
ing lure was made of clear Butyrate
plastic, and at 5 1/8-inches in length
was much longer than similar plastic
lures designed to hold live minnows.
None of my fishing lure collectible
books listed the Multi-Lure.
The paper insert that was inside
the box promoted The Lure of
1000 Baits with Crippled Minnow
Action and offered the following
information. Louis Brendel, the
Multi-Lures inventor, sold out his
tavern business in order to design
78 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
the perfect bait one with the right
wiggle to simulate an injured
minnow, be both artificial and or
live and able to change colors.
He created the Multi-Lure design
and went about making a prototype
that became both a Fish Fooler
and a Bait Preserver according
to the pamphlet. It was quick and
easy to change baits by screwing off
the nose, and it could be used for
casting or trolling using live min-
nows, shrimp, grasshoppers, frogs,
crawfish, night crawlers, sparkling
cellophane, tinfoil, different colors
of yarn and last but not the least
tooth brush handles!
I did an internet search for Louis
Brendel and his Multi-Lure looking
for patents and census information,
and I came up with nothing until up
popped Brandel Bait Company
of Muncie, Indiana and the Bran-
del Double-B plastic lure in the
box, another patent pending lure.
According to the website, the name
on the boxs was spelled Brandel
while the paper insert spelled it
Brendel! The Multi-Lure from Top: The 5 1/8 inch Multi-Lire, the Lure of a Thousand Baits, was made in
Wilmette, Illinois and the Double-B the late 1940s or early 1950s. Susan and Wayne Thomas photo. Bottom:
from Muncie, Indiana were identi- Quick and easy to change baits by screwing off the nose, the Multi-Lure
cal. Looking at the two lures and held live minnows and all kinds of other live bait.
the cardboard boxes they came in, who lived on the family farm near label. The glass tube itself is rare
I would guess that both were made Hamburg, Michigan, just north of and a valuable find, but discover one
during the late 1940s or the 1950s, Ann Arbor, passed the glass min- in the dovetail box, and the price
and that both companies were in now tube down to his son, Richard would sky rocket.
business for at most one or two Dunning who passed it down to his Lorie and Jeff Burrell from
years based on their rarity. step-son, Skip Richter, and it is now nearby South Lyons brought in a
Sam Richter from Howell, in the hands of his son, Sam Richter. number of lures that included one
Michigan stopped by the booth an The tube was made in three sizes 3 of my favorite Made in Michi-
hour later to talk about his great- -inch, 4 -inch and 5 -inch and gan baits a 3 -inch Bignall and
grandfathers lure, a glass tube that was available by mail order for $1, Schaaf Diamond Wiggler made in
was designed to hold a minnow! It $1.25 and $1.50 respectivelya lot Grand Rapids over one hundred
turned out to be a Welch and Graves of money in 1893! Henry J. Welch years ago. They not only had a very
Glass Minnow Tube patented Janu- was the inventor and Calvin V. nice example inside their metal
ary 3, 1893. His great-grandfather, Graves of Natural Bridge, New York tackle box, but amazingly they had a
was the manufacturer. second example as well!
The earliest ad I have been able The white and red wood lure
to find for the Welch and Graves has several unique characteristics
glass minnow tube was in an 1893 including a hole drilled in each side
issue of the American Angler maga- of the lure running from where the
zine. A press release in an earlier eyes would be and exiting out the
issue of the magazine editorially gills. Secondly, there were diamond
stated that there is no doubt [that it] shaped grooves, starting at the gills
is deadly to the fish, but hardly up and then curving along each side.
to the mark of high sportsmanship. The lures paper insert states: The
Top: Patented in 1893, A live minnow is placed into a glass cross holes through the eyes and
the Welch and Graves tube, so arranged as to magnify gills cause the minnow to travel
Glass Minnow Tube was the fish, with a hole in each end, from side to side and the carved
designed to hold a live through which the water passes, grooves cause it to continually keep
minnow. Sam Richter keeping the lure alive. A glass or wiggling, giving it the same mo-
photo. Left: An early ad cork stopper sealed the tube, which tion as a live minnow trying to get
for the Welch and Graves kept the minnow from escaping. away from larger fish. The paper
Glass Minnow Tube was According to the literature, One insert lists the companys address as
published in an 1893 minnow lasts a day Madison Square, which is a resi-
issue of the American Welch and Graves glass min- dential area several miles southeast
Angler magazine. now tubes came packed in a wood of the Grand Rapids downtown area.
dovetail box with a glued-on paper A 1914 National Sportsman ad gives
Top: The 3 -inch Bignall and Schaaf Diamond Wiggler, made in Grand
Rapids, wiggled moving side-to-side as water ran through the holes in
the eyes and out the sides. Lorie and Jeff Burrell photo. Right: A 1914
National Spor tsman magazine ad promoted the Diamond Wiggler for $.75
postage prepaid. Ad cour tesy of Bill Sonnett
the address as 414 Gilbert St., Grand made, nicely painted and designed
Rapids, an address in the Madison by a fisherman to catch fish. Since
Square area. then I have seen several other
My research shows there was examples finished in an attractive
no patent ever issued for the Dia- green frog pattern, a darker green
mond Wiggler. Nor was Bignall frog version, and a red and yellow
and Schaaf, lure manufacturer ever frog model, all with his special hook
listed in Grand Rapids city directo- clip designed to hold a pork chunk.
ries. My best guess was that the two Charlie Lewis, who made
partners made the Diamond Wiggler Charlies Frog, worked at one time
during the
1950s for
Bud Stewart,
Michigans
legendary
lure maker.
Several other
Michigan
lure mak-
ers claimed
they worked
for Bud, but
Charlie Lew-
is actually
did! Charlie
was an avid
angler and
an early bass
The Cream City 8-qt. Security floating minnow bucket was
made in Milwaukee in the early 1900s. Bill Kingsley). tournament
fisherman
who owned
for only a short period of time from a boat livery and bait store named
about 1913 to 1914, and the number Charlies Tackle Shop on a small
of baits produced was small since so lake near Lake Ponema, just outside
few have survived. They must have of Fenton, Michigan. Charlies Frog
found out just how difficult it was was the main lure he made and sold.
to manufacture, market and to sell a I also own a great looking Charlie
single fishing lure while working at Lewis one-piece open-mouth min-
their everyday occupations and rais- now with rose colored sides with
ing families. black spots complimented with
The next lures were made by a medium green back with black
Charlie Lewis of Fenton, who I spots. I have also seen a two-piece
would like to know more about, minnow in a light green back, a yel-
as well as his Charlies Frogs and low belly with painted pin eyes.
his hard-to-find minnows, all made Charlie sold his lures on cardboard
from wood. Hopefully, one of my cards, and apparently he only sold
readers in the Flint-Fenton area has them in his store. It certainly would
more information about him. I saw be great to find a whole card of
my first Charlies Frog ten years ago them!
when I was invited to photograph a The last item, an early Cream
collection of fishing lures all made City minnow bucket, was brought
in the Flint, Michigan area. There in for me to photograph by good
was a single black Charlies Frog in friend, Bill Kingsley. It was Cream
the collection, and it was clear that Citys 8-qt. Security minnow buck-
the lure maker knew what he was et, a floating model. Cream City was
doing when he carved and painted the brand-name for the Geuder and
this pork chunk bait. It was well Paeschke Manufacturing Company
of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, one of
the major manufacturers of tin ware,
porcelain and galvanized products
for the home and the farm during
the later part of the 19th century and
early part of the twentieth century.
They were well known for their
brand name Cream City products,
but they also contracted with whole-
salers and larger retailers for prod-
ucts manufactured under these other
companies house brands. They
were also the largest manufacturer
of minnow buckets, bait contain-
ers and tackle boxes during this
time period. The 1904 Geuder and
Paeschke catalog listed twenty-nine
different styles and sizes of minnow
buckets ranging from the tiny 1-qt.
minnow and frog bucket to 6-qt.,
8-qt., 10-qt. and 12-qt. round and
oval models made from japanned
tinplated steel, as well as japanned
galvanized iron. There were two
sizes of the Security minnow buck-
et, 8-qt. and 10-qt. models made
from dark green japanned tin plated
steel with a galvanized wire insert.
(A japanned finish was enamel or
lacquer used to produce a durable
glossy finish, and it was applied, in
the case of minnow buckets, primar-
ily over tin plated steel.)
Bills Security minnow bucket
was over one hundred years old and
in surprisingly good shape except
for the rust on the hinged lid, which
could be cleaned up. These early
minnow buckets are rare because
most of them were used hard and
then stored outside in a garage or
a barn. Many of them ended up in
WWII scrap metal drives.
Thanks to the following people
who allowed me to photograph their
baits: Susan and Wayne Thomas
and their Multi-Minnow;Sam
Richter and his Welch & Graves
Glass Minnow Tube; Lorie and
Jeff Burrell and their Diamond
Wiggler and Bill Kingsley and his
Security minnow bucket. A special
thanks to Tony Przybylo for all his
assistance at the recent Novi Out-
doorama.
Feel free to contact the author
at antiquefishing@comcast.net
with your questions. Photographs
are important, so please send
them. They help me with identifi-
cation and give me an idea of the
condition of the item.n
Top: Three Charlie
Lewis Frogs and
one of his rare
open-mouth min-
nows featured
either thumb
tack eyes or
round tack eyes.
Left: An underside
view showing his
special hook clip
designed to hold a
pork chunk. Author
photo
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 79
 Letters, My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions...
Bears hampering UP deer recovery?
D
rummond Island is
a perfect example of
what happens with
fawn recruitment when
there are too many
black bears on the
landscape. In the UP, the
DNR does an annual deer
camp survey. Each year
during firearm deer season,
participating camps report
the number of deer they
see, including does and
fawns. One of the statistics
that is compiled from those
reports by wild-
life biologist
David Jentoft By Richard P. Smith
at the Sault Ste.
Marie office is the number of fawns
seen per 100 does.
The number of fawns per 100
does counted by deer hunters on
Drummond Island during 2016 was
24, the lowest in the UP, and that
was after a mild winter that started
late and ended early. The major
difference between Drummond and
the rest of the UP is the island has
more bears. While bear numbers
have been increasing UP-wide since
2012 due to major reductions in bear
license quotas, those quotas have
been lowest on Drummond. Since
Hunters need facts on MAPRs
Dear Woods-N-Water News:
The last two issues of Woods-
N-Water News contained opinion
pieces against Mandatory Antler
Point Restrictions (MAPRs) that
were replete with inaccuracies,
misrepresentations, untruths and
conflicting or otherwise confusing
notions. First, Ill address the letter
from Curtis Stone who attacked a
factual article that I wrote in the
December issue: Mr. Stone spends
half the letter in a rant about APRs
and MAPRs that left me scratch-
ing my head. Then he presented a
farfetched excuse for why MAPRs
are gaining popularity. Mr. Stone
actually believes that hunters that
are opposed to MAPRs are so dis-
gruntled that they are now refusing
to participate in surveys, thus skew-
ing that data in favor of MAPRs.
Richard Smiths letter to the
editor in the March issue also at-
tacked my pro-APR piece taking
many liberties with the truth that
need to be corrected. Mr. Smith
claims that regulations for spikes
or better results in more old-age
bucks compared to MAPRs, which
80 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
2010, only one or two bear licenses
per year have been issued for the
island by the state and another one
or two by the tribes.
The low license quotas have al-
lowed bears on the island to increase
rapidly. The more bears
there are, the fewer fawns
survive, as the figures from
the UP Deer Camp Survey
show. The average number
of fawns for every 100 does
for the entire UP from the
survey is 66. In view of the
fact most adult does give
birth to twin
fawns, espe-
cially after such
a mild winter,
its clear that predation is removing
an average of almost 1.5 fawns per
doe over most of the UP. The loss to
predators is obviously higher than
that on Drummond.
One of the things the Natural
Resources Commission has done to
try to benefit the UP deer herd for
the last two years is protect does
from bowhunters to increase the
number of does on the landscape for
fawn production. Protecting does
is counterproductive if most of the
fawns they produce do not survive.
The Commission has also liberal-
of course is nonsense. Where ever
strict MAPRs have been imple-
mented, buck age structure has in-
creased. Lets look at the data from
the NW13 counties, which have
been under MAPRs for a number
of years. In 2011, before MAPRs
were implemented in those coun-
ties, only 24% of the buck harvest
was composed of bucks two year
of age or older. In comparison, in
2016, fully 85% of the buck harvest
was made up of bucks two years
old or older, which is a monumental
increase in buck age structure under
MAPRs.
Mr. Smith also makes the claim
that during the experimental MAPR
period in certain U.P. DMUs, that
mild winters were the reason for in-
creased success on older bucks and
not MAPRs. This is easily proven
wrong by looking at the fawn to doe
ratios that the DNR records from
hunter observation surveys con-
ducted every year during the U.P.
firearm deer season. When winters
are mild, the fawn rate shoots way
up, but when winters are harsh, the
fawn rate is lower. Here are the
ized coyote hunting regulations
in an effort to reduce fawn loss to
those predators. Their hands are tied
when it comes to wolf management.
One more thing the Commission can
do to benefit the UP deer herd is to
increase the bear harvest.
The DNR is recommending a
bear license quota of 5 for Drum-
mond Island for 2017 and 2018,
ratios during the MAPR period:
2001- 55:100, 2002 - 55:100, 2003
59:100, 2004 46:100, 2005 actually beneficial in stemming the
57:100. As you can clearly see,
the low ratio of fawns during that
period certainly does not indicate
mild winters. There were also bad
winters in 2013, 2014 and 2015,
which negatively impacted herd
size in the NW13 counties and if to-
tal buck harvests are down, it is due
to winter losses and not MAPRs as
Mr. Smith contends.
Mr. Smith also makes more
claims about MAPRs writing that
they cause more disease risks cit-
ing MAPRs as the reason TB rates
recently increased among deer in
the NE Lower Peninsula. Actu-
ally, the NELP is under Hunters
Choice regulations and the buck
age structure of the harvest there
is skewed to younger bucks as a
result. Also, in that region lies the
Turtle Creek hunting club that has
strict QDM policies in place and as
a result a superb buck age structure
in their harvest. The TB rate at the
Turtle Lake club is way below the
surrounding area indicating that
Richard P. Smith photo
which I believe is adequate when
combined with a similar tribal quo-
ta. But significantly increasing bear
license quotas in the UPs other bear
management units (BMUs) would
be beneficial. In deer management
unit (DMU) 042, for example,
which includes Keweenaw and
Bears and deer page 81
ongoing research, which shows that
an increased buck age structure is
spread of disease by reducing year-
ling buck disbursal and lowering
overall deer numbers.
Finally, in his letter he stated that
spike or better regulations produce
more older-age bucks than MAPRs,
but then he later contradicts himself
by writing that MAPRs are bad
for disease concerns because the
regulations produce more older-age
bucks. Mr. Smith has also stated
that U.P. deer numbers were too low
in recent years, but then he bashes
MAPRs because they will increase
deer numbers. He has also argued
for more liberalized antlerless
harvests in the U.P. following three,
back to back, harsh winters where
deer numbers have been reported
to be at a modern time low, which
defies deer management logic.
Hopefully hunters will study the
facts and data on MAPRs and not
be influenced by misinformation.
Thank you
Michael Veine
 Letters, My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions...

