JANUARY 2018 $4.

00

Woods-n-Water News
Michigans Premier Outdoor Publication

BIG
BUCKS
2017
Logan
MacMillen Chris
Pratt
Chase
Burns

Brad
Spitzley Kevin
Kelly

10 Tricks for First Ice Gills Cottontail Craziness Wolf Populations

CWD Numbers Up West Nile Virus Found in Michigan Ruffed Grouse
Late Grouse Season Trophy Pike First Ice Safety Snowy Owls
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 Now through
December 31st
Cash & Carry Only.
Sorry, no layaways at
these prices

HUGE GUN SALE

100S OF GUNS ON SALE!
BRASS Plastic field box
of 300 rounds
MODEL 702
MODEL 220 20 GA. BOLT 9MM 115 GR. FMJ (BLO5200)....................... Sale 76
$ 99 PLINKSTER 22LR
Fiber optic sights, receiver grooved
ACTION SLUG GUNS 38 SPL 115 GR. FMJ (BLO5204) ........... Sale $13399 for scope mount.
357 MAG 158 GR. JHP (BLO5207) .... Sale $14499
40 S&W 165 GR. FMJ (BLO5210) ............. Sale $9999
Reg. $169.99

499 9 9
40 S&W 180 GR.
$
129 9 9
FMJ (BLO5220)................................ Sale $9999
Sale Prices $
Start at
45 ACP 230 GR.
FMJ (BLO5230)........................... Sale $12299 Sale OFM37001

HUNTER 450 CROSSFIRE

BUSHMASTER II 3-9X40MM FREE
AMERICAN 450
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T-SHIRT
W/VORTEX
BUSHMASTER
OPTIC
PURCHASE
*Availability

449 9 9
changes daily
From $
Sale
$
269 99
Only
$
149 99
CF2-31005
Only
*Availability changes daily

BPR 22 LR SNIPER 370

400 Round Box
Includes
MIGHTY BITE Reg. $24.99
illuminated
SMOKER
Expanded heat range. 1450 watt
heating element. 2 year warranty
Sale
$
19 9 9 reticle scope,
quiver, sling,
rope cocker.
Reg. $219.99
17HMR New Price $319.99

199 9 9
250 Rounds

169 $
Factory
$ 99 17 Gr. TNT HP
20 Gr. Game Point Your Choice
Sale LEM1292
20 Gr. FMJ
BLO0053, 0052, 0055 Sale
$
59 95 Refurbished
*Bolts not included
Cash &
Carry Only

MASSIVE CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR SALE

INSULATED TAKE AN ADDITIONAL
40% OFF
HOODED
JACKET $
39 9 9
SIZES M TO 2X.........
YELLOW STICKER SALE LADIES CASUAL
49 9 9
INSULATED $
BIBS
SIZES M TO 2X.........
ITEMS - COMBINED SPORTSWEAR
FALL-WINTER COLLECTION
SAVINGS UP TO
YOUTH
INSULATED $
JACKET......... 39 9 9 70% OFF 25%
REGULAR PRICE
OFF

HOLIDAY HOURS SALE PRICES 2208 W. M-43 Hwy.,

Hastings, MI
Christmas Eve 10 - 4 ON SELECTED 2 Miles West of
Christmas Day Closed CROSSBOWS Hastings On M-37 & M-43
269/945-4106
New Years Eve 10 - 4 & COMPOUND 2017
STOP IN OR SHOP ONLINE AT BOBSGT.COM
New Years Day Closed BOWS Limited quantity available on all items. Not responsible for printing errors. All items subject to prior
sale. *Discounts off regular everyday selling prices.
 SALES: 810-653-0490 CHAPMAN'S SPORTS CENTER SALES: 810-653-0490
CHAPMAN'S SPORTS CENTER
CHAPMAN'S SPORTS CENTER
5605 Davison Rd., 4 miles east
of Downtown Davison CHAPMAN'S SPORTS CENTER
5605 DAVISON RD
5605 Davison Rd., 4 miles east
of Downtown Davison
5605 DAVISON
DAVISON RD
RD Open 6 Days: Monday - Friday 9am-5pm;
LAPEER, MI Open 6 Days: Monday - Friday 9am-5pm;
5605 5605 DAVISON RD
Saturday 9am-2pm LAPEER, MI Saturday 9am-2pm
LAPEER, MI
LAPEER, MI www.chapmanssports.com www.chapmanssports.com

CHAPMAN'S SPORTS CENTER
Offers vary by model. Rebate and finance offers valid on select 2014-2018 new and unregistered models purchased between 11/1/17- 12/31/17. See your authorized dealer for complete details. Rates as low as 2.99% APR for 36 months.
5605 DAVISON RD
Examples of monthly payments required over a 36-month term at a 2.99% APR rate: $29.08 per $1,000 financed; and at an 6.99% APR rate: $30.87 per $1,000 financed. An example of a monthly payment with $0 down, no rebate, an APR of
2.99% APR for 36 months at a MSRP of $9,999.00 is $290.74; total cost of borrowing of $467.60 with a total obligation of $10,466.60. Down payment may be required. Other financing offers may be available. See your local dealer for details.
*Offers valid on new 2015 2018 Polaris snowmobiles. On approved Polaris purchases. Offer may not be combined with certain other offers, is subject to change and may be extended or terminated without further notice. Financing promotions
void where prohibited. Program minimum amount financed is $5,000 and 0% 10% down payment required. Sales tax, registration fees, and dealer fees not included. Rate and down payment based on credit approval criteria. Offer is subject
to credit approval. The 2 Year Factory Warranty offer consists of a standard 1 year factory warranty plus an additional 1 year of additional factory warranty coverage. The 3 Year Factory Warranty offer consists of a standard 1 year factory
warranty plus an additional 2 years of additional factory warranty coverage. The additional factory warranty offer is subject to a $50.00 deductible per visit after the first year. All rebates are paid to the dealer. Valid at participating Polaris
*Offers
dealers valid
only. on neware
2015 2018 Polaris snowmobiles. On approved Polaris purchases. Offer may not be combined with certain other offers, is subject to change and may be extended or terminated without further notice. Financing promotions

CHAPMAN'S SPORTS CENTER

Minimum Amount Financed $1,500; Maximum Amount Financed $50,000. Other qualifications and restrictions may apply. Financing promotions void where prohibited. Tax, title, license, and registration are separate and may not be Offers valid between 11/01/17 12/31/17.
Offers vary
financed. LAPEER, MI
by model.may
Promotion Rebate and finance
be modified offers valid without
or discontinued on selectnotice
2014-2018
at anynew
timeand unregistered
in Polaris models purchased between 11/1/17- 12/31/17. See your authorized dealer for complete details. Rates as low as 2.99% APR for 36 months.
sole discretion. void
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Examples of monthly payments required over a 36-month term at a 2.99% APR rate: $29.08 per $1,000 financed; and at an 6.99% APR rate: $30.87 per $1,000 financed. An example of a monthly payment with $0 down, no rebate, an APR of warranty plus anoffers
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WARNING: Polaris off-road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended for on-road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid drivers license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All
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on eligible
for details. advertised based on minimum score of 700. Amount Financed $1,500; $50,000.
and qualified units purchased from a participating Sheffield dealer. See dealer for product eligibility and qualifications between 11/1/2017 and 12/31/2017. Offer subject to change without
qualifications and
dont mix. All
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$1,500; training
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void where IndustriesTax,
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*Deferred payments: Example where the Amount Financed is $10,000, your Down Payment is $0 with no interest until March 1, 2018 and no payment until April 1, 2018 followed by 36 monthly payments of $311.02 each. Interest rate is 7.49%.
financed. Promotion may be modified or discontinued without notice at any time in Polaris sole discretion. LAPEER, MI
notice.
Note: The above financing programs are offered by Sheffield Financial, a Division of Branch Banking and Trust Company. Member FDIC. Subject to credit approval. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness.

WHY WAIT TIL BOAT SHOWS?

WARNING: Polaris off-road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended for on-road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid drivers license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All
riders should always wear helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Always use seat belts and cab nets or doors (as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns.Riding and alcohol/ drugs
dont mix. All riders should take a safety training course. Call 800-342-3764 for additional information. Check local laws before riding on trails. 2017 Polaris Industries Inc.
Offers vary by model. Rebate and finance offers valid on select 2014-2018 new and unregistered models purchased between 11/1/17- 12/31/17. See your authorized dealer for complete details. Rates as low as 2.99% APR for 36 months.
Other financing offers are available. See your local dealer for details. Rate advertised is based on minimum bureau risk score of 700. Minimum Amount Financed $1,500; Maximum Amount Financed $50,000. Other qualifications and
restrictions may apply. Offer effective on eligible and qualified units purchased from a participating Sheffield dealer. See dealer for product eligibility and qualifications between 11/1/2017 and 12/31/2017. Offer subject to change without
notice.

PURCHASE YOUR NEW BOAT NOW

Examples of monthly payments required over a 36-month term at a 2.99% APR rate: $29.08 per $1,000 financed; and at an 6.99% APR rate: $30.87 per $1,000 financed. An example of a monthly payment with $0 down, no rebate, an APR of
2.99% APR for 36 months at a MSRP of $9,999.00 is $290.74; total cost of borrowing of $467.60 with a total obligation of $10,466.60. Down payment may be required. Other financing offers may be available. See your local dealer for details.
Minimum Amount Financed $1,500; Maximum Amount Financed $50,000. Other qualifications and restrictions may apply. Financing promotions void where prohibited. Tax, title, license, and registration are separate and may not be
financed. Promotion may be modified or discontinued without notice at any time in Polaris sole discretion.

WARNING: Polaris off-road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended for on-road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid drivers license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All *Offers valid on new 2015 2018 Polaris snowmobiles. On approved Polaris purchases. Offer may not be combined with certain other offers, is subject to change and may be extended or terminated without further notice. Financing promotions
riders should always wear helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Always use seat belts and cab nets or doors (as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns.Riding and alcohol/ drugs void where prohibited. Program minimum amount financed is $5,000 and 0% 10% down payment required. Sales tax, registration fees, and dealer fees not included. Rate and down payment based on credit approval criteria. Offer is subject
dont mix. All riders should take a safety training course. Call 800-342-3764 for additional information. Check local laws before riding on trails. 2017 Polaris Industries Inc. to credit approval. The 2 Year Factory Warranty offer consists of a standard 1 year factory warranty plus an additional 1 year of additional factory warranty coverage. The 3 Year Factory Warranty offer consists of a standard 1 year factory

FOR BOAT SHOW INCENTIVES

warranty plus an additional 2 years of additional factory warranty coverage. The additional factory warranty offer is subject to a $50.00 deductible per visit after the first year. All rebates are paid to the dealer. Valid at participating Polaris
dealers only. Offers are valid between 11/01/17 12/31/17.
*Deferred payments: Example where the Amount Financed is $10,000, your Down Payment is $0 with no interest until March 1, 2018 and no payment until April 1, 2018 followed by 36 monthly payments of $311.02 each. Interest rate is 7.49%.
Note: The above financing programs are offered by Sheffield Financial, a Division of Branch Banking and Trust Company. Member FDIC. Subject to credit approval. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness.
Other financing offers are available. See your local dealer for details. Rate advertised is based on minimum bureau risk score of 700. Minimum Amount Financed $1,500; Maximum Amount Financed $50,000. Other qualifications and
restrictions may apply. Offer effective on eligible and qualified units purchased from a participating Sheffield dealer. See dealer for product eligibility and qualifications between 11/1/2017 and 12/31/2017. Offer subject to change without
notice.

CLOSE-OUTS ON ALL REMAINING 2017 BOATS IN-STOCK

SALES: 810-653-0490
5605 Davison Rd., 4 miles east
of Downtown Davison
Open 6 Days: Monday - Friday 9am-5pm;
Saturday 9am-2pm
www.chapmanssports.com
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 3
 By Tom Campbell Young at Heart

More deer
(Left) Charles Lowry age 93 is a World War
II veteran, enjoys hunting and fishing, and

stories
just being in the woods. He hunts with his
son-in-law Jim. They hunt turkey, spring
and fall, this year Charles took a turkey

W
ow! The great deer stories just keep com- with a crossbow. Charles still bowhunts,
ing and its our goal to share as many as riffle hunts, and muzzleloads!
possible. Here are a few great successful
stories and theres plenty more within the
pages of the January 2018 issue. Plus, there are three
pages of trophy pages in this issue (62-64).

Now, if you didnt get enough archery hunting,
which doesnt end statewide until Jan. 1, 2018. Well,
the MDNR has announced a new Urban Deer Manage-
ment Zone in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties
and beginning in 2018, a pilot program for an ex-
tended archery season in these three counties until Jan.
31, 2018.
Its these three counties only and all rules and
regulations for the archery season apply. The DNR
reminds hunters that baiting is not allowed after Jan.
1. Bait may not be used during this extended season.
Licenses including a deer license, combination deer
license or antlerless deer license will be valid during
the extended season.
This season will continue for three years, with an
evaluation completed after the 2019 season to deter-
mine if the season should be extended.
There can be excellent hunting opportunities
available for archery hunters in January, said Chad
Stewart, DNR deer specialist. This extended season
also could be used to help benefit municipalities by us-
ing archers as a low-cost first attempt to resolve their
urban deer conflicts.
Be aware that some bucks may have shed their
antlers and now appear as antlerless deer. Hunters are
encouraged to identify whether an animal is a doe or
a shed buck by looking closely at the top of its head
before making their harvest decision. Bucks that have
shed their antlers will have two circular markings on
the tops of their head indicating where the antlers de-
tached. Shed bucks may be tagged as antlerless deer;
however, the DNR encourages hunters to harvest does
on antlerless licenses when possible.n
Unique Rack!
Jonathan Borowski of Por t
Huron took this unique
13-point buck bowhunting St.
Clair Co. Oct. 26. He esti-
mates the 3 year-old buck
to score close to 160.
(Above) From our Facebook: 89-year-
old Don Bingham took this nice 8 pt in
Livingston Co.
Strip down and go get your trophy buck!
Joe Blugerman was sitting in his treestand on Nov. 25 with his single shot
HR 20 gauge. He was watching to his right and as he turned his head back
to the leftWow! There stood the biggest buck he had ever seen in his 35
years of hunting. Joe had no problem putting a clean kill shot; it was just
that the deer ran across the river and dropped on the other side. No ac-
cess was available from the other side of the river and the water went over
Joes waders. The only alternative was to strip to his underwear in total
darkness and swim with a rope to the other side? With the encouragement
of family members whod gather to help with the retrieve and one to video.
With rope in hand, Joe jumped in and swam to the other side, quickly tying
the rope to the deers antlers and getting a good grip on the rope himself,
his family pulled both across the river! Joes trophy, a 22 point that net
green scored over 200 inches!

Additional deer suspected to be positive for

SEASONS CWD identified throughout the firearm season

Open All Year Pike and walleye season on Lower Peninsula
Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair & St. Clair & Detroit Rivers
Open All Year Salmon and trout season on Great Lakes, St.
Marys River, Lake St. Clair & St. Clair & Detroit Rivers
Open All Year Catch-and-immediate-release bass season on
all Michigan waters open to fishing
Now-Dec. 31 Pure Michigan Hunt Application
Now-March 15 Pike, walleye seasons on L.P. inland waters,
U.P. Great Lakes, inland waters and St. Marys.
Now-Dec. 31 Bass; catch and keep season on all Michigan
waters open to bass fishing
Now-Mar. 31 Cottontail rabbit/snowshoe hare season
Now-Mar. 1 Squirrel season, fox and gray (black)
Now-Dec. 16 -- North Zone goose season
Now-Dec. 22 -- Middle Zone goose season
Now-Jan. 1 -- Pheasant season Zone 3 (partial)
Now-Dec. 17 -- Muzzleloading deer season in Zone 3
Dec. 18-Jan.1 - Late Antlerless Firearm
Dec. 16-17 -- Middle Zone duck season
Dec. 3031 -- South Zone duck season
Dec. 3031 -- South Zone goose season
Jan. 27Feb.15 (2018) -- South Zone goose season
*Consult the Michigan Hunting and Trapping Digest, Fishing Digest, or
other species-specific hunting digests for a more complete list of dates
and regulations regarding each season or hunt period.
MJC MJC
ARCHERY ARCHERY
MACOMB OAKLAND
19744 15 Mile Rd 3001 Rochester Rd
Clinton Twp. 48035 Royal Oak, MI 48073
586-791-4600 248-589-2480
4 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
W
ith the firearm deer season complete,
the MDNR has now identified a total
of 30 free-ranging white-tailed deer
that are confirmed or suspected to
have chronic wasting disease. Several thousand
additional samples are waiting testing by MSU, so
numbers for this deer season could still change.
Since May 2015 when the first CWD deer was
found, the DNR has tested approximately 23,000
deer. Of those tested, 30 cases of CWD have been
suspected or confirmed in deer from Clinton,
Ingham, Kent and Montcalm counties. CWD sus-
pect means that the deer tested positive on an initial
screening test, but has not yet been confirmed
through additional testing. It is very rare that a
CWD suspect will not be confirmed as a CWD-
positive animal, but it is possible.
From 2015 to 2016, a total of four deer (in
DeWitt, Eagle and Watertown townships) in Clinton
County tested positive. So far in 2017, a single
CWD suspect has been identified in Westphalia
Township, also in Clinton County. In Ingham
County, five deer from Meridian Township tested
positive from 2015 to 2016; since then, no deer from
Ingham County have tested positive for CWD.
In Montcalm County, a total of 17 deer from
the following townships are suspected or
confirmed to be positive for CWD: Cato,
Douglass, Fairplain, Maple Valley, Montcalm,
Pine, Reynolds, Sidney and Winfield. In Kent
County, three CWD-positive deer were found
in Nelson and Spencer townships. This is the
first year any CWD-suspect free-ranging deer
were found in Montcalm or Kent counties.
The fact that we have likely found so many
additional CWD-positive deer is a major concern for
Michigans deer population, said Chad Stewart,
DNR deer specialist. However, Michigan has a
comprehensive CWD response and surveillance plan
to guide our actions, and we will continue working
with hunters and taking proactive measures to con-
tain this disease.
To date, the DNR has:
Established a CWD Core and Management Zone
where CWD has been detected.
Implemented deer feeding and baiting bans
throughout entire CWD Core and Management
Zones.
Intensified surveillance of free-ranging deer in
CWD Management Zones, including mandatory
check and testing of all hunter-harvested deer within
Core CWD Areas.
Opened and staffed additional deer check sta-
tions to better accommodate hunters within Core
CWD Areas.
The DNR encourages hunters throughout the
state to continue to hunt responsibly and submit
their deer for CWD surveillance and testing.
Hunters are our best ally in understanding the
magnitude of chronic wasting disease in Michigan,
said Stewart. Its vital for hunters throughout the
state to continue to bring in their deer for testing,
and to talk to one another about the seriousness of
the situation and the actions they can take right now
to help limit the spread of CWD.
To learn more about CWD, and the current
known distribution of CWD in Michigan, visit mich-
igan.gov/cwd. Results are updated weekly.
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 5

HUNTING
COVER BUCKS...
Logan MacMillen
Ionia County Brute 11-Point
Jerry Lambert page 20
Chase Burns
Lake Co. Public Land Booner
Jerry Lambert page 21
Kevin Kelly
Kalamazoo County Monster
Jerry Lambert page 22
Chris Pratt
My First Buck!
Jerry Lambert page 23
Brad Spitzley
A Buck of Destiny
page 24
Antler Casting
John Ozoga page 29
Second chance buck
Randy Jorgensen page 30
Trout/Salmon Bites
Mark Romanack...page 42
Are they really out there?
Darryl Quidort page 34
Mentor Hunting License makes
12-year-old a veteran hunter
Tom Lounsbury page 36
Wild about whitetails
Patrick Bevier page 45
Make a resolution to
get in hunting shape
Drew YoungeDyke page 48
Guest Column...
Patience and pre-planning
produces record book buck
Jesse Saunders page 56
COVER PHOTO
Logan MacMillen...page 20
Chase Burns ...page 21
Kevin Kelly...page 22
Chris Pratt...page 23
Brad Spitzley...page 24
6 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
Save waypoints for ice
Mark Sak page 69 PERSPECTIVE
3 trips for 2018 Bucket List Michigan Meanders...
John Bergsma page 80 Seasonal Memories
Tom Huggler page 16
FEATURE Eskimo words for snow
Jerry Dennis page 68
Part II
American Woodcock Symposium Dear Fish Diary...
Migration -- knowledge 13 guys I want to thank for mak-
ing me an outdoorsman again!
WOLF
Tom Carney page 38
Ron St. Germain page 86
Snowy Owls
Jonathan Schechter page 40
populations then and now
Trapping is a way of life
Bill Ziegler...page 26
Sharon Kennedy page 46
38th year of deer camp Under the ice muskrat
Another great opener in da U.P. and mink trapping
Bob Vogel page 65
John Chagnon page 58
Father/son share
opening day success Boat Smart...
Classic boat shipwreck
George Rowe page 66
Capt. Fred Davis page 60
Late season grouse
MDNR Page 76 Hunter Safety Education
Bob Gwizdz-MDNR page 78
COTTONTAIL
Michigan Deer Camp Traditions
A trip to Vegas Ranch Brothers take aim... CRAZINESS
Jake Dykstra page 82 Mentoring followed Kenny Darwin...page 32
through into adulthood
Alpena brothers Betty Sodders page 88
take big bears Guest Column...
Seasons pass but
Jeff Pendergraff page 84
OUTDOOR NEWS memories remain
Kenneth Bowen page 87
FISHING West Nile Virus found in
Michigan ruffed grouse
10 Tricks for first ice gills MDNR page 14 OPINIONS
Kenny Darwin page 8 DNR dredging buys time
Ultimate Fishing Show to protect Buffalo Reef in
Michigans 2018 Special Pull Out Program Keweenaw County
Fishing Calendar pages 49-52 page 72
Mike Gnatkowski page 12
Volunteer campground
Early Ice...
A sneaky state of affairs
hosts needed for 2018
page 67
GUNS/AMMO
Mark Martin page 18 Gun Chat...
Black bear harvest 2017
Loading .38 Specials
Next Bite... Richard P. Smith page 73 Lee Arten page 55
Going with the flow
Gary Parsons/Keith Kavajecz MNRTF board recommends Traditional Black
page 44 $40.3 million to enhance public Powder Hunting...
outdoor recreation Acquired, not simulated
TROPHY PIKE page 72 Dennis Neely page 70
Mark Romanack page 53
JANUARY 2018
Woods-n-Water News
$4.00
DEPARTMENTS...
Trophy Page. . . 62-64 Classifieds . . . . . . . 92
Michigans Premier Outdoor Publication
BIG
BUCKS News/Op-Ed . . . 72-75 Real Estate . . . . 93-97
2017
Logan
MacMillen
Chase
Burns
Chris
Pratt
1-810-724-0254
www.woods-n-waternews.com
P.O. Box 278, Imlay City, MI 48444
Brad
Spitzley Kevin
Kelly
10 Tricks for First Ice Gills Cottontail Craziness Wolf Populations
CWD Numbers Up West Nile Virus Found in Michigan Ruffed Grouse
www.facebook.com/woodsnwaternews
Late Grouse Season Trophy Pike First Ice Safety Snowy Owls
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www.Woods-N-Water News.com WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 7