Non-residents should have no say in regulations

Dear Woods-N-Water News:
Fellow Deer Hunters: The
MDNR is still pushing its man-
datory MAPRs or Mandatory
Antler Point Restrictions, as they are
known in the deer hunting com-
munity. A few years ago the DNR
tried to shove the MAPR agenda on
the entire northern lower peninsula,
deer hunters, but settled for the
12 county NW quadrant for a five
year test period, which according to
renowned deer expert and outdoor
writer, Richard P.Smith of Mar-
quette has failed.
At that time I became involved
in an anti-MAPR letter writing
campaign after finding out that the
DNR surveys were being sent to
non-residents for their input. My
cousin, retired USAF MSGT Gary
Moore who resides in Washington,
but travels back to Michigan to deer
hunt each year was sent a total of
three surveys.
Now I find that this year, my
brother Larry Harmon who resides
in NC, who also comes back to St.
Helen for deer camp has received
the latest 2016 MDNR Deer Harvest
Study, as it is being called now. I
find it odd, that I myself a lifelong
Michigan resident deer hunter since
1958, have never received a deer
survey from the MDNR. I think I
am now being blacklisted.
A non-resident should have no
say whatsoever in decisions affect-
ing the Michigan deer herd. They
are here as our guest to deer hunt,
purchase a non-resident license reside in the state of Michigan on
and try to put a buck on the pole. If
the state wants to survey them on
their success of their Michigan deer
hunt, that is fine, period. No ques-
tions regarding baiting, changing
the traditional Nov. 15 opening
day of deer season or Antler Point
Restrictions should be asked. But
in fact all of the above were and are
being asked of Michigan non-res-
idents in the latest 2016 Michigan
Deer Harvest Study.
These are the proposals from my
brothers survey which I now have a
copy of, and will be happy to share.
1) Allow hunters two bucks, in
any combination, if one has four or
more points on one side, no MAPRs
on the second buck. This is the same
law in effect now.
2) Allow hunters two bucks in
any combination, in northern Lower
Peninsula, one buck three points
or more on one side, one buck four
points or more on one side. This is a
drastic change, no spikes or fork-
horns allowed.
3) Southern Lower Peninsula,
both bucks four or more points on
one side.
4) The UP, one buck, two or
more points on one side, second
buck, four points or better on one
side.
Non-resident status is deter-
mined by someone who does not
purchase. The Michigan DNR has
a full time basis, has no Michigan
drivers license, or Michigan license
plates, or Michigan voter ID card.
Just by virtue of land ownership
and paying property taxes, does not
make you a resident. You cannot
vote on local or state issues accord-
ing to Michigan state law.
So why in the world would an
agency of the state of Michigan
continue to ask for input or recom-
mendations from non-residents on
an issue as divisive as MAPRs, bait-
ing, or the traditional opening day of
rifle deer season?
These issues should be decided
and debated by the lawful residents
of the state of Michigan, in an
Bears and deer in the U.P.: from page 80
north Houghton County, the number
of fawns per 100 does during 2016
was 33. That DMU is in the Baraga
BMU. In DMU 066, which is in the
Bergland BMU, only 39 fawns
were counted for every 100 does.
Then theres DMU 249 in the
Newberry BMU where there were
only 44 fawns per 100 does during
2016.
DNR data from the fawn sur-
vival study conducted in Menomi-
nee County from 2009 through
all-inclusive deer hunter manda-
tory survey sent to every resident
Michigan deer hunter or at point of
doubled or more the price of a hunt-
ing and fishing license, in the last
few years, seems like they
could afford the cost of a stamp
to contact every one of their
resident customers, and save the
cost of sending surveys or studies
to non-residents.
So if you agree with me, contact
the Natural Resource Commis-
sion, your state representative, Gov.
Snyder and Russ Mason of the DNR
to give them your opinion. They
all work for us, not the other way
round.
Sincerely
Tom Harmon
St. Helen
ational opportunity. It is important
to keep in mind, however, that rais-
ing bear license quotas for the fall of
2017 wont benefit fawn recruitment
until 2018 when that years crop of
fawns is born during May, June and
July.
Delaying significant increases
in bear license quotas until 2019, on
the other hand, increases the poten-
tial for even lower fawn recruitment
in the future. By then more DMUs
will have fewer than 50 fawns per

Antler Point Restrictions work

Dear Woods-N-Water News:
I am writing this letter in
response to a recent article in the
March issue, written by Richard
P. Smith. His article on why he
strongly disagrees with Antler Point
Restriction is riddled with half-
truths and false information. Antler
Point restrictions have been very
successful at protecting yearling
bucks where implemented, and
DNR check station kill data con-
firms this. Harvest rates vary little
after the first year of implementa-
tion; they are simply on older age
classes of bucks. Within his article
he states that more pressure on
spikes and younger bucks reduces
pressure on older bucks and allows
them to live longer. Where does he
think older bucks come from?
Any restriction that moves over
50 percent of yearling bucks to the
next age class, will result in more
mature bucks, not vice versa. He
then goes on to blame APRs for crop
damage and deer collision numbers.
APRs to not control deer popula-
tions, the number of antlerless deer
harvested, based on permits issued
controls population. If anything
APRs help to better balance buck
doe ratios, and may put more pres-
sure on antlerless harvest helping to
better control populations.
He then continues to go on
with other misleading information
regarding antlered harvest data, and
hunter retention numbers that are
misleading. The bottom line is the
majority of Michigan hunters want a
better balanced deer herd with better
age class of antlered bucks. Antler
Point Restrictions have shown they
accomplish these goals in every
county where they have been
implemented. If Mr. Smith
doesnt like APRs because he
wants to be able to shoot
spikehorns thats fine, but lets
not mislead readers with false
opinions on the effects of APRs.
Clay McNitt
Empire, MI
2011, clearly shows that the UP bear 100 does, especially if another
population continued to increase severe winter complicates recovery.
when bear license quotas were at The UP bear population has been
2011 levels, but at a slower rate than allowed to increase at a much faster
it has during recent years. Accord- rate than necessary to maintain a
ing to DNR wildlife researcher healthy population long enough to
Dean Beyer, there were 0.36 bears the detriment of the UP deer herd.
per square mile in the Menominee Its now time to slow that growth
County study area during 2009 before another severe UP winter
compared to 0.39 in 2010 and 0.49 adds further herd reduction to the
for 2011. So bear license quotas for mix.
2017 and 2018 can be increased In the words of Natural Resourc-
significantly over the DNRs current es Commissioner J. R. Richardson,
recommendations without adverse If you know of something we can
impacts on the bear population. In do to improve the UP deer herd and
fact, doing so would benefit the state dont tell us, shame on you. If we
and DNR economically at the same know of something we can do to
time fawn recruitment is improved improve the UP deer herd and dont
while providing increased recre- do it, shame on us!n
My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions
Share your thoughts, views, opinions or shor t stories with
Woods-N-Water News readers by emailing
wnw@pageone-inc.com or mail to
Woods-N-Water News, PO Box 278, Imlay City, MI 48444
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newsstand sales, Outdoor Weekend, stories, trophy page
contact our office Mon. - Fri. 8 am-5 pm 810-724-0254,
www.woods-n-waternews.com or facebook woodsnwaternews
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 81
Successful Detroit River
walleye techniques
By Brian Miller
T
here is nothing like pull-
ing up on your rod and
feeling that infamous
weight. Its the sluggish
weight of a walleye which
causes us to quickly set
the hook. The drag spins slightly with
the affirmation of an aggressive head-
shake. The fun begins as you compose
yourself to pull out another Detroit
River walleye. The feeling never gets
old.
Walleyes may well rank as the
most popular species among anglers.
With spring already approaching, one
of the greatest walleye runs is about
to begin. In short order, fishermen will
begin chasing walleye on the Detroit
River. The Western Basis of Lake Erie
boasts one of the largest spawning
grounds for walleye. There is some
outstanding structure that makes these
areas some of the best fishing. With
the walleye populations growing in the
last few years Lake Erie is one of the
best fisheries at over 33 million wall-
eye. We are blessed to be right in the
middle of several outstanding walleye
fishing locations.
The concept of jigging for wall-
eye seems simple. However, its not
always that easy. Without some insight
fishermen have struggled to under-
stand the refined aspects of Detroit
River walleye fishing. Dan Carter is a
die-hard walleye nut who catches more
walleye in a season than many do over
the course of a lifetime. Were here
to share his six secrets to successfully
fishing the Detroit River.
Oversized Jigs
Walleye can be finicky fish, which
is why so many fishermen tend to try
to finesse fish them. However, dur-
ing the spring walleye run its time to
fish the heaviest jig you can get away
with instead of a lighter jig. Its so
important to keep the jig vertical and
maintain the bottom six inches. Carter
indicated when taking new fishermen
onto the Detroit River he starts them
with a 1 ounce jig. Part of this is to
teach them how to vertical jig and
keep constant contact with the bottom.
After about an hour of using a heavy
lure they understand the importance of
keeping that lure bouncing off the bot-
tom. After learning this concept then
hell move them onto a ounce jig.
Most often hes fishing with a to
1 ounce jighead. Only when they move
into shallow water does he lighten
up to a 5/8 ounce jighead. The larger
profile heads provide larger sized bait
for the walleye. Carter prefers to use a
swim style jighead in the Detroit River
to help cut through the current. How-
82 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
ever its important to not get caught up
in the hype. Standard round ball jigs
work great and have produced walleye
for decades. Stick with what works for
you.
Must Have Additions
Deciding on using a stinger? Stop
deciding and simply use them! There
are lots of ways to use a stinger hook
but make sure to hang it free. Carter
indicated walleye open their mouths
and suck in food. Because of this, a
free hanging stinger often is the light-
est portion of the rig. This is what gets
sucked into the walleyes mouth when
they are finicky. This is extremely
important in the March season because
fish are often sluggish. New fishermen
often have a hard time feeling the bit
so the stinger hook skyrockets their
success. He estimates that during the
early portions of the season 60% of the
fish are caught on the stinger.
Even when fishing in an extremely
snag filled area Carter insists that
everyone uses a stinger. Let them
hang free even in these locations. This
means youll lose a few more rigs but
it is well worth the payout. Because he
makes all his own jigs and stingers he
is able to customize them. Tradition-
ally a #8 treble hook is used for the
majority of the walleye run. When
fishing on areas with lots of rubbish he
uses a #10 treble hook.
Keep it Vertical
The most important aspect of
the Detroit River is keeping the jig
vertical. If you cant keep a vertical
presentation your success rate will
plummet. Get someone with some
experience to drive the boat and keep it
straight. Its far more important to keep
the boat straight than anything else.
If you dont stay straight youll lose
everything from fishing gear to vertical
presentation. Whats most difficult is
managing both the current and wind on
the river.
The best trolling motor set-up is
a foot controlled trolling motor. Keep
the bow of your boat pointed into the
wind. Adjust the trolling motor thrust
until your fishing line is perfectly
vertical. Also when there is a gust of
wind make sure to use a burst mode to
push the boat forward to keep every-
thing perfectly vertical during higher
winds. If the front fisherman cant stay
vertical other fishermen on the boat
will have a much harder time. Carter
indicated that if you cant keep the lure
vertical then fish shallower water. This
is easier for a fisherman to keep the
lure vertical because there are fewer
factors in shallow water.
Dan Car ter has a limit of four that took him under an hour to catch.
Keeping a Cadence
If you ask five fishermen how
to vertical jig youd get a variety of
answers. Vertical jigging in the Detroit
River is a nice steady cadence while
staying in contact with the bottom of
the river. Some days the fish love a
faster jigging motion and other days it
is a slow process. Most often during
the early portion of the season a slow
presentation works best. Then in late
April when a bunch of males move
into the river systems, a very fast
jigging motion is ideal. The use of a
heavy jig allows you to be really slow
on your presentation.
Along with a steady cadence comes
the technique of changing cadence. A
slight change can cause a bite. What
is most important is to pay attention
to when you get bites. You have to ask
yourself, What changed that caused
the bite. Remember exactly what hap-
pened or changed in your technique.
Did a gust of wind force you to change
the cadence, was it a smaller jigging
motion, did you simply change the jig-
ging speed? All are important factors.
By understanding this you will be able
to mimic those factors to increase your
odds dramatically.
Marking Fish
Connected to most boats is a time-
saving device, the Global Positioning
Satellite (GPS) system. These little
devices can range in features and cost
but any GPS can be used to begin to
increase your odds. The secret sauce
is collecting data from all of your
fishing trips. Over time it will really
help a fisherman be more successful by
pinpointing active locations.
Carter marks all the fish he catches
on his GPS. These are marked by color
for AM or PM and broken down by
month. This information allows him
to pinpoint exactly where to catch
fish any given time of the year. Carter
understands that a general location is
not good enough. All his waypoints
help him pinpoint the exact location of
fish. Its the structure of the river floor
and how fish are using the structure
in relation to current and time of the
year. Marking the seasonal timing
also allows fishermen to find the most
productive spots depending on the time
of the walleye run. Even if you havent
collected GPS locations before, start-
ing now will allow you to be more
successful on your next trip.
Color Combinations
Some days color makes all the
difference in the world but most days
it doesnt, says Carter. When fishing
is tough everything we discussed gets
modified however lure color is last on
the list. There is no need to fall into
a false concept that you must have a
hundred different colors. Lets make
it simple. For a jighead, Cater prefers
a yellow, black or silver (lead) color
with a Wyandot Worm, specifically, a
4 inch brown paddle worm or natural
colored Lunker City minnow. Dur-
ing most conditions, you can rely on
brown, black, and motor oil how-
ever when the water get really muddy
switch to something with some high
visibility such as yellow, chartreuse,
lime green, or white.
Conclusion
Detroit River walleye is an out-
standing fishery. Carter says, Dont
over think it. Its the simplest form
of fishing which is why the Detroit
River is so popular in the spring. If
youre new, go to a location with lots
of boats. Although there is a crowd,
there is a reason everyone is huddled
into that location. Sometimes we fish
in the crowd and many times were
focusing away from the crowd. There
are a couple important lure aspects to
remember; heavy jigs, natural colors,
and stinger hooks. After youve mas-
tered that then get an excellent captain
to keep your boat vertical, mark your
catches on a GPS, and keep a steady
cadence. These techniques will help
you become highly successful at catch-
ing Detroit River walleye.n
Au Sable
Steel By Mark Sak
W
e had an early
start to the
Steelhead season
in Michigan this
year. Mid-Feb-
ruary blessed the
Oscoda area with 65 degree temps
and light winds. I was in Tawas
for the Michigan Outdoor Writers
Winter Rendezvous and was lucky
enough to get a spot in a drift boat
during our Saturday breakout activ-
ity. The float would be 17 miles
down to the mouth and it was just
what my head needed after another
winter season in Michigan. The state
had just come through an amazing
stretch of gloom in which every
day was damp, foggy and just plain
depressing. To be handed a gift from
Mother Nature on the one day we
had to be on this beautiful river was
special. Hooking up with a feisty
steelhead would just be icing on a
very sweet cake.
We met our guide for the day
Gene Kirvan of Calypso Charters
early Saturday morning at the DNR
Boat launch in Oscoda. Our party
was the only group at the launch
on this beautiful morning. As we
jumped in the truck to head up river
to launch it was easy to tell that the
guide was just as excited about the
weather as we were. He assured us
that we would hook a few steelhead
while we tried to assure him that just
a great float down a beautiful river
is more than we could hope for in
February. On the way to the launch
Gene provided the key to success
when steelheading the Au Sable.
During the late winter, early spring
period, there are still decent num-
bers of steelhead and brown trout
in the river. The issue is how to ap-
propriately present the right bait as
most of these late winter fish hit out
of aggression rather than hunger.
The other obstacle that presents
to anglers on this stretch of river
is the many blowdowns that have
settled into many of the deeper
holes. Floating spawn down through
is very difficult and casting spinners
is a snag waiting to happen. Gene
stated the most effective way to fish
these holes would be easing plugs
down into the hole. Flies and spawn
would work better as the water
warms with rising spring temps and
the fish move out of the deep runs to
actively feed.
As we launched and slipped
down river towards the first run,
Gene described how his boat set up
works. He only uses three rods. All
three were trolling rods with medi-
um heavy rods and levelwind reels.
Each hole he fishes has its own
prescription for amount of line out.
He used Provider lures exclusively.
Providers have the body of a Hot-
N-Tot but have a heavier bill made
of plastic. The underside of the bill
has a rattle chamber. His explana-
tion for using this specific plug was
he couldnt get the Hot-N-Tots to
dive deep enough and the Providers
The author with the catch of the day, a beautiful Au Sable steelhead.
run about a foot deeper. Most of the
holes he suggested six passes of line was a great day just to watch the most of April and the Sunrise side
out from the bow rod holder and Eagles soar. The Tawas and Os- remains one of Michigans best
five passes of line out on both the coda side of the state was beautiful places to vacation. I hope you have
starboard and port sides. A pass will and the company was fantastic. a chance to fish it this spring. I may
run approximately 10-12 feet and a This fishery is really good through see you on the river.n
pass means the amount of line that
is released with one pass of the pawl
across the reels arbor. At six passes ED'S NEW DVD
we had approximately 55-60 feet of
line to the plug. This three-rod set ULTIMATE
up covered most of the hole as we CORN-BASED
eased into it and Gene would simply
row back and forth across the hole DEER KILL PLOTS
to cover it completely. Takes you to a new concept of deer attraction.
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At the second hole we eased into to the security and endless variety of forage deer prefer
we had a savage strike and the trout
Send Check or Money Order
immediately broke the surface and ORDER Made Out to:
got off. There is a split second when YOUR Edward Spinazzola
pulling the rod out of the rod holder COPY 815 Sleeth Rd.
that provides just enough slack in TODAY! Commerce, MI 48382
the line to give the fish his head and
we lost the battle very quickly. I New DVD ~ $25 includes shipping
was glad to have been able to feel Name
a nice fish on after the long winter. Address
The fourth hole provided another City State Zip
hard strike and I fought that fish for Phone #
approximately 10 seconds before
it came unbuttoned. Of course we ULTIMATE LAND MANAGEMENT FORAGE & COVER SEED FOR MICHIGAN PLOTS
Tony Lapratt and associate Chris Pierson The Brassica Blend provides both summer feed and winter forage. The Ultimate Blend is
tried to analyze that loss with every with new associate Ed Spinazzola an excellent mix that includes both annual and perennials. The Wildlife Cover and Forage Blend
excuse seasoned anglers know of WEBSITE -- tonysulm.com
is designed to keep deer on your property by providing them a bedding area and food in close
proximity. Go to deerattraction.com for a full list of ingredients and detailed planting instructions.
before we laughed and drifted on. ULTIMATE DEER FOOD PLOTS OR CALL ED AT 586-784-8090 FOR MORE INFORMATION
It was an incredible day even if BOOK & DVD Seed Cost # Bags Total
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firm pressure to keep the trout from
Lower Peninsula Michigan each additional bag
Book $25 then mail to: Shipping and handling $12.00 first bag $8.00
rolling and we were able to bring the DVD $20 Deer Attraction
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each additional bag
nice male to the net in short order. Includes 815 Sleeth Rd. TOTAL
REMIT BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER
The beauty of the winter steelhead is Commerce, MI 48382 MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
Ed Spinazzola 24150 31 Mile Road, Ray Twp, MI 48096
equal only to the majestic Au Sable Check the Following: Book @ $25 each DVD @ $20 each WEBSITE: deerattraction.com
River itself. Name Name
We hit a few more holes but Address Address
honestly it wasnt important that we City State Zip City State Zip
loaded the boat with steelhead. It Phone # Phone #
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 83
 Readers Choice Trail Cam Contest
Visit our website (www.woods-n-waternews.com) to vote for your favorite trail cam photo each
month. The photo with the most votes will receive a Woods-N-Water News mock Cover
from pagefeaturing
??
their photo. Once we have twelve monthly winners from our website, well 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

Larry Hector of Manton captured this interesting photo (top left) of a barred owl catching a
fish. He also was able to get a trail cam photo (top right) of a bobcat coming into a can of
mackerel for bait. Problem was, a raccoon ate the mackerel before the bobcat got there!

Lauren Trainor sent in these three trail

cam photos, (top, middle and far bot-
tom) all from Oscoda County property
at their cabin near Mio. Above is a
very nice buck, below, Lauren cap-
tured photos of a bobcat and a fox
carrying a dead squirrel.

Kathryn Harris of Jackson

sent in this trail cam photo
Kraig Staples captured this elk trail cam photo of a young of a big buck posing for the
bull elk from last September near Millersburg. camera.