 10 Tricks for first ice gills
D
etails make the
difference between
icing a few bluegills
or limit catches.
Good anglers use
plenty of little tricks
not necessarily complex; usually its
a combination of knowledge regard-
ing gills and their feeding character-
istics, common sense and wisely
using modern innovations that keep
them consistently catching fish.
Any ice angler worth his
salt knows that first ice
provides the hottest fishing
of the year. The trick to
catching buckets full often
hinges on the activity level
of panfish and first ice is
when they go bonkers. In
addition here are 10 hints
that will help you
catch more
bluegills.By Kenney Darwin
1
Proper Rod & Reel
Choose tackle that maxi-
mizes your ability to detect subtle
strikes. Select ultralight spinning
reels and match them with ultralight
graphite rods that feature responsive
tips and create excellent balanced
combos. Most anglers like 30 rods
that will accommodate 1 pound test
line. Some modern rods are so sensi-
tive you dont need a spring bobber
to detect strikes.
2
Light Line
For this ultralight style of
fishing 2 pound test mono
is considered too heavy. Smart
anglers choose and 1 pound test
clear mono line that is built to offer
improved handing and flexibility in
Lone fisherman pulling gear across first ice. He is wearing custom
ice cleats for solid footing and avoiding the tree branches used to
mark unsafe water. Michigan is blessed with some of the finest ice
fishing for panfish in the mid-west.
8 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
extremely cold weather situations.
Use line that resists coiling, kinks,
and yet provides sensitivity; mini-
mum visibility and quick hook sets
from minimal stretching. Consider
the Asso fishing line that resists
freezing, remains soft and gives
great ability to feel fish. Contact:
www.YourBobbersDown.com.
3
Spring Bobbers
One crucial element in the
puzzle to catching winter
gills is the spring bobber
that is attached to the end
of your rod. Oh sure, some
super ultralight rods can be
used to detect strikes, but
savvy anglers hand-wrap
a fine wire strike indicator
to the rod tip. The spring
bobber is made
of flexible wire,
much like piano
or guitar wire,
which has a loop where your line
goes. The spring bobber will bend
slightly down with just the weight
of the tiny jig. This allows you to
see the lightest strike and give the
jig a seductive swimming action.
Winter gills are finicky feeders; they
suck in the bait by flaring gills and
venting water into their mouth. A
spring bobber allows you to detect
this faint strike or mini-movement
of your jig, even when your offering
is in deep water. Two quality spring
bobbers are Art Days Sneaky Bob-
The authors fishing tips will help you increase your odds of catch-
ber and Sniders Spring Bobber.
ing limits of panfish. He recommends you use custom tackle with
4
Best Bait light sensitive rod tip, Tungsten jigs with super sticky hooks, fresh
Lets skip details and make spikes for bait and dont miss first ice.
the bold, but true, statement fishing for gills is spikes. Sure there by the tail. This strategy ensures
that the best bait going for ice are specific locations and certain that the hook is completely camou-
conditions that warrant use of flaged by the bait; if it is exposed
waxworms, or mousies, but spikes wary gills will reject the offering.
get the nod from gillin pros. Some When using this style bait pre-
savvy anglers claim that spikes give sentation check your bait often to
off an enticing odor that gills can make certain the hook point is not
not resist, others say it is the action exposed. If gills follow the jig but
of the tuff skinned critter that draws will not strike, 9 out of 10 times the
fish and holds their attention. point of the hook is showing.
A second strategy is to hang
5 Hooking The Bait
Perhaps the most important
element in ice fishing is how
two spikes from the hook. This is
accomplished by squeezing the head
on a spike until a tiny protruding
you place the bait on the hook to bulge appears near the head. Pin the
entice strikes. One proven tactic is spike by lightly hooking a tiny bit
to thread the spike on the hook, cov- of flesh on this protrusion. Begin-
ering the barb and hook point. This ners make the common mistake
is accomplished by placing the hook of sending the hook through too
through the spikes head, pierc- much flesh, causing the spike to not
ing the body near the two eyes and wiggle freely when jigged under-
threading the critter on the shank
until the tip of the hook is covered 10 Tricks for gills page 10
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WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 9
10 Tricks for early gills:
from page 8
water. Smart fishermen squeeze the
spike until body fluids ooze from
the hooked location, which causes
the bait to milk when jigged, placing
fish attracting scent in the water.
6 Presentations
The idea of jigging for gills
makes little sense without
the use of modern electronics to see
if fish are attracted to your presenta-
tion. The most understated advan-
tage of electronics is to see how fish
respond to your jigging style. Are
they charging your lure? Swimming
away? If gills are approach your
offering and do not strike, is some-
thing wrong? Knowing how to move
the lure to guarantee strikes takes
plenty of practice and patience.
One trick is to jiggle the lure
slowly upward, away from fish,
coaxing them to follow the swim-
ming morsel. This mimics the natu-
ral swimming action of microorgan-
isms that live in fresh water lakes.
Key fish into instinctive strikes by
slowly dancing the jig up by jiggling
the spring bobber, then pause only
a second or two, strikes come when
the jig is moving slightly upward or
on the pause.
If a fish charges your lure, you
see a red band on the electronics
moving quickly toward your jig,
stop upward action and hold the rod
stationary for the strike. If several
fish show on the electronics, entice
strikes by jigging slightly above the
red bands, encouraging fish to move
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10 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
upward as much as 3-5 feet off bot-
tom.
If they reject the offering and
swim toward bottom, stair-step the
jig back down, do not let it free fall
into waiting fish. At times, fish will
follow your jig up and down several
times before they finally strike.
7 Hole Hopping
Wise gill fishermen keep
drilling holes until they find
fish. Seldom do they begin fishing
unless fish show on their electronics.
If action slows after catching a few,
they move and keep moving until
they locate the mother lode. Rarely
do they stay in a particular hole un-
less plenty of fish are on the elec-
tronics and they are catching them.
Plan on drilling at least 12 holes
for a two-hour outing. Winter gills
often stage in a particular area; find
it and you will have good success.
Gills roam, drilling new holes close
to productive locations can put you
on a school. Try drilling several
holes from deep to shallow water,
determining the depth gills prefer by
how many you catch; now, move up
or down the shore at that determined
depth.
Ice fishing is an ideal outdoor adventure to help introduce youth
8 Jigs for Gills
It is true that just about any
jig will catch gills, espe-
to fishing. Here Brandon Conner hooks gills and passes his rod to
his son Easton who excitedly cranks em up. Warm stocking hat,
heavy coat and pants along with toe and hand warmers keep novice
cially if you are on first ice which anglers in the game and on the ice longer.
provides plenty of active fish. But
during mid-winter the panfish devel- op a negative mood and hug bottom time and strategic approaches even-
and catching them is work, thats tually pay big dividends.
when you need to use fish tested
10
jigs. First, keep them small, size 10 Decipher Locations
or 12. One style that swims horizon- Focus efforts on bodies of
tally in the water is the Marmooska water that hold good num-
Jig made by HT Enterprises. K & E
bers of quality bluegills. Do your
Mfg. in Hastings, makes the Glo Jig, homework, study lake maps, talk
Glitter Jig and Lava Jig. Another to knowledgeable sources, call bait
top producer is the Sniders jig. But shops or DNR contacts, and then
the top jig for gills, crappie, perch use this information to plan strategic
and other panfish is the Fiskas Wol- approaches. If your local lake is
fram Jigs available from www.Your- producing nothing but grunt gills it
BobbersDown.com. The Fiskas are is time to make the switch to a body
hand painted, have epoxy finishes, of water that has a reputation for
metallic in glow colors and come in
different sizes. I recommend the size
5mm for most fishing situations.
outstanding bluegill catches. Some
of my favorites include: Houghton
Lake, Higgins Lake for perch, Ham-
lin Lake near Ludington, Gull Lake,
One year $29 Two years $55
9 Experiment
Experimenting with jig color
and design and your jigging
Sanford Lake, Holloway Reservoir,
Duck Lake, Hodenpyl Dam, Lakes
Cadillac and Mitchell and many
Send to: presentation can lead to success. more.
Woods-N-Water News Try allowing the bait to sit motion- When old man winter brings a
less, lift it slowly with only a few cold spell and local lakes develop
P.O. Box 278 jiggles to draw wary fish close. Yes, a layer of safe ice it is time for you
Imlay City, MI 48444 you will have to research, plan and to grab ice fishing gear and hit the
use common sense and innovation hard water. Got your reels spooled
Or Call (810) 724-0254 that take time. But you will find one with fresh line, auger blade sharp-
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY method that out produces the others, ened and battery on the Vexilar fully
and like so many other things in charged? Fresh fish for the fry pan
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WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 11

Michigans 2018 Fishing Calendar
M
ichiganders have a
tough decision ev-
ery angler would
like to have-
where do I go to
fish? There are so
many Michigan waters that deciding
can be problematic. Following is a
calendar that should help you with
those awkward questions.
January
Saginaw Bay Walleyes
If and when cold weather locks
up Saginaw Bay expect a hot first-
ice bite in depths from 6 to 12 feet
all the way from Linwood on the
west around to Sebewaing to the
east on the inner bay. First and last
light produce the hottest action,
although on overcast, cloudy days
fishing can be good throughout the
day.
Jigging is the most productive
method. Drill lots of holes and keep
moving until you make contact
with the roaming schools. Jigging
spoons, like Swedish Pimple and Do
Jiggers, in gold/orange, blue/silver
and glow colors are hot when tipped
with a minnow or minnow head. A
lift and drop cadence seems to work
best. Most eyes will run from 2 to
4 pounds, but specimens pushing
8 pounds are common. Increased
limits in 2016 make it great place to
fill the freezer.
For live bait, tackle and fish-
ing reports contact Franks Great
Outdoors at (989) 697-5341 online
at www.franksgreatoutdoors.com.
Others
Although Kalamazoo Countys
1,000-acre Lake Austin is better
known for its summer largemouth
fishing it gives up some very
respectable bluegills and crappies
during the winter.
Houghton Lake will have plenty
of safe ice by January. Ice anglers
do well for crappies, sunfish and
bluegills on the south end. The
lakes predators are making a come-
back. of water near Grayling has been hot
February
Higgins Smorgasbord
Its usually February before
9,600-acre Higgins Lake offers safe
ice. When it does, ice anglers catch
a mixed bag of lake trout, white-
fish, perch and smelt. The lake trout
action starts in 70 to 90 feet and
moves deeper as winter progresses.
Live smelt, or blue or gray shiners
suspended below conventional and
Slammer tip-ups work best. The
trout will average 2- 3 pounds, but
leviathans topping 20 pounds are
possible.
Three to 6-pound whitefish can
12 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
By Mike Gnatkowski
When making your fishing plans, dont forget to take a youngster!
be caught right along with the trout.
Anglers chum a hole with corn, rice
or spawn and then fish the bottom
with slip bobbers or jigs. Smelt can
be caught at night on teardrops and
wax worms. Use a light to attract
microorganisms that attract the
smelt. Perch numbers are boom or
bust on Higgins. Use wigglers, wax
worms or minnows on bottom for
the perch in 25 to 50 feet of water.
Others
Cisco Chain of Lakes offers ice
fishing variety. Walleyes will aver-
age two pounds. Look in 6 to 8 feet
of water on first ice. Perch up to 13
inches are common.
Lake Margrethes 1,920-acres
for good-sized bluegills the past
few winters. A good location is 300
yards out from the state park in 5 to
8 feet of water.
March
Pere Marquette
River Steelhead
Lake-run rainbows converge on
the gravel reaches of the P.M. River
in early March. The best spawning
habitat is from Walhalla upstream
through the flies-only section.
Anglers use drift boats to float the
river and get out to fish. Fly fish-
ers practice the chuck-and-duck
approach to get flies deep. Try glow
bugs, stonefly nymphs, caddis larva
and woolly buggers.
Wear polarized glasses and look
for redds or the flash of a spawn-
ing fish. During midday probe the
deeper holes and runs. Outside the
flies-only water anglers score with
spawn, spinners and plugs.
For more information contact
Baldwin Bait & Tackle at (231) 745-
3529 or online at www.fishbaldwin.
com.
Others
Ice fishing remains hot on Lake
Mitchell in March for crappies.
Key is to find green cabbage weeds.
Try off the mouth of Big and Little
Coves and in 6 to 8 feet of water off
Blind Island.
Expect frantic ice-out crappie
action on Barry Countys 660-acre
Pine Lake. Specks migrate to the
backs of coves and bays to find
warm water and to bulk up before
spawning time.
April
New Buffalo Cohos
This sleepy port is on fire for
Cohos in April. Shallow water, ther-
mal input from factories and run-off
concentrates a hodgepodge of Cohos
and other salmonids. Target the 10
to 30 foot depths. In-line planer
boards and divers pulling spoons,
body baits and crankbaits all score.
Try small dodger or flashers trail-
ing black flies, too. The Cohos will
average 1-1/2 to 3 pounds and sport
flame red flesh.
Hotpots are all along the shore-
line from the pump house south of
New Buffalo all the way to Warren
Dunes State Park. There is a DNR
launch near the mouth of the Galien
River.
For more information contact
the Southwest Michigan Tourist
Council at 1-269-925-6301 or online
at www.swmichigan.org.
Others
Thousands of walleyes move
into the Detroit River to spawn in
April. Eyes over 10 pounds are
common. Most anglers use 3/8- to
3/4- ounce lead head jigs baited with
plastics.
Anglers will find good brown
trout action and plenty of elbow-
room at Pentwater in April. The
browns will average 3 to 5 pounds,
but fish up to 30 pounds are avail-
able.
May
St. Marys River Steelhead
Steelheads begin showing up
in May in the cold waters of the St.
Marys River. Fishing remains good
well into June. Anglers can access
the Rapids area of the river via the
Canadian side and a boardwalk
that leads to the river. Wading is
treacherous and anglers should take
precautions. Felt-soled waders and a
staff help. Fishing is often to visible
fish. Wear polarized glasses. Flies,
spawn and spinners all take fish.
For more details contact the
Sault Convention & Visitors Bureau
at (906) 632-3301 or online at www.
saultstemarie.com.
Others
Slab crappies in Charlevoix
Countys Deer Lake go on a feed-
ing binge in May. Look around the
weeds line and stumps that fill the
lake. Crappies up to 14 inches are
common.
A cold spring finds plenty of
post-spawn walleyes still in the Tit-
tabawassee come May. Most will be
males that will average 1- 3 pounds,
but fish up to 8 pounds are available
some years.
June
Onekama Steelhead
Current, wind and wave action
cause thermal barriers and scum
lines to form off Onekama that
concentrate steelheads in June. The
breaks collect windrows of insects,
baitfish and spunky rainbows.
Although you might be fishing
900 feet of Lake Michigan water,

the trout are rarely below 20 feet.
In-line boards trailing small orange
spoons are the ticket when com-
bined with shallow-set divers. Look
for bird activity and watch your sur-
face temperature gauge. Troll fast at
3.0 to 3.5 mph to cover water. Most
of the bows will average between 5
and 12 pounds, but steelies topping
20 pounds are caught every year.
The fishing remains hot through
July.
Others
Giant Hexagenia mayflies that
hatch in late June cause brown trout
to go on a feeding binge on the
South Branch of the Au Sable River
in Roscommon County.
This year promises to be even
better for larger walleyes on Lake
Erie. Look in the 12 to 15 foot
depths in June. Spoons trailed
behind mini-divers are hot. Try War-
rior, Yeck and Silver Streak spoons
in gaudy colors.
July
Craig Lake State Park
Michigans most remote state
park, Craig Lake State Park is a
6,900-acre wilderness area that
offers great angling opportunities.
Seven lakes and numerous ponds
offer great fishing for pike, muskies,
walleyes and smallmouths. Getting
to the fishing is the hard part. Rug-
ged trails lead to a 1/4-mile portage
to Craig Lake and access to the
other lakes.
Fishing is catch-and-release for
everything but walleyes and you
must use artificial lures. White or
chartreuse spinnerbaits are good
searching lures. Crankbaits and
twister jigs are good choices too.
For more details contact- Baraga
County Tourism at 1-906-339-4461
or online at www.destination-michi-
gan.com/baraga.
Others
Abundant forage and ideal
habitat make the mighty Menominee
River perfect for smallmouths. Both
the impoundments and river hold
bass that will average 2 to 4-pounds.
Bass fishing peaks on Lake St.
Clair in July. A hands down favorite
for the bass is a tube jig in silver/
glitter or pumpkinseed. Try near
Huron Point south of the mile roads.
August
Ludington Chinooks
Pre-spawn kings begin to stage
off Ludington in mid-July. Salmon
congregate near the The Shelf
three to seven miles north of the
port. Look for salmon in 30 feet
of water early and then head west.
Plugs, Spin Doctors and flies, meat
and super magnum-sized spoons are
best. Glow, green and chartreuse are
proven colors.
Fishing pressure is intense. Plan
on being on the water early. Expect
salmon between 5 and 15 pounds,
but kings over 20 pounds are com-
mon.
For more information contact
the Ludington Area Convention &
Visitors Bureau at (800) 542-4600
or online at www.ludingtoncvb.com.
Others best time to fish the Tahquamenon
Alpena Countys 665-acre Bea-
ver Lake is a sleeper for big small-
mouths. Fish to 6 pounds are not
uncommon. Structure concentrates
bass in this lake.
The U.P.s Black River Harbor
offers consistent action for native
lake trout during August. The trout
school up in the 80-to 120-foot
depths between Sucker Creek Reef
and Maple Creek Reef.
September
Manistee River Chinooks
Bronze-colored kings rush into
the Manistee River in September
headed for Tippy Dam. Anglers can
intercept them in the lower reaches
of the river. Many anchor at the
head of a run and let Flatfish or Hot-
N-Tots wiggle in the current. Others
toss spinners or back-bounce with
spawn. The best fishing is usually at
first light and again in the evening.
Anglers can gain access to the
river at Insta-Launch campground,
Bridge Street, Rainbow Bend or
Bear Creek. A daily fee is charged to
launch at several of these accesses.
Find a deep run and wait for the
salmon to move through. Position
your baits to block their upstream
movement.
For more information contact
Insta-Launch Campground at 1-231-
723-3901.
Others
As waters cool, big northerns
put on the feedbag in Green Bay off
Menominee. The pike patrol weed
edges in search of forage in 10 to 20
feet of water. Big muskie-type lures
produce pike that top 20 pounds.
Loon Lake sees a lot of fishing
pressure in the summer, but few
anglers in the fall. Bluegills and
crappies move shallow in Septem-
ber. Try the weed edges adjacent to
deep water.
October
Lake Millecoquin
Bass & Pike
Maybe the top lake in the east-
ern U.P. for largemouths and north-
erns, both go on a feeding binge
as the weeds begin to recede. Lake
Millecoquin has few spots over 12
feet. Fish can be found anywhere.
Use Johnson Silver Minnows and
pork rind or spinnerbaits. The inlet
and outlet of the river is a hotspot.
Contact the Northern Lake
Michigan Management Unit at (906)
786-2351 for more details.
Others
Cooling water makes for hot
fishing on Greenwood Reservoir in
Dont expose
your secret spot
use the
October. Northerns and walleyes put
on the feedbag in early fall. Look
for pike off Humenne Island and
right off the boat launch
outpost
the stealth feeder
Fantastic scenery, solitude and
Blends into
feisty muskies make October the
River near McPhees Landing.
November
Surroundings
Lake Independence Eyes AS SEEN ON
Marquette Countys Lake In- MICHIGAN
dependence serves up hot walleye OUT OF
action just before the lake freezes. DOORS
2 to 3 pound walleyes are the norm,
but bigger fish are common. Key is
to troll slowly with bottom bouncers
trailing body baits like Rapalas and SQUIRREL
Thundersticks. Best colors include RESISTANT
perch and fire-tiger patterns. The CAP
eyes can be found relating to the
25- to 30-foot contours. Try out
from the public launch and near the
mouth of the Yellow Dog River.
Look for humps and subtle contour
changes that concentrate fish.
Others holds
Skegemog Lake Muskies go on 20 lbS
a feeding binge in November. The
muskies gorge on panfish, suckers corn
and other prey. Chuck jumbo in-line
spinners, jerkbaits and body baits.
Big muskies in Gogebic Coun-
tys Eel Lake turn on in November.
Eel Lakes small size makes finding
muskies easy, but catching them can
be difficult. Cast with big spinner
baits, bucktails or fish a big sucker
under a bobber.
December
Lake Gogebic Eyes/Perch
Winter comes early to the DURABLE
BROADCASTER
western U.P. First ice on Lake
Gogebic may be at Thanksgiv- Great For
ing. Jumbo perch are suckers for a PUBLIC or PRIVATE
wiggler fished below a slip-bobber, Land Hunters
but plenty of jumbos are caught on
tip-ups intended for walleyes. First Carry Sack Holds
near the weeds early. Target 25 feet 20 Pounds
of water for yellowbellies near the For Easy Refill
center of the lake during mid-winter.
Jigging spoons sweetened with a Programmable Timer
minnow are a good combo for perch Drop 1# / Day
and 18- to 20-inch walleyes. Try the Lasts Up To 3 Weeks
contours off Meriwether and Lake
Gogebic State Park. Hanging Wire & Throw Line
Lake Gogebic is a big expanse INCLUDED
of water. Bring some type of trans- With Metal Throwing Disc
portation to get around. For more
information contact Timber Resort
at 1-906-575-3542.
Others
1,100-acre Chicagon Lake has
a diverse ice fishery. Off Midsum-
mers Point is a good location for
walleyes and perch. Along the golf
www.outpostfeeder.com
course on the lakes south shore is
good, too. Look for remnant weed outpostfeeder@gmail.com
beds.
Ice anglers put a hurtin on big
perch on first ice on Munuscong Happy
Holidays!
Bay. The perch are in 3 to 4 feet
of water. Keep moving until you
make contact. Foot-long perch are
common.n
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 13
 West Nile Virus
found in Michigan
ruffed grouse
F
or the first time, the
MDNR recently con-
firmed the presence of
West Nile Virus in the
states ruffed grouse
population.
Five birds collected from August
through October, including two
found dead and three that were shot
by hunters, were submitted for test-
ing to the DNRs Wildlife Disease
Laboratory in Lansing, where the
confirmation of West Nile Virus was
made.
West Nile Virus is primarily
transmitted to humans through the
bite of infected mosquitoes. Most
people infected with the virus do not
show symptoms.
There is no evidence of hu-
man infection from eating properly
cooked game that has been infected
with West Nile Virus. As a general
precaution, wild game meat should
be cooked thoroughly, to an internal
temperature of 170-180 degrees.
Hunters should wear gloves when
Michigan Depar tment of Natu-
ral Resources pathologist Tom
Cooley performs a necropsy on
a ruffed grouse. MDNR photos
14 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
handling or cleaning game.
Weve had West Nile Virus in
Michigan since 2002, said Thomas
Cooley, a DNR wildlife biologist
and pathologist at the Wildlife Dis-
ease Laboratory. Its the first year
that weve seen it in grouse.
In addition to five ruffed grouse
testing positive for West Nile Virus
at the disease lab, five grouse were
tested that did not have the virus.
This year, just over 200 animals
have been confirmed with West Nile
Virus from 60 of Michigans 83
counties including all 15 counties
in the Upper Peninsula. The ruffed
grouse testing positive for the virus
included two from Iron County and
one each from Delta, Roscommon
and Missaukee counties.
The Michigan Department of
Health and Human Services said
there have been 39 human cases of
West Nile Virus reported in Michi-
gan this year.
We have received several
inquiries from hunters about West
Nile Virus and ruffed grouse, said
John Pepin, DNR deputy public
information officer. We want to
provide information on the virus
to help everyone better understand
its presence in Michigan and its
connection to ruffed grouse popula-
tions.
Other states, including Pennsyl-
vania, have been studying the effects
of West Nile Virus on ruffed grouse
populations. No clear consensus has
been reached among researchers.
The Pennsylvania Game Com-
mission began conducting research
in 2014.
The commission began the
West Nile Virus research to better
understand the impact of the virus
on ruffed grouse by first conducting
an experimental infection trial on
chicks hatched from wild-collected
grouse eggs in Pennsylvania,
Cooley said.
The experimentally-infected
ruffed grouse chicks hatched from
eggs collected in the wild showed
West Nile Virus had caused many
infected chicks to die or suffer organ
damage.
The recent Pennsylvania Game
Commission research, with part-
ners including the Ruffed Grouse
Society, on the effect of West Nile
Virus on ruffed grouse populations
is a call to action to create more
high-quality young forest habitat at
The bird on the left is thin and in poor physical condition, and the
loss of condition is generally what is expected with a West Nile
Virus infected bird. However, this bird had other health issues and
tested negative for the virus. The bird on the right was is very good
physical condition, but tested positive for West Nile Virus.
a landscape scale, the Society said
in a post on its website. Although
West Nile Virus is an additional
stressor, ruffed grouse have a higher
rate of survival in regions with high-
quality, abundant habitat.
Michigan has a great deal of
high-value ruffed grouse habitat.
Al Stewart, DNR upland game
bird specialist, said the primary
question related to West Nile Virus
and grouse is what can we do to
reduce the impact of this disease
on grouse should we discover that
it is a problem for Michigan grouse
populations?
The most important activity
that can be done is to maintain and
create vigorous young forest habitat
(primarily aspen) that is composed
of multiple age-classes, Stewart
said. Michigan has high-value
ruffed grouse habitat within areas
of the state, especially in the Upper
Peninsula. With West Nile Virus on
the horizon, it will be even more
paramount that we continue to focus
on early successional forest manage-
ment.
Stewart said the DNR is very
focused on maintaining healthy sus-
tainable populations of wildlife.
We are fortunate to be able to
work through a variety of partner-
ships to achieve this goal, Stewart
said.
Significant questions remain sur-
rounding the connections between
ruffed grouse and the virus.
Some researchers think West
Nile Virus is responsible for ruffed
grouse population declines, Cooley
said. However, not every infected
bird dies.
In the grouse testing positive for
West Nile Virus in Michigan, heart
lesions were discovered. Some of
the birds appeared malnourished and
reportedly acted strangely, allowing
hunters to approach closely.
Cooley suggests hunters
submit grouse for testing if they
are concerned a bird might be
infected. He said the blood feathers
of the birds are the best for analysis,
those soft tissues at the base
of feathers.
If hunters want to take the
breast to eat, take that and submit
the rest of the bird, Cooley said.
In birds, West Nile Virus is
strongly associated with ravens,
crows and jays, hawks and owls
and several other non-game species.
Game species in Michigan testing
positive for the virus, beyond ruffed
grouse, include wild turkeys and
mallards.
Ruffed grouse hunting in
Michigan is a long-standing tradi-
tion and our state is home to some
of the best grouse hunting any-
where, said Terry Minzey, DNR
Upper Peninsula regional wildlife
supervisor. While we will continue
to explore any effects of West Nile
Virus as a stressor on ruffed grouse
populations, with Michigans signif-
icant reserve of high-quality grouse
habitat, and our continued work
with partners to sustain wildlife
populations, we fully expect grouse
hunting to remain a spectacular
experience in the state far into the
future.
To submit a ruffed grouse
suspected for West Nile Virus for
disease testing, contact your local
DNR office to make arrangements
to do so.
For more information on West
Nile Virus, visit the DNRs website
or the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.n
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WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 15

 Michigan MeandersSeasonal Memories
D
oes anyone make
New Year resolutions
anymore? Do you
know anyone who
ever made good on
such a promise? My
own goal is to make 2018 as memo-
rable as the one winding down, still
fresh in my mind while writing this
between year-end holidays.
WINTER
--In January, Kardell Hall at the
Eaton County Fairgrounds in Char-
lotte is as cold as a farm silo. But
once the heat kicks in on a Monday
evening and the 4-H kids
arrive for target practice,
the place warms up quickly.
The shooting sports are
growing in popularity, es-
pecially among women and
youth, and there are many
reasons for it. Archery in
the Schools and The Hun-
By Tom Huggler
ger Games movie
are kid catalysts
along with recruit-
ment programs like Learn to Hunt
and liberal DNR hunting regulations
that allow youthful participants to
buy licenses and be mentored by
adults.
My young adopted children are
learning that pulling strings and
squeezing triggers is way more fun
than any virtual reality video game.
Check out the 4-H shooting sports
program in your own county and
offer to volunteer. Its a resolution hills to the game species list and to
worth keeping.
--Pileated woodpeckers appear
to be increasing in Michigan, and I
wonder if we should thank the em-
erald ash borer. Although our state
has lost millions of stately ash trees,gobbling toms. The two-day event
a key benefit has been the sudden
growth of woodpecker habitat. Of
all the species that drill into dead
and decaying wood, the pileated
is the most dramatic, his jackham-
mer racket and Woody Woodpecker
maniacal laugh carrying a half-mile
or more.
On this bright, cold morning my
wife and I are treated to an aerial
ballet as one of these crow-sized
birds flits across the backyard on
Authors kids, Marisa and Daniel, with their 4-H pigs. many being of-
16 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
black and white wings. A mere 40
feet away he stops at our ancient
apple tree, briefly sizes up the trunk,
and goes to work, head feathers a
red blur while the chips fly.
Because these big birds are
rather reclusive, we never see them
at the feeders with other woodpeck-
er types, many of which also call
our place home. Seeing a pileated
up close and personal is an unforget-
table thrill.
SPRING
--The sandhill crane is another
wildlife species increasing in num-
bers not only locally but
throughout much of Michi-
gan. I always hear croaking
before I see these elegant
birds etched against the sky
like feathered spearheads.
Is there any sound more an-
cient, straight from prehis-
toric time, than a sandhill
crane? Legal game
in some states, I
have hunted them
in Saskatchewan and North Dakota
among the sweep of wheatgrass
prairie beneath heavens vault itself
but shot my one and only sandhill in
Alaska more than 30 years ago.
One day, before long, we may
hunt them here, too. In October the
Michigan House of Representatives
adopted a resolution introduced by
James Lower (R-Cedar Lake) that
encourages the NRC to add sand-
seek approval from the USF&WS to
establish a Michigan hunting season.
--The Yutzy farm consignment
auction in Chester is as sure a sign
of spring as bedding bluegills and
in early May sprawls over several
acres, keeping a half-dozen auc-
tioneers scrambling in the always-
crowded, competing sales rings.
Besides used plows, drags and discs
there are lots of collectibles, heaps
of sporting goods equipment, and
jewelry wagons piled high with
tools and sundry other items. One
ring features livestock and poultry
where you can bid on everything
from meat rabbits to mallards.
Another ring has
sports, household
stuff and so on.
I finally
pocket my buyers
card when the
price of a coveted
two-row corn
planter soars
above my budget
but manage to
pick up a brush
hog at a good
price thanks to so
fered today. Buyers and sellers alike
include many Amish folk, who park
their fleet of horses and buggies in a
designated area and spend the whole
day.
The Yutzy auction, which also
occurs in the fall, is homespun
America and as rural as rural gets.
SUMMER
This time around the pigs go
to market at the 4-H Eaton County
Fair without incident. You may
recall how the year before we were
unsuccessful at loading the stubborn
animals and had to dispatch them in
their pen out back of our house and
then take them to the butcher shop.
Our kids, who had raised the hogs
from feeder size, were crestfallen
because they had worked so hard
to train them for showing and were
unable to recoup expenses.
So last spring we built a new
pen with a gate wide enough to
accept the trailer. The new porkers,
which weighed 261 and 297 pounds
respectively, learned to sleep and eat
in the trailer. On fair day, we simply
closed the trailer door, latched it
tight and drove to Charlotte, without
a squeal. What a difference a year
makes!
--And what a difference an
absence of several years can make.
A longtime former exhibitor at the
Woods-N-Water News Outdoor
Weekend show in Imlay City, I
finally returned last September for
the 31st annual event and was sur-
prised at how the show has grown.
New vendors, more equipment and
larger displays are the new normal
for what began as a modest effort to
showcase magazine advertisers.
The Eastern Michigan Fair-
grounds board of directors has
renovated some buildings and built
new ones. The show has always run
on the first weekend after Labor
Day, an iffy time period for stormy
weather, and I remember years
when show producers had to truck
in straw to keep mud down in the
walking lanes. Now most are paved,
the place looks great, and the show
goes on. Mark your calendar now
for September 7 - 9, 2018. them. For insurance against infec-
FALL
--Driving through Reese in
Michigans Thumb last October,
I was reminded how my pheas-
ant hunting career began here, in
Saginaw County, 60 years ago. My
father began traveling to Reese on
opening Day, October 20, from
Detroit shortly after WW II ended.
Although I couldnt actually hunt,
I got to tag along as a young boy
toting his Red Ryder BB gun, and I
remember throwing lots of copper
at those big Technicolor roosters
because there were lots of them in
Pileated woodpecker. Jonathan
Schechter photo
those days.
With older cousins and uncles
our gang numbered close to 20 men.
The bag limit was two birds each,
and the season opened at 10 a.m.
By noon I found myself poking my
gun into 40 stretched-out ringnecks,
hoping one or more needed a finish-
ing shot.
--If you spend time outdoors in
Michigan, eventually you will run
into black-legged ticks. Yes, these
are the ones that can carry Lyme
disease (see this column in the
June 2017 issue for the complete
story). Last fall my bird dogs and
I found out how prevalent these
bloodsucking pests can be even after
spraying the dogs bellies and legs
with Permanone, a tick repellant.
The day after my Lab and setter
hunted grouse and woodcock in
Menominee County, I began notic-
ing bumps on the dogs heads.
These were embedded ticks already
engorged with blood.
Using a tick-removal tool,
I pulled out the hitchhikers and
then combed out the dogs coats. I
thought I got all the ticks but next
day found a few more. Once home,
my daughter and I scrutinized each
dog and found about 30 more on
tion, my vet prescribed 200 mg of
Doxycycline Hyclate for 30 days.
The dogs appear fine at this writ-
ing, but I am still getting over the
ordeal.
Still, 2017 was a good year.
A really smart manFreud as I
recallsaid a person would do
well to spend his money on health,
education and travel. If you have yet
to make that New Year resolution,
consider how you can do all three by
getting outdoors a lot more in 2018.
Just remember to check yourself
for ticks.n
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 17
 Early Ice...
A sneaky state of affairs
A grand great bite can
turn bad quickly if you
dont pay attention to the
commotion you make
By Mark Martin
ner table as well a bad attitude.
Here, There,
Just Not Anywhere
The primary key to catching suc-
cess early in the season is knowing
where, exactly, to drop a line right

W
ho me? A
believer in
hocus pocus?
Not really. But
I can eas-
ily understand
why the early-winter months are
such a magical time of year for most
anglers. The catching of walleye,
pike and panfish becomes much
simpler as soon as a lakes exterior
solidifies, and will stay that way for
quite a few weeks to come.
But even something as grand as
a great bite can turn bad quickly if
you dont pay attention to the com-
motion youre making while fishing.
Overall, due to the lack of snow
on the frozen faade this time of
year to muffle your sound, you
must stay as stealthy as can be or
youll spook fish. And, obviously,
if youve scared the fish out from
underneath you, youre going home
without anything more to show for
your days fishing than frigid fingers
and a walk through the grocery store
for a can of baked beans for the din-
Drill all the holes you can mus-
ter early on so as to keep your
commotion down later in the day.
18 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
away. If you do, you wont be creat-
ing chaos by moving throughout the
day and spooking fish. And if you
did any fishing (better yet catch-
ing) this past fall, you already know
where to go.
The first place to be early in the
ice fishing season is also the last
place I caught fish late during the
fall months. The fish havent left. In
fact, more may have shown up since
I was able to last launch my Lund or
waded in open water.
Wade, you question? Yes, wade.
You see, the late-fall period was the
time of year the fish where feed-
ing within shallow water; all within
easy casting distance of an angler
walking the shallows while don-
ning waders. And its in these same
close-to-shore areas, sometimes
literally within just a few footsteps
of the shoreline, that Ill find fish at
first ice.
For me, its the areas along the
outer edges of the weed beds closest
to points, especially when adjacent
to deep water, which I was casting
to right before the freeze that I will
try first. And these outer weed lines
usually occur along a breakline (aka:
drop-off) no matter how slight they
may be.
Breaklines are easy to find when
using mapping from Navionics. An
SD card filled with hydrographic
maps by Navionics in the card read-
er of my Lowrance HOOK-5 Ice
Machine will show me with pinpoint
accuracy where all the breaklines in
a particular waterway lay below me.
This is imperative when it comes to
walking directly to my fishing spot,
so I can drill holes all at once over
prime water so as to keep commo-
tion down to a minimum throughout
the day.
On the Move
More than likely, because the
ice may still be too thin to drive my
quad or snowmobile upon, Ill be
hoofing it rather than riding. And if
I can get away with not having to
wear ice cleats over the soles of my
boots, all the better. This is because
the noise from ice cleats scraping
and digging into the ice will rever-
berate tenfold under the water and
give up my whereabouts to the fish.
Instead, I don boots with a soft
yet aggressive rubber tread built
right in, which are super warm as
Mark Mar tin knows one of the most overlooked aspects to catching
fish early in the ice season is silence.
well provide superior grip on the
ice. My boots need to be 100-per-
cent waterproof so as to keep my
feet dry when water splashes up and
out of the hole when I am boring a
hole with my auger.
And speaking of augers, I make
sure the blades of my StrikeMaster
Lazer Synthetic Ultra-Lite or Strike-
Master power auger are razor sharp
well before the ice fishing season
starts. This is because I want to bore
as many holes as possible in a short
period of time, quickly and efficient-
ly. This way I can keep the uproar
later in the day to a minimum.
Before my blades dull, however,
Ill purchase replacement blades
so as to always have another set on
hand in case I damage the originals
somehow. In short: Sharp auger
blades are one of the biggest reasons
for frustration when ice fishing, yet,
replacing them with new ones is the
last thing on most anglers minds.
Cover Me, Im Going In
Once I have drilled several
holes, checked the depth and looked
for fish at each one with my Hook-
5 Ice Machine, its time to lower a
line. But even while fishing I try and
stay as quiet as possible.
First off, Ill deploy my tip-ups,
hooking up minnows fresh from
my Plano minnow bucket, and then
lower them into place. Once done
with that, Ill erect my Clam X200
Pro Thermal two-man ice shelter;
not only to stay warm while inside
its thick, insulated walls, but also to
keep my silhouette shaded while on
the thinner, clear ice. (Tip: Another
trick I use for keeping quiet is to lay
a piece of carpeting down on the ice
where my feet are going to be so as
to muffle any sound my boots may
make as I shuffle around. This will
keep your feet warmer, too.)
Hear That?
I Didnt Think So...
If youre looking to catch more
fish early in the ice season, then by
all means take every measure to stay
as stealthy as possible.
While wearing footwear that
will let you walk upon the ice qui-
etly yet safely, walk directly to the
spot you last caught fish before the
lake froze, and drill as many holes
as you can muster. Get those tip-ups
set, and then get inside a portable
shanty.
Overall, if you keep your com-
motion to a minimum, youll catch
more fish. I promise.
Mark Martin is a professional
walleye tournament angler and
instructor with the Ice-Fishing
Vacation/School, with new classes
on ice starting up in January 2018.
For more information on Mark, any
of the items mentioned in this article
or the school, visit his website at
markmartins.net.n
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 19
 Cover Buck...
Ionia County
Brute 11-Point
T
wenty year old Logan
MacMillen is a col-
lege student attending
Grand Valley Univer-
sity. This translates
into not having a lot
of free time to hunt. So, when the
young hunter can make it
out he likes to maximize
his opportunity by hunting
all day.
In the early morning
hours of November 20,
Logan sought the wise
counsel of his dad, Don
MacMillen. The two hunt-
ers were aware
of a big buck
roaming around By Jerry Lambert
their property. Don suggested to
Logan that he hunt right outside the
bucks bedroom and hunt all day.
Logan said, Hunting in or close to
a bucks bedroom is what I like to
call high risk, high reward hunting.
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Of course there is the risk of run-
ning a big buck right off of your
property but this can also create the
best opportunity for shooting a true
monster.
Well before first light, Logan
walked to the thickest area on his
familys property and used
a climbing tree stand to get
above the tangled cover.
The morning came and
went with very little deer
movement. In the last hour
of the day, Logan looked
behind him and saw a big
bodied deer.
Logan said,
It looked like
a horse walking
through the woods it was so big.
He was about one hundred yards
out when I first saw him and he
was walking rather briskly. I saw a
small opening out in front of him
and when the big buck got right in
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Logans MacMillens 11-point carries tremendous mass throughout the
heavy rack, with two tines over 12 inches.
front of the opening I blatted with
my mouth to get him to stop. He
stopped right where I needed him to
so I picked a spot tight behind his
shoulder and squeezed the trigger.
He kicked his back legs into the
air and ran off unfazed. He quickly
disappeared out of sight. At this
point I got shaky and all worked up.
I called my dad and told him, I got
a shot at what Im pretty sure is the
big one we are after!
Don met up with his son in the
deer woods to help track the deer.
They found hair but the blood trail
was sporadic.
Logan says, We were manly
tracking his hoof prints which were
ginormous. Because the blood trail
was so faint, we decided to back
out and look in the morning. I, of
course, didnt get a wink of sleep.
When morning arrived, I was ready
to go. My dad and I returned to
where we had stopped the night be-
fore. Fortunately, the blood trail was
much easier to follow. It quickly
became evident that he was bleed-
ing out of both sides. Incredibly, he
made it a little over two hundred
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yards before I looked up and saw
him lying on some high ground. I
couldnt believe it. He was huge. I
jumped up into my dads arms and
got pretty emotional.
Logans buck has eleven points
measuring over one inch. It car-
ries tremendous mass throughout
the heavy rack. It has two tines
measuring twelve inches. A gross
green score tallies 171 4/8 Boone
and Crockett points. It also weighed
in after being field dressed at an
incredible two hundred and fifty
pounds. No wonder it looked like a
horse walking through the woods.
This could also explain why the deer
made it as far as it did after having a
.44 bullet shot through both lungs.
Logan added, This is the highlight
of my year. I thank God that the op-
portunity was presented to me. I call
it our buck because my dad has
influenced me so much as a hunter.
It wouldnt have happened without
him. Hes not only my dad; hes also
my best friend!
Congratulations MacMillens for
making great memories in the deer
woods!n
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 Cover Buck...
Lake County;
Public Land
BOONER?
O
ne of the hot topics
in the outdoor world
right now is public
lands. There are
reported threats of
privatizing some
of our public recreational hunt-
ing areas. Many Michigan hunters
currently take advantage of these
wooded parcels and do a majority, if
not all of their deer hunting,
on these federally and state
owned properties.
Thirty year old Chase
Burns and his hunting com-
panions annually hunt state
land in Lake County near
the Pine River. Chase along
with his brother Chance
By Jerry Lambert
and good friend
A.J. Holmes set
up trail cameras
and try to pattern the deer the best
that they can. Like many private
land hunters, they maintain sanc-
tuaries and try to avoid disturbing
bedding areas.
Their trail camera surveillance
found a tight racked buck with real
long tines. On November 2, 2017,
Chase saw the big buck on his feet
chasing does. Burns stalked the big
buck for over an hour but could
never get within bow range. He de-
cided that his efforts were futile and
decided to loop back to the truck.
While walking back to his truck,
his phone vibrated. It was his father
who asked, How did you do hunt-
ing?
As the words filled his ear,
Chase saw the big buck standing a
Michigans Best Outdoor Newspaper
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mere fifteen yards away. He quickly
replied, Ive got to go, and pock-
eted his phone. Burns then knelt
down on one knee to prepare for a
shot. The rut-crazed buck appeared
mad and kept looking in his direc-
tion and stomping his foot.
Chase took a chance and pulled
his bow back while the buck was
looking at him. While at full draw
he had a temporary stare Chase Burns public land buck is a main-frame 10-point with one sticker
down with his quarry. The point making it an 11-pointer. It gross green-scored at 179 2/8 Pope
buck failed to recognize & Young points and a net that tallies 170 6/8 Pope and Young points. A
sixty day drying period is mandatory for official score.
that he was in danger and
soon lowered his head 2/8 Pope & Young points and a net buck will also more than likely be
to sniff the ground. The that tallies 170 6/8 Pope and Young the new record for Lake County
buck then turned, to walk points. A sixty day drying period is Typical bucks. The current record
away and Burns dumped mandatory for official score keeping stands at 165 0/8, and is held by
the string, placing a le- but if the net score holds up it will Joseph Kessel who shot his long-
thal broadhead also qualify for Boone and Crockett standing record buck in 1937 with a
through the left which has a 170 minimum. This firearm.n
shoulder.
A short blood trail led the happy
bowhunter to his public land trophy.
The tall-tined buck was found lying
next to a stump.
Burns father works for the
Department of Natural Resources.
Chase called his dad back with the
exciting news that he had just shot
a huge buck and asked him if he
would like to help him get it out All inclusive, housekeeping packages and
of the woods. Chases dad quickly cabin rentals on a remote Algoma Lake.
accepted the offer and even brought
along a DNR co-worker. Fish for . . .
Chase Burns public land buck
is a main-frame 10-point with
Northern Pike, Walleye, Lake Trout,
one sticker point making it an Perch, Smallmouth Bass and Whitefish
11-pointer. It was measured by a
Train-in or Boat-in Only www.foxsdenlodge.ca
credited scorer for the Commemora-
tive Bucks of Michigan and it has a Canadian Funds 519-636-3697 foxsdenlodge@gmail.com
preliminary gross green-score at 179
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Or Call (810) 724-0254 Commemorative Bucks of Michigan P.O. Box 615 Grand Ledge, Michigan 48837 Phone (517) 679-6226
Commemorative Bucks of Michigan is a non-profit organization that measures and maintains records on trophy class Whitetail Deer,
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
DateCk#$ Black Bear, Elk and Turkeys, taken by fair chase in the state of Michigan. We use the Boone and Crockett method to score all three
big game species. Visit our web site to learn more and get connected to the latest in Michigan hunting. www.Buckfax.com
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 21
 Cover Buck...
Kalamazoo
County Giant
M
any big buck hunt- year he had three trail cameras set
ers in the state of up and stated, I got pictures of a lot
Michigan believe of nice deer out there.
that the first week The morning started rather slow
of November is but eventually a mature doe came in
a great time to and she was all alone. Kevin says,
be sitting in a deer stand. I thought, perfect, maybe
From this point further, shell bring in a big buck.
Kevin Kelly will agree. On She milled around, and sure
November 4, 2017, Kevin enough, a few minutes later
shot his proverbial buck of I looked behind her and
a lifetime. saw a big buck approach-
Kelly was hunting on ing. I use a crossbow, so I
private land in Kalama- got it up and ready to shoot.
zoo County. According I waited until he reached
to Kevin, this my comfortable
particular prop-
erty butts up to By Jerry Lambert shooting zone,
which is thirty
the Kellogg Forest, public land that yards. Once he got to the thirty yard
offers archery-only hunting. mark, he was standing broadside.
Like many other deer hunt- I waited for him to walk into my
ers, Kelly utilizes trail cameras to crosshairs and took the shot, hitting
inventory the bucks in the area. This him in the shoulder. He took off run- Kevin Kellys buck has 20 points measuring an inch or longer, the unofficial
gross green score is a remarkable 203 7/8. The buck boast an amazing
22-inch inside spread and weighed two hundred and thir ty pounds dressed.
ning through the swamp and disap- points measuring an inch or longer.
peared. I then waited an hour before Kelly had the big buck measured
trailing him but didnt want to wait in Kalamazoo at D&R Sports and
any longer than that because it was the unofficial gross green score is a
supposed to start raining. When I remarkable 203 7/8. The buck boast
went to where he was standing, I an amazing twenty-two inch inside
saw that there was good blood. I spread and weighed two hundred
only had to trail him one hundred and thirty pounds dressed.
yards. He was laying at the edge of Kelly is very grateful that he
the swamp. I had no idea how big he shot this particular trophy buck. He
was until I walked up on him. Wow, says, Its like winning the lottery.
he was quite a surprise! I was just in the right place at the
Kelly shot a legitimate twenty right time. Generally, I get a one
pointer. According to Kevin, If and a half year old buck. Ive never
you count him the old Mort Neff shot anything close to this. Ive got
VALID TIL 12/31/2016
way, where if you can fit a ring three trail cameras on the property
VALID TIL 12/31/2016
% on it its a point you can call it a and never got a picture of him. Hes
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22 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
 Cover Buck...
My First Buck!
F
orty-one year old Chris big buck that had given him the slip
Pratt is a veteran deer the last two years. The first deer to
hunter. According to come in was a big bodied buck that
Pratt, he has been pursu- only had a 4-point rack. Pratt elected
ing the elusive whitetail to pass him up. He says, My step-
for over twenty years. dad is pretty traditional and doesnt
For the last couple of years, like to shoot does or small
Chris has had several bucks. You could call him
encounters with a very big old school but I follow
Kalamazoo County buck his wishes and let the little
in rural Scotts. Pratt hunts bucks walk.
with his stepdad, Scott The next buck to ap-
Lutke, on his stepdads one pear was the big buck that
hundred and twenty acres. he was after. Chris says,
Its the property Pratt lived I turned to my right and
on when he grew up so he saw him. I immediately

By Jerry Lambert
is very familiar prepared to shoot.
with the terrain. He was only fifty Chris Pratts trophy 16-point buck with heavy long tines gross green score
The buck seemed yards away so 189 1/8 Boone and Crockett points and after deductions nets 178 4/8.
to favor an area farther down Por- I took the shot. The buck took off
tage Creek from where Chriss stand running and my first thought was, points. camera earlier in the morning before
was located so he decided to move oh no, I missed him. Ive missed Chris says, This is one of the walking over by me.
his stand so that if the buck kept to a few over the years and was afraid coolest things that Ive ever done. I think Chris is the hunting
past patterns he would have a good that maybe I missed again. He was Scott was very happy for me. He poster child for the phrase Go
chance of getting a shot. standing on the opposite side of the told me I made one heck of a shot. big or go home. After twenty
On November 15, the opening creek from where I was positioned It felt good to hear him say that. plus years of deer hunting, Pratt
day of the Michigan firearm deer so I had to walk to our bridge which Ironically, I never had him on trail shot one incredibly big buck for
season, Chris was positioned in his was quite a distance away to get to camera this year until the day I his very first deer. Congratulations,
stand with high hopes of seeing the where he was standing. I was pretty shot him. He stepped in front of my Chris!n
anxious and fast-walked the entire
way. When I finally got to where he
was, I found blood. I now knew that

MICHIGAN
I hit him.
At this point, Scott met up with 32ND ANNUAL
his stepson to help look for the deer.

DEER & TURKEY EXPO

The two men took up the blood trail
but didnt have to go far. Thirty
yards into the swamp Chris found
the buck piled up on the ground.
Pratts shot was perfect, and took
out both lungs. After twenty-plus
years of deer hunting Chris had just
taken his very first buck!
Pratts trophy buck has sixteen
NO FLUFF, NO FILLER, JUST HUNTING
points and sits high above its head
with heavy long tines. The gross
green score is a whopping 189 1/8
Boone and Crockett points and
after deductions nets 178 4/8 B & C FEBRUARY 16 18, 2018