Dave Cody sent us one of his favorite trail cam photos of the year. Dave says, And he is a
Yooper Buck!!!
84 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
High Noon
Gobblers
T
ime flies when you are
having a good time
because it sure doesnt
seem like Ive been
hunting springtime
wild turkeys in Michi-
gan for over 45 years. In the early
days this all took place up north
and there was a chancy lottery
that had to be dealt with, and you
could only hunt in the morning. I
was quite fortunate on the draw for
a spring turkey license (I always
opted for the seasons that offered
the best odds for getting drawn) and
I was elated when the hunting hours
were eventually extended to include
the afternoon. If you were a keen
observer while scouting during the
down time back in the early days, it
was clear to see great opportunities
were possible as the day progressed.
What really made me happy was
when wild turkeys were
successfully planted in my
home Thumb area during
the mid- 1980s, and then
having spring turkey hunt-
ing seasons since the early
1990s. There is something
to be said about being able
to hunt closer to home and
it sure doesnt
hurt the local
economy any
By Tom Lounsbury
either. Ive run into turkey hunters
in the Thumb who were from other
parts of the state. The fact is, the
Thumb offers excellent wild turkey
hunting opportunities today, and that
certainly works for me.
While there is still a lottery-
type system to get drawn for early
seasons and on public land in the
Thumb, I truly appreciate the regu-
lar, late season hunt (234) on private
land that can be bought over the
counter (Im old school and still get
all of my hunting/fishing licenses
over the counter). This hunt allows
most of the month of May and can
also be used even up north (refer to
the Michigan wild turkey hunting
guide).
Because it allows more time
for turkey hunting, Ive grown to
love the late season, because I can
literally pick and choose the days I
go afield. Spring is usually taking
a strong foothold during this May
timeframe and it is absolutely a
great period to be in the woods just
greening up. Sights, smells, new mi-
gratory songbirds showing up, you
name it. Spring has truly sprung,
and what a great way to truly enjoy
it! If you have never tried spring
turkey hunting here in Michigan,
you should, because you are missing
out on one of the finer points of life.
You might even find some morels
and wild leeks during the process.
The long used technique for
hunting springtime wild turkeys is
to be in the woods by first light and
use a shocker call, usually crow
or owl, to locate a roosted flock, and
figure what to do and where to set
up from there, and first light is an
amazing time to be in the woods.
It is a pretty good system for the
earlier seasons, but turkeys usually
get a change of attitude by the time
the late season in May arrives. Some
of it has to do with previous hunting
pressure of course, but a lot has to
do with the ongoing mating cycle.
In May, gobblers tend to be
henned-up, meaning they will
usually go with the flock of hens
heading out to early morning feed-
ing spots. No matter how much they
respond to calling efforts, Ive found
gobblers tend to stick with
the feeding hen flock to
do all the dating they can
with any receptive hens
which are fully in sight.
By mid-morning the dating
ritual has subsided and that
is when gobblers tend to
respond more readily to
calling efforts,
at least that has
been my experi-
ence. My favorite timeframe for late
season turkeys is from 10 am until
2 pm, with most of my kills taking
place closer to noon.
Last year due to other matters,
I didnt get out for the opening day,
but the following morning found
me set up by 10 am in a friends
log deer blind tucked into a hillside
which overlooks an open bowl in
the surrounding woods. It reminds
me of a bunker if you will, with a
gun slit and all, and is quite strategi-
cally placed. The key was getting to
it without spooking any possible tur-
keys moving about in the shadows.
I use a hen decoy Ive named
Norma Jean that has been with me
many seasons and does a great job
of acting like a flirtatious bomb-
shell with the gobblers and also
makes hens very jealous. The fact
is Norma Jean has been slapped
around enough by territorial hens
that she is a bit disheveled and Ive
had to touch her up a bit with shoe
polish to cover up the scrapes and
scratches, but she keeps on ticking.
I like to place Norma Jean a known
15 yards from my calling position,
and this gives me a pretty good
reference for gauging range. I use
a 30 yard rule and only shoot at
gobblers very close to or inside that
range, and my longest kill to date
Tom Lounsburys High Noon gobbler with a split tail fan,that was
brought to 20 yards with a Cherry Poppin Slate Call.
is 32 yards. I like to remove all the
ifs out of the shooting equation
because wounded turkeys can be
next to impossible to track down
and recover.
I dearly love to use friction calls
with my favorite being slate calls.
Atlanta, MI hunting guide John
Jones had sent me a Cherry Pop-
pin Slate made by Thrill Chasers,
LLC and Rod Benson Game calls
in White Cloud. Along with the
call was a Woodhaven condition-
ing stone that sweetened up a slate
much better and quicker than using
sandpaper. John Jones had used this
call to sweet talk a gobbler in for
me the spring before and its tune
and tone impressed the daylights
out of me and I had to have one. So
this was the call I used as I tend to
prefer to keep matters simple when
it comes to talking turkey.
When I first yelped out a gob-
bler responded right away, and
it would be the only gobble I
would hear that morning because
late season gobblers tend to come
in silent. Right after the gobble
response I heard an annoyed tur-
key hen making poink sounds as
she came down the hill to confront
Norma Jean. This began with the
hen fanning her tail and fluffing all
up to make herself appear bigger as
she held her wings out and pointed
toward the ground while she did the
chicken dance around Norma Jean
(I call it the chicken dance because
it is near identical to what male
prairie chickens do during their mat-
ing ritual, but in the case of turkey
hens it is meant to be aggressive
and intimidating). Of course Norma
Jean wasnt impressed any and just
simply stared without even blinking,
which annoyed the hen even more.
It was while the hen was do-
ing her second circle around that a
gust of wind hit Norma Jean which
forced her to do a sudden turn
facing the hen who upon assum-
ing an attack was in progress was
squawking and side-stepping away.
The annoyed hen suddenly slicked
off and walked to my left and that
is when I realized a nice gobbler
had just shuffled into the scene.
There is nothing that can match the
striking pose of a wild gobbler in
full strut with fanned tail, iridescent
feathers flickering in the sunlight,
highlighted by a snow white skull-
cap, powder blue cheeks and scarlet
red throat. Yep folks, my pulse rate
picked right up then.
The jealous turkey hen however
had her own ideas about this situa-
tion and strode by the strutting gob-
bler, which was missing its center
tail feathers that left a noticeable
gap in his fan, and began leading
him away up the hill. Although the
gobbler was close to the 30 yard
mark, his body profile didnt offer
a proper shot. To compound mat-
ters 3 jakes (young gobblers) came
out of nowhere and chased the big
gobbler up the hill and out of sight,
which gave me an idea of how he
came about missing his tail feathers
(turkeys do have a pecking order
that can get nasty, and the jakes ob-
viously had teamed up to give some
payback).
For the next hour I purred off
and on with the Cherry Poppin Slate
while Norma Jean performed an
occasional twitch in the breeze. Sud-
denly I noticed a snowball in the
brush on top of the hill and knew a
gobbler was assessing Norma Jean,
and then the snowball (which is
how a gobblers head can appear in
heavy cover) disappeared. I sensed
he just might be circling in, from the
right.
Noon was just minutes away
when I spotted the jealous hen com-
ing fast down the hill, which was
a dead giveaway I had a gobbler
coming in and I got ready. Suddenly
a gobbler appeared broadside 20
yards away and was slowly ap-
proaching Norma Jean. As soon as
the gobblers head and neck were
just right I touched the trigger and
the top barrel of my over and under
12 ga put the gobbler down for the
count. The jealous hen of course,
decided right away that Norma Jean
could have the field all to herself.
The gobbler turned out to be the one
with a split-fan.
High noon gobblers during the
late season certainly work for me!n
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 85
 Black Powder Shooting Sports...
The invite is out!
A
life lived by example leaves a
powerful legacy. Whether through a
chance meeting or throughout years
of friendship, each encounter with
such an individual keeps on giving
long after he or she passes from this
world. Roy Keelers example of what a friend
should be shines on in the black powder shooting
sports, a century after his birth.
Born in Eaton Rapids on March 4, 1917, Roy
Keeler led a tough, demanding life. He left school
at the age of 10 years to help his family
through hard economic times. Although
not the oldest, his eight brothers depend-
ed on his ingenuity, understanding and
leadership. They called him Pa. When
he married Thelma, he affectionately
called her Ma.
Keeler worked for 32 years as a
millwright at Fisher Body in Lansing.
By Dennis Neely
In his spare time he owned and
operated Keelers Trading Post.
He sold new black powder ac-
coutrements and gun-building supplies, but was
best known for his buckets of used muzzleload-
ing parts and as an astute antique gun collector.
On weekends he and Ma traveled to black
powder shoots throughout the Midwest. He was
considered a competitor to beat at the Michigan
State Muzzle Loading Association shoots and the
National Muzzle Loading Rifle Associations na-
tional matches. Roy Keeler was the first inductee
into the NMLRAs Black Powder Hall of Fame in
1995. Pa passed away at the age of 80 on Febru-
ary 5, 1998.
After his death, the MSMLA established The
Spirit of Roy Keeler Society to carry on Pas
legacy, and each July one new member is induct-
ed into the Keeler Society. A few days after the
dawn of 2017, several Keeler Society members
met for lunch. The result of that work session was
the creation of the Roy Pa Keeler Centennial
Roy and Thelma Keeler participated in many black pow- magazine, Michigan Out-of-Doors. For 25
der shooting events. They paused for a classic undated years Roy Keeler penned Pas Powder Horn, a
photo at the Muzzle Loaders Festival at Greenfield
Village in Dearborn, Michigan.
86 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
Match to commemorate the 100th anniversary of
Roy Keelers birthday.
Through this match, The Spirit of Roy Keeler
Society wishes to bring together individuals
interested in muzzleloaders and the black powder
shooting sports for a fun frolic in Pas honor. The
match is intended to remind everyone of the prin-
ciples Roy Keeler stood forhonesty, sportsman-
ship, friendship and the preservation of our rich
American shooting heritage.
During his lifetime, Keeler wore a multitude
of hats. Pa was a historian, a salesman,
a machinist, a safety officer, a teacher,
a father, a friend to all and a revered,
respected, soft-spoken ambassador for
the black powder shooting sports. Even
today, when muzzleloading filters into a
conversation, a common question often
arises: Did ya ever meet Pa Keeler?
Knowing Pa always involved a story,
some magical and some mun-
dane, some funny and some
serious, but all memorable. As
Roy Keelers centennial year unfolds the stories
are coming to life
Roy was easy going, and nothing fazed
him, Ralph Jones recalled. If a gun of his got
a nick or a dent in the stock, hed lick his thumb,
wipe it and say, There, good as new.
Jones laughed, then continued. We were
having a meeting of the Three Fires Gun Club
in the basement of the Chief Okemos Club in
Dimondale. The main floor was held up with
steel posts. We were seated around the posts.
Jud (Brennan) brought one of his custom toma-
hawks with gold inlay, a Damascus-steel head, all
engraved, absolutely beautiful, and it laid on the
table next to Roy.
Roy was president at the time, and everyone
was talking. Roy wanted to start the meeting, so
he picked up the tomahawk and rapped it on the
post, BANG, BANG, BANG. Jud about fainted.
Ill never forget the look he gave Roy, but that
was Pa.
Pa was a flintlock man, and he liked big
guns, Bob Elka said, failing to stifle a laugh.
He didnt go for the small calibers or small Pa was a flintlock man and he liked big guns, Bob
guns. Pa was fond of this great big ol bench gun. Elka said. Roy Keeler loaded his heavy, long-barreled
About 1974 our club (Washtenaw Sportsman bench rifle at the 1961 State Shoot at Wyandotte.
Club) hosted the state shoot. After he shot, Pa Robert Elka Archives Photo
leaned that big ol gun against the loading bench,
which was a two-by-ten with notches cut in the I was trying to copy a trade gun Pa had in his
edges. Two pipes with just a little ball of cement collection, Ted Thelen said. I was down in the
in the ground supported that plank. vault measuring and sketching, and there was a
Shooters guns leaned in the notches. His blunderbuss among the guns. My son, Zeb, was
gun was so heavy it rocked the plank and all the with me, and I said to Pa, Why dont you show
guns fell to the ground. Poor Pa was so embar- my boy that gun?
rassed. Its a wonder it didnt break any of the Zeb looked the gun over, and Pa says,
guns. No one dared say anything good or bad to What do you think that is? Zeb said, It looks
Pa, they respected him that much. like a gun the Pilgrims used. Pa laughed and
He was a big man with a huge heart, says, Its not like a gun the Pilgrims used, it is a
Elka continued. You asked him a question and gun the Pilgrims used.
he tried his best to answer your question. A lot To me, that was one of the most amazing
of times he wrote about those questions in the guns he had in his vault. And Roy had a lot of
MUCC (Michigan United Conservation Clubs) interesting antique guns, Thelen added.
Roy Keeler grew up hunting and trapping
and was instrumental in establishing Michigans
popular monthly column devoted to black powder muzzle loading deer season.
shooting in Michigan. We were hunting in the Upper Peninsula,
 Muzzle Loading State Events
Michigan State Muzzle Loading Association State Shoots
Ralph Jones said in a serious tone. April 1 - April Fool Shoot: Benzie Sportsman April 15 - Sporting Clays (Modern Shotgun)
It was snowing hard, miserable out, Club: 231-378-2145 Grand Valley Cap n BallersTM: 616-836-5760