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This ad size is 4 x 4
 Cover Buck...
A Buck
of Destiny
Guest Column By Brad Spitzley
O
n the eve of opening
morning of the 2017
Michigan Firearms
season I was still
undecided on where
I was going to sit.
Do I go hunt with my dad on our
property? Or stay near my house
and hunt my father-in-laws land,
where I know there are a couple of
good bucks in the area? Ive been
after a particular 11-point that I had
a few encounters with last year and
I saw him twice this year including
the Monday before the 15th.
Staying Home
After deliberation, I decided
to hunt close to home. I knew the
weather was calling for wind and
rain so I was happy that I have a
couple of elevated blinds to hunt
from. I chose a blind my dad and I
put up this summer that was settled
on the edge of a three acre thick
swale. With all the rain this fall,
there was tons of water in there, but
we had seen this buck chase a doe
over that way on Monday. I knew
this was his bedroom. With wheat
surrounding me on 3 sides, I can
shoot a long distance and I havent
taken a buck with my muzzleloader
yet so thats what I chose to take
opening day.
I wasnt going to fill my doe
tag until later in the year, so I was
strictly looking for a nice buck. We
have been practicing QDM for 11
years and it has definitely made a
difference in the older age class
bucks we have been seeing. There
are a lot of brown and downers in
the area so we do what we can to try
to keep the bucks in our area with
habitat improvements among other
things.
Stay off the Phone
The rain had started falling pret-
ty good around 10 a.m. and I texted
my wife about getting a little fan for
my heater so it would blow the heat
toward me instead of just radiating
up. I then proceeded to look up a
fan on my phone for what seemed
like only a minute. I then picked my
head up to look out in front of me
and there he was, heading over to
another chunk of woods on a gallop.
He must have come out of the swale
80 yards in front of me and by the
time I got my windows open he
was already 140 yards away. I took
aim and led him about 10 inches
24 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
and squeezed the trigger. The first
shot was clearly a miss. He stopped
in his tracks and looked back my
way. After a fast reload, I looked
back toward him as he walked into
the woods. I thought he was gone
forever. Disgusted, I called my dad
telling him what happened. My only
hope was he would get on a hot doe
and maybe push her back my way.
Rounds 2 and 3
As my luck would have it, 20
minutes later I looked out along
the edge of the woods and saw
him standing 240 yards away. As
the steady rain was coming down,
I noticed he was acting strange.
What deer of this caliber would
stick around after being shot at?
Of course, he was with a doe. She
worked her way toward me down
the edge of the woods with him
close behind, but still 205 yards
away.
Standing broadside and know-
ing the ballistics of my power belt
bullets, I put the crosshairs on the
top of the bucks back and squeezed
the trigger. As the smoke cleared
the buck stood there just looking in
my direction again. Clearly another
miss. After another quick reload,
the buck had moved about 20 yards
closer, so I again had a broadside
shot. I steadied, clutched the trigger,
and he bucked a little and ran about
30 yards and stood there.
As I was reloading for the third
time, I watched him slowly walk out
of sight twitching his tail. Think-
ing I finally hit him, I called my
dad again, telling him what had just
transpired. As the rain was coming
down even harder, it was decided I
needed to get out of my blind and
go check to see if I hit the buck. As I
was getting out of my blind to head
over there, I saw a doe and a smaller
buck standing on the edge of the
woods close to where the big boy
had been standing previously. As
I crept out of the blind and started
their way, I only got 10 feet into the
muddy field, looked up to where the
deer were and couldnt believe my
eyes. The big 11-point was standing
on the edge of the woods again! I
couldnt believe what was happen-
ing.
Was I dreaming? How could I
miss 3 times? As I snuck back into
the blind, I slid my windows open
and tried to settle back in on the
Brad Spitzley has trail cam photos of this buck hes been after for
a few years and after a unique day in the stand he finally har vested
the record book buck.
bucks vitals. At this point I was
already at wits end and could not
hold steady. I had a couple of shots
at 200 yards again, but obviously
that wasnt working out that great so
I decided to be patient knowing that
doe was still there.
Round 4
Finally the break I needed, the
doe injured in her own right, made a
break for my little three acre sec-
tion of thick stuff and of course he
followed suit. I thought they would
stop running before they entered the
swale, but she didnt so I couldnt
take a chance he would. I put my
crosshairs on him and touched off
my last shot at 65 yards just before
the buck entered the swale.
Now what?
So, there I was sitting in my
blind, muzzleloader in hand and no
ammo! And I still didnt know if I
had even hit the biggest buck in my
life. I frantically called my father-in-
law and asked him to go my house
and grab my shot gun and some
ammo so I could at least go after the
deer with some form of a weapon.
Thirty minutes later, soaked and
muddy, he finally arrived at my
blind with my Remington 1100 and
we went to look for blood.
As we approached the area
the buck went in, we jumped the
wounded doe he had been with, but
no sign of him. I saw a few spots of
good blood that hadnt been washed
away with the rain and while I was
looking for more blood, my father-
in-law had slipped passed me and
started walking through the swale.
I couldnt find any sign further
than 5 yards in the swamp and I
had reached knee deep water. Now
what?
Standing there in the pouring
rain, and for the first time in my 23
year hunting career, I was complete-
ly lost, so I called my dad to give
him an update and asked him for ad-
vice. I didnt want to ruin his hunt,
but he told me he would get out of
his blind and come help me look
for my deer even though he was
45 minutes away. Just then, I heard
several gunshots from the neighbors
about 200 yards to the north. My
heart instantly sank and I thought it
was over. Did we jump the buck?
I walked around the swale and
met up with my father-in-law and he
said he never jumped a deer. We dis-
cussed the plan of him going back
home and me waiting for my dad to
help me comb the section and bring
me my rubber boots. Walking back
to the blind, with my head down
and feeling miserable, my father-in-
law stopped and said Whats that,
whats that?
I turned and looked and saw a
deers body lying in the deep water
but couldnt see the head. Was this
my buck? I immediately pulled my
gun up and walked toward the deer,
5-yards from the deer, my sunken
heart got the lift it needed! I saw
the bucks rack sticking up from the
water. I couldnt believe what I was
seeing! I turned and probably scared
my father-in-law as I think I hugged
him several times. It was time to
celebrate!
After the terrible luck I had
during bow season, things finally
worked out for me. This was the
craziest day Ive ever had hunting!
After getting married and having
two crazy boys in my life, Ive
never been on such an emotional
roller coaster. I wish my dad would
have shot this buck as he deserves it
more than I, hopefully next year.
The 10 point rough scored in the
mid-140s, a record book buck with
missing a four inch tine on his right
G2. He has great mass but is only
14.5 inches wide. Letting the little
bucks go makes a difference.n
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 25
 WOLF
populations
then and now
M
ichigan DNR Wildlife Divi-
sion surveys indicate timber
wolves are now present in all
the counties in Michigans Up-
per Peninsula. Brian Roell MI
DNR Wildlife Biologist said
two small packs of wolves were documented in
the Keweenaw Peninsula in 2011. Keweenaw
was the was the last UP county for wolves to
colonize. Wolves were native to Michigan, until
serious hunting, trapping, and bounty killing
reduced their numbers and eventually extirpated
them from Michigan. Wolves remained essential-
ly nonexistent in Upper Michigan (other than Isle
Royale) from the 1950s to the 1980s. A failed
attempt by Northern Michigan University and
the Michigan DNR to reintroduce four wolves
to the Upper Peninsula occurred in 1974. Even-
tually wolves moved from Wisconsin
into Upper Michigan following strong
prey populations in the early 1990s. The
Wisconsin wolves originally came from
Upper Minnesota where they still were
maintaining a viable population.
In 1992 Upper Michigan wolves
were estimated to be about 20 animals
by the DNR. Wolf populations increased
significantly with good numbers
By Bill Ziegler
of their primary prey population of
deer. Attitudes about wolves were
fairly accepting initially, although as wolf popula-
Wolf killed near Iron River Michigan in 1920.
Wolves were killed off and disappeared from the
U.P. by the late 1950s. Alpha Mastodon Histori-
cal Society photo
26 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
tions increased, attitudes about wolves by hunt-
ers and livestock farmers became less favorable.
Winter weather plays a strong role in
deer populations and as the deer popula-
tions recently significantly decreased; at-
titudes about wolves deteriorated further.
Recent Michigan DNR Wildlife
surveys determined the wolf popula-
tion in the U.P. is at about 618 animals.
Wolf populations have been strong for
more than a decade now. The Michigan
Wolf Recovery and Manage-
ment Plan (1997) defined a viable
population as 200 animals for
five consecutive years to allow removal from the
state endangered species list. The Michigan wolf
population has exceeded 200 animals for more
than a decade. Michigan DNR Wildlife Division
has petitioned the US Fish and Wildlife Service
(US FWS) to remove wolves from the Federal
Endangered Species List and return them to
Michigan DNR management. Since 2007 wolves
in Michigan have been removed from the Federal
Endangered Species List three times by the US
FWS, although each time environmental groups
such as the Humane Society of the United States
have used bureaucratic technicalities successfully
to litigate the return of wolves to the Endangered
Species List.
Richard Thiel, noted Wisconsin Wildlife
Biologist, conducted extensive historical research
on Wisconsin and adjoining Upper Michigan
wolf populations and published his findings in a
book titled The Timber Wolf in Wisconsin The
Death of a Majestic Predator. Thiel reviewed all
of the available historical Wisconsin and Up-
per Michigan wildlife records including early
Wisconsin DNR studies, game warden reports of
wolf packs activities, bounty records dating back
to the 1800s, and all recorded wolf information in
state archives. His account documents wolf popu-
lations and their demise in Wisconsin and Upper
Peninsula counties by the mid-1900s.
Thiel concluded that Northern Wisconsin
and Upper Michigans vast expanses of old age
virgin forest did not originally support much of
a prey base. Deer were known to be at a much
lower population than present day conditions that
include extensive logging providing better deer
prey base. Thiel wrote The wolves that were
present probably hung tightly to areas of distur-
bance, such as wind throws and recently burned
areas, where there was likely to be plentiful
deer.
An example of dramatic change in timber
types that support prey species is a case study on
Cooks Run in Iron County on the Ottawa Nation-
al Forest. Based on timber species listed on the
original land survey in the 1850s prior to Eu-
ropean development the study concluded that
more than 90 percent of the Cooks Run water-
shed was climax forest (maple, hemlock, cedar,
etc.). Today that same watershed has almost
80 percent early age species like aspen which
is excellent forage for both deer and beaver. It
is a reasonable conclusion that both species are
dramatically more abundant in that area than they
were historically. Strong predator populations
cannot exist without strong prey populations.
Thiel followed Wisconsin DNR records to
estimate the Wisconsin timber wolf population
from about 1900 on to 1964. From 1920 to 1924
he found there to be evidence of 18 wolf packs
throughout the state with the average pack size
of 8.5 animals. In addition, with the evidence
of lone wolves, he derived an estimate of 204
wolves. His estimates declined to 156 wolves
in the early 1930s and declined to less than five
animals in the early 1960s. The environmental
conditions in the U.P. and level of persecution of
wolves was also similar in northern Wisconsin.
In the 1930s Thiel found evidence of eight wolf
packs in Michigans Upper Peninsula.
The White Pine Logging Supervisor, John
Nelligan, wrote about his life living and logging
in the U.P. and Northern Wisconsin in his book
titled, A White Pine Empire. He spent over
30 years in the woods in the late 1800s (before
most area human development) during the white
pine logging era. Many of those types of books
embellish their wildlife experiences, particularly
wolf encounters. He stated in his 30 years in that
area he saw wolf tracks and occasionally heard a
wolf howl, although he only saw two wolves the
Wolf populations then and now page 28
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Wolf populations then and now:
from page 26
entire time. Now days wolf sight-
ings are not uncommon by U.P.
outdoor enthusiasts. I have person-
ally observed wolves numerous
times throughout Iron and Dickin-
son Counties near where I worked
and live. I annually get a number
of photos of wolves on my game
cameras both near our house outside
Crystal Falls and our deer camp on
the Ottawa National Forest in West
Iron County. In the last two years
two game cameras, one at each loca-
tion, has taken pictures of wolves 12
separate days ranging from one to
six wolves each time.
According to the Michigan
DNR, wolves were completely
eliminated in the Lower Peninsula
by 1935. Wolves have not been
able to readily move back into the
lower Peninsula because of the
geographic barriers between the
significant population of wolves
in the U.P. across the Straits of
Mackinac. For any other access
they would not likely travel the long
distance through urbanization to
access Lower Michigan around the
lower portion of Lake Michigan.
Although biologists have found the
earliest evidence that wolves may be
MANAGE THE
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28 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
present in the Northern Lower Pen-
insula as one was killed after being
misidentified. Genetic evidence has
also been found to confirm another
living wolf. With the major geo-
graphic barriers, it may be long time
before wolves naturally reestablish
a breeding population in the Lower
Peninsula of Michigan through natu-
ral emigration.
Coyotes were not native to the
Midwestern north woods. Thiel re-
ports as wolves were removed from
the ecosystem coyotes were able to
move into the open ecological niche.
Coyotes have become abundant in
the north woods area of the Lake
States. It has been widely reported
following wolf reintroduction and
full recovery of wolf populations on
Yellowstone National Park that coy-
ote abundance declined in the park.
Tyler Petroelje, Chief Research
Assistant of the Upper Peninsula
Predator/Deer study said they have
found mixed results for coyote
abundance. He stated that coyote
abundance is low near Baraga and
Pelkie but as you move south near
Escanaba, coyote populations ap-
pear to be thriving. Coyotes and
wolves often do not overlap and
A pack of wolves hunting along a woods trail in nor thwest Iron County.
wolves are known to kill coyotes in
their core denning area.
Based on the historical informa-
tion available and common ecologi-
cal realities about predator and prey,
wolves appear to be more abundant
in Upper Michigan than they were
historically. Wolves are the top
predator in their environment and
their only effective predator and
factor that would affect wolf popula-
tions is man.
Wolves elicit a very mixed reac-
tion among Michigan outdoor enthu-
siasts. Some are completely thrilled
with increasing wolf populations
and relish any chance to encounter
this majestic predator. Others dislike
wolves due to the impact they can
have on deer, their deer hunting, or
locally on livestock and pets (dogs).
Many are in the middle where they
actually get a thrill from seeing
wolves or their sign, although they
are not as thrilled when it is regular
sightings in their favorite hunting
area or close to where they live.
Regardless of how you feel about
them, the reestablishment of wolves
in Michigan has been a success of a
native species reestablishing itself.
Now will come considerable legal
and political action to see if wolves
remain on the Federal Endangered
Species List or are permanently
returned to Michigan DNR man-
agement as has already occurred in
some northwestern States. No matter
what happens residents of the Upper
Peninsula will continue to live with
wolves and occasionally hear the
howl of the wolf.n
 CASTING
T
he white-tailed deers levels of the male hormone extend from January to late caused many bucks especially two
cycle of antler growth, testosterone decline, which March. Bucks with large and one-half year olds, to carry
hardening, casting in turn are dependent upon antlers reportedly retain their antlers until March or, in some
(dropping off), and re- the bucks dominance rank them longer than do bucks instances, even into April. Improved
growth is largely con- and physical condition. with small antlers. nutrition for our northern bucks,
trolled by hormones. Because antler casting is By comparison, in the then, produced an antler casting
This cycle involves a complex inter- under hormonal control, deep South, where deer schedule more closely resembling
play between the tiny pineal gland, a buck may drop both of breeding seasons are pro- that of southern whitetails, even
the hypothalamus of the brain, the its antlers on the same longed, some bucks may though the breeding schedule of

pituitary gland, and the testes, and
is a response to seasonal changes in
the amount of daylight. The cycle
follows the seasonal, rhythmic rise
and fall in blood levels of the male
hormone testosterone, which is pro-
duced principally by the testes.
More so than the timing of other
antler events, nutrition can have
a strong influence on the timing
of antler casting. In fact, within
a given region of the country, the
timing of a bucks antler casting
will provide a reasonably good
indication of his general health
status. Prolonged antler retention is
indicative of good health, whereas
physically exhausted, malnourished,
injured, or diseased bucks tend to
drop antlers early.
Antlers are cast when blood
By John Ozoga
day, possibly only
minutes apart, or,
more rarely, carry
one antler for weeks longer than the
other.
I observed one buck that had
been injured while fighting drop his
antlers a month apart.
On northern range, where
harsh winters tend to start in early
December, bucks generally drop
antlers from mid-December to late
January. Since large old dominant
bucks expend more energy and lose
more body weight during the rut, as
compared to young subordinates,
the larger individuals tend to cast
their antlers first.
In the Midwest, where the
weather is not so severe and nutri-
tion is better, antler casting may
retain their antlers
until March or
April, and large-
antlered bucks there tend to carry
antlers later than small-antlered
ones.
It is important to note, though,
that it is not latitude per se that
causes the north-to-south difference
in the timing of antler casting. A
bucks nutrition and general health
status, as well as his dominance
rank and length of the breeding
season, interact to determine the
time and order in which he casts his
antlers.
We demonstrated, for example,
that artificially raising the nutri-
tional level of the Cusino Enclosure
deer herd via supplemental feeding
greatly delayed antler casting and
enclosure does was not prolonged.
In a nutshell, antler retention is
a good indicator of nutritional con-
ditions for deer in northern areas. If
you see many bucks without antlers
during the extended archery season,
or late muzzle-loader season, in De-
cember, youll know range condi-
tions are not the best in your general
area. As a result, given early winter
onset and prolonged late winter
snow cover, consequences can be
expected.
On the other hand, if bucks in
your area carry their antlers un-
til late February, or longer, its a
good sign that theyre nutritionally
well-off, likely to survive the winter
season, and carry antlers of superior
size during their next antler growth
cycle.n

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 Second chance buck
R
ob Yahrmarkt, 34, of Low- 100% all the time.
ell, has a zest for life and On opening day of bow sea-
an interesting approach to son, Rob was a little upset with his
it. Aside from his family friend and college coach, Brandon
and job, he told me he breaks his life Brissette. I cant believe Brandon
into three seasons. scheduled the Olivet College Alumni
There is his workout season, Golf Outing on October 1st! he told
as a former Olivet College wrestler, me.
weight lifter and now high school For Rob it was the end of one
coach. season and the opening of another.
There is the golf season, where He was caught in two lives. I cant
he hits a four iron further than most miss the bow opener, Rob went on
could ever dream of hitting their to say.
driver. He decided to compromise. Golf
And then there is the bowhunt- in the morning and bow hunting
ing season, where he has a passion to in the afternoon. He knew exactly
chase Michigan whitetail. A passion when he had to leave the golf course
that has earned him a wall hanger in order to get to his tree stand for
this past season. the open evening bow hunt. Rob was
Hes fanatical about all three. last seen leaping from the golf cart,
Not only is he very good at all three, into his truck vanishing in record
he is obsessed by them! Each season time. Hes hunting on opening day!
consumes him, he No matter what! And there was no
studies them, and stopping him.
like a sponge he Rob made it to his stand with
soaks up everything time to spare. In stand, comfortable,
he can about them. excited and ready for the start of his
Rob is the kind hunting season. Rob heard some noise and there
of guy who gives He had several nice bucks on his
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trail cams and his heart raced with
anticipation of one of his targeted
bucks stepping into bow range.
As he sat in stand he kept think-
ing about a trail cam photo he had
from mid-July of a big 10-pointer
in velvet. That was the fella Rob
wanted. He had done his homework,
had practiced his shooting skills for
countless hours and was prepared
for a long season if needed. clean miss. The buck took a couple
Rob sat till well past dark on open-
ing evening and never saw a deer. A
little discouraged, but he understood.
His next available stand sit came
a couple days later. Arriving at his
hunting property he noticed the
farmer was combining corn. Rob
used the noise of the combine as an
opportunity to set another stand. In
no time Rob had a new stand set and
was ready to see if it would produce
any action.
The farmer stopped combining
with about an hour or so of light left
and the hunting woods settled in
around him.
was the first deer of the season in
front of him, just like that and just
that fast.
All I saw were antlers. I told
Or Visit Our Website
myself, okay this is it, its going to
happen! Rob recalls.
It was the 10-pointer Rob had
on trail cam from July. It was a long
shot, but Rob practices at that dis-
tance and is capable of that shot.
I had buck fever bad, he con-
fessed.
He took the shot and the arrow
went right over the bucks back, a
of steps, looked back but didnt act
spooked.
Maybe hell come back? Rob
thought.
Rob was upset at himself for
missing an opportunity at a giant
Michigan whitetail buck. Although
there was hope the buck may show
himself again. Rob was encouraged
because he saw seven other bucks,
and does hopped around him like
rabbits that night.
Rob knew he needed to get clos-
er to where they were traveling. He
moved his stand to a tree on the edge
of the field. The area was a natural
funnel and a lot of deer were moving
through the area, with the right wind
Rob would be back in that stand.
I got back in the stand about
a week later. A cold front moved
in and the wind was good for that
stand, Rob tells me.
It wasnt long and Rob heard
some noise, he thought it was too
early to be deer, shrugging it off as
a pesky raccoon. Looking over his
shoulder he soon realized it was his
buck, the 10-pointer. The one he had
cleanly missed a week earlier.
Was he really going to get a sec-
ond chance at this Michigan bruiser?
I watched him for 20 minutes
make his way my direction, Rob
says.
Rob felt like he was stuck in
time, as the buck ever so slowly
made his way toward him, but didnt
seem to close the distance. Stopping
to look forward then back every few
steps.
I started talking to myself, he
said chuckling.
Okay you can do this...stay
calm, get ready, you can do this.
Relax, you will make it count this
time, Rob went on to tell me.
The heavy antlered, big bodied
buck came out of the thick brush
right where Rob thought he would. Rob Yahrmarkt, Lowell with his second chance buck which unofficially scored 149 3/4.
The buck was in no hurry. He
stopped to rub some branches raking oculars after the shot and could see but was still alive. traveled.
his antlers from side to side. He con- blood dripping down the bucks I watched him for an hour and I remember thinking, I just shot
tinued his slow pace, walking into front leg. a half. I got out of the stand and a big Michigan buck. Twelve years
the shooting lane just 30 yards from I was saying to myself, GO headed to get help to track. I was of hunting and I finally got a real
Rob. DOWN! GO DOWN! Rob contin- pretty excited, Rob said. shooter. Rob told me.
He was ready. Robs arrow hit ues. Rob and his friend went Bowhunting is the best, I love
its mark this time, a good shot. He Why isnt he going down? back after 9 p.m. and eventually the challenge. Having a deer in front
jumped as the arrow disappeared. he says to himself. The buck took found him. Although he was of you is just pure excitement! Rob
Rob watched him with bin- another few steps before lying down, surprised how far the buck had concludes. n

WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 31

 COTTONTAIL CRAZINESS
By Kenny Darwin
T
he brown blur dashed
through the tall grass
and I got a lead on
him and touched the
trigger. When I bent
over to pick up my
prize a second bunny
ran to my right and a third went left.
I was so shocked I barely got a snap
shot at the third critter and managed
to roll him like dice. Thats the way
Michigan cottontail hunting can go.
Some days you walk your legs off
for a couple shots and other days
they are exploding beneath your feet
like firecrackers on July Fourth. One
thing is certain; they provide fun
sport and good eating for Michigan
sportsmen.
In my younger days I was a
bunny nut and hunted from opener
through winter with family and
friends. Back then pheasants were
abundant and Id join up with high
school friends on weekends to drive
cornfields for roosters and jump
shoot rabbits. We would have our
limit of pheasants at lightning speed
and spent most of the day jumping
cottontails from tall grass and wil-
low thickets. Guess Ive been pursu-
ing cottontails for over 60 years and
although pheasants are gone and
hunter numbers have declined, rab-
bit hunting is still very popular.
Im not certain what happened
in 2017 to lead to the tremendous in-
crease of rabbits in southern Michi-
gan. Perhaps Ive trapped and shot
enough coyotes from my hunting
turf so rabbits can reproduce. Then
again maybe conditions were ideal
and rabbits went wild making little
bunnies. Im flush with cottontails
on my hunting grounds and look
forward to the lengthy season ahead.
I must admit that I save the best
for last and try to get pheasant hunt-
ing and outings out of the way for
waterfowl and squirrel and bucks
before I concentrate on cottontails.
Guess I like to wait for the first
snow when bunnies are active and
out dancing in the new blanket of
snow. Fact is there are simply more
rabbits available in late November
through December than the rest of
winter when Mother Nature serves
up bitter cold critter killing weather.
Early season is when the cover is
still thick with tall grass and bun-
nies are bouncing in every direction,
thats when cottontails go crazy.
This is perhaps the best gunning of
the entire year and the results supply
a pot full of cottontail stew.
Cottontails are prolific breeders
but populations can be affected by
32 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
Author holds a brace of fat cottontails as he takes stand on a hill covered
with briars and rabbit holes. His par tner is deep in the brush, walking up
cottontail that sprint toward the author.
bad weather, mostly long cold win-
ters with deep snow and increased
predation. Coyotes raise havoc with
rabbit numbers. Back in the day
it was easy to find plenty of ideal
habitat but changing agricultural
practices and decline of thick habitat
has helped the population to decline.
If you want cottontails you need
to concentrate efforts in thick cover.
Rabbits are found just about any-
where with dense cover. The more
abundant the brushes, tall grasses
and cover the more critters. A briar
patch thick with vines and thorny
brush is an ideal rabbit hiding
location. Thick fence rows, ditches
covered with grass and alders can be
a bunny hot spot. Another example
of a rabbit honey hole is around
old abandoned farms or dwellings,
stored farm equipment, automotive
junk yards, barns and more. Rabbits
hang in the thick foliage and hide
in holes found along the rundown
buildings.
The availability of plenty of cot-
tontails makes it worthwhile to kick
them up. Sure they hold tight but
two hunters moving slowly can get
them jumping in every direction. It
is a riot to bag a few rabbits without
using dogs. However, you need to
concentrate on locations with good
populations.
One deadly trick is to place
one hunter near the tangled thicket
littered with holes while the other
hunter walks the cover and jumps
em up. If the stalker misses a shot
the stander can take them before
they dash down a hole.
Hunters must hit locations with
sparse cover in the early season but
as crops are harvested and cover de-
clines rabbits move to thicker, safer
locations. Come fresh snow look for
animals in extremely dense cover
highlighted by thick brush, grass
and briars or thorns. Likewise you
can find bunnies hiding under brush
piles where critters have sanctuary
from the elements and predators.
Cottontails live in a relatively
small home range and they do not
like to leave their home turf. Jump
one and it darts through the thicket
and goes out a distance, but if you
get on its trail it will circle back
to its home turf. Dogs following a
scent trail can bring a bunny full
circle at lightning speed. Usually the
circle is within a hundred yards and
hunters must work to get in posi-
tion to take advantage of the run-
ning target. Naturally some places
are better than others for rabbit
hunting and it is not hard to locate
hot spots. Look for rabbits around
small fields of grasses or agriculture
crops bordered by thickets or small
woods. Dont overlook hay bales,
brush piles on freshly cleared land
sites, timber clear cuts and densely
covered power lines. Cottontail love
honeysuckle, tall grass, thick weeds,
pine trees, briars, and all brands of
thick vegetation.
Some things simply go together
like honey and bread. One such
combination is hunting cottontails
with beagles. Dogs find rabbits and
jump them out of hiding locations
and open up with a chorus of music
that adds a new exciting dimension
to rabbit hunting. Dogs not only get
bunnies moving, they enhance the
hunt by running the rabbit in a circle
as hunters set up stand locations for
a shot. Just the sound of a beagle
baying on a hot rabbit trail will get
your blood flowing and the adrena-
line rush of hearing the fired up
hound accentuates the hunt, makes
it more exciting. Hunters listen to
the hounds and enjoy the chase
even more. The sound of an excited
beagle baying on a hot rabbit trail on
a snowy Michigan day is the brand
of hunting music hunters find addic-
tive. When the beagle music starts,
your adrenaline will kick in because
you know soon it is time to raise the
gun and make a clean kill. At times
the sound of the baying dog is so
exciting the hunter doesnt want the
fun to end.
Some hunters prefer to walk up
rabbits using stalking skills. Many
bag plenty of rabbits using .22
rifles, pistols or archery equipment.
However most prefer a lightweight
shotgun like a .410 or 20-gauge with
a modified choke. Which weapon
you prefer is a personal choice but
a shotgun is the best for those who
want to harvest maximum numbers
of fast moving rabbits. Some folks
prefer a #6 shot size for rabbit.
Others prefer the more powerful #4
rounds that offer more knock down
power and place less BBs in the
meat.
I use my waterfowl hunting vest
with waterproof game bag when
hunting rabbits. The deep pockets
come in handy for extra shells,
warm, dry gloves and the game bag
holds my prized harvest leaving my
hands free for shooting.
If you want to jump bunnies,
heres how it works. Enter the thick
brush at a slow pace, looking for his nose. For going away shots try to Cottontail hunting is fantastic
telltale rabbit sign like fresh tracks. not center your bead on the bounc- fun and excellent outdoor exercise.
Keep your finger on the safety and ing white tail but aim at the head With a little work, a friend or two
gun across your chest in a ready and try to hit targets in the head or and perhaps a good dog, cottontail
position and be prepared for a rabbit neck area to save more meat. hunting is rewarding and a pile
to sprint out of cover at lightning When cottontails go crazy and of laughs. Time spent outdoors,
speed. The trick is to move rela- the action is fast paced you will afield in Michigan, the camaraderie
tively slow, say take ten steps and quickly learn you can get off more and fantastic wild game eating all
stop, look and listen. It is the pause killing shots if you hold your gun in combine to make the effort well
in your step that drives cottontail the ready position. Those who carry worthwhile. When the weather is
crazy and they break from the cover guns over their shoulder or cradled warm, conditions ideal and bunnies
and frantically try to get away from in their arm will go home with more are jumping from underfoot like
you. Shots are in close range but shells than they prefer. For increased popcorn popping, the excitement
happen at lightning speed. You need accurate shots have the gun in ready is downright addictive, even a tad Cottontail rabbits provide fun winter spor t
to spot the critter, shoulder the gun, position with hand on the grip. crazy.n and are abundant throughout the L.P.
flip the safety off, get a lead on the
fast moving target and squeeze off
an accurate shot. It all happens in
less than a couple seconds. Are you
ready?
Stalking is an art form and those
who carry archery gear quickly
learn the importance of sneaking
up on unsuspecting cottontail at a
snails pace and ambushing your
target. This requires advanced
woodsmanship skills and attention
to details. Locating a wild rabbit
hidden in cover is not an easy task
but if you train your eye to seek
brown spots you will soon begin to
see them. The thrill of the stalk is
addictive and if cottontails explode
from under your feet the excitement
level soars. Stalking requires you
hone predatory skills, become the
ultimate hunter, sneak like a fox and
spot game like an eagle and execute
a clean kill.
Dont think for a minute that
rabbits are a cake walk. They are
well camouflaged targets hidden
in grass, brush, against stumps
and they rocket out of hiding like
a jet fighter blasting off an aircraft
carrier. Stalking bunnies as a kid is
where I honed my skills used for
whitetail deer. Sure my daddy taught
me plenty of tricks but sneaking
up on cottontails is a challenge that
makes stumbling hunters into true
sportsmen. This is best practiced
alone, although a friend can be used
at the other end of the thicket to take
pot shots at escaping bunnies. Stalk-
ing is much different than spreading
out hunters and driving or simply
moving cottontails. Thats the
beauty of cottontail hunting; there is
a variety of hunting tactics that can
be used to harvest game.
For this brand of hunting most
hunters prefer to jump shoot rabbits,
which requires snap shooting skills.
Cottontail in heavy cover seldom
provide an open shot, there is no
time to swing and you have to blast
at a dashing target. For this kind
of shooting you simply shoulder
the gun and shoot in one smooth
motion. Oh sure you can try to pick
an opening, try to get a proper lead
but most bunnies are out of sight
fast as you can snap your fingers. If
you have a bunny running broadside
swing past his head and touch the
trigger the instant the bead reaches
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 33
 Roswell, New MexicoBy Darryl Quidort

Are they really out there?