after dark. Pa didnt come in. I got
my clothes on and started out in the April 1-2 - Steak & Dollar Shoot (Rifle & Trap) April 16 - Bridgeport Fun Shoot
direction he went that morning. I Grand Valley Cap n BallersTM: 269-792-4384 Bridgeport: 989-746-0723
met him coming in. He was hunting or 616-836-5760 April 29 - Archery Shoot: Grand Valley Cap n
with a nice Jaeger rifle made by Jud. April 9 - Woods Walk: Clinton River Muzzle BallersTM: 269-792-4384 or 616-836-5760
He was dragging it in the snow by Loaders: Detroit Sportsman Congress April 29 - Woodswalk & BP Cartridge Trap:
the end of the barrel, bumping it on 586-731-6088
logs and branches. Roy said he was Chief Okemos Sportsman Club: Dimondale
so tired he didnt have strength left April 11 Aug 29 - Summer Aggregate 517-927-7264
to hold it up. Benzie Sportsman Club: 231-378-2145 For a complete 2017 shoot schedule, send a SASE or e-
In an effort to reach out to all April 15 - Spring Blanket Shoot: White River mail to: Ron Fernwalt, 16808 Peach Ridge, Kent City, MI,
black powder shooters, the Roy Muzzle Loaders: Rothbury: 616-218-7037 49330, or email Ron rbfern@triton.net
Pa Keeler Centennial Match
will actually be two matches. The
patched round ball version is open
to all registered competitors at the
MSMLAs 2017 State Rifle & Pistol
B U I LT E X C L U S I V E LY B Y W O O D H AV E N L O G & L U M B E R
Championship (held at the Colum-
biaville Sportsman Club, 5124 Kalm
Road, Columbiaville) July 5th to
9th, or at the NMLRAs 2017 Rifle
& Pistol Territorial Matches (hosted
at the Tobacco River Muzzle Load-
ers, 2896 M-18, Beaverton) August
18th to 20th.
Any muzzleloading rifle, pistol, Whether you want a cabin thats a step up from roughing it or a truly private retreat to get away from it all, WoodHaven has the answer...
smoothbore or inline (no scope) tiny rustic cabins built inside and out with superior-quality WoodHaven log siding, knotty pine paneling and barn wood products.
with any metal sight (AMS) is al-
lowed. Two shots must be taken
from the offhand position at a
five-bull buffalo target posted at
50 yards, and the remaining three
shots can be from any rest position.
The match will not be scored, but
rather shot for fun in celebration of
Roy Keelers 100th birthday. When
shooters turn in a completed target
they will receive a limited edition,
Roy Pa Keeler Centennial Match Tiny Cabins are available in sizes of 12x12 up to 12x30 and come with an open floor plan or you may choose from
embroidered patch featuring Pas five of our turn key floor plans. Cabins are fully insulated, wired to code with generator hookup, LP hookup
powder horn. and finished off with WoodHavens log siding and interior paneling. FINANCING IS AVAILABLE.
The shotgun version is open
to all registered shooters at the For more information call or visit our website to view our brochure: woodhavenlog.com | 888.988.PINE (7463)
NMLRA 2017 Trap & Skeet Territo-
rial Matches (hosted by the Grand
Valley Cap n Ballers, 3576 26th
Street, Hopkins) June 2nd to 4th, or
at the MSMLA 2017 State Shotgun
Championship (GVCnB) August
17th to 20th. This match consists of
five standard clay birds thrown from
the 10-yard trap and shooters can
use any muzzleloading shotgun. No
IMAGINE WHAT YOU CAN DO.
scores will be kept, but the regis-
tered competitor must complete the
match to receive the commemora-
tive patch.
All of the Roy Pa Keeler Cen-
tennial Matches are independent of
the various shoot programs. These
one-time, non-reentry matches
are offered at no cost to registered WoodHavens handcrafted log siding, knotty pine paneling and accessories can help
shooters. For more information, call your dreams come true with your existing home, cabin or new project.
810-639-7479 (rifle) or 616-836-
5760 (shotgun).
So the invite is out! Come share Call us toll-free for a
a story or two about Pa, burn some 1284 Mapes Road | PO Box 964
sample kit or to schedule
black powder and have fun celebrat- Mio, MI 48647
a visit to our mill:
ing Roy Keelers 100th birthday Phone: 989.826.8300
and help preserve our rich American 1.888.988.PINE (7463)
www.woodhavenlog.com
shooting heritage! FINANCING AVAILABLE
Give traditional black powder
hunting a try, be safe and may Dealer in Howell, MI. To view Tiny Cabins, Contact Steve (810) 599-5147
God bless you.n
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 87
 Woods-N-WaterNews Classified Section
MISC.
A TEMPUR-PEDIC
M E M O RY FOAM
MATTRESS SET. Clean. Never
used. As seen on TV. Cost $1700.
Sell for $695. 989-832-2401. M-4-
14-TFN
..............................................
AN AMISH LOG
HEADBOARD AND QUEEN
pillowtop mattress set. New. Sell all
for $275. 989-923-1278.
M-4-14-TFN
..............................................
AMISH LOG BEDS, ANY
SIZE $199. 5 drawer log chest
$199. Good quality. Lowest prices
in Michigan. 989-839-4846. M-4-
14-TFN
..............................................
LOG BUNK BEDS. $495.
Amish lodge furniture. Call Dan
989-832-1866. M-4-14-TFN
..............................................
FREE
THE ANCESTORS OF THE
FIRST PEOPLE OF
MICHIGAN present the North
American Indian Stone Bird Effigy in
an exposition of our lives, our
deaths, and our way to reach the
spirit land. www.paleobirdeffigies.
com 616-799-5656.
FREE-4-2
..............................................
HELP WANTED
PROPERTY MANAGER
FOR 300 ACRES. Private
member owned lodge in Lovells, MI.
Private Residence provided in addi-
tion to hunting privileges and com-
pensation package. Ideal for retired
couple. Seasonal usage by owners.
Position opening April 1, 2017.
Please contact Jake Shinners 5195
Hampton Place Saginaw, MI 48604,
email jshinners@shin-
nerscook.com or call 989-928-
1866. HW-4-1
..............................................
WANTED
TIMBER: Buying all types of tim-
ber, 5 acres or more, top price paid.
Cash in advance. Improve wildlife
habitat. Patco Forest Products,
989-539-7588 after 6 p.m. W-9-
12/16
..............................................
FOR SALE
INDOOR WOODSTOVE
heats 1500 sq ft. excellent condi-
tion. $250 Call 810-417-1829.
FS-4-2
..............................................
BOATS
1987 20 FT. STARCRAFT
BOAT. Inboard. Boat in excellent
shape, needs a little floor work.
Complete and ready to go fishing.
Totally equipped - too much to men-
tion. $7,500. Call 810-417-1829.
B-4-4
..............................................
88 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
FISHING
ALL INCLUSIVE house-
keeping packages and cabin
rentals on remote Algoma
Lake. Train-in or Boat-in only -
Canadian Funds -519-636-3697
www.foxsdenlodge.ca F-4/17-
TFN
CANADIAN FISHING
TRIP. Want to go fishing? Book
early and save. One of Ontarios
best multiple fish lakes, fish
for Walleye, Northern, Small
Mouth, Lake Trout, Perch and
other fish. Well spaced out log
& framed cabins, all boats have
electric start motors, fish finders
and swivel seats. Upgrade
boats and motors available. 6
days/nights $445.00 U.S. funds
per person with a group of 4 or
more (2 people per boat) www.
northernwalleyelodge.com
or toll free 1-877-434-2440.
F-1/17TFN
HUNTING
1-2 BUCK HUNTING CLUB
MEMBERSHIPS IN
N O R T H E A S T E R N
MICHIGAN Quality club, camp
and facilities (also turkey, small
game) West Branch - Hale area.
Tremendous value and opportunity.
Stag. $1,375 per year. See: dynami-
cra.com or phone
Dan 989-893-5819. H-4-3
..............................................
BEAR GUIDE Merv 5 day
hunt in 98 sq miles. Room and
board $1500 US mervrinta@
gmail.com See website www.
bearguidemerv.com H-8-8
KENTUCKY TENNESSEE
BUCKS. Hunt trophy bucks fair
chase on one of my many thou-
sands of acres of private farms.
Gun only no bow hunters. Hunters
are welcome to visit me and my
farms. Call or text for free brochure.
270-348-4281. H-4-4
..............................................
WAWA, NORTHERN
ONTARIO Moose and Bear
hunts. Spring and fall bear
hunts available with limited
space. 100% success last 2
years. 1 gun cow or 2 archery
cow moose tags in WMU33
416-548-6124
www.murraylake.net H-3-2
GONZO BEAR CAMP - Bear
Specialist - We had 80% success.
Baraga, Gwen and Amasa Units -
Modular hunts start at $995. 7 days
lodging included. Write for more
information on how to apply for bear
permits on May 1st - 2730 S. Dort
Hwy., Flint, MI 48507 or call Dale at
(810) 814-8936 days 9-4 or eve-
nings John at (989) 257-2725 for
more information www.gonzo-
bearcamp.com. Like us on
Facebook. H-4-4
..............................................
HUNTING
HUNT MATURE WHITE-
TAILS IN SOUTH CENTRAL
OHIO! We offer a bow hunting
membership allowing you to hunt
for more than four weeks as well as
6.5 day hunting trips. You will have
access to over 8,000 acres, 100
plus tree stands and a full time
guide staff. Our properties have
been strictly managed for 10 years,
offering great opportunities for suc-
cess. The hunting pressure is low,
with only a limited number of spots
available. Anthony 810-223-4587
H-3-4
..............................................
BLUE PLAGUE GUIDE
SERVICE booking guided
hound hunts for bear in 2017.
Hunting Newberry and Gwinn
areas. Reasonable rates with
top results. Contact Chris at
(989) 560-6936 or email at
christophergsellers@yahoo.
com H-4-1
RAYS U.P. HUNTING Over
25 years experience guiding for
deer and bear. Baited stands in
Amasa, Baraga, and Bergland
Units. Lodging Available. Call Ray
at 906-265-9420 or cell (906) 284-
2216. Licensed and Insured. H-1-
12/17
..............................................
NORTHERN ONTARIO
BEAR HUNTS: Booking now for
Spring and Fall of 2017. Includes
comfortable cabin, boat and motor,
baited stands. Very experienced
guides. High success rate. 3 hours
from the Soo. References on
request. $960 U.S. 705-869-3272
www.texasandsons.com H-10-
12-16
..............................................
RESORTS/RENT
PICKEREL LAKESIDE
CAMPGROUND AND
COTTAGES Baldwin area
1,425 all sport lake frontage, 45
semi-rustic sites, four clean modern
cottages. www.lakecamp-cottages.
com 231-745-7268. RR-4-6
..............................................
TRAILS END RESORT
on Big Manistique Lake, Curtis,
MI. Hunting, fishing, sightsee-
ing. 2 bedroom modern house-
keeping cabins. Boats, motors
and pontoon rentals. 906-586-
3515. RR-3-3
S E A S O N A L - O N LY
CAMPING Private, gated para-
dise on Big Manistee River offers
large, wooded sites, full hook-ups,
easy access to Lake Michigan
beaches. Long season. Quiet and
peaceful. COHO BEND - 231-723-
7321 www.cohobend.com. R/R-3-
8
..............................................
Subscribe Today!
(810) 724-0254
HUNTING LEASE WANT TO LEASE REAL ESTATE
JACKSON 104 ACRES sur- LOOKING FOR A HUNTING GORGEOUS 3 BEDROOM,
rounded by 3500 acres unhunted LEASE in Alcona County Mi. 2.5 bath quad contemporary home
state prison land. Big bucks taken. Barton City area only. 40-120 acres. in Chelsea, MI on 10 acres of great
Corn and beans surround. Call 248- Total hunters would be up to 4. Very hunting property complete with
978-7673. HL-4-6 respectful hunters, looking for long pond, pole barn, walk-out base-
term lease if possible. 586-588- ment, and tree stands. Call Kristi
GOOD HUNTING/FISH- 5348. WL-4-1 Misiak @ 517-294-3189 for infor-
ING! 200+ gated acres avail- .............................................. mation or to see this great property.
able for yearly lease. Boat LOOKING FOR A HUNTING RE-4-1
docks with power and offsite LEASE within 1.5 hours from ..............................................
boat ramp. mile canal with 2 Detroit MI. 40 to 100 acres. Willing 400 ACRES WITH EVERY-
dredged channels to the to pay $25.00 per acre. Ethical THING THE UP HAS TO OF-
Saginaw Bay, casino within 1 hunter with No DNR violation. Will FER. This was the owners dream
mile. Perfect for hunt clubs! not make any modification to your property and now the dream can be
References needed. Email land and will respect all of your yours! Custom built home on a 10
DJRMVP@gmail.com by rules. will take off any tree stands acre pond. Half mile of frontage on
appointment only. Please see off after lease is complete. a private Lake. Trails, hunting and
our ad on page 90 of this issue September 1st to December 31st. fishing! $499,900 REMAX North-
of the Woods-N-Water News. Please call Mike Hamie 313 205 Star Realty. gmacmasterjr.remax-
2000. WL-3-2 michigan.com 906-635-1000 RE-
HL-1-4
.............................................. 4-2
..............................................
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 Woods-N-WaterNews Classified Section
REAL ESTATE
LAKE FRONTAGE 35
acres with 860 ft. frontage on
Round Lake in Fountain,
Michigan. 575 acre lake with
sand bottom, good fishing,
hunting and trapping. Many
high and dry building locations.
Splits available. Many mature
oak, spruce and fir growing on
property. Excellent investment
property. Reduced to
$499,000.00 Call 616-402-
5790. RE-3-2
REAL ESTATE
NORTHERN MI. 36 acres
near Alden & Torch Lake. Mostly
wooded. Wildlife. 2-bdrm home.
$149,000. Info and pics at www.
aldenproperty.shutterfly.com 269-
720-5264. RE-4-1
..............................................
MODERN CABIN FOR
RENT ON BEAR CREEK - a
trout, salmon and steelhead stream.
Sleeps 5, private access available.
Call 231-590-1136. RE-4-6
..............................................
11 ACRES, $1,000 DOWN,
$300 PER MONTH: $19,900
Enjoy duck and goose hunting.
Dont be surprised if you see eagles
or otter. 616-204-4550. RE-4-1
REAL ESTATE
60 ACRE FARM, 1800 sq. ft .
home, 3 bdrms., 3.5 baths, 1.5 sto-
ry. In-laws quarters, 2 car attached
garage, separate detached garage,
awesome 1,066 sq. ft. bldg. with
many possibilities. Mostly wooded.
In Northeastern Lenwee County
MI. $486,000. E-Z commute to Ann
Arbor and Metro Detroit. Call Diana
at Faust Real Estate, LLC 517-270-
3646. RE-4-1
..............................................
MODERN CABIN FOR
RENT ON BEAR CREEK - a
trout, salmon and steelhead stream.
Sleeps 5, private access available.
Call 231-590-1136. RE-4-6
..............................................
REAL ESTATE
FOR SALE - Approximately 95
wooded acres with half mile front-
age on premiere trout, salmon
and steelhead stream in Manistee
County. $4,000 per acre. Call 231-
590-1136. RE-4-6
..............................................
HUNTING PROPERTY: 160
ACRES Rolling hills 80% wooded
with markeable hardwoods, pine,
birch and cedar. Excellent hunting;
artesian streams with brook trout, a
3.5 acre lake for fish and waterfowl,
established blinds and food plots.
Access by paved road with electric.
A wide choice of building sites. Rose
City area, Rose Township, SEC 21.
Owner 989-820-5858. RE-4-3
DOGS
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. Eulen-
hof Kennels, Gladwin, MI.
http://www.eulenhof.com
989-426-4884 D-4-2
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