Most people have
heard about the
Roswell UFO
incident where, in
July of 1947, an
unidentified flying
object crashed in
the desert near

T
Roswell, New Mexico.
he Air Force #509
Operations Group
reported that it had
recovered a flying
disc from the crash
site. The military then
reported that it was just a weather
balloon. Rumors started circulat-
ing. Reports surfaced of a thin metal
that wouldnt bend and tiny I-beams
with small symbols on them which
had been found at the crash site. A
local nurse told of strange alien bod-
ies in the morgue. Conspiracy theo-
ries claimed that an alien spacecraft
had crashed and the government had
engaged in a cover-up scheme.
The Roswell incident continues
to be of interest even today. Many
still believe it was aliens from outer
space. Years of controversy and
conspiracy have developed a certain
UFO culture in Roswell. Each
summer they celebrate with a UFO
Festival and many people still visit
the crash site. While looking up at
the star filled sky above the desert,
they wonder, Are they really out
there?
There is a primitive muzzle
loader season for mule deer in
the Roswell area, and since Mike
Yancey and I both build flintlock
rifles, we decided to go on an adven-
ture. Neither of us had ever been in
the area so we had no idea what to
expect.
Both of us had built a new
flintlock rifle to hunt with this fall
and we had hopes that a mule deer
buck would be the first game to fall
to our new rifles. Mikes rifle was
a hefty .58 caliber and mine a long
barreled .54 caliber. Both of us were
shooting patched round balls just as
the pioneers did a couple of hundred
years ago. Our rifles were very accu-
rate and we had sighted them in out
to 100 yards. Thats as far as we felt
confident to shoot at game with the
historic open sights on our rifles.
We arrived two days early to
do some scouting before the five
34 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
The author thinks this looks like tough country for mule deer hunting.
day season opened. After setting up more of the same. A dozen does us. All we saw was another dozen
camp we drove some of the trails to were spotted, but they all saw us does but no bucks. The second day
glass for game and get acquainted first and moved leisurely away at of hunting season was more of the
with the country. long distance. They seemed spooky same. We didnt have a clue how to
As Mike and I scanned the sandy for mule deer. The rut occurs in Jan- proceed from there.
New Mexico desert with our binoc- uary in New Mexico so we reasoned Then we met Steve. Steve was
ulars we also wondered if they were that the bucks must be somewhere a scrawny old guy with front teeth
really out there. We were looking else, maybe in bachelor groups. But like a horse. As a local, he had
for mule deer, not aliens, but deer where? The country all looked the hunted the area for years. He was so
seemed to be just as scarce as fly- same. funny that he had us laughing at his
ing saucers. There wasnt a decent Going into Roswell to fill up jokes right away. Then we learned
tree within a hundred miles and the with gas that night we were sur- that his nephew, Kyle, had killed a
scrubby desert mesquite and bitter prised to see green aliens hanging monster buck that day.
brush grew only waist high in scat- out with the witches and other regu- Ill show you guys where
tered patches. Areas of humpy sand lar Halloween decorations. Only theres some good bucks, Steve
dunes seemed to be the only place a see that in Roswell, New Mexico I volunteered.
deer could hide. guess. Even the city welcome sign Wed really appreciate that!
Walking out into the dunes I was has an alien spaceship on it. But theres a lot of hunters around
surprised to see that they resembled Opening morning of the season here. Dont you want to keep the
the sand dunes found in many places went from dark to light in a matter area to yourself? we asked.
along the Lake Michigan shore. of minutes. The horizon was pretty Naw, Ive already killed a lot
Recent rains had dampened the sand much a straight line, so it was dark of deer. Why, Ive killed more deer
and animal tracks were easy to see; until the sun popped up, and then it than Chronic Wasting Disease,
coyotes, deer, pronghorn antelope, was light. It also went from cold to Steve laughed like a horse. You
quail, rabbits, even large beetles had hot in a matter of minutes. With the see, the deer around here have
left their telltale tracks. Then I no- low humidity it gets cold at night evolved, but the hunters havent.
ticed a track that I didnt recognize. in the desert. It also gets hot when Most hunters just drive the trails
Following along, I was surprised to the sun shines. There was a 40 or with pickups, or four wheelers and
find a turtle! Or, more correctly, a 50 degree temperature swing each stop now and then to glass for deer.
tortoise. I later learned that it was a morning and evening. The desert is The deer know that, so they just
rare Desert Tortoise, an endangered definitely an interesting place. lay down when they hear a vehicle
species. Only doe mule deer were We made some big circles and coming, he hee-hawed again. You
seen during that first day of scout- long walks but the deer always saw have to spot the deer at a distance,
ing. us coming and just moved away, then get down and crawl through
The second day of scouting was keeping about a half mile between the cactus to get within range, he
advised. toward the area where the bucks
Steve took us to a big basin
which was a couple of miles wide.
It looked just like the area we had
been hunting. This is where Kyle
got his buck. Theres more bucks
out there because his was the
smallest one out of a group of five
bucks, he explained. Good luck.
You guys should get your bucks
here, he said as he drove away. We
didnt know if we could trust that
joker or not.
We climbed up on the back of
the pickup and watched with the
spotting scope until dark but didnt
see any deer. Think ole Steve is
playing a little joke on us? I asked.
I think I can hear him horse
laughing right now, Mike an-
swered.
The next day we saw our first
mule deer bucks. They were right
where Steve said they would be. We
had returned to the basin, walked to
a vantage point before daylight, and
sat down to watch and wait. It was
mid-morning before I saw a buck
stand up in a patch of brush. As we
watched, another big buck stood up.
Then they both laid back down out
of sight.
After easing down into slightly
lower ground, we started moving
had disappeared. By stooping down
and staying behind brush we neared
the area where wed last seen the
deer. Our intent was to get to a
large patch of mesquite where we
could sit, within flintlock range, and
wait for the bucks to make the next
move. Hopefully they would stand
up and give us a good shot oppor-
tunity. As we duck-walked closer,
four big mulie bucks were suddenly
up and running. They had busted us
somehow. We dove into cover and
watched helplessly as the deer ran
away. Half a mile away they slowed
to a walk and then stopped. We
watched with binoculars as three of
the bucks laid down, out of our sight
again. The fourth buck then laid
down in the open, alertly watching Mike Yancey searches for mule deer at sunrise.
us.
With no better plan, we just continued watching us. He had done hunted think its just about taking
stayed put, watching the buck as he exactly what Steve had said they game. Mike and I both know there is
watched us. Half an hour later the do. Needless to say, we had a new a lot more to hunting than just filling
buck suddenly went flat, with his appreciation for Steve, and for these tags. Camping with an old friend,
neck stretched out and chin flat on mule deer. exploring a new area, and enjoying
the ground. Is there a vehicle com- Thats the way the rest of our new hunting experiences made our
ing? I joked. hunt went. A couple more nice mulie New Mexico adventure a lot of fun.
Yes, theres a four wheeler bucks, at long distance, and many We still laugh about Steve, and won-
on the ridge just above him! Mike does but never a chance for a shot. der about him too. Im sure we will
gasped. We broke camp the day after season both treasure our fond memories of
After the vehicle went by, the and started the long drive home. the uniqueness of the desert and the
buck raised his head again and Many people who have never challenges of hunting there.n
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 35
 Mentor Hunting License makes
12-year-old a veteran hunter
T
welve year old Zack
Burnette of Cass
City sure appreciates
the Mentor Hunting
License for Michigan
which allows kids
9 and under to go hunting with an
adult. This allowed him to start shar-
ing quality time at age six
with his dad, Don Burnette
hunting cottontails with a
petite Cricket .22 rifle
(a great firearm for little
kids), and rabbit hunting
remains to be a favorite
winter pastime. Father and
son would continue to share
By Tom Lounsbury
adventures in
the outdoors
together.
Thanks to crossbows being legal
for archery deer hunting, Zack was
able to participate at age seven,
when he bagged his first deer, a
Thumb 5-point buck. When Zack
was still a baby, his father Don had
purchased a youth model Reming-
ton 1100 in 20 gauge, with plans
for the future. Zack would use this
shotgun to bag his first Thumb
turkey gobbler when he was eight
years old. He would go on to take
more deer (all bucks thus far) and
another real dandy Thumb gobbler
this past spring. He had also taken a
nice buck last December during the
muzzleloader deer season, using a
.50 caliber CVA (and another buck
using the same firearm during last
years special youth deer hunt), so
Zack is no slouch in the deer hunt-
ing arena.
Zack was also in the Hunter
Safety Class I assisted with last
year at the Cass City Gun Club,
and I know for a fact that with him
already being a seasoned hunter, he
passed in flying colors, something
the mentor hunting license is a great
asset for. There is also no question
that Zacks best hunting buddy is his
father, and Ive been following their
hunting adventures for some time
now because they are my neighbors
who live just across the road from
my farm.
I test fired the Ruger Ameri-
can bolt-action rifle in .450 Bush-
master, when Randys Hunting
Center of Bad Axe first brought it
out just before deer season last year,
and it is a phenomenal performer
for deer hunting in southern Michi-
gan (which was once known as the
shotgun zone). A flat shooter with
an effective range of 300 yards, the
.450 Bushmaster cartridge is actu-
36 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
ally quite mellow (in my opinion
anyway) to shoot, and the one I test
fired lacked a muzzle brake. I put
the recoil in th2e neighborhood of
that of a .20 gauge shotgun firing
birdshot loads and it is certainly
a caliber that would be fine for
light framed individuals, including
women and youth hunters
(a muzzle brake softens
matters even more I
highly recommend the one
produced by Mag-Na-Port).
Needless to say, Zack
Burnette was real excited
when he ended up with
a scoped Ruger Ameri-
can rifle in the
venerable .450
Bushmaster
caliber to use for hunting local deer
this fall. He found out firing it at the
shooting range was a breeze that
offered great accuracy and he was
really looking forward to the 2017
firearms deer seasons opening day.
Spot and stalk hunting is an of-
ten overlooked technique to use for
whitetails, but it is actually a method
I have often used in the more open
farm country of the Thumb, which
deer regularly traverse. They also
seek out these more open areas to
avoid hunting pressure and know
how to instinctively and effectively
use the topography and any existing
cover (such as ditches and fence-
rows) to their advantage. First spot-
ting, then planning the route to get
in range, and carefully stalking in is
actually a very exciting and chal-
lenging way to hunt local whitetails.
A case in point happened a few
seasons ago when I glassed a deer
silhouetted on the skyline a half
mile away. The firearms season as
well as the whitetail rut was in full
swing and when I realized the deer Zack Burnette, age 12, of Cass City with his dandy Thumb 8-point taken
was a solo doe, I began glassing on opening day during a spot and stalk hunt with his father Don Burnette.
the tall grass in the fencerow near Zack used a scoped Ruger American bolt-action rifle in .450 Bushmas-
her. I soon spotted some fair-sized ter to drop the buck in its tracks at 150 yards, during an intense rain-
white antlers protruding up out of storm entailing high winds. Don Burnette photo
the grass, and I planned my stalk,
which would take over a mile for were just to the left of an adjoining in his tracks with a 12 gauge slug. It
me to cover to get in range of the fencerow and I approached on the was truly a memorable hunt (includ-
deer a half mile away. They were right side and used a plow furrow ing discovering sore muscles after-
to the south of my position and the to keep a lower profile next to the wards I didnt know I had, thanks
wind was out of the west. I used the scant cover. I was only 50 yards to lengthy duck walking down a
topography and existing cover to away when the doe stepped through muddy plow furrow). A good stalk
angle my way in until I was only a the fencerow and looked right at me involves both suspense and anticipa-
couple hundred yards from the deer. (while I was doing a squatted duck tion and nothing is boring about it
What can happen when stalk- walk down the furrow), while the at all.
ing is to bump into deer you didnt 8-point buck lurched up out of the Opening day this year started
know were there, and then the gig grass to follow the doe. The doe out dry in the Thumb but didnt
is up, but fortunately I didnt bump was just going into full alert when I stay that way, and by noon a literal
into and spook any deer along my touched the trigger and dropped the monsoon hit, being pushed by a
meandering stalk. The doe and buck buck (that was finally into full view) strong south wind. The morning
hunt had proven to be uneventful readied his Ruger and made sure the A few days later, Dons 8 year old ing License, Zoey can readily get
for Zack and his father. It was after scope was clear of raindrops. The daughter Zoey joined her brother into the deer hunting action (and
lunch they realized a large herd of buck was standing broadside at 150 and father in a hunting blind for an she informed her father this was
deer were in a nearby corn stubble yards and looking like it was ready afternoon hunt. Zack would bag his to be ASAP). Something tells
field (thanks to a call from Grandpa to boogey out when Zack settled the second 8-point buck (at 75 yards) me Ill be hearing some successful
Dave Burnette). Careful glassing crosshair of his scope and touched for the season with his little sister hunting stories in Zoeys regard.
determined that a nice buck was the trigger. The large 8-point Zoey watching the whole affair. And yes folks, kids, even little
mindlessly chasing after does, and dropped in his tracks, a downrange Zoey then let her father know she kids can do a great job at hunting
Zack and Don planned their ap- performance the .450 Bushmaster wanted to hunt deer too. Up to this and Zack Burnette is a prime
proach. The deer were grouped up a (Hornady 250 grain) round is known point she had only hunted local example. His father Don has
quarter mile away to the northwest, for doing. According to Don, his cottontail rabbits with her (pink) .22 made sure of that and they are
the strong, rain-filled wind was son Zack was calm and collected Cricket rifle and now deer were defi- best hunting buddies. Zoey no
out of the southeast and Zack and through the whole process, much nitely on the agenda. doubt is going to make it a
Don would use some wooded cover more than the father was. Thanks to Michigans Mentor Hunt- threesome from now on.n
along the field to close the distance
out of sight of the deer.
They marked where all the
deer were, double checked there
werent any deer elsewhere that
could be bumped, and started their
approach completely out of sight
of the deer in a high wind driving
a heavy downpour of rain. When
they reached the predetermined
location, which was as close as they
could get without their scent alerting
the deer, Zack and Don then care-
fully approached north to the corn
stubble field, with belly crawling
being required the last few yards
through dense, wet grass to avoid
detection from a bunch of watchful
eyes. Once at the edge, they began
glassing the deer to carefully assess
the situation.
Don was the spotter with a
binocular and his son Zack was the
shooter when they set the shooting
sticks up for a steady shot and Zack

Don Burnette of Cass City and his

son Zack make a great father and
son hunting team. This is the 2017
spring Thumb gobbler Don called
in to 27 yards and his son Zack
dropped it in its tracks using a
20 gauge Remington 1100 (youth
model) shotgun.
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 37
 11th American Woodcock Symposium...By Tom Carney

Part II: Migration knowledge creates more questions

Note: Part I of this two-part series Hosted by the Michigan DNR, Ruffed
appeared in the December 2017 issue Grouse Society, American Woodcock
of Woods-N-Water News and discussed Society, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
techniques for hunters who want to re- (USFWS), and the Hal and Jean Glassen

A
duce their harvest of female woodcock.
l Stewart loomed over the
audience and relied on
his 6-foot 4-inch frame to
drive home his point. He
held his hand waist-high
and said, Heres how
much we knew about woodcock migra-
tion when our only data came from
bird bands. That knowledge was often
limited to Point A where the bird was
banded, when, and at what age class;
and Point B where the dead bird was
recovered, when, and at what age class.
Then, with his arm fully extended
above his head Stewart added, And
heres how much we know now, with
GPS and satellite transmitters tracking
woodcock migrations. The data is so
new, so raw, and so plentiful, that biolo-
gists arent certain yet what it all means.
And more is coming.
Stewart, Upland Game Bird Special-
ist for the DNR, was acting as host and
moderator for a panel discussion that
took place on the final day of the 11th
American Woodcock Symposium held
at the Ralph A. MacMullen Conference
Center near Roscommon in October
2017.
TIME TO HUNT
Memorial Foundation, the symposium
attracted biologists from 20 states and
five different countries. Over a three-
day period, they presented scientific
papers covering the general topics of
Population Assessment, Habitat
Dynamics, Singing Ground Survey
Evaluation and Management Tech-
niques.
The title of this particular discus-
sion: Where Do We Go from Here?
The electronic monitoring of migrat-
ing woodcock gives biologists informa-
tion about not only where each bird
was tagged and where it dies but also
to points in between. Though of limited
shelf life, these units present an accurate
picture over time of the movements of
the migrating birds, and further evalua-
tion might determine if these represent
trends of the species or just quirks and
preferences of individuals.
For example, David G. Krementz of
the USGS Arkansas Cooperative Fish &
Wildlife Research Unit at the University
of Arkansas shared data from a prelimi-
nary draft of a paper he and his team are
assembling for publication. He dis-
played images that illustrated woodcock
densities for about 75 monitored birds Because you never know where they were the day before, says writer Tom
during the fall and spring migrations Huggler (shown) on why woodcock are his favorite game bird. New technology is
helping biologists to better tell the story of the birds travels. Tailfeather Com-
munications, LLC photo
over the past three years. The maps rally be interested in whatever they can

WATUSI & HOGAN HOGS

showed 40 percent of the birds that
left the Louisiana/Texas area in spring
ended up in the Eastern Region of the
U.S.; in the past, data recovered from
banded birds indicated that number was
about 5 percent. While those numbers
suggested some startling revelations,
however, given their preliminary sta-
tus, Krementz emphasized they are not
yet etched in stone.
Stewart added another consider-
ation.
A caveat to that is this has only
been done a couple of years. Weather
can impact woodcock movement east
and west as well as north and south. Its
hard to say where things are going.
And while biologists would natu-
learn about the birds wherever they can
learn it, the actual needs of the wood-
cock might provide further direction for
the studies.
Said Stewart, Id say in terms of
the Eastern Flyway vs. the Central Fly-
way we will learn even more. The East-
ern is where we have greatest concern.
Loss of habitat. Expanded development
by humans. Where we have seen the
population declining trends. In recent
years its flattened out a little bit. Thats
the place where we have the growing
concern. So its only appropriate we will
expand that study into those areas so we
know what the woodcock are doing.
And just to clarify, the woodcock
flyways do not correspond with those

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for waterfowl. The Eastern Region and stay longer along certain weather locations but on a constant basis.
covers the Atlantic Coast to the Appa- fronts where they stack up. In Michigan, Finally, something for the layman
lachian Mountains. The Central Region that would be along the Mt. Pleasant to chew on as he inspects the woodcock
runs from there to just beyond the Mis- edge. hes just cleaned. Hunters often say the
sissippi. The woodcock migration density map amount of fat along the breastbone of
Another thing the density maps showed also showed a major stopping off spot a woodcock indicates its travel status:
was that woodcock do not just filter south of Chicago; there they decide to thin fat line = local; thick band of fat =
south or north at a steady pace. The data head west up through Wisconsin and a migrator that has just stopped in for a
indicate they actually display three dif- Minnesota or to turn east and maybe en- rest. Its possible neither of those deter-
ferent travel patterns, hops, fits, and ter Michigan. Data showed that a good miners is accurate.
jumps. number of birds ignore Michigan and One biologist theorized that the
Most noticeably, from western Ten- continue flying east toward Pennsylva- width of the fat line on a woodcocks
nessee and Kentucky and the Ozarks to nia and beyond. breast could be an indicator of how far
south of Chicago, woodcock seem to The data have their limitations, it will fly each night (a hop or fit vs.
jump over the great desert of a corn however. They show where the wood- a jump). That fat line can also just be
belt and soybeans in Indiana, Illinois cock are but not in what type of habitat. telling us that different birds prepare for
and Ohio. Its a desert to woodcock Stewart explained, Satellite trans- migration differently, with some really
because its all plowed land. They just mitters put you within five football packing on the fat as if they are in
bypass it. fields of the site. The GPS units take training so they can fly the jumps
Its a biological desert, said Stewart. you to the exact point location of the while others will not pack on as much
There is no naturally occurring habitat. birds. And those are the ones that the and will fly in the hops and fits.
In a woodcocks view its looked at continued studies will expand on and Both are theory, said Stewart. In Now able to fit woodcock with elec-
as a desert that does not offer food or will give specific locations of birds as order to look at the fat you have to kill tronic transmitters, biologists have
habitat. Shelter. No trees. No brush. they move through the system. Stewart the bird. So you can never really know gained some preliminary outlooks into
Just fall-plowed dirt. Not to be harsh says the satellite transmitters deliver what its next move was going to be. their migration densities and patterns.
on farmers. Thats just their method of more information over the life of the ra- Part of my theory is to look at This combined fall/spring map of data
doing it. dio than the GPS transmitter does, when people; you put on what youve got to collected over a three-year period,
For the most part, however, the the woodcock is traveling and its course in order to get to your next location. A pretty much tells the story. The darker
longer jumps take place in the fall and of migration. The satellite provides info bird thats here in Michigan is going to the shade, the more densely populated
measure around 250 miles each. The on a constant basis while the GPS unit be putting on fat so he can get to Loui- a spot is. The area indicated by the
shorter hops and fits occur in spring. In only gives 30 readings but doesnt send siana, too. How long does it take to put oval is the great deser t the wood-
spring, they show site fidelity, stop- any until the final one is taken. Stewart on that band of fat? Hes not going to cock ignore during their migrations.
ping in the same places as in fall but gave an example: A GPS unit took read- put it on overnight. I havent and dont David G Krementz, USGS, University of
staying longer at each spot. ings once a week until January 31. After know of anyone who has looked at the Arkansas photo
Stewart explained, The first birds the final reading, biologists downloaded full physiology of this.
to migrate north are feeling their way. the information. Until end of January, Albert Einstein famously said, I extended arm, but their curiosity is far
They are more sensitive to weather though, they didnt know where bird have no special talents. I am only pas- from sated.
like deep snow going north. They had been. Once they received the data, sionately curious. And on the topic of Stewart himself is looking ahead:
dont want to get too far north and get they knew exactly where the bird had woodcock migrations, wildlife biolo- When we get more satellite transmit-
sort of snowed in. Those years when we been on those 30 occasions. Satellite gists have been able to gather a pile of ters and GPS transmitters we can learn
have milder winters they may move up transmitters gave more generalized data taller than the reach of Al Stewarts all that stuff.n

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WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 39
 SNOWY OWLS
S
nowy owls are char-
ismatic, majestic and
mysterious. They
are the heaviest of all
North American owls
with some weighing
almost six pounds. Their yellow
eyes, massive talons, feathered feet,
eye-catching white plumage and
diurnal hunting behavior
appeals to almost everyone,
even people who normally
would rather shop in a
crowded mall than walk in
the silence of a woodland.
Naturalists and birders are
smitten by their unpredict-
able movement patterns,
and the
spirit of
the remote
By Jonathan Schechter
arctic wilderness these amazing
raptors represent. However, unless
you plan on visiting the high Arctic
tundra of North America or Eurasia,
the chances of seeing snowy owls
in the wild is usually nearly zero.
Maybe not this winter, for they are
popping up all over the Midwest al-
most as quickly as crocuses emerge
in spring.
In North America, snowy owls
nest as far west as the western
Aleutian Islands of Alaska. Snowy
owls breed in rugged arctic land-
scapes including the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge where snowy owls
will aggressively dive-bomb and
drive off wolves that dare approach
the owlets in their ground
nests. They are found from
the western reaches of the
arctic regions of Canada
to Newfoundland and
Labrador, the most east-
ern province of Canada.
I encountered two snowy
owls on the morning after
Thanksgiv-
ing in Tusc-
ola County.
The encounter was not accidental. The author caught this snowy owl in Tuscola Co. sitting on a pile of gravel.
For the two weeks prior to that en-
counter I had been in daily contact came late Thanking evening from I studied literature from Project
with birder friends and organiza- my Lapeer County birder friend, SNOWstorm, a volunteer-fueled
tions that monitor the migratory fellow outdoor writer Jeff Nedwick, snowy owl-tracking organization
movement of these internationally We have confirmed sightings in founded after a major irruption of
protected enigmatic raptors that Tuscola County. Snowy Owls four years ago. Their
know no borders. Thats all I had to hear and I website emphasized a new snowy
The call I was waiting for finally was out the door the next morning owl irruption appears to be un-
at dawn. The first two hours of our derway. We remained hopeful and
coffee-fueled hunt was fruitless as I was pleased I understood the word

BE READY THIS
we slowly cruised backroads of the irruption, a very different meaning
Tuscola County farm country paying then the word eruption some-

SEASON!!
close attention to power poles and thing a volcano does.
freshly tilled farm fields. Snowy owls have appeared all
Snowy Owls are active by day, over Wisconsin and the Wisconsin
and will usually perch high up the Department of Natural Resources
top of a pole or be seen flying low to does a super job of explaining the
the ground looking for local rodents predicted irruption of Snowy Owls.
to substitute for their arctic diet of Most experts agree these periodic
lemmings. We talked about the pos- mass movements are associated
sibilities and probabilities of seeing in some way with their primary
517.617.6786 snowy owls as we crept along the northern prey source, a small rodent
Steven L. Lamier huntin.it.info@gmail.com roads at very low speeds, with the known as a lemming. Traditional
consolation prizes of sighting north- thought suggested that a temporary
Owner/President www.huntin-it.com ern harriers and red-tailed hawks crash, or shortage, of lemmings
Come see us for Banks outdoor blinds hunting in fields, and a ring-necked
pheasant strutting his stuff on the
pushes owls southward in search
of food. However, more recent
and gravity feeders side of a road.
The night before our owl hunt
evidence suggests nearly the op-
posite, that a temporary abundance

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of lemmings allows the owls to
successfully raise large families,
and then these young owls disperse
southward by the hundreds to avoid
competition with older birds for
winter territories. Its even pos-
sible, perhaps likely, that not all
irruptions are created equal and
both mechanisms play out in some
years. Unfortunately, the population
dynamics of lemmings are complex
and poorly understood. The same
can be said for snowy owls, in large
part because of the remote northern
haunts they occupy most of the year.
This no doubt elevates their intrigue
but serves as a barrier to understand-
ing and ultimately conserving the
species.
Our car conversation came to
a screeching halt adjacent to the
parking lot of the Fish Point State
Wildlife Area check station. Some-
thing big and white was on top of a
large pile of gravel about 100 feet
from the roads edge. And there it
was; a snowy owl perched stoically
on that gravel pile just a few dozen
feet from parked vehicles.
For the next 20 minutes we
stayed in my car and took photos
through the open window as the owl
would slowly rotate his head from
the marsh to the human observers
and back again. We left that owl to
Seeing a snowy owl in the wild is an exhilarating experience, wheth-
er by chance or after an intensive hunt. Jonathan Schechter photos
swer except for saying you will not
find them in woodlands. The Cornell
Lab of Ornithology states, Whether
the tundra or the Great Plains,
an airport field or beach dunes,
snowy owls like treeless places
and wide-open spaces However,
wild is an exhilarating experience,
whether by chance or after an inten-
sive hunt, most often done by walk-
ing or driving slowly, stopping often
and looking. I quickly discovered,
illusions of reality often take hold
when scanning the horizon with
hopes of seeing a perched snowy
owl, or one standing in a tilled field,
perhaps on a fresh kill.
White trash bags, buckets on
farm posts and almost anything else
that stands out and appears white
may make the human eye think it
just saw a snowy owl. Almost all
sighting of snowy owls occur in the
daylight hours and they are seen
most often perched in plain view.
They will perch on anything includ-
ing billboards, large signs, barns,
rooftops, hay bales, telephone poles,
buoys, lakeshore breakwalls and
even the tops of muskrat and beaver
lodges; especially if the adjacent
water is frozen.
For detailed natural history
information on snowy owls visit the
website of the Cornell Lab of Orni-
thology https://www.allaboutbirds.
org/guide/Snowy_Owl/id and for
updates on the Snowy Owl irruption
visit Project SNOWstorm. http://
www.projectsnowstorm.org/
Jonathan Schechter is the Na-
ture Education Writer for Oakland
County Government and an avid
explorer of all things wild. Email
oaknature@aol.comn

perhaps dream about mallard ducks
and drove about a quarter of a mile
before another snowy owl suddenly
erupted from the ditch area along-
side the road, flew directly in front
of the car, and then gained eleva-
tion and perched on top of a power
pole. We speculated it may have just
dined on a young muskrat or per-
haps a meadow vole. As we settled
in to watch the owl it turned to face
into the wind making it easy for us
to see the heavily feathered body
from the top of the head down to its
enormous feet.
Ive been asked in the past few
weeks the best places to look for
them locally. There is no correct an-
Enjoy
Upland Bird Hunting
August 15April 30
"COME HERE"
these nomads of the north, a symbol
of the high arctic, may appear any-
where as they migrate southward,
even in populated and industrial
places. YOU SEXY LITTLE PHEASANT
During the final week of No-
vember one snowy owl appeared in
highly urbanized Madison Heights
in southernmost Oakland County
and a pair of them hung out at
the DNR boat launch in Harrison
Sexy Pheasant Farm
Township. Snowies continued to be
seen regularly at Fish Point and in
Preserve and Dog Training
Muskegon and in scattered loca-
tions across the state. By the time
you read this, perhaps one will be in
Nestled in the quiet farmland of
your neck of the woods.
Seeing a snowy owl in the Southeast Michigan, we are waiting to
give you an unprecedented pheasant hunting
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www.michiganhuntingpreserves.com
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 41
 Bucket list; trout/salmon bites
By Mark Romanack
For those of us who live in the Great Lakes
region, great trout and salmon fishing is some-
thing we often take for granted. To my way of
thinking, Michigan is center stage to some of the
best cold water fishing opportunities in the five
Great Lakes. No matter what fish species you
covet or what your fishing budget might be, avid
anglers will find a virtual bucket list full to
overflowing with world class fishing destinations.
Choose your pick of the litter among these
must experience fisheries, or go crazy and fish
all four. Call it the Grand Slam of Great Lakes
fishing trips, each of the four destinations out-
lined here are guaranteed to put a smile on your
face and a new cover photo on your Facebook
page.
The Niagara Bar
Hands down the biggest rush in freshwater
sport fishing comes to us thanks to the introduc-
tion of king salmon into the Great Lakes back in
the 1960s. No other species pulls as hard, strips
more drag or makes our hearts pump faster than
an adult king salmon.
While salmon fishing in the Great Lakes has
seen some ups and downs over the years, histori-
cally one destination provides not only the most
consistent fishing success, but also the biggest
fish. A classic piece of fishing structure known as This massive 36 pound plus, native lake trout was caught by Jake Romanack while filming an epi-
sode of Fishing 411 TV that will be broadcast nationally on the World Fishing Network in 2018.
the Niagara Bar located near the mouth of the Ni- Ontario fisheries divisions.
agara River on Lake Ontario routinely produces During the middle of the summer, the major-
limit catches of not only king salmon, but also ity of the steelhead planted in Lake Erie migrate
coho, brown trout, lake trout and steelhead. to the north shore where the water is deeper and
Because the Niagara Bar is only a few miles cooler. Between the ports of Wheatley and Erieu,
offshore, this fish magnet is accessible not just Ontario, a summer trolling fishery for steelhead
to for hire charter boats, but also to recreational thrives that has to be seen firsthand to be fully
fishermen who own and fish from small boats. appreciated.
Salmon and lake trout stack up along the Niagara Steelhead are normally associated as being a
Bar in early spring soon after ice out when water bonus catch in most places of the Great Lakes.
temperatures creep into the 40 degree range. Catching a few of these silver bullets on any
Fishing is literally red hot in April and May, with given day is considered excellent fishing. Along
most of the catch being king salmon, cohos, lake Eries north shore, limit catches of steelhead are
trout and the occasional Atlantic salmon. the norm and the limit is generous at five fish per
As the surface waters gradually warm, the person!
salmon and trout slip off the bar, set up in deeper Countless times in recent years Ive taken a
water and steelhead join the party. During June four man limit of steelhead without breaking a
and July this region of Lake Ontario provides the sweat. No place else in the Great Lakes can make
most consistently excellent open water salmon this claim. For the avid angler who loves to target
and trout trolling in the Great Lakes. open water steelhead, the place to be is the north
By late August and throughout the month shore of Erie in summer.
of September adult salmon are back up on the
Niagara Bar staging to make spawning runs into Stannard Rock Trout
the Niagara River. To the angler who appreciates the native lake
To learn more about the fishing opportunities trout, no place can match the trophy potential of
of the Niagara Bar visit the site www.niagara- Stannard Rock. This five mile long reef system
fallusa.com for a complete list of captains and located over 40 miles offshore in Lake Superior,
motels that cater to visiting anglers. is only visited by a handful of avid anglers, ad-
venture seekers and charter captains in any given
Lake Erie Chrome year.
Steelhead are found in all five Great Lakes, Ive had the pleasure of fishing Stannard
but hands down the best offshore steelhead fish- Rock six times in recent years and I would jump
ing is found in the Great Lake you would least at the opportunity to return as many times as my
Adult kings like this have made the Niagara Bar expect to support these cold water fish. Lake Erie schedule and the weather will allow. Weather
region of Lake Ontario a must visit fishing has more steelhead than the other Great Lakes is the big issue in that no one with half a brain
destination for anyone who enjoys salmon and combined, thanks to some aggressive stocking is heading to Stannard Rock unless the weather
trout fishing action at its finest. efforts by the Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and window is perfect.