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

OGEMAW COUNTY
Lots 4 & 8 Partridge Lane
Lot 4 is 3.9 acres & Lot 8 is 2.3
acres. Enjoy lakefront living
on this quiet, peaceful lake in
Southern Ogemaw County. This
60 acre lake has fantastic views
and great fishing! Just minutes
from West Branch. Priced at
$32,900 each lot
Contact Kyle Kigar
209 W. Cedar Ave.,
Gladwin, Michigan 48624
(989) 429-1730
PAGES 89 - 97
GLADWIN COUNTY
River Oaks Point
Build your dream home on this
large waterfront lot on Smallwood
Lake. This beautiful all sports lake
lot has over 663ft of water frontage,
dock, well & electric already in!
Located on a privately secluded cul-
de-sac with great fishing, boating
or just relaxing. $149,900
420 Acres With Private
ROSCOMMON COUNTY
402 Reindeer
4BR/2BA home with Houghton Lake
Lake in Central Michigan
water access! Huge yard, big rooms,
new carpet & paint welcomes you
into this home. This home features
water access, docking on Houghton
Lake with large pavilion and play
area for the family. Great home
priced to sell! $119,900
KIGAR

GET NOTICED!
h a
Wit Ad!
LIST YOUR PROPERTY

TODAY!
420 acres with 100 + acre private lake All maintenance equipment included,

Real Estate
with dam for sale in central Michigan
(great investment opportunity). Great
fishing and huntingMichigan trout
stream, mature bucks harvested every
year. Over two miles of water frontage,
standing timber with enough pine to
make 30 log homes. Seven miles of
trails, rolling hills, paved roads, has
natural gas line on property. Lodge
Call: (810) 724-0254 (brick house) with fireplace. Three
stoarge buildings and workshop.
or email our team at WnW@pageone-inc.com Includes all boats with pontoon boat.
mowers, tractor, dozer, crane, etc.
Would make a great church camp,
hunting resort or lake development.
Frontage on three county roads. Gravel
and sand deposits on property, also oil
rights. Ann Clarks Trust. $4,000,000 or
best offer. Special terms for non-profit.
Call Robert Clark at
810-629-9376
Email: johnclark1954@hotmail.com
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 89
 Year Around Home/ Cottage for Sale
Year around home/ cottage for
sale in the heart of play land,
Ruby Creek. Minutes from the
Pere Marquette River, Big Star
Lake, Hamlin Lake, Pentwater
and Ludington. Thousands
of acres of public land just a
few yards from your property.
Ten wooded acres, gorgeous 2
Priced at $129K!
bedroom home and a 24 X 28
pole barn.
Contact Jack Payne of Best Homes of Michigan
at 616-566-7713 for further details.
95 Acres in SW Hillsdale County
Near
Marlette
in Sanilac
County
40 acres in CRP until 10/18, 55 acres wooded.
3BDR/2 full bath-manufactured home with new
furnace/water heater, fireplace, and detached $
garage. Excellent hunting with food plots, tower 3,400 per acre
blinds, trails, and trail cams pics upon request.
Plenty of walnut, maple and oak trees.
Contact Mike 586-344-8488.
Address is 10580 Grover Road in Reading, MI.
$345,000 and willing to split up property
for reasonable offers

Good hunting and fishing!

Sunny Cove CALL
100 810-724-0254
Hunting * Subdivision
Preserve East of canal

Acres,
Saginaw Bay
*
TO PLACE YOUR
Dyked & AD TODAY!
Farm

Isolated *
Dredge

Wetland
200+ gated acres available for yearly lease. Planned boat docks with power and P.O. Box 278 594 N. Almont Ave. Imlay City, MI 48444
Phone: (810) 724-0254 Fax: (810) 724-8552
offsite boat ramp. mile canal with 2 dredged channels to the Saginaw Bay, casino
within 1 mile. Camp sites with power. Perfect for hunt clubs! References needed. Check out our website:
EMAIL DJRMVP@GMAIL.COM BY APPOINTMENT ONLY www.woods-n-waternews.com

PINE LAKE PROPERTY - PRICE REDUCED!!

$80,000.00 DON'T MISS THIS ONE!

Parcels C & D on survey are 11.81 wooded acres on a private spring fed lake in
Mecosta County. This is a hunter's and fisherman's paradise complete with 705
feet of lake frontage. The Southwest corner of the property is 80 feet above lake
level and gently slopes downward to an expanding vista of lake frontage. All
lake front property surrounding this lake is owned by five individual owners.
There is privacy galore! But, if you prefer more action, Chippewa Lake, an all
sports lake, is only one mile away. There is a well on the property (condition
unknown). Motivated seller! SEV is over $65,000.00 This land would make an
excellent hunter's retreat, fisherman's camp or a campground. It has to be seen
to be appreciated.
For more information call
734-325-3103 or 989-463-2975

Thomas B. Camp Alma, MI 48801

90 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS

WE NEED LISTINGS 40+ ACRES AND LARGER
5 Bedroom, 6 Bath Custom
Home, 3,000 ft. Dake Lake.
4 Car Attached 2 Story
Garage, Horse Barn with
Stables, Fenced Pasture, $
Great Hunting and Fishing!
Alcona County, 240 Acres,
House, Barns, Pond, Stream, Food Plots
$499,000
LD
SO
Calhoun Co, 86+/- Acres
750 ft. Frontage on Prairie Lake, 1 Mile Frontage Tawas Lake, Kunze River Crosses Property,
Big Buck Hunting, Outbuildings
$349,000
Newaygo County, 40 Acres
32x48 Pole Barn with Water &
Electric, 20 Ac Old Apple Orchard,
20 Ac Hardwoods, Great Hunting
$215,000
Newaygo County, 125 Acres, Three
spring fed lakes, Excellent Deer, Frontage on 9 Mile Rd & Cottonwood Rd, Remote Property, Nice Forest,
Turkey and Waterfowl hunting
$375,000
www.
231-652-7000
- or -
231-250-8200
80 ACRES, 359+/- ACRES,
TUSCOLA &
BARRY GENESEE
COUNTY COUNTIES
30 Acre Private Lake, 3,400
sq ft Custom Lodge,
$
1,950,000
70x70 Pole Barn, 60x120
Pole Barn, 2 Rental
1,650,000
Houses, 26 Ladder Stands,
5 Elevated Box Blinds
Antrim County, 52+/- Acres Calhoun County, 67+/- Acres
Alpena County, 316+/- Acres, Good Trails Rolling Hardwoods, Pole Barn Branch County, 43+/- Acres, Big Bucks, Calhoun Co, 61 Acres 300 ft. All Sports Prairie Lake, Calhoun County, 70+/- Acres
Lodge sleeps 10, Professionally Managed Forest with Living Quarters, Excellent Hunting Cold Creek Crosses Property, Nice Woods 2,500 ft. St. Joseph River, Excellent Hunting 1/2 Tillable, 1/2 Wooded House, Pole Barn, Pond, River, Elevated Blind
$439,000 $129,000 $136,500 $139,900 $275,000 $289,000
L D
SO
Missaukee County, 80 Acres Newaygo County, 5+/- Acres Newaygo County, 36+/- Acres
Iosco County, 783+/- Acres, Jackson County, 54+/- Acres, 2,000 ft Kalkaska County, 40 Acres, Cabin, Barn, Mason County, 35+/- Acres, Farm Land Pond, Professionally Managed 557 ft White River Frontage, 1/2 Farm Land, M-37 Frontage, 1000s of
5 Bedroom Log Lodge, 3 Miles from East Tawas
Grand River Frontage, Trail System Trout Pond, Excellent Hunting on 2 Sides, Heavy Bedding Cover Forest, Food Plots Open, 1/2 Wooded acres Public Land 1/2 mile Away
$1,250,000 $179,900 $115,000 $52,500 $129,500 $41,000 $50,400
LD
O
S
Newaygo County, 40 Acres Newaygo County, 60 Acres Newaygo Co, 80 Acres Newaygo County, 80 Acres Newaygo County, 80 Acres Newaygo County, 80 Acres Newaygo Co, 99 Acres,
Heavily Wooded, Excellent QDM, Trophy Bucks Rolling Hardwoods, Great Rustic Cabin, Pond, Nice 4,600 ft. White River Frontage, Planted Pines, Great Cover,
Close to Federal Land, Pole Barn,
Hunting, Building Sites Harvested, Great Parcel Great Hunting Hunting, 2 Bedroom Mobile Woods, Good Trail System Great Hunting and Fishing County Road Frontage
$60,000 $90,000 $140,000 $150,000 $129,000 $189,000 $198,000
LD LD
SO
O
S
Newaygo County, 160 Acres Oceana County, 100+/- Acres Osceola Co, 54+/- Acres Osceola County, 167 Acres Presque Isle County, 47+/- Presque Isle County, 80 Ac
650 ft. Frontage Nice Cabin, Good Trail Acres, 2 Bedroom House, Pole Presque Isle Co, 63+/- Ac Creek Frontage, 24x24 Garage,
Adjacent to National Forest Good Deer Population All Sports Grass Lake System, Excellent Hunting Barn, Excellent Hunting Carp Creek, Food Plots, Hunting Blinds Excellent Hunting
$400,000 $150,000 $225,000 $399,000 $99,000 $69,300 $90,000
WildLifeRealty.com
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 91
 WEST MICHIGAN
Experience & Expertise We will Work for You RECREATIONAL PROPERTIES
OPENING DOORS TO THE AMERICAN DREAM!! Gorgeous Muskegon
Riverfront Home.
Extra large Lot.
MLS#16032256 - $85,000 WATERFRONT Private No Wake Black Lake Mecosta 200 frontage. Close
County. This Very Cute 2 bedroom/ 1 Full Bath cottage is turn-key 3 season to rails to trails.
home. With a space heater you could use this as a winter ice-fishing getaway.
With almost 70+ private frontage and only 4 other cottages on the lake you will 4 room/3.5 bath
enjoy the peace and quiet needed to refresh for the long week. Local Fisher- $240,000
19990 INDIAN DRIVE, PARIS, MI
man say this is a Great Bass Fishing Lake. Contact Erv Moore for a private tour
989-560-1101
Immaculate property
MLS#17004437 - $145,000 HUNTING RETREAT in MID-MICHIGAN. This home close to Manistee
is a 1994 Fairpoint Manufactured Home on 36+ Acres with two large pole
barns. This 3 bedroom/ 2 Full Bath Mobile offers plenty of space for a growing National Forest.
family or can be great for an Up North Retreat and plenty of room in either 36 x 40 pole barn,
the 24X40 or 24X60 Pole Barns. Land is mixed with about 12 Acres tillable and matching 24 x 36
rest wooded. garage. 3.5 acres.
MLS#16017181 - $35,500 LAKE ISABELLA DEEDED ACCESS. Ideal Building 3bed/2 bath $350,000
Site within a short distance to Lake Isabella. Site has already been partially 1133 W. OUR DRIVE, IRONS, MI
cleared and is ready for your dream home. Owner is motivated so not be afraid
to offer any reasonable offer. Natures Paradise,
MLS#16022456 - $72,500 HUNTING LAND in MECOSTA COUNTY. This par- Riverfront home
tially wooded recreational property in located a short drive off from M66 and on 20 wooded
Barryton. Corner two roads and owner has taken trophy bucks and small game acres. Lots of deer
off for years. and turkey with
approx. 1200 of
river frontage.
Proud member of multiple listings service. Non-Franchised-locally owned & managed. NO ADMIN/MAINTENANCE FEES!!!!! 3 bed/2 bath
5421 W. RIVER ROAD, MOUNT PLEASANT, MI $435,000
120 E. Main, Edmore MI 48829
www.eaglerealtymi.com Like Us On
Facebook (231)
888.967.4140 121 Cass St.
629-4800
Brian Thompson, RealtorMorley, MI 49336 Jackie Bissonette, Realtor
Check Out All Our Listings at www.WeSellMichigan.com

Vacation Cabin Bayak Beach Assoc. Big Star Lake Access Chain OLakes Spacious Cottage
1 Bed 1 Bath 2 Bed 1 Bath 2 Bed 1 Bath 2 Bed 1 Bath 3 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 17006202 $11,900 MLS 16039310 $28,900 MLS 16028086 $39,900 MLS 16041257 $47,900 MLS 14032716 $25,000

1+ Acres 2 Acres 25 Acres 2+ Acres 9 Acres

3 Bed 1 Bath 2 Bed 2 Bath 1 Bed 1 Bath 2 Bed 1 Bath 2 Bed 2 Bath
MLS 16042664 $42,500 MLS 16015622 $49,900 MLS 16057584 $69,900 MLS 17008222 $48,000 MLS 16044803 $32,000

VACANT ACREAGE - LAND CONTRACT TERMS

Wooded 20 acres with Federal Land close by. Easy access to trails and Level, nicely wooded 5 Acre parcel with a mix of hard and soft wood.
endless hours of recreational activities. Additional acreage available. MLS Excellent for hunting, close to State Land, in the heart of ORV country.
17003558 $44,900 Additional acreage available. MLS 16056902 $17,900

Beautifully wooded, square 9.7 acre parcel with Hundreds of Acres of
State Land in the back. Level with a mix of hard and soft woods. More
acreage available, access through easement. MLS 16056303 $26,900
Beautifully wooded, square 9.65 acre parcel with Hundreds of Acres of
State Land on 2 sides. Level with a mix of hard and soft woods. Trail Head is
located just down the road. MLS 16056091 $27,900
Five acres of lovely secluded woods bordering Federal Land. A driveway has
been put in next to a small clearing for a campsite.MLS 17001254 $17,900
Wooded 7 Acre parcel close to the Manistee National Forest. Excellent for
camping, building or other outdoor pursuits. MLS 17003144 $23,900
Well wooded 2.5 acre corner parcel just down the road from the Pere
Marquette River and close to the trails and federal land. Great price, great
spot and great terms. MLS 15058354 $11,900
Lovely acreage, it is really a great place to get away! Build a cabin or simply
use it for camping- close to ORV trails and San Born Creek is just down the
street. MLS 16057602 $9,900

92 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS

 HUNTING LAND FOR SALE

BRANDON CROPSEY CHUCK KEEFER EDMUND NOGASKI JAKE EHLINGER

Broker, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist
Michigan Central Michigan Northern Michigan Southeast Michigan
(269) 816-3010 (989) 600-4112 (231) 330-4107 (517) 937-2118
MICHAEL TURNER SHAD WOODRUFF SHAWN KELLEY TONY HANSEN
Agent, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist
Eastern Michigan West Central Michigan Southeast Michigan Central Michigan
(248) 770-4898 (989) 330-4032 (586) 292-1812 (269) 420-9510

CONTACT AN AGENT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BUYING AND

SELLING HUNTING, FARMLAND AND TIMBERLAND

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

MI_WNW_ad_9.83x13.indd 1 WNW NEWS2/27/17

APRIL 10:47 93
2017AM
 ONLINE LAND AUCTION
210 Acres +/- Wooded, Offices Serving Lower &
Recreational & Farm Land Upper Michigan
Kingston & Lamotte Twp, Bringing people and places together since 1945
MI (TUSCOLA & SANILAC CO) VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY!

@ www.Bidnow.us
statewiderealestate.net
BIDDING OPENS 4/4 AND CLOSES TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017 @ 5 PM! Houghton
Location: Parcel #1/#2 are 3 miles North of the M46/M53 intersection on M53 to
Bevens Rd., then West 1 mile on Snover/Bevens Rd. Marquette
Newberry
Curtis
Note: This property has been used as a hunt club for many years, practicing
Iron Mountain Manistique
quality deer management. The property has been groomed for hunting: trails,
shooting lanes, pond, lots of deer feed, etc. The farm land has been farmed Gladstone
Escanaba Onaway
organically ever since coming out of CRP. Powers Hawks
Menominee Hillman
Parcel #1: 155 Ac. +/- Wooded and Recreational Property w/ Approx. 30 Tillable Alpena
Marinette
Atlanta
Acres (20 Ac. Tiled) in Tuscola Co., Kingston Twp. Section 13.
Mio Harrisville
Parcel #2: 55.43 Ac. +/- Wooded and Recreational Property w/ Tillable Acres in
Sanilac Co., Lamotte Twp. Section 18. Approx. 26 Ac. Mature Woods, Approx. 11
Ac. Tillable and Balance Recreational Skidway Lake
Hunting Land.
(Parcel #1 & #2 are adjoining and will be offered
Almont
individually and in combination).
Fleming Revocable Living Trust Linden
Call, See Web for Bidder Packet! Howell
We can place bids for you if you need assistance.

Albrecht Auction Service

989.823.8835 Contact Your Nearest State Wide Real
www.BidNow.us Estate Office To Buy or Sell In Michigan
ALPENA HILLMAN MARQUETTE
1100 W. Chisholm, 49707 14938 State Street, P.O. Box 98, 49746 856 W. Washington, 49855
email: alpswre@speednetllc.com email: statewidehillman@yahoo.com email: sw@statewiderealestate.org
TARGET REAL ESTATE SPECIALIZES IN
989-356-2142 Fax: 989-356-2144 989-742-4523 800-228-7856 906-228-9312 Fax: 906-228-8069
WATERFRONT HOMES AND HUNTING PARCELS Fax: 989-742-3931
WE REPRESENT BUYERS AND SELLERS
MENOMINEE
OSCODA AU GRES ALMONT 3631 10th Street, 49858
844 Van Dyke Road HOUGHTON
lafrancesharon@yahoo.com email: statewideone@newbc.rr.com
500 Shelden Ave., 49931 906-863-9905
810-798-8591 Fax: 810-798-8079 email: dick@statewideofhoughton.com
906-482-6955 800-676-6323 Fax: 906-863-7935
Fax: 906-482-7699
CURTIS/NEWBERRY MIO
Main Street, P.O. Box 305, 49820 102 West 8th St., P.O. Box 395, 48647
227 of sandy frontage on Cedar Lake in St. 150 of Lake Huron frontage. Rare wooded building email: swcurtis@sbcglobal.net email: info@statewidemio.com
Georges Point Subdivision. Build your dream home lot is 380 deep and priced below SEV. Natural gas
906-586-9606 Fax: 906-586-9607 HOWELL/LINDEN 989-826-3292
1285 S. Michigan Ave., Howell, MI 48843
on this .74 acre lot surrounded by upscale homes. and city water are available at the street.
MLS 1826558 $124,000 MLS 1746047 $250,000
email: statewid@earthlink.net Fax: 989-826-2108
TAWAS CITY-$19,900, Several building lots totaling .91 acres. Natural gas, electric, city water and sewer are ESCANABA 517-546-9060 800-531-4449
available. Just a short distance from town, Tawas Bay and all products and services offered in the area. The lots are 2209 Ludington Street, 49829 Fax: 517-546-9148
well wooded and front on both North River Street and Jefferson. MLS#1823999 ONAWAY
MIKADO-$23,800, Square ten acre parcel with McGillis Creek crossing the property. Potential building site off
email: escanaba@statewiderealestate.net M-33 & M-68,
Hubbard Lake Rd.; level area with lots of White Pine and Balsam, views of the creek could be enjoyed from your 906-786-1308 800-900-0777 P.O. Box 478, 49765
new home! MLS#1826002 Fax: 906-786-1388 IRON MOUNTAIN
231 East A. St. email: bigdan@frontier.com
EAST TAWAS-$24,900, Wooded building lot in area of newer homes. The 155x371(1.33 acre) lot includes a
cleared site. Natural gas and city water available. MLS#1810535 Iron Mountain, MI 49807 989-733-6522
EAST TAWAS-$29,900, Nice 10 acre parcel close to downtown East Tawas. Rolling terrain w/Oak, Red, and GLADSTONE 906-828-2525 Fax: 989-733-2427
White Pine. Potential for a pond in front of a possible building site! MSL#1813608 1401 Delta Ave., Fax: 906-828-2727
GREENBUSH-$54,900, 45 acres of hunting land off the beaten path. This rolling parcel is heavily wooded with Gladstone, MI 49837 email: steve@multistatewide.com
hardwoods and evergreens. Call today. MLS#1799569 POWERS
WHITTEMORE-$195,000, 120 acre hunting parcel. Diverse terrain with red oak, white oak, and red pine. 906-825-9000
Numerous areas for food plots. Deer, turkey, partridge and other game are plentiful. MLS#1778247 email: judy@statewiderealestate.net W3776 US2 & 41, 49874
NATIONAL CITY- NEW PRICE - $249,000, 80 acre Ponchos Sand Creek Longhorn Ranch now available. MANISTIQUE 906-497-4190
Working farm with 5 bdrm/1 bath home, barns, outbuildings, pastures and approx. 10 acres of woods. MLS#1819844 10 N. State Highway M-149 Fax: 906-497-5328
HARRISVILLE
430 S. US-23, 48740 Cooks, MI 49817 holly@statewiderealestate.net
MORE PARCELS ARE AVAILABLE . . . 906-644-2304
CALL TODAY FOR MORE DETAILS email: sold@anjstatewide.com
866-496-4400 989-724-5711 800-655-5735 email: dekeysermary@yahoo.com
Fax: 989-724-6833 SKIDWAY LAKE
TARGET REAL 2228 Greenwood Rd.,
ESTATE COMPANY MARINETTE, WISCONSIN Prescott, 48756
701 W. Bay Street, East Tawas, MI 48730 HAWKS
Office (989)362-4400 Cell (989)370-2152 8383 Hwy. 451, 49743 1460 Marinette Ave., 54143 email: atlas@m33access.com
info@TargetRealEstate.com email: rita8383@yahoo.com email: statewidemarinette@yahoo.com 989-873-3601
www.TargetRealEstate.com
989-734-4846 715-735-9964 Fax: 715-732-1107 Fax: 989-873-6914

94 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS

Two Pieces of Paradise
Tremendous Savings!

MORE LIKE A RESORT THAN A HOME! OFFERED FOR QUICK SALE

IN NAUBINWAY, MICHIGAN IN LEWISTON, MICHIGAN
Beautifully crafted log home on the Black River. This unique 3 br., 2.5 ba. Beautiful 4 br., 3 ba. home on 10 acres with southern exposure and impecca-
"Grand Lodge" offers quality/structural construction from the steel deck to ble attention to detail. Home features natural fireplace on main level, wood-
the custom woodwork and unique trim work throughout. Features include a stove insert in lower level capable of heating entire home. 5 zone bbhw boiler
double-sided field stone fireplace, open living area, geothermal heating/cool- heat, central vacuum system and all appliances including newer Whirlpool
ing, hot tub, 2 steam showers, granite, heated tile, vaulted ceilings and plenty Duet washer/dryer combo (Fall, 2015), dishwasher, range, refrigerator and
of glass to view nature and the river below. Great hunting and snowmobiling microwave. A detached 26x28 storage
area. 35 minutes to St. Ignace and the Mackinac Bridge and 1/4 mile to Lake barn with loft and radiant overhead tube
Michigan. The Black River is a desig- heater plus large attached enclosed stor-
nated year around Trout Stream. The age area. Home was resealed with Sikens
owner says "The steelhead run starts in Fall, 2015. Deer plots, garden area and
in April and I have personally caught so much more! Deer, turkey, partridge
12" to 14" brook trout, right out the hunting very good. Car port for 5th wheel
front door!" Well over $1 million spent or motorhome with 30 amp hook-up.
on this house. Since the purchase of Snowmobile trail head nearby. Private
this house it has been completely setting, many improvements done. Just 3
stained and sealed with Sikens. It has
a one car garage and 42' x 46' cement
CALL TODAY! miles to All Sports Twin Lakes.

slab in place to add pole barn. 941-915-4141 CALL TODAY! 941-915-4141

$365,000
*Priced way under market value, must be seen to fully appreciate!
$265,000
*Offered for quick sale, here in downtown Lewiston, on County Rd. 612, maintained black top road.