42 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS

 Late June and the month of July are the most
stable weather months in the Great Lakes and the
best times to plan a trip to this lake trout mecca.
During this time of year the surface waters at
Stannard Rock are also typically in the 50 degree
range, setting the stage for finding trophy fish in
shallow water and also near the surface.
Jigging is the most popular means of targeting
these fish, but a growing number of anglers are
casting oversized swimbaits in an effort to target
the mega-giants this region of Lake Superior is
famous for producing.
At Stannard Rock a 20 pound lake trout is
nothing but an average catch. What anglers who
make the trek to the rock are really looking
for are fish north of 30 pounds and the chance of
catching something approaching 40 pounds! No
place else in the Great Lakes can an angler catch
more and bigger lake trout than at Stannard Rock.
If you decide to target Stannard Rock, its
a good idea to make your first few visits with a
seasoned captain who is familiar with the waters
and the most productive fishing tactics. In our
book, Captain Travis White who owns www.ke-
weenawcharters.com is the guy who has the best
handle on what it takes to put trophy lake trout in
the boat. NFL for short.
Milwaukee Is Brown Town
When I was just cutting my teeth in the sport
fishing industry, Lake Michigan was the place to
be if you wanted to catch lots of brown trout and
trophy sized fish. Those days are but a distant
memory and currently the best brown trout fish-
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jim@billsbylumber.com
544-9342
2725 Larch Rd. Harrison, MI 48625
(616) 634-1522 or (989) 544-9342
2725 Larch Rd.
www.billsbylumber.com
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Harrison, MI 48625
www.billsbylumber.com
SEMI-LOAD
Limit catches of steelhead are an every day deal
when you fish the nor th shore of Lake Erie in July
and August. Mark Romanack photos
ing is found on the western shore of Lake Michi-
gan from Racine to Sheboygan Wisconsin.
Milwaukee is smack in the middle of the best
brown trout fishing an angler could hope for.
In part the fishing in this region is exceptional
because of the aggressive stocking efforts, but
Milwaukee also has lots of near shore struc-
James Ferrari and Sons, Inc. strives for customer satisfaction and the ideal customer experience. We are
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ture that holds these trout in predictable places,
warm water discharges and inflowing rivers that
concentrate fish and a huge marina system that
provides a ton of protected waters readily acces-
sible to the angler whos looking for a personal
best brown trout.
The average brown trout taken in this region
of Lake Michigan during April and early May
would be about eight to 10 pounds. However,
browns north of 20 pounds are very common here
and a few 30 pound giants are taken every year!
Wisconsin still stocks the Seeforellen strain
of brown trout that grows to enormous size on a
steady diet of alewives, gizzard shad, smelt and
round goby. Because these browns are gorging
themselves on a wide variety of baitfish, wob-
bling plugs fished behind in-line planer boards
tend to be the best set up in the springtime.
The Fishing 411 team has visited this region
of Lake Michigan each of the past three springs
and has found that the 3.0 and 3.5 Yakima Mag
Lip produces limit catches just about every day
on the water. A host of colors have produced
browns for us over the years, but the two most
consistently productive colors are Metallic Gold
Flame and Metallic Silver Red Herringbone or
Summing It Up
These four red hot trout and salmon destina-
tions are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of
noteworthy places to fish in the Great Lakes re-
gion. Pick your poison and get out often, because
the Great Lakes are also full of great fisheries.n
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WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 43
 Next BiteBy Gary Parsons and Keith Kavajecz
Going with the flow
I
f you just got done pack-
ing away hunting gear
and are pacing around the
house constantly checking
the long-range forecast,
chances are you are an
early ice fisherman. You know
that this is a great time of year to get
on some fantastic bites! One early
season pattern that a lot of people
overlook is the bite on flowages.
During early season ice it is im-
portant to be sure that you are extra
cautious when venturing out, espe-
cially on a flowage where there are
springs and current. Ice safety should
be top of mind! A Nebulus Emergen-
cy Flotation Device, which inflates
in less than 30 seconds and holds 3-4
adults, can keep you out of the frigid
water while you wait for help to ar-
rive should you break through.
We also wear the new IceArmor
by Clam Ascent Suit. Not only does
this suit have good flotation, but it
also has more freedom to move than
other ice suits.
When heading out on a flowage,
we look for places where the river
comes in and areas where it narrows
Dougs Small Engine
5293 E. Pickard Street Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
Phone (989)773-0059 www.DougsSmallEngine.com
44 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
down. Any place where there is a
narrow channel between back bays
can also be hot!
While a lot of people like to
concentrate on channel edges, we
like to concentrate on channel edges
that have a tapered flat. It is on top
of the flat where we like to set up,
especially on shallow flats with weed
growth between the channel edge
and shoreline.
Since the water in some of these
areas is only 2-3 feet deep, it is easy
for the fish to be spooked by the
noise we make on top of the ice. It is
also hard to register a fish on sonar in
these shallow depths, so jigging isnt
very effective. This where tip-ups
and JT Outdoors Hot Boxes come in!
The Hot Box is a foldable alumi-
num box that fits over the ice hole
and is equipped with a small heat-
generating lantern inside. Gone are
the days of holes freezing over!
Its open on the portion of the
box over the hole, and with the use
of their rod-holder option, it creates a
jigging station. One cool thing about
using a Hot Box is the ability to get a
second chance at catching a fish. If a
The Hot Box is a foldable aluminum box that fits over the ice hole and is
equipped with a small heat-generating lantern inside
walleye takes the bait and then drops with the Lowrance FishHunter Pro,
it, you can use the rod to jig the bait which is a new floatable sonar that
just enough to entice the fish to bite can also be cast out in open water.
again. This new device will send a wire-
Fish this time of year arent look- less signal to your phone or tablet.
ing for a lot of movement, which is It is inexpensive and about the size
why the tip-up and Hot Box bite is so of an apple, which makes them easy
effective. to carry around. This is a bonus for
Trebles are our hook choice for ice fishing, since space for gear is
tip-ups and we use single hooks always at a premium!
for Hot Box. Ideally we like to use One mistake that a lot of people
large fatheads, and small suckers make this time of year is not putting
also work really well. Hook the bait a jig rod in their hands because they
behind the dorsal fin so it can move dont think that it is effective to jig
freely and naturally. Thats all you until later in the season. This is sim-
need! We dont use any additional ply not true! You just have to be very
attractors on these rigs. subtle with your approach. Set up in
If you are on a deeper flat that water over three feet deep and let the
is in about 3-8 feet of water, you bait sit near the bottom. When you
can use a Lowrance to see the fish see the fish approaching, do a little
approaching the bait. You will be jiggle and the walleye will smash it!
amazed at how many fish will come While bites on small clear water
up to the bait, but not bite. By know- lakes tend to be early in the morning
ing the fish is there, you are able to or in the evening, the tannic water
give just a little bit of movement to on flowages allows for a bite all day
get the bite. long. This gives you a great opportu-
We are currently experimenting nity to reel in The Next Bite!n
Drive-in housekeeping camp for Walleye, Pike & Smallmouth
ATV-in island outpost on Wenebegon Lake for Walleye & Pike
Train-in outpost on Goldie Lake for Pike & Smallmouth
Black Bear hunts, excellent success rates, all baiting, retrieval
skinning and quartering included. Tree stands or ground blinds.
705-864-0201 Chapleau, Ontario / 352-503-9577 Nov. 1 - April 30
Web: www.fivemilelake.com Email: fivemilelake@xplornet.com
 Michigans Amazing Animals...
Wild about whitetails
M
ichigans official
state mammal gets
a massive amount
of attention this
time of year. Here
are some fun facts
about those wonderful and wily
white-tailed deer:
The Name Game: The scien-
tific name of white-tailed deer is
Odocoileus virginianus. Odocoileus
derives from the roots odonto and
coleus meaning hollow-tooth that
likely describes the deep valleys in
a deers molars. Virginianus pertains
to the region of the U.S. where they
were first described.
Rambunctious Roamer: White-
tails frequent every county of Michi-
gan. On a broader scale, in
the Americas white-tailed
deer are the most widely
distributed wild ungulates,
a group that includes elk,
moose, cattle, and even hip-
popotamuses! Michigans
abundant deer herd once
shared our northern Lower
Peninsula with
moose and even
woodland caribou.
By Patrick Bevier
Big Ears and Black Tails:
Whitetails closest kin are the sub-
species known as black-tailed deer
and mule deer. These mammals are
plentiful west of the Rocky Moun-
tains. Mule deer get their name from
their greatly exaggerated ear size.
Can you say hee haw to that?!
Peak Pressure: The state record
for number of hunters participat-
ing in a firearms season peaked in
1998 when 785,000 blaze orange
and camo-clad sportspeople pursued
deer. A record 582,000 whitetails
were also harvested that year.
Daniel and Davey Data: Tro-
phy bucks are often measured using
the Boone and Crockett Clubs scor-
ing system. B & C determinations
are made using multiple measures
including the number of points
(tines), antler spread length in sev-
eral areas, and length and circumfer-
ence of all tines on both sides of the
bucks rack.
Massive Mount: In 2010 the
largest Michigan deer on record
was discovered dead in Clinton
Township. The buck had an amaz-
ing Boone and Crockett score of
257-2/8 non-typical. It eclipsed the
previous record buck shot with a
firearm in 1976 by Paul Mickey that
scored 238-2/8 B & C points.
Mitchs Mystery Deer: One of
the most talked aboutand most con-
troversialMichigan deer was Mitch
Rompolas potential world record
buck from Grand Traverse County
in 1998. Supposedly several scorers
and a game warden claimed it was
the real deal but Rompola refused to
have it scored by Boone and Crock-
ett representatives and declined a
$20,000 dollar offer to have the rack
X-rayed.
Best Bet for Bucks: Based on
Commemorative Bucks of Michigan
(CBM) records the top five Michi-
gan counties for big bucks are, in
order, Jackson, Washtenaw, Iron,
Livingston, and Hillsdale.
A Heady Decision: After deer
populations had dropped to a paltry
45,000 statewide, Game Commis-
sioner William R. Oates recom-
mended in 1914 that only antlered
deer be taken via hunting. The strat-
egy worked as the estimated popula-
tion density of whitetails increased
to over a million by 1937.
Quality Quota: In-
formation for managing
healthy deer herds contain-
ing larger bucks can be
found on the Quality Deer
Management Associa-
tions (QDMA) webpage at
www.qdma.com. Michi-
gan wildlife
biologists are
reporting that
the management strategy of Antler
Point Restriction (APR) is having a
positive effect as hunter satisfaction
has increased and they are seeing
greater numbers of bucks in older
age classes.
Michigans Mammal: Kid
Power: Thanks to the political savvy
of fourth grade students and their
teachers from Zeeland, the white-
tailed deer was named Michigans
official state mammal. In 1997 the
students went through a success-
ful petition and lobbying process to
make that happen. Gracing 11 lists,
whitetails are the most common
state mammal in the U.S. including
holding that honor in our neighbors
Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and
Wisconsin.
The Tale of the Teeth: White-
tail deer can be aged by examining
the characteristics of their teeth. In
particular the amount of wear, num-
ber of cusps, and ratio of dentine to
enamel on the premolars and molars
is used. Most bucks in Michigan
dont live longer than 6 years but
captive deer have reached the grand
old age of 12. Great diagrams of age
estimates based on tooth wear are
available at www.dccl.org.
Antler Alterations: Based on
food quality and timing of spring
green-up, whitetails usually begin
growing antlers in April. Its the
fastest growth of bone material in
nature sometimes reaching in excess
of 200 inches in additional tissue.
Initially, the antlers are nourished
by blood rich velvet until early to
mid-September at which time the
bucks scrape off the fuzzy covering.
These big boys now have a fully
developed set of battle weapons at
their disposal. The timing of velvet
shedding varies, however. Case in
point, our unseasonably warm au-
tumn resulted in a number of bucks
taken on opening day gun season to
be still in velvet! Antlers are shed in
the winter and the cycle starts again
the next spring. If you go shed antler
hunting you may have to compete
with porcupines who love to nibble
on the boney nuggets!
Skinny Studs: My Bachelors
thesis at Lake State involved mea-
suring various parameters - age,
neck diameter, antler tines, body Chad Himebauch shot this buck
weight - in correlation with subcu- that weighed 171 pounds dressed
taneous body fat quantity in rutting and scored a 111 7/8, during gun
whitetails. It was the first scien- season in Emmet County.
tific study of its kind and found an
inverse relationship between the most other meats. Many recipes are
factors. It corroborated the logical available. If you have extra please
hypothesis that the biggest bucks, consider giving your deer meat to
being more active during the rut, Michigan Sportsmen Against Hun-
had the lowest body fat quantities. ger (MSAH) who provide healthy
Tantalizing to the Tummy: meals for the less fortunate. Find
Venison is a delicious, low-fat,
organic food thats healthier than
MSAH info at sportsmenagainst-
hunger.org.n
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WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 45
Trapping
is a way of

Life
D
ain Brunet of Sault
Ste. Marie is an
all around hunter/
fisher/trapper. His
early years were
spent roaming the
100 acres his family owned in
Fowlerville. My dad, Dale Brunet,
my uncle, Myron Basal of Harvey
and my grandfather, Norman Rose For outdoorsman Dain Brunet trapping is a way of life!
of Howell are Rose as often as possible. Some of in Republic. I couldnt wait to see best furs are selected and graded
the men who my best catches were taken from what animal was waiting for us. I according to size and quality. The
instilled in me Earl Lake in Howell. Grandpa lived was just a kid when I caught my first 47 pound bobcat he trapped brought
a love of the on that lake and was my fishing beaver. It weighed more than I did, a good price at auction. Bobcats are
outdoors. At buddy. We hauled in panfish, perch, but there was no way anybody was common in Michigan, but theyre
age five, I got and bass. I miss catching panfish. going to carry it out of the woods hard to find, Dain explained. He said
interested in fish- There are not a lot of them here in except me. It was a struggle, but they like swampy areas and beaver
ing. I went with the Eastern U.P. I did it to prove I was a trapper in ponds.
dad and Grandpa As a youngster, I have fond the making. Dad and Uncle Myron I use #4, 4 coil traps for coyote
memories of helping Uncle Myron agreed it was a fine start to becom- and leg hold traps. Wolves are not
By Sharon Kennedy check his traplines on his property ing a true outdoorsman. targets, but occasionally they do get
I often think of Uncle Myron caught. One year I trapped six. The
when Im in the woods. Hes unable DNR came out and collared the first
to do the things he used to, but hes couple, then I started letting them go
always interested in hearing my by myself. I use a Y pole to hold the
trapping stories. That first beaver we animals head down while I release
trapped was skinned on the dinner it. It might seem strange, but I have
table of our rustic deer camp. My less trouble freeing a wolf than I do
uncle kept the hide to prep and sell a Pine Marten. Theyre feisty little
NEW AND USED FIREARMS - ACCESSORIES - AMMUNITION at auction in North Bay, Ontario. things and Ill admit they scare me
At the age of 12, Dain taught more than a wolf!
TOP
TOP CA$H PRICE$ PAID FOR GUN$ himself to skin, scrape, wash, and A few years ago, I was check-
TOP CA$H
CA$H PRICE$
PRICE$ PAID
PAID FOR
FOR GUN$
GUN$ dry all the furs through a trial and ing my traps and realized one of
error process. Now he sends the them was gone. I use drags on the
hides through a fur broker to the in- traps and the caught critter will run
ternational North Bay auction. Trap- off and get tangled and Ill find it. I
ping isnt just a hobby anymore. A started walking into a swampy area.
few years ago, he received an award After about 50 yards, I came over a
from the North American fur auction little bog and there was my coy-
for a top lot beaver hide. In order ote trap with a black bear in it. He
to be sold in the top lot auction, the couldnt have weighed more than 70