PRIVATE COLLECTION OFFERED FOR SALE

1989 GMC Short 1970 Chevy 4x4 Long
1959 El Camino 1977 Ford Ranchero Box Stepside 1984 Cadillac box, 1/2 Ton Pick-up 1961 Corvette
Runs & drives & looks good, V-8, auto, air, runs & Custom 10K paint job. 65K miles, air, 51K miles, loaded. 400 V-8, mild cam, auto, Convertible
but needs restoration. drives & looks good. auto, runs & drives & looks great. Very nice car. A bargain at... P.B, P.S. Nicely restored. Both tops, 350, 4 sp., beautiful car.
$
15,500 00 $
9,900 00
13,900
$ 00 $
5,500 00 $
16,500 00 $
58,500 00

1967 F-100
1966 Chevy Impala 1965 Cobra 1958 GMC 1990 Chevy SS 1984 Ford F-150 2 owner truck with 40K actual
2 dr., 396, badges, air cond., Fact-five kit car, custom 15K paint, 3100 P/U Short box, 350, 454 fully loaded with only S/box, 2wd, auto, air, P.S., miles, V-8, stick. Like new
beautiful car, drive anywhere. over 700 h.p. Only 5K miles auto, air, P.S., beautiful truck. 10K actual miles, LIKE NEW! P.B., very nice truck! in & out! New wheels & tires.
$
29,500 00 $
32,500
00 $
25,000
00 $ 00
25,500 $
9,500 00 $
15,000 00

CALL 941-915-4141
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 95
 3 Bdrm, 1 bth home. 240 Acres. Built 2005. 1 Bdrm, 1 bth Bungalow. Sweet bachelor pad. 2/3 Bdrm, 2 bth home-camp. 120 Acres. 26
1200 Sq. Ft., fireplace, gar, sauna, trails. Rock. Cozy cottage, mega large garage. Stonington. Acre lake with fish. Great home too! Daggett.
$399,000 1090655 $99,000 1099358 $229,000 1095255

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

well, septic, and electric. Wilson.
2 Bdrm camp. 40 Acres. 24x30 Pole bldg.
Built 2000. Adjoins State land. Rock.
2 Bdrm, 1 bth camp. 18 Acres.
2 Car gar with deer blinds. Ensign.
ACRES AVAILABLE $179,000 1096747 $99,000 1096936 $55,900 1097355
FROM $5200 TO $526,200.
Escanaba
2209 Ludington Street
(906) 786-1308 1 Bdrm, 1 bth cottage. Escanaba River. 10
3 Bdrm camp. 80 Acres. Pond. 2 Bdrm, 1 bth home. 40 Acres, 2 barns, 1/3 Acres. Great frontage. 1100 Sq. Ft. Fireplace.
Trails adjacent to public land. Cornell. pasture, fenced, 2/3 wooded. Rapid River. Elec heat. Power. Cornell.
Powers $109,000 1097817 $124,900 1098267 $55,000 1098513
W3776 US 2 & 41
(906) 497-4190

Gladstone
1401 Delta Ave.
(906) 825-9000
1 Bdrm, 1 bth cottage. Maywood Shores.
2 Bdrm, 1 bth camp. 120 Acres. Well, septic, Point well, septic, mature trees, 100 Ft. Cozy 1 bdrm camp on 4.2 acres. Electricity.
power. Private. Good hunting. Osier. Stonington. Outbldgs. Furnishings included. Stonington
$109,000 1098771 $74,900 1098958 $41,000 1099277

96 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS

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

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

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

HOMES/CABINS - ACREAGE AND WATER FRONTAGE!!!

1826749 1822179 1825811 1816928 1824115

30 WALK TO OVER AN 70+ ACRES!! LARGE

GORGEOUS POPULAR
CLEAR ACRE!! POND!!
ACRES!!
LAKE!!
Over 3000 square feet, 4-bdrms, full walkout Cute 2-bdrm home or nice getaway w/open floor Great year round has 3-bdrm, 2 full bath, open Fantastic hunting property with tons of wildlife in the Spacious 3-bdrm on 3 WOODED ACRES! Has large
basement, mostly finished, family room, deck, plan, some appliances & full basement. In great floor plan, kitchen island and pantry, deck, covered area!! Nice 3-bdrm ranch-style home that is move-in garage, pellet stove, lots of storage, lower level w/
porch, lots of wildlife to enjoy, heavily wooded w/ recreational area!! porch area, two car garage, beautiful views and in ready with appliances and mostly furnished! Great family room and bar area, nice kitchen with appliances
nice views, garage and your own pond!! 2015 new windows and roof were installed!! year round residence w/garage for storage!! and pantry & newer roof. Needs some TLC!
$174,900 $59,000 $57,900 $249,900 $84,500
1810533 1799930 1828249 1826379 1817508
ALL BEAUTIFUL AUSABLE TRAILS SPACIOUS
SPORTS VIEWS!! THRU-OUT!! YEAR-
LAKE!!
LAKE!!
ROUND!!
3-bdrm w/detached garage on channel leading to A great mix of mature trees & 13 ACRES Spacious 3-bdrm w/over 1800 square feet, beamed 80 GORGEOUS ACRES excellent for hunting Nice 2-story home on 4.67 WOODED ACRES!
Elbow Lake! Has bright kitchen w/island and pantry, surrounds 3-bdrm, 2 full bath home! Great hunting ceilings, FP, 12x24 breezeway, 32x24 heated or nature walking! 3-bdrm, full basement, suite, Fantastic views, appliances incl washer & dryer,
master suite, wrap-around deck, beautiful views, boat or watching wildlife, large deck, covered front garage w/workshop and 70 on all sports lake!! circular drive, open floor plan, garage, wood stove, a bath on each floor & garage. On paved road,
dock and an ACRE OF LAND!! porch, oversized garage, 3 sheds & much more!! large windows, beautiful views & so much more!! near State lands & a generator is included!!
$162,500 $116,000 $136,000 $219,900 $89,900
1827203 1818044 1827987 1805656 1798150
SMALL STUNNING 40 ACRE SECLUDED BEAUTIFUL
CABIN!! HUNT
RIVERFRONT!! HORSE CAPE COD!!
FARM!! CABIN!!
5.1 ACRES with quaint one bedroom cabin in Spacious 4-bdrm with large pole barn on 1.88 Gorgeous rolling property w/large outbuilding, 2-bdrm nestled on 18 WOODED ACRES Custom built 3-bdrm w/1170 feet of frontage
need of TLC. Would make an excellent getaway MOSTLY WOODED ACRES! Well-maintained, riding arena, 9 stalls, tack room, alley way, fenced ADJACENT TO STATE LAND!! Range, refrigerator, on beautiful AU GRES RIVER plus frontage on
and has a creek running thru. In nice recreational move-in ready, mostly furnished, FP, appliances, pastures & nice 2 bedroom home!! propane lights and gravity tank. Perfect spot to call Nester Creek!! Tons of great amenities, some
area, wooded and on convenient paved road! patio, deck, steps to River and much more!! your weekend getaway or hunting cabin!! newer appliances, AC, views, deck & much more!!
$20,000 $162,000 $250,000 $64,900 $285,000

1821838
GREAT
FISHING!!
Large lot with approximately 75 feet of water frontage
on CHANNEL LAKE. Desirable gentle slope to water
and potential building site for your home. Youc can
also boat from here to LAKE GEORGE!!
VACANT WATERFRONT
1828275 1824102 1807839 1790612
BEAUTIFUL FOREST ELBOW LAKE!! OVER A
LAKE
VIEWS!!
LAKE!! HALF ACRE!!
60 of water frontage on no wake lake w/stairs to Gorgeous lakefront lot in super nice subdivision Beautiful partly wooded lot with 85 feet of nice water Beautiful wooded property on all sports LAKE
waters edge, RV hook-ups for your guests, nice deck with many great amenities!! On paved road w/elec frontage on 41 acre ALL SPORTS lake. Potential OGEMAW. On paved road with gentle slope to
& small one room cabin!! at road and potential site for building your dream site where you can build your dream Up North water and potential building site for your new dream
waterfront home or Up North getaway cabin!! home or weekend cabin with nice lake views!! home or weekend vacation home!! LC terms!!

$34,900 $36,000 $43,000 $25,900 $89,900

VACANT ACREAGE
1790214 1819515 1791955 1822267 1819170
OVER 7 94 MATURE 9+ ACRES!! 10+ ACRES!!
ACRES!! ACRES!! TREES!!

Excellent spot for hunting with some low lands,
some open areas for food plots and mostly wooded
for great wildlife cover. Property is on convenient
paved road and there is a 24x24 GARAGE!!
$23,900
1824120
A perfect spot to call your hunt camp with elec at
road and an abundance of mature trees and wildlife.
Possible land contract terms, survey on file, and you
can walk to HARDWOOD LAKE from property!!
$149,900
1824632
Great hunting parcel with 10 WOODED ACRES
with trails, some lowlands and an abundance of
a variety of great wildlife in the area. On county
maintained road for added convenience!!
$26,500
1827854
This parcel is just over 9 ACRES and mostly cleared
and previously farmed. Located in great area and
potential site for your new home or vacation cabin
with lots of potential for growing your own food!!
$27,000
1818920
This property is just over 10 ACRES and in partly
wooded. Could be a great place for your new home,
weekend/vacation getaway or hunt cabin! Great
area, priced to sell and numerous farms in vicinity!!
$28,000
1821383

BEAUTIFUL 22.8 ACRES!! 5 ACRES!! VIEW OF 110 ACRES!

SETTING!! LOON LAKE!!

13.6 ACRES in gorgeous rural setting for your new Beautiful wooded property conveniently located on Beautiful wooded property w/driveway and electric. Fantastic hunting parcel of 45 WOODED Excellent hunting property that also BORDERS
home or cabin. Just a short distance to town for paved road with electric available. Great site to Secluded, near thousands of acres of St land and ACRES! A great variety of mature trees and lots STATE LAND ON 3 SIDES!! The ultimate place to
shopping and restaurants and not too far from acres build your dream home or hunting cabin with lots potential site for your new home/getaway!! of wildlife with trails thru-out, a cleared 2 acre call your hunt camp, mostly wooded, with a creek
of State land for trails and year round fun!! of mature trees and a variety of wildlife in area!! spot for food plots or building & 4 hunting blinds!! running thru plus many trails and wildlife galore!!

$30,000 $39,900 $18,400 $119,900 $209,900

FOR MORE LISTINGS

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.CAHANES.COM
WNW NEWS APRIL 2017 97
 DAN DAN LOG CABIN
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WHOLESALE TO THE PUBLIC CHECK
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Queen Size Log Headboard $

7500
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98 APRIL 2017 WNW NEWS
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AT FRE
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Holding Power
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201 Industrial Way, Fenton, MI 517-202-2949
or available at...
THE KNOWLEDGEABLE BOATERS A BETTER
SPORTS
CENTER
BEST CHOICE MOUSE TRAP
Visit us at www.freeway-sports.com for a complete listing of boats!
FULL SERVICE PARTS & ACCESSORIES
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96
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 VANGUARD MODULAR CHASSIS
The heart of the Modular Chassis rifle, the renowned Vanguard action, is affixed to a CNC-machined, 6061 aluminum
chassis that has a black, hard-anodized finish. The svelte, minimalist fore-end features hole spacing for Magpul MOE L5
(11 slot) and L3 (7 slot) accessory rails for true customization, as well as a stud to which a bipod and/or sling can
be attached. Meanwhile, its oversize trigger guard grants a gloved finger unimpeded access to the trigger.

FEATURES INCLUDE: STOCK:

SUB-MOA accuracy guarantee (.99 or less 3-shot CNC machined, hard anodized, 6061 aluminum chassis
group at 100 yards when used with Weatherby Hole spacing for Magpul L5(11 slot) and L3 (7 slot) rails
factory or premium ammunition) Fully adjustable LUTH-AR MBA-1 buttstock.
Adjustable Match Quality, Two-stage Trigger Hogue Overmolded grip with finger grooves
Fluted Bolt Body Detachable polymer 10 round magazine
One-piece Machined Bolt Body
BARREL AND METALWORK:
Fully Enclosed Bolt Sleeve
Matte, bead blasted, blued finish
3-Position Safety
20-inch free floated, threaded barrel
Cold Hammer Forged Barrel
Thread patterns: 1/2-28 for 223 Rem and 5/8-24
Integral Recoil Lug
for 6.5 Creedmoor and 308 Win
Hinged Floorplate
#3 contour

31516 Harper Avenue

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

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

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