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pounds, and all I could think of was,
where is ma!
It was a super windy day and
I couldnt hear any nearby move-
ment. Let me tell you, I ran through
thick brush as fast as a husky guy in
hip boots and a pounding heart can.
When I figured I was a safe distance
away, I got out my cell phone and
called the DNR. A conservation
officer and a biologist helped with
the release. Although stressed at
its dilemma, the yearling wasnt
harmed. Thankfully, his ma never
showed up.
Coyotes are probably the most
challenging animals to trap. I enjoy
trying to outsmart them, Dain said.
Coyotes are very smart and have
an excellent sense of smell. The key
to trapping them is keeping the set
site free from human scent. I wear
rubber gloves and boots and boil the
traps before setting them out. I take
every precaution to keep the traps
clean. I do everything the old school
way in the fur shed after a long day
on the trapline.
But trapping a variety of wild-
life like beaver, mink, rats, coyotes,
coons, and bobcats isnt Dains only
passion. Hunting is a close second.
During the 2017 season, he shot his
first black bear weighing over 200
pounds. It took eight years for him
to pull a tag, but it was worth the
wait. I was at our camp just south
of Paradise. We were baiting with
a sweet concoction my buddy put
together. Bears were coming to the
bait pile every night, but I wasnt
used to shooting through a scope
and missed one on opening day.
A week later, I was in my tent
blind when I had a second chance.
This time I really paid attention to
my cross-hairs and took a quartering
away shot, putting it right behind
the ribs. During the track, I was
nervous because there wasnt much
of a blood trail, but it didnt go far
and it didnt take long to find the
animal. After gutting it and dragging
it out, my buddy asked where my
rifle was. I was so excited, I had left
my Remington 7mm-08 where we
found the bear.
It was a great shooter bear.
I processed the meat myself into
roasts and burgers. I make tacos and
spaghetti, but nothing beats a good,
juicy bear burger. The meat is lean,
but when fried in butter, its the
best. It has a mild sweet taste that
reminds me of beaver. The first time
I served dad a road kill bear, I told
him it was venison and he loved it!
Dain is no stranger to deer hunt-
ing. His father had given him an old
20 gauge bolt action shotgun that
he used to bring down his first spike
horn when he was 14, the legal age
in those days.
That was an awesome expe-
rience, he said. I was at Uncle
Myrons camp. I was waiting in the
blind when a deer walked in. I guess
I made too much noise, so it took
off. A little while later, it came back.
This time I was ready and fired a
fatal shot. The deer ran off, but as
fast as it ran, I bet I ran faster back
to camp. Nobody was there so I got
on the CB and told the first stranger
who answered. When help showed
up, we tracked the little buck and
located it with no trouble.
I was pretty puffed up, but
my success was a bit overshad-
owed when the very next day Uncle
Myron shot a huge 14-point buck
in Marquette County. I have to tell
you, though, in my young eyes my
spike horn was just as big as his.
I love hunting in the woods Dain Brunet with his first black bear taken last fall in the U.P.
of the U.P. Its more challeng- was a good, dependable worker and skinner, and expert sportsman.
ing than downstate. I have shown a whiz at doing what he enjoyed, he And according to his lady friend,
other people what I do and how I was hired to skin ranch fox and paid Courtney Harris-Howell, hes also
do things. It makes me happy when a hefty $1.50 per hide. In an eight as sweet as spun sugar so dont be
I get someone involved in trapping hour shift, he skinned 276 foxes. fooled by his burly appearance. The
and prepping hides for auction. As a As a 19 year old college student, he fellow knows how to set aside his
teenager I skinned and dried all the was in the coin as he put it. He traps and win the heart of a lady
coon and muskrat hides. When dad sacrificed a fingernail for his efforts, with a box of Whitman chocolates
got home we would go to a country but that was a small price to pay for and a loving bear hug.n
fur buyer. I remember back then doing what he loved best. Dedicated to the memory of
coons were $40-$70 each and a rats I dont think theres any doubt Myron Basal
hide would bring in $5. You can Dain Brunet is a master trapper, Oct. 10, 1929 to Nov. 16, 2017
guess what I did with my earnings.
I bought more trapping stuff and re-
MAKE YOUR OWN WILD GAME
turned home with only a few bucks
in my pocket!
I have fond memories of the
men who spent time teaching me to SUMMER SAUSAGE AND SALAMI !
respect nature and all it has to offer. We have everything you need to process your meat into
When I look back, I realize how
much time dad spent with me. It delicious sausage right in your own home.
seemed like every weekend we load-
ed the boat and headed for a lake.
I have no idea where he found the
time or patience, but Im sure glad
he did. Now its my turn to show
him how much I love him and spend
as much time with him as I can.
We fish at Whitefish Point, Grand
Marais, and many other lakes.
You might ask what Im go-
ing to do with the bear hide. Well,
I remember my mom saying she
always wanted a bear rug, but none
of the relatives ever shot a bear. I
was happy to harvest such a great
animal, and Im having the hide
prepared as a gift for mom. Giving COMPLETE KITS STARTING AT
1395
her the rug is my way of thanking
her for all shes done for me.
Dains dedication to trapping
$
and skinning followed him to col-
lege. When he finished his academic Butcher & Packer Supply Company
commitments for the day and had
time on his hands, he tracked down
P.O. Box 71748
a fur buyer and asked for a job 1780 East 14 Mile Road
skinning. He was hired and paid Madison Heights, Michigan 48071
$.75 to skin coons and a $.25 for
skinning rats. It didnt take long Call 1-800-521-3188
for the money to add up, especially www.butcher-packer.com
when he could skin an average of 22
coons in an hour.
When word got around that Dain
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 47
 Make a resolution to
get in hunting shape...
and stick to it!
Y
ou know its going to camo as fashion and participate in
happen; it does every an activity 80 percent of the popula-
year. Youre going to tion doesnt understand. No, this
eat too much over the year its going to be about your
holidays and make a performance next fall. Thats your
resolution to get in motivation: hanging treestands,
shape. Youll exercise a few times, hiking over deadfalls in the most
get busy, and fall back into old tangled grouse habitat you can find,
habits. By September, when youre dragging that swamp buck back to
hanging treestands on your favorite camp. You dont have to be in shape
patch of public land, or by Novem- to pull the trigger, but being fit will
ber, when youre dragging your reduce the barriers to everything
deer out of the woods, youll have else you do when youre hunting,
wished you would have stuck to that and allow you to do it season after
resolution. season as you age.
This year, youre going to stick Next, you need a plan. Nothing
to your resolution. Heres how. halts action like uncertainty, and the
First, you need a new motiva- right plan can help you make fitness
tion. The why is as important to a habit. Your plan doesnt have to be
sticking to a fitness plan as it is to complicated, and it can start simple.
anything else in life. Youre not go- When I first started getting back in
ing to get in shape because you feel shape a few years and sixty pounds
guilty about eating too much over ago, my plan was to run one mile on
the holidays, because that will fade a trail near my house, and then do it
shortly after the New Year. Youre again and again until I was running
not going to do it because society two, and so on. Inspired by Cam
says you should look a certain way; Hanes, I tried to just keep ham-
after all, were hunters. We wear mering. Your plan will be based on
You dont have to be in shape to pull the trigger, but being fit will reduce
the barriers to everything else you do when youre hunting...like dragging
the trophy buck out of the swamp and back to camp. Kenny Darwin photo
48 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
your current health, capacity, time,
and fitness level, and if you have
health issues, check with a doctor
first. Consider checking out a fitness
class or gym, like CrossFit. CrossFit
is based on constantly varied high
intensity functional fitness. Most
CrossFit affiliate gyms offer a free
introductory class to find out if its
right for you, and workouts are scal-
able to every fitness level.
Train To Hunt is a growing vari-
ation on CrossFit. It incorporates the
same functional fitness philosophy,
but with bowhunting as the function.
Created by western mountain hunt-
ers, its movements build leg strength
and endurance - legs feed the wolf
- and core and total body strength
using movements that mimic hunt-
ing situations. Climbing boxes,
dragging tires, shouldering sand-
bags, and carrying weight in a pack
train the same movements as hiking
hills, dragging deer, and quartering
and packing big game. Train to Hunt
offers a free four-week at-home
fitness plan downloadable from
TrainToHunt.com that can be done
with minimal equipment, including
your bow.
Finally, you need a commu-
nity. If you surround yourself with
people who say, you dont need
to be in shape to kill a deer, then
guess what? You probably wont
get in shape, and after you do kill
that deer, its going to be that much
harder to drag it out of the swamp.
Surrounding yourself with people
who share similar goals is going
to help you achieve yours. I was
intimidated when I went to my first
workout at Spartan CrossFit in East
Lansing, but that disappeared fast.
Everyone was supportive of each
other, and the fittest people in the
gym were the most encouraging to
say the least.
The same can be said of compet-
itors at Train To Hunt Challenges;
after two years and three competi-
tions for me, theyre like family, and
training for the summer competi-
tions keeps me on track year-round.
The Michigan chapter of Backcoun-
try Hunters & Anglers also hosts
Hike to Hunt days in the off-
season, where you strap on a pack,
put some weight in it - or dont - and
climb a hill with some fellow hunt-
ers on a semi-regular basis. Even so-
cial media can provide that commu-
nity, through tracking your runs on
an app like Strava, joining a hunting
fitness Facebook group, or post-
By Drew YoungeDyke
ing some updates on your progress
to Instagram and following others
who do the same. That community
will keep you going on the days you
want to slack off by providing some
external accountability.
While the right motivation, plan,
and community will help you stick
to your New Years resolution right
up through hunting season, what
you eat is just as or more important
to achieving your fitness goals.
Eating healthy means something
different to everyone, and Im not a
dietician or nutritionist, so Im not
going to tell you what to eat except
to eat healthy and clean. What has
worked for me is trying to stick to a
primal eating plan that emphasiz-
es meat and vegetables, and reduces
carbohydrates, sugar, and dairy.
As hunters, we often have some of
the leanest and cleanest sources of
protein in our freezers, so by adding
some organic vegetables to wild
game, Ive been able to create some
simple and healthy meals that dont
sabotage my fitness.
Theres really no secret formula
to getting in shape for hunting: its
just about consistently doing the
work and being smart about what
you eat. By tying your motivation
for getting fit to your passion for
hunting, finding a plan that works
for you, and joining a community of
like-minded hunter-athletes, youll
be more likely to consistently put in
that work. For most things in life,
the reward is commensurate with
the work required to achieve it, and
I can vouch that the same holds true
for venison.
About the author: Drew Younge-
Dyke is a 2017 Train To Hunt
National Finalist in the Traditional
Bow Division. If you need help
finding a hunter-athlete community
in Michigan, you can email him
at drew@michiganoutside.com
or follow him on Instagram at @
michiganoutside.n
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 By Mark Romanack - Zeroing in on...
Trophy Pike
T
he dead of winter
might seem like a
strange time to be
talking about open
water pike fishing.
Actually the winter
months are the perfect
time to do the necessary online re-
search needed to zero in on the best
fisheries, identify the most trustwor-
thy outfitters and also to book fish-
ing dates for the spring of 2018.
Big pike, the kind that knock
your socks off, are a special fish that
are rarely found in fisheries that are
easily accessible. The occasional
trophy class pike can literally come
from any body of water, but for
those of us who have a passion for
targeting the biggest pike and lots of
them, the search focuses squarely on
remote fisheries.
Fly-In Fishing
The majority of the true trophy
class northern pike that are landed in
any given year are caught in fisher-
ies only accessible by float plane.
Lakes that routinely produce trophy
pike have some unique features, but
the one thing all big pike fisheries
share in common is lack of fishing
pressure. To grow pike to the super
sizes anglers covet requires zeroing
in on fisheries that receive scant to
modest fishing pressure.
Pike are simply so aggressive
that the odds of them being caught
and ultimately kept as a trophy or
for the table are very good in waters
that see a lot of fishing pressure.
This is precisely why special pike
management regulations are in force
in many fisheries to force anglers to
release trophy fish unharmed.
Voluntary catch and release is a
good thing, but for a pike fishery to
reach its full potential its necessary
to seriously restrict the number and
size of pike that can be harvested.
Not surprisingly, the best pike fish-
eries are waters that are intensely
managed to not only produce lots of
pike, but also pike worth bragging
about.
Most fly-in camps these days
enforce a mandatory catch and
release policy on trophy northern
pike. Unless a fish is a potential
world record, there is no reason
to kill a pike for a trophy mount.
Replica mounts are widely available
from any credible taxidermist, mak-
ing it possible to enjoy the thrill of
catching a trophy pike and the even
greater thrill of watching it swim
away unharmed.
Pike Specific Waters
Not all fly-in camps are a good
choice for anglers who are after big
pike. Just because a lake has pike
and lots of them, doesnt mean that
lake has the potential to grow super
tankers. The best pike lakes tend
to be very fertile fisheries with lots
of both deep and shallow water, a
diverse forage base that includes
suckers, crayfish, perch, immature
walleye, whitefish and most impor-
tantly cisco.
Cisco, or what some anglers
refer to as lake herring, are one of
the most important pike forages be-
cause they are the right size. Ciscoes
contain generous amounts of protein
and fat and they favor the same cool
water temperatures that adult pike
seek out. Lakes that have an abun-
dance of cisco also tend to be lakes
that support good populations of
lake trout and whitefish.
The typical walleye/pike fly-in
lakes found across Ontario are not
necessarily the best trophy pike Adult nor thern pike like this one caught by Jake Romanack are most often
waters. It takes a little research and caught in remote fisheries. It takes time and special fishing regulations to
asking the right questions to ferret grow pike to the size an angler can get a spot on the bragging board.
out the best trophy pike lakes. Every
outfitter is going to tell you their The beauty of these fisheries is a Sometimes youll find big pike
lake produces great pike fishing, but well prepared angler can fish from loitering on shallow sand flats, but
there is a huge difference between a properly equipped boat thats ca- given the opportunity most of the
good pike lakes and good trophy pable of covering large amounts of trophy class fish are going to seek
pike lakes. water quickly. out areas where the water is just a
Recent photographs are the Using satellite maps readily few feet deep and the bottom is cov-
best indication if a particular lake available online at Google Earth its ered in decomposing organic mate-
produces significant numbers of big pretty easy to identify the best pike rial. The water among these black
pike. Because any lake can produce spawning areas. I look for creeks or bottom areas soaks up the sunshine
a few trophy class fish, one or two rivers that flow into back bays with and warms quickly. Water that is
pictures of big fish on a web page lots of vegetation along the shore- only 40 or 45 degrees in the morn-
are not enough evidence. Look for lines. The larger the inflowing water ing can easily be 50 or 55 degrees
lakes and web pages that showcase and the more weed choked shoreline by afternoon.
a ton of big fish pictures taken in a spot provides, the more potential it This is precisely why spring pike
recent years. has for attracting trophy pike. fishing is normally more productive
Drive-To Lakes Timing is Critical in the afternoons instead of early in
the morning. It only takes a couple
Fly-in lakes are not the only Because northern pike are hours of sunshine to spike water
productive trophy pike waters. A lot spawning weeks before other fish, temperatures a few degrees and turn
of drive-to lakes can also produce its very important to time a fish- otherwise lethargic pike into savage
credible fishing for trophy pike. The ing trip to coincide with the arrival beasts that will seemingly strike at
best drive-to lakes for pike fishing of the big girls. Even before the ice almost any lure. The best fishing
are large bodies of water. If a lake has completely melted, pike will for trophy pike typically takes place
is 50 miles long and there are only be pushed up into river mouths and during the two weeks after ice out.
a couple boat launches on the entire actively spawning. While pike are Because pike are also sight
lake, big chunks of that lake are actually spawning they are going feeders, the best fishing days tend
going to be as remote as any fly-in to be pushed up into flooded wil- to feature a lot of sunshine and also
camp. low, cattail marshes, pencil reeds some wind to disturb the water
Several drive-to lakes Ive and other dense aquatic growth that surface. On windless days it can be
enjoyed fishing in recent years makes accessing them difficult. difficult to get close to pike without
including Lake of the Woods and Immediately after spawning the spooking them. When there is a little
Lake Nipigon in Ontario and also females drop out of the heavy cover breeze to ripple the water surface
Last Mountain Lake in central and set up housekeeping in the clos-
Saskatchewan fit into this category. est available dark bottom areas. Trophy pike page 54
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 53
Trophy pike:
from page 53
and break up light penetration, con-
ditions are perfect for fooling trophy
pike.
Selecting Lures
When pike are actively feeding
they will T-bone almost any lure!
This is how fishing folklore gets
started and why so many anglers
mistakenly think that catching pike
is easy. The fact is catching pike is
easy, catching trophy class pike is
rarely a cake walk.
Because the best trophy pike
fishing routinely coincides with
cool to cold water, I tend to avoid
baits that must have a steady or
fast retrieve to function properly.
Oversized casting style spoons,
spinnerbaits and bucktails are great
pike lures, but not the best choices
for fishing immediately following
the spawn.
Lures that can be slowed down
and fished using a start and stop
retrieve are typically much more
effective at triggering strikes from
pike that are still recovering from
the rigors of spawning. Some of
my favorite early spring pike baits
are neutrally buoyant stickbaits or
jerkbaits and weightless rigged soft
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54 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
plastic jerkbaits and swimbait bod-
ies. These lures can be twitched and
jerked enticingly to get the atten-
tion of nearby fish, then allowed to
sit motionless or to slowly do the
death spiral to bottom.
Of the hundreds of trophy class
pike Ive been fortunate to land,
more than 80 percent have come on
these select baits. Because Im try-
ing to discourage bites from small to
medium sized fish, I tend to throw
the biggest jerkbaits and soft plas-
tics I can lay hands on.
Only a handful of muskie lure
manufacturers produce baits suitable
for this kind of fishing. Most baits in
this category are designed for bass The habitat pictured here is ideal for finding post-spawn nor thern pike.
and are too small to readily get the Pike spawn in tributary creeks with flooded willows, cattail marshes and
attention of a fish that could eat a other dense vegetation. After spawning, these fish drop back to the adja-
five pound largemouth! cent dark bottom areas where they ambush suckers that are spawning in
The best sources for this kind the same areas. Mark Romanack photos
of unique and oversized tackle are
add about 24 inches of 80 pound test into the same area, twitch the bait on
muskie shops that cater to online
fluorocarbon line as a shock leader. the surface a few times and then let
customers. One of the best stocked
When throwing hard baits I use the bait slowly sink with the death
sites is www.thornebros.com. My
a heavy duty snap tied to the fluo- spiral. Nine times out of 10 a fish
favorite hard body jerkbait has for
rocarbon leader. For fishing soft will smash the plastic as it slowly
years been the Salmo Warrior Crank
plastics I tie the fluorocarbon leader sinks towards bottom.
and in the soft jerkbait/swimbait cat-
Summing It Up
directly to a 5/0 wide bend worm
egory I gravitate toward shad bodies
in the eight to 12 inch size range.
hook.
I like to have two identical rod/ Anyone can luck into a trophy
Go Heavy reel setups rigged and ready in- class northern pike, but to con-
or Go Home cluding one set up with a snap for
fishing hard baits and a second set
sistently catch these fish requires
fishing the waters they frequent and
Fishing trophy pike and throw- up for tossing soft plastics. On many also using tactics that big pike just
ing muskie lures requires rod, reel occasions Ive had big pike swirl at cant refuse.
and line setups equal to the task. A a hard jerkbait, but not get hooked. With respect to everyone who
heavy action flippin stick designed Tossing back at that fish with the has caught the pike of their life on
for pulling bass from heavy cover same bait rarely produces a second a big casting spoon, the lures that
makes for the almost perfect trophy strike. produce the most and biggest pike
pike rod. Match this rod up with a Instead, Ive discovered that are rarely made of brass. Instead
dependable metal frame baitcast- picking up a rod with a soft plastic oversized jerkbaits and monster
ing reel and 150 to 200 yards of 65
pound test super braid. At the ter-
and tossing into the same area con-
sistently produces a better end re-
sized swimbaits are the fast track to
catching truly big northern pike and
minal end I use a double uni-knot to sult. Throw the soft plastic swimbait lots of them.n
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 Gun Chat...
Loading .38 Specials
T
he first rounds I
reloaded were .38 Spe-
cials and it is still one
of my favorites. The
cases are large enough
so they dont slip
through my fingers like 9mm Luger
cases have been known to do. Its
easy to make accurate loads in .38
Special too. Although developed as
a police cartridge, and used
by the military, it wasnt
long before Bullseye target
shooters were firing lots of
.38 Specials.
Colt and Smith & Wes-
son made semiautomatic
pistols that shot the .38 and
many revolvers in it were
also used in matches. I
did not use the .38 Spe-
cial in Bullseye match-
By Lee Arten
es, shooting a 45 in both the center-
fire and .45 stages of the matches. I
did use .38 Special reloads in NRA
Hunters Pistol Silhouette matches
for a while. The loads were warmish
and fired from a Ruger Blackhawk
.357 and a Thompson Center Con-
tender in .357 Maximum.
The first powder I used in the
.38 Special was Bullseye. Later,
I switched to Unique. With 158
grain lead semi-wadcutter bullets,
both powders gave accurate loads. I
started out with light loads in Bulls-
eye, just above the level of target
rounds. Then I made heavier loads
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with Unique. Ive dropped down a
bit since, but not all the way to the
target load level.
The first cases I reloaded were
from surplus .38s that had been
made for the Air Force. Since then,
Ive used Winchester, Remington,
Remington Peters, Speer, CBC
(from Brazil), PMC (from South
Korea), Aquila, (from Mexico),
StarLine and some other
brass. Ive had few prob-
lems with the brass me-
nagerie until recently. In
the last batch of .38s that
I deprimed and resized I
found some by Sellier and
Bellot that would not fit my
shellholders. I have lots of
other brass so have
been getting rid of the
S&B.
Some of the brass came from
loaded rounds I bought. Some
Winchester cases came from 130
grain FMJ loads that I used at a
class where reloads were frowned
upon. Other brass was scrounged at
ranges. I made a haul of PMC brass
after a Coast Guard unit trained at a
range I belong to. One of my sons
picked up a pile of it for me. Thirty
eight brass lasts a long time but will
split at the case mouth eventually. I
bought 1,000 once-fired brass a few
years ago, loaded half of it, and am
going to load the rest this winter.
That batch should last several years.
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Loading rifle ammo requires
lubing the cases so theyll go into
the sizing die easily. There are extra
steps involved in loading pistol
ammo, but most dies have a carbide
sizing ring so cases can be resized
dry. I divide pistol case reloading
into stages. First, I deprime, resize
and bell the cases. (Belling opens
the case mouth slightly. That lets
lead bullets seat without shaving bits
of lead off the bullet.) Then I take
the prepared cases, prime them, load
the powder, and seat the bullet.
I could add powder to primed
cases and stand them in a block
until time to add a bullet. I prefer to
do all three operations in a row on
single cases. At the end of it I have a
loaded round and have checked the
powder level visually before seating
the bullet. I can produce about 90
rounds per hour. Its not the fastest
way of reloading but it suits me.
I loaded 100 .38s recently. On
November 13th my son and I went
to the range to sight in our deer
rifles. I brought my .357 Magnum
Ruger Blackhawk and the 100
loaded .38s along. When testing a
The first 100
.38 Specials
loaded after
almost three
years of not
reloading.
new batch of .38s I usually fire them
first in a .357 Magnum. After 10
rounds from the Blackhawk, I shot
five more from a snubnose S&W
M38 in .38 Special. The recoil and
noise were up in the small gun, but
I expected that. I came back with
85 loaded rounds, and the 15 empty
cases, the empties will be dumped
into the box of brass that still need
to be deprimed, resized, and belled.
That box turned up after I had
already deprimed, resized and
belled a bag of 500 .38s, and waifs
and strays from bags and boxes in
the reloading area. Loading .38s is
going to be a longer project than I
expected (again). At the end of it
though, Ill have enough reloads to
practice, plink, and hunt small game
for two years, or more. That will be
a good thing.n
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WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 55
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 Patience and pre-planning produces
RECORD BOOK TROPHY BUCK!
Guest Column
By Jesse Saunders
I
ve been fortunate to take
a few nice bucks over the
years with both bow and
gun, but until this season
I had never taken a buck
over 100 inches with my
bow even though Ive had a few op-
portunities in the past that I couldnt
close the deal on. Ive bowhunted
for 18 years and grew up watch-
ing my dad and older brothers have
success during deer season and from
the very first time my dad took me
out, I was hooked!
It took me several years to
take my first buck with a bow and
Ill never forget the feeling of that
accomplishment and still get a bit
giddy when I take a bow kill. This
year I achieved a personal best that
I may never outdo and he was the
very first deer I saw in the 2017
season!
My dad called in early July and
told me he acquired permission for
both of us to bowhunt the month of
October from a friend. Its always
exciting to check out new property
and we met up several days later to
do so. After a walk-through of the
area dad had chosen to scout, we
chose two locations to set up. Both
locations were along the edge of
a standing cornfield and each had
heavily used runways that led into
the cornfield.
Due to both deer and raccoons
feeding in the field many of the
head row cornstalks at each location
had been knocked down. We spent
all day preparing the locations by
clearing shooting lanes, enhancing
runways, preparing the trees for our
sling harnesses, creating staging ar-
eas by making openings in the dense
underbrush and making non-inva-
sive entry and exit routes in hopes
of increasing our odds. The tree I set
up in at my location was a multi-
trunked mature maple which had a
lot of natural cover at the 25 foot
height I would be hanging from.
The cornfield was to the north
and I expected that if an opportunity
arose, it would be along the fields
edge or out in the knocked down
cornstalks a bit so I set up the tree
so I would be hanging on the south
side of the trunk (facing north) so
as to use the trunk as an additional
blocker so as not to get picked. Also
about 15 yards west of the maple the
ground cover in the woods was con-
siderably taller and more dense and
if a mature buck were transition-
ing through the timber to the corn,
56 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
Jesse Saunders arrowed this beautiful 10-point that was almost perfectly
symmetrical after having to sit out opening day of bow season!
that would be the most likely area
he would move through and being
right handed, he would be to my left
which is perfect. After we finished
we left the property totally alone
until what we thought would be
opening day of the archery season.
The next few months flew by
and before I knew it, October first
was knocking on the door. I had
three locations prepared on three
pieces of property, so I had to decide
which one to hunt first. One location
was a 10-acre parcel next to my par-
ents house with a few loaded apple
trees that were dropping, but there
was very little pre-season sign there
so I ruled that one out as being first.
The other stand is in a small
woodlot on my in-laws property
and Id taken a few deer there over
the years. The woodlot is narrow
and is a great funnel when the bor-
dering properties receive pressure.
However I found out a few weeks
prior to season that a neighbor
would be hosting a mud bog the day
before the bow opener! My stand is
less than 200 yards from the mud pit
that would have loud trucks slinging
mud all day and into the evening so
I knew every deer within the section
would be on high alert and avoid the
area! That stand was immediately
ruled out as well for the opener
which left the new spot Dad and I
set up.
We didnt have any trail cams
out so we had no idea what was
passing by our stands or what was
in the area. Dad knew there would
be other hunters on the property
and since we were the new guys,
after some consideration we decided
to be respectful and take the back
seat and let them hunt without our
interference for the first week of the
season. Neither of us was enthused
about the other spots we had and the
temps would be in the mid-70s the
first few days and the deer prob-
ably wouldnt move well anyways.
At least thats what I was trying to
make myself believe.
John Eberhart had told me about
a phenomenal run of coho salmon
that was taking place in northern
Michigan and if I wasnt going to be
hunting, I may as well go have some
fun on the river so I decided to put
down my bow and pack my fishing
rods and waders in my truck. Now I
know what youre thinking. Youre
an avid bowhunter and youre not
hunting on October first? Might
sound crazy, but thats correct!
I invited my wife to go on the
trip but she had to work that week-
end and wasnt able to so I called
my brother Brian and my friend
Anthony to see if they wanted to go.
The next day, the three of us packed
into my truck and headed north. We
rented a secluded cabin just down
the road from the river and had a
blast catching and releasing cohos
and kings for three days, keeping
the occasional fresh chrome ones for
the freezer.
Saturday came and left with lots
of fishing memories and on open-
ing morning of bow season I was
again standing in the river watching
schools of 50 or more salmon at a
time swim past me. Usually there
was one less in the school by the
time they swam past me. Ive been
steelhead and salmon fishing since
I was little kid and had never seen
anything like this before.
I thought to myself, should I
have been in my sling this Sunday
morning? Who knows as this was
the first time since I began bowhunt-
ing that I wasnt in a tree on the
bow opener. Just then, my bobber
went down again and my line started
screaming off my reel. While at
times I couldnt help but wonder if
Id made a mistake, those thoughts
never lasted long before another
salmon was singing line off my reel.
It was unbelievable!
Monday morning came and I
was back at work and receiving
pictures of all the deer that friends
had taken on the first. With work-
ing an hour and a half from home I
couldnt hunt throughout the week.
I kept in contact with dad discussing
our plans for hunting the new spot
the coming weekend and we agreed
that Sunday morning we would see
what the new spot had to offer.
Just in case you may wonder
how we could plan a specific day
to hunt without knowing the wind
direction, Dad, my brothers and I
have been wearing ScentLok suits
for many years and dont ever pay
attention to wind direction so we
typically plan our hunts according to
the time of season, previous sight-
ings and physical sign. Its much
simpler when you can take wind
direction out of the equation as Ive
had so many deer downwind of me
over the years that I dont even think
about it anymore.
My first hunting opportunity
would be on the evening of Sat-
urday. Throughout that morning
I double checked my gear for the
evening by going over everything in
my pack and making sure my com-
plete ScentLok suit was properly
reactivated and stored. I hunted next
to my parents that evening and the
lack of pre-season sign held true as I
never saw a deer.
I had a sense of confidence the
next morning as there was a heavy
storm Saturday night and it would
be calm on Sunday morning which
should be conducive for deer move-
ments. And its always promising
to hunt along the edge of a standing
cornfield as the security cover it
provides is somewhat conducive to
daytime movements. After kissing
my wife good-bye I met up with
Dad and we drove to our new spot.
We had no limitations as it would be
a personal judgement call on what
we may shoot.
We were surprised that nobody
else was there. Nice, I said to Dad
and we wished each other good
luck and I told him to hunt safe and
shoot straight. While I tried to slip
in as quiet as possible, when I got
15 yards from my tree, I snapped
a twig and spooked a few deer on
the edge of the corn. Interestingly
the noticeably bigger and louder
deer went left while the others went
straight. While standing motionless
for at least five minutes until the
deer cleared the area, I thought the
deer that went left must have been a
buck otherwise if it were a doe with
fawns, they would have followed
her.
Thinking I slightly lowered my
odds for an opportunity I quietly
climbed into my tree and hooked
up. I had got there a half hour before
daylight, but I guess that wasnt
early enough as they were already
transitioning back.
When dawn broke I began scan-
ning the standing corn and then
heard something to my left and
turned my head. Not 15 yards from
me was the biggest buck Id ever
seen in the woods and his many
tines were tall. Without hesitation, I
reached for my bow and clipped my
release to the string and went into
auto pilot mode.
He was to my left about three
rows into the cornfield and was
heavily quartering at me. Know-
ing this is a low percentage shot, I
didnt draw my bow. Be patient, I blood trail which looked great for
kept telling myself as I watched the
brute for what seemed like an eter-
nity casually feed on an ear of corn
right off the stalk. I hoped he would
continue moving in the direction he
was facing and he did exactly that.
As he fed he slowly angled into
the cornfield and when he got direct-
ly in front of me, he was 20 yards
and entering into a small area of
knocked down stalks which would
offer a totally open shot. Within mo-
ments he was stepping through the
small opening and I drew my bow
and gave a vocal bleat to stop him
for the broadside shot.
Everything was coming together
perfectly but before I could settle
my pin behind his shoulder he
started to move again. I performed
another mouth bleat and this time a
little louder and a little more fran-
ticly. When he stopped this time, he
was slightly quartering away and I
put my pin on his chest, and then
released my arrow. I heard the arrow
make contact but didnt see the hit
and watched as he turned with tail
tucked and bolted deeper into the
taller standing corn.
Judging by his reaction I was
confident that I made a good hit. He
ran to my right but before reaching
the corner of the cornfield he turned
left and stayed in the field and went
out of sight. I heard a loud crash
and then everything went silent. It
sounded like he went down. Did I
just put down a smoker buck? Emo-
tion started flooding in, my knees
got weak and I started shaking and
had a hard time keeping myself
together.
My first reaction was to jump
out of the tree and go recover the
buck but then my hunting expe- Jesse (top) and his brother Brian spent opening day of bow season
rience set in and I regained my salmon fishing. While Jesse has loved fishing since he was a kid and the
fishing was unbelievable; he still felt like he should be sitting in his sling
composure. Then of course a few with bow in hand.
negative thoughts rang through.
Since I didnt actually see him fall, suddenly Dad grabbed me by my lung and the chest cavity was full of
what if he didnt go down? I then shoulder and just about took me blood. The bucks antlers are almost
chilled out and knew I needed to from my feet when he yelled, Look perfectly symmetrical and as I
give him at least a half hour before a to your left! thought, he sported 10 points. After
recovery effort. Less than 10 feet away lay the putting a tape on the antlers, he has
Dad and I agreed to meet at 9:30 buck and I didnt know how to react, an astonishing gross green score of
and it was only 7:30 and he doesnt so I jumped towards Dad and gave 167 and a net green score of 162
have a cell phone, so I couldnt call him a bear hug that Im sure neither 6/8. Regardless of the score hes a
or text him. Forty-five minutes later one of us will ever forget. What an trophy of a lifetime and a memory
I climbed out of my tree and recov- amazing feeling! We were like two that will be with dad and me forever.
ered my arrow and the blood trail kids jumping around, laughing, and I would like to thank the prop-
through the corn in the direction he giving each other high fives. erty owner for giving us permission
went looked good so I backed out He definitely didnt have ground to hunt and take such a beautiful
and went to meet Dad early. shrinkage and in fact had taller tines animal. Also thanks to all my fam-
As I approached his stand, I than expected. Within minutes of ily and friends that have made and
threw my arms up in the air and recovering him and us getting the shared the memories I have made
shouted, I finally did it! A big celebration out of our systems, I in Michigans great outdoors. Most
smile appeared as he knew what I took and sent a few pictures to my of all, I want to thank my dad for
was talking about. I told him that I brothers. Of course my beloved allowing me to join him on such an
made a good hit and was certain that brothers made sure to send the amazing journey as if it were not for
I heard him go down. I told him I pictures to the right friends that they him, I would have never received
thought it was a big 10 point, maybe knew would quickly make them go the opportunity. I would also like
in the 150s. viral and be all over social media. to thank Wood-N-Water News for
We went and jumped on the They did and before I even made allowing me to share my story and
it back to the truck, my phone was John Eberhart who has been a close
the first 70 yards then the next 30 ringing off the hook and sending me family friend for as long as I can re-
yards it began to peter out. I was lots of text alerts. member and Ive spent many hours
starting to get nervous and was Upon gutting the buck I had hit with him in both field and stream
staring at the ground searching for a bit high and back and the arrow and have learned many things from
the smallest drops of blood when had passed through his liver and one his successes.n
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 57
 Under the ice muskrat and mink

TRAPPING
B
y January usually most head) so the number 1 long spring
of Michigans lakes, trap almost touches the bait. Most
swamps and ponds number 1 Long spring traps have a
are frozen over. The small hole in the frame of the trap
muskrat are still active to be utilized on this type of under-
under the ice all winter water muskrat ice set. I know for
long as are mink. Both mink and a fact the Victor and Sleepy Creek
muskrat furs are very prime at this brands of traps have such a hole in
time of the year so you will be har- the frame. The trap chain is wired to
vesting the furbearers at prime time. the bottom area of the board.
The equipment and traps you Finally gently submerge the board
will need to trap muskrat under the with bait and trap secured to the
ice include: 1 x 4 boards 6 to 8 feet board under the water at a 45 degree
long, number 1 long spring traps or angle and push into the mud. Do
number 1.5 long spring traps, bait as gently as possible as you do not
such as raw pars- want to spring
nips or carrots, an the trap.
ice spud or axe, If snow is
ice skimmer like available cover
used for ice fish- the entire hole
ing, plastic sled with snow as this
to carry equip- will make the
ment and some hole not freeze
nails and wire. and easier to

By John Chagnon
Some 110 body
grip traps come in
handy if you want
to set a few trail sets to catch mink
on the ice or shoreline. Both pars-
nips and carrots are the preferred
muskrat bait as they offer great eye
appeal and tend to last when sub-
merged under the water.
If you are lucky enough to have
located muskrat huts and feed beds
these are the areas were you will
look for air bubbles under the ice
where the muskrats are traveling.
Other good spots where muskrat
have underwater dens could have
been marked during open water or
you might see the runs under clear
ice. Areas of ponds and lakes with
cattails along the edges are good
places to look for dens and muskrat
huts. If you have small streams and
rivers with flowing water you might
even be able to make a few open
water sets.
My number one consideration
while trapping muskrats under the
ice is my safety. I try to wait for
three inches of ice and a weather
forecast with below freezing tem-
peratures. One must still watch for
areas with current or around ob-
stacles that might not freeze solid. I
will wear a life preserver most times
just to be on the safe side.
Once you find your active
muskrat run under the ice, spud an
eight inch hole through the ice. Now
submerge your board on a 45 degree
angle under the ice and push into
the mud, pull it out of the water and
you have a water mark for water
depth. Drive a first nail so the bait
is one inch below the bottom of the
ice. Drive a second finish nail (no
58 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
spud out latter.
The muskrat will
get caught and
drown while trying to get the carrot
or parsnip. Another muskrat will
eat the carrot or parsnip so always
remake the set after catching a
muskrat.
After pulling the muskrat from
the frozen water, wrap it in dry
newspapers and by the time you
get home it will be fluffy and ready
to be skinned and put on a muskrat
stretcher.
If you can find narrow passages
through the weeds and cattails you
might be able to position a 110 body
grip in these travel ways under the
ice. These sets can produce musk-
rat as well as mink. J3 Outdoorz, a
Michigan company, came out with
the HAGZ Bracket and HAGZ
Spring Clip and folks are finding
all kinds of way to use these clips
for stabilizing traps under the water.
You can visit their website at www.
j3o.com for some good information
on these new brackets and clips.
Mink tracks are about an inch
long and are circular with five toe
marks. Sometimes only four toe
marks are left. I have had good luck
January through February blind set-
ting with 110 body grip traps where
I spot mink tracks in the trails along
the streams and marshes. Mink
travel the most during this time pe-
riod of the year. I always use orange
flagging when setting body grip
traps on land at this time of the year
as it does not take much snowfall
or blowing snow to cover your 110
trap. Simply reset on the snow when
it gets covered. I will place Lenons
Mink Super Range All Call Lure on
The authors number one consideration while trapping muskrats
under the ice is his safety. He tries to wait for three inches of ice
and a weather forecast with below freezing temperatures!
both sides of the trail with the trap
between.
January first is the beginning of
coyote and fox cable restraint snar-
ing in Michigan. Personally I prefer
to use foothold traps for coyotes
and fox all year. The Michigan
DNR Website has a 26 Page In-
formational PDF at https://www.
michigan.gov/documents/THE-
BOOK12_05_144690_7.pdf with
all the detail on how to use snares
legally in Michigan. The Michigan
Legal Snares are available at pcsout-
doors.com and many other trapping
supply houses.
This September was the first
time I set up a booth at the Woods-
N-Water Outdoor Weekend in
Imlay City and our staff and I really
enjoyed the show and great folks
we met there. We agreed before we
left the show that we would plan to
attend the 2018 Show. Almost every
deer hunter was interested in learn-
ing more about our raccoon and
coyote trapping tools. Being from
northern Michigan I could not be-
lieve the amount of hunters that told
of 10 and even 20 raccoon on their
game cameras. Most folks were
also ready to help reduce the coyote
numbers with coyotes everywhere.
My dad bought my first .22 rifle
from Randys Hunting Center of
Bad Axe many years ago. At the
time Randys Hunting Center was
in Kinde. While I was at the Out-
door Weekend I met up with Randy
from Randys Gun Shop and after
some reminiscing about the area
years ago, our conversion led to
Randy carrying a good selection of
trapping supplies including traps,
stakes, accessories and Lenon Lures
in his store in Bad Axe. When I was
a kid living in the tip of the thumb
of Michigan I had to purchase all
trapping supplies through the mail.
Today a young trapper can stop by
Randys Hunting Center and actu-
ally buy trapping gear.
Hopefully this winter you put
the ice fishing poles and spears
down long enough to harvest some
of Michigans abundant muskrat,
mink and coyote. In our next article
we will cover weasel trapping and
some other winter trapping ac-
tivities. I welcome you to visit my
websites at www.pcsoutdoors.com
and www.lenonlures.com I always
welcome calls from fellow trappers
at (989) 569-3480.n
 CSOUTDOORS.COM
PAmericas
(989) 569-3482 / service@pcsoutdoors.com
Oscoda, Michigan 48750
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IR
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WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 59

 Boat Smart...Classic boat shipwreck
O
ne morning I was
awakened by a
phone call from
a Coast
Guard
stations
watchstander. A vessel had
smashed into a breakwall at
the mouth of the Au Sable
River in Oscoda along the
east shore of Lake Huron.
The vessel was a clas-
sic, forty-two-foot, 1963
from its precarious position. The
water where the vessel laid was too
shallow to allow access by a barge
and crane from the water. A
road and pad would have to
be built on the lake bottom.
A large crane would drive
out and place the vessel on
a commercial boat trailer
for removal. This was the
best option to save the ves-
sel and avoid environmen-
tal damage.

By Capt. Fred Davis

Mathews,
operated as a
charter boat.
The owner had
fired a captain over a dispute. The
angered captain took the boat for a
drunken joy ride and ran it atop the
riprap alongside the breakwall. The
boat was lying on its starboard side,
up on the rocks with its hull exposed
and keel split.
When my crew arrived we made
a thorough inspection of the boats
condition and reviewed all pos-
sible methods to remove the vessel
Approval
from the Corps
of Engineers
and a permit
from the DNRs district office would
be required before work could com-
mence. Problems arose when it was
discovered the vessel was sitting in
an area of submerged cable for the A classic, 1963, 42 vessel was driven into the breakwall at the
breakwall nautical guide lights. The mouth of the Au Sable River in Oscoda.
DNR directed that stone for the road
had to be taken from an inspected
pit and be 3 in diameter and the
road had to be removed and the
property left as found when the

When the authors crew arrived they found the boat lying on its
starboard side, up on the rocks with the hull exposed and the keel As the crane operator swung the boat onto the trailer, waves began
split. Captain Fred Davis photos to build and with 500 feet to go, the road was washing out.

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10 Miles E. of Bay City on M-25 in Quanicassee Sel

job concluded.
To avoid possible environmental
contamination, all fuel and oil had
to be removed from the vessel. The
bridge would also need to come off
to allow the crane to lift the ves-
sel. A problem occurred when we
attempted to secure the breakwall.
We needed to remove hundreds of
onlookers who had assembled since
the event began. We brought in a
bulldozer to move large boulders
alongside the breakwall to clear a
bed for the road. By the end of day
three, the road was nearing comple-
tion and all the fuel had been re-
moved from the vessel. I contacted
the boat hauler and crane operator
and advised we would be ready for
them the next morning.
By noon, the road and pad for
the crane were ready for my men
to work in the water placing the lift
straps under the hull. The crane,
with the boat hauler following,
drove out into the lake to retrieve
the vessel.
At 3 p.m. the wind shifted and
the road began to wash out. We all
knew the job had to be completed
before dark. The dozer drove back
out on the road bed and gave the
boat hauler an extra push and began
repairing the washed out areas.
Just as the crane operator swung
the boat out over the trailer, waves
began to build. With about 500 to
go, the road was washing out faster
than the dozer could repair it. Dark-
ness was fast approaching, and the
job was clearly in jeopardy. The
crane and boat hauler were also in
danger as the trucks wheels began
breaking grip. Crowds had once
again gathered on the breakwall
and were shouting encouragement.
A call went out for two very large
wreckers (located fifty miles away)
to rush to the scene as all of the
assembled workers tried to choke
down lumps in their throats.
It was about this time I learned
the boat haulers boss had sent his
smaller trailer. His employee told
me someone else called and offered
to pay more so the larger trailer
went to them. With the help of an
expert dozer operator and the two
wreckers working end to end, the rig
was inched out of the lake boat and
all - just as darkness fell. As soon as
the trailer was on firm ground, the
dozer went back out on the road fill-
ing holes made by the hauler and led
the crane to safety.
We were able to report there was
no further damage to the vessel or
environment. The boat was fully
restored by expert woodworkers and
returned to service the next season.
As the two wreckers worked
end to end, the rig was inched
out of the lake, boat and all
as darkness descended.
A few years later, its owner who
had watched each step of his boats
recovery, purchased a salvage busi-
ness in the Florida Keys. He told
me, I think it will be easier in the
sandy bottom. I recently learned
the business changed hands again
perhaps the coral reefs were not the
sandy bottom anticipated.n
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WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 61


TROPHY PAGE

Alex Smith took his first buck dur-

Steve Jones of Caledonia ing firearm season with a very
bagged this 4.5 year old Stephanie Robson arrowed unusual rack. He was hunting St.
Ryan Benoit called in 12-pt. buck late October.
this monster 10-pt. this dandy buck hunting Clair Co.
It was nicknamed Piney
Nov. 13 in Barry Co. during the 2017 archery Lapeer Co.
Dave
season. Vallin of
Lansing
took this
Mother and son har- record
vested deer within 9-pt
15 minutes of each hunting
other in Calhoun Co. Nov. 17,
Gene Schoen took his only
day out,
down his 8-pt. with in Clinton
a compound bow Co. He
at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 28. dragged
Not too far away the buck
and not knowing out and
that her son had loaded it
shot a buck 15 min- in his truck
Esther Lemaster had a utes earlier, Ginger by him-
Richard Wilson of North- selfnot
fantastic 2017 opener of Schoen took down ville took this nice 10-pt.
gun season in Gladwin bad at age
an 8-pt. buck with with a 19 inch outside 69!
Co., she took a nice size her crossbow in her spread on the family
doe and then an hour first year of hunting
later she was able to take farm in Montcalm Co.
this beautiful 8-pt. at 9:45 a.m. during late Oct. Jeff Sierpien
and his son
Kaitlyn Mason of
Solberg, Logan Levering,
harvested
12, of Burack, 9, this buck on
Livonia took this Nov. 25 on
took state land in
her first
6-pt. hunt-
ing the Cheboygan
deer this Co. Mason
mature youth hunt spotted the
doe near in Sanilac buck and
Fremont Co. Jeff took
on Nov. Gary Murduck took his biggest down the
24 hunt- buck of his life on Nov. 22the 8-pt.
ing with day before his birthday.
her dad.

Debra Rousselo
took this buck
37 minutes into
her first ever
deer hunt on
Oct. 28. Her
son Robert
acted as guide
and mentor.
Robert shot
his first buck
on Oct. 28, Rich Gusa of
six years ago, Harbor Beach
with the same Craig Doerr, 13 of Alex Fox with his third took this 7-pt.
bow, from the Linda Healy of Birch Run Plainwell took this 8-pt. 8-pt. from the same in Huron Co.
same blind. successfully harvested this hunting near Sandusky blind in three years hes on Nov. 22
He taught her 8-pt., 180 pound buck Oct. hunted the youth hunt with a 100 yard
well. 16 near Atlanta. with his grandpa Craig. in Iosco Co. heart shot.
62 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS

Kyra Kinsman, 12, with her
first deer, a beautiful 10-pt.
buck taken Nov. 15 in Ionia
Co.
Dave Dillon of Kings-
ton hunting opening
day of bow season
arrowed this dandy
10-pt. as it followed a
7-pt. to his stand.
Anthony Giancola went
hunting on Nov. 11 for a
last chance bow hunt and it
worked as he caught this big
10-pt. buck chasing a doe.
TROPHY PAGE
Michael Leighton
Carl Fodo, 13, took this nice took this record book Dave Tesner of Capac took
Gladwin Co. 8-pt. that had a 19
8-pt. in Van Buren this dandy 10-pt. hunting St.
inch inside spread! County. Clair Co. Nov. 17
Cathy
Elowsky
took this
record Chris
book 9 pt. Lopez of
hunting
with her Essexville
crossbow arrowed
in Ingham this 8-pt.
Co. The the morn-
buck green
scored ing of
Ben Thomas with Oct. 29.
135. Jim Derewitz of
Dryden in his 40th his first deer- an
season of deer Alcona Co. 6-pt.
hunting took this taken Nov. 19.
buck.
(Left) Logan Garchow
took his first deer
during the youth
hunt. (Right) Hunter
Garchow took this
dandy 9-pt. hunting
Nov. 16.
Jessica Sczepanski
took this nice Mid-
land Co. 8-pt. on Kriss Hahn of Midland
Ira Segovia hunting the opening morning of took this nice 9-pt. buck
Jeff Andrews took this nice 8-pt. youth hunt with his grand- the firearms season. near St. Helen on state
opening day of gun season pops in Montmorency Co.
hunting an Oakland Co. swamp. took this nice buck. land.
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 63


TROPHY PAGE

On Oct. 29 Mitch Blank was bowhunting

Hillsdale Co. with his dad. He got a call
from his dad asking for help to trail his
buck he shot in 20 minutes. Thirty seconds
after hanging up his phone he heard
a crack to his right, sees this big buck
Travis OConnell took rubbing on a tree 25 yards away. Mitch
Waylon Lamkin, 11, of Fowl- patiently waited for him to walk into his
Tim Tapert took this buck his first buck, this brute
opening day of gun erville took this record book shooting lane and when he did he put a
that dressed close to 200 8-pt. opening day in Livings- deadly shot with his crossbow.
season in Macomb Co. pounds. Travis was hunting
while it was chasing a Allegan Co. ton Co.
doe.
Jim Anderson
of Ossineke
harvested
this 6x7 elk
weighing 840
lbs. on Sept.
15 in Mont-
morency Co.
Guide was
Scott Con-
This beautiful brown nell (middle)
trout was caught and and hunting Nicole Twardowski took her second buck
released on the Manistee Hunter Bob Kunnen took partner Josh of the archery season with this monster
River by Mariya Gifford this dandy 6x6 Aug. 31 Spragg. 8-pt. on Oct. 29 in Van Buren Co. that
and her friend Nick Smith. with guide John Jones. dressed out at 200 pounds and had a 16
inch spread.

Tyler Mark
Livingston DuBois
took this took this
dandy
beautiful Livingston
Lapeer Co. 8-pt.,
County his first
buck dur- buck taken
ing bow with his
season Carbon
Tim Liphardt with his Brandon Weaver of Fenton Express
son Ryan and his 7-pt., caught this 35 pound king on the near Imlay Crossbow.
220 pound buck taken Muskegon River by Tippy Dam. City.
in Lake Co.

Brenda Havers
caught this
10 lb. walleye
at La Rserve
Beauchne in
Quebec. Brenda
Walkerville Family Mart of Byron, hosted its
was wearing her 17th annual Youth Hunt. Once again our
lucky U of M young hunters did a wonderful job. Even with
the warm weather; 7 bucks and 2 does were
Fishing Team entered into the contest. A big thank you
jersey she had goes out to our community who helps raise
money and donates money and prizes each
just received for year so these young hunters have something
her birthday Tyler Normand, 12,
special to look forward to after their hunt.
Conner won first place for the largest buck Rob Sarka with with his first buck,
from her guide/ and Brandon won first place for the largest a thirty pound Tom Krzemien took a nice 5-pt. taken
husband, doe. The first place winners each received a this 10-pt near Gay- with a crossbow in
MARV-elous Al. two-person treestand as their main prize. Each beaver and a lord on Nov. 15. Newaygo Co. on
entry received multiple prizes for their hard
work and success. forty pounder! Oct. 26.
64 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
 Opening morning for the past 38 years with the same two friends...
Another great opener in da Upper aye?
By Bob Vogel
F
or all deer hunters in
Michigan November 15
is their favorite day of
the year. Some may argue
that Christmas is still
their favorite. Thankfully,
Jeff Daniels was able to combine
the two dates. He famously de-
scribed opening day as like Christ-
mas with guns.
Most Michigan deer hunters can
tell you exactly where they were
sitting at daylight on November 15
for many of their past years. I am no
different. I have hunted each open-
ing morning for 37 of the past 38
years with the same two friends. We
have hunted in the same location
for the past twenty eight years. Like
Jeff Daniels famous play and movie
Escanaba In Da Moonlight, we have
hunted near Escanaba in Michigans
Upper Peninsula.
One of those friends, Richard,
went to college with a guy who was
from that area of the Upper Penin-
sula. He invited Richard to cross the
bridge and hunt for whitetail. Rich-
ard invited me to come along. Our
choice of weapons for deer hunting
were compound bows. Not many
people bow hunted in those days,
and our methods were immediately
questioned.
Why on earth would you drive
all the way up here to throw a stick
at a deer? If you want to shoot a
deer, take a rifle out back and shoot
yourself a deer. The place is full of
them. Theyre like rats with hooves.
Our new friends called us flat
landers, apple knockers, fudge suck-
ers and trolls. We called them AYE
boys. We liked the people and the
area immediately. We were blown
away with the amount of cover
adjacent to large crop fields and the
abundance of deer. We returned an-
nually to bow hunt. In 1983 Richard
stayed in the upper to finish the bow
season and hunt with a rifle once the
gun season opened. He called me
about a week into the gun season.
How did you guys do, he asked.
Not bad I answered. I got a
seven point and Mick shot a really
nice eight. In those days two bucks
from a group of five or six hunters
was a good year. How was your
hunt I wondered. I killed a buck
with my bow on the 14th and then
another with the rifle on the 15th,
he said proudly.
Richard loved the people and the
area so much that he married one
of the locals. I teased him, Most
men marry for love, some marry for
muzzle loader in the Amish counties
of Ohio. My favorite hunt of the year
is hunting with my friends opening
day in Michigans beautiful U.P.
I have returned to the Upper each
year for nearly four decades. From
in my youth, to now a senior. I still
feel the excitement on my trip to
camp and that long walk through the
swamp to the north blind, my blind.
My chair and my heater right where
I left them a year ago. A blind that
feels like home to me. I have had
many memorable hunts from that
blind. Both of my sons killed their
first buck from that blind with me
sitting next to them. They have both
sat next to me as I shot bucks from
that blind. That four foot by 6 foot
structure will forever have a place
Authors friend and hunting par tner, Ken Pieh, with a nice U.P. 8 point. in my heart. I sincerely hope that all
money, but a few marry for hunting ATVs to our blinds. However, more reading this article have a special
rights. frequently the ground has been soft, hunting spot, special friends to hunt
In 1989 Richard bought prop- wet, and muddy such that walking to with, and fond memories of opening
erty in Menominee County adjacent our spots requires high rubber boots days.
to his in-laws. The property was and much effort. Driving ATVs to Opening Day 2017, my thirty-
160 acres of recently logged cedar bait or haul deer has not often been seventh of a possible thirty eight
swamp. It was surrounded on three possible. openers with my friend Kenny. I
sides by crop fields (corn and al- The deer population has changed missed opening day 2003 due to my
falfa). That part of the U.P. is called over the years as well. I do not fathers death. Kenny and I hunt a
the banana belt. The weather there know what the population of deer couple hundred yards apart with a
is not as severe as in other parts of in Menominee County per square dense cedar swamp between us. The
the upper, and farming is its largest mile is today. I feel from observation action began at about 8 am and went
industry. Good weather, crops, and that it is less than at its peak. Hard like this
good cover make for great deer habi- winters, wolves, coyotes, bears, and 8:10 a.m. Text to Kenny: Did
tat and hunting. This property was over hunting, have all taken their you just shoot
no exception. The area boasted the toll on the deer. The amount of deer 8:12 a.m. Text back from Kenny:
highest deer population in the state and the quality of deer change year Yes
at nearly 100 deer per square mile. to year as well. When we began our 8:13 a.m. Text to Kenny: Good
In 1990 three of us (we added U.P. hunts most any year and a half one? Is he down
our friend Kenny to the group) old buck was legal to kill. It needed 8:30 a.m. Text back from Kenny:
headed north to hunt the opening day only to have at least one spike over Yes, and he is a beast 8 point
of gun season in Michigans U.P. We three inches. It is now a Michigan 8:31 a.m. Text to Kenny: Good
have now just finished our 28th year. law that a buck must have three or job, need help?
Over the years our camp has more points on at least one antler 8:35 a.m. Text back from Kenny:
changed. In those early years we to be legally killed with a gun in No thanks, Ill get him
camped in a travel trailer. We had the U.P. We have not killed a buck 10:00 a.m. Text from Kenny:
no electricity and no water. We ran of less than eight points in the past Buck on the pole back at the
a generator for lights, and propane twenty years. I believe both practices cabin.
heaters kept us somewhat comfort- are noble, but I am not sure either So it has been for nearly forty
able from the cold. A few years into has served its purpose of improving years. Good friends doing what
our annual trip electricity was pulled the age or quality of the bucks we we love doing together. We know
close enough that we could power see while hunting in Menominee have four in our group. John, the
the trailer and hunting life became County. Our hunt is no longer about newcomer, has been with us only
a little easier. In 2000 Richard had the quantity of the bucks we see or twenty-five years.
a cabin built on the property. We harvest. It has become much bigger After three days of hunting we
now have things very easy. A cabin than that. It represents another year head back down state. I will now
with heat, all electrical appliances, of health, another year of friend- hunt with my sons, son-in-law, and
hot water for showers, and plenty of ship, another year of being able to grandsons. I love hunting with my
room for everyone and everyones do what we love doing and doing it family, but it is different than hunt-
gear. Yep, we now have it easy, but it with lifelong friends. ing with my lifelong friends. To my
still feels like deer camp. In my lifetime I have been fortu- family I am the patriarch, mature,
In those years we have hunted nate to hunt whitetail deer in many responsible, the Papa. In the Upper
in all types of weather imaginable. different places. I have bow hunted I am one of the guys, thirty years
Temperatures from 6 degrees below for whitetail in Washtenaw, Lenaw- younger, responsible for only my-
zero to 60 degrees above and every- ee, and Jackson Counties in the L.P. self, a kid again.
thing in between. We have hunted of Michigan. I have bow hunted for I am drawn to the hunt, no matter
in rain, snow, wind, and sunshine. whitetail in Texas, and in Mexico. I where, or with whom. The U.P. hunt
We have hunted when the ground have hunted whitetail in Saskatch- is my favorite. I hope to do it for
was frozen or dry enough to drive ewan and I have hunted with a thirty more years.n
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 65
 Father/son share opening day success
R
uss Seymour of
Alanson and son
Aaron had the most
remarkable day of
their years of hunt-
ing together this year.
Russ is a dedicated outdoorsman
and raised his son to be
the same. Aaron went deer
hunting as soon as he was
legal, at the age of 16. He
fished with dad at the age
of three and that remains
his real passion. He is a
fly-fishing nut. The pair
fish all over Michigan and
one of their favorites is the
County, in a rather wet swampy area
that is remote and difficult to access.
Hip boots or waders are required to
get in there and get around. In the
past, the two have always hunted so
close to each other that Russ could
see Aaron from his treestand.
While Aaron was
encouraged to dress his
own deer from the outset,
Russ was always there for
guidance and, of course, to
help get the deer out of the
swamp. This year was to
be different. Russ hunted
some private land late in
the season last year, with

By George Rowe
Atlantic salmon
fishing in the St.
Marys River. They
fly out to Montana every fall to fly
fish for big trout and Aaron is so in
love with one river that Madison
became the middle name of his little
daughter.
The pair has always hunted deer
together - Aaron has never hunted
with anyone else. Their favorite
spot is on public land, in Emmett
success. When he
scouted the land, a
parcel of over 100
acres, this year, he found four large
scrapes in a small area and decided
that he would hunt that area, in the
hardwoods, on opening day. Aaron
decided to stick with the swamp that
had always produced for them.
The opening day weather was Aaron and Russ agree on their hunting ethics. Obey the law strictly,
just plain lousy. The ideal condi- use no bait or scents or anything else ar tificial. Respect the game
tions would have included cool and enjoy nature at its fullest. Sue Seymour photo

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66 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS


temps perhaps 30s or 40s, light
wind and overcast. The actual con-
ditions included rain, high winds,
a wind chill and a lovely overcast.
The deer could not be expected to
move around normally and sitting
on stand promised to be miserable
unless under cover.
Russ took to his treestand with a
pop-up blind in hand, which he used
to provide some cover overhead. It
was awkward but it did keep him
mostly dry. He saw only two young
deer in the morning -it looked like
two yearlings, a doe and a young
buck. Remember that hunters in
Emmett County are subject to antler
point restrictions and can only shoot
a buck with at least three points on
one side.
Nothing else showed up until
around two in the afternoon. He
spotted a big deer then, cruising
through a thicket. Since the deer
was crossing his field of vision
and would not be offering a better,
closer shot, he took the long shot, at
around 90 yards. The deer pushed
forward into the thicket and disap-
peared. The deers body language
told Russ that he has missed, prob-
ably high, and that the deer was con-
fused about the source of the noise.
After about 10 minutes, the deer
was spotted again, moving toward
him, coming out of the thicket, but
still 80 or 90 yards out. He took the
quartering shot and hit the deer in
the near shoulder, putting him right
down. The 30-06 with a 180 grain
bullet had done the job nicely.
Now we have a 67-year-old man
with a hefty buck on the ground and
no help in sight. Fortunately, the
area was laced with logging trails
and he was able to get his truck
within 50 yards of the deer. Russ
took the wooden tailgate off his
truck and used it as a ramp to slide
the deer up and into the bed. Quite
a feat for a hunter of any age and a
testament to the physical condition
of this particular hunter. He texted
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Aaron to share the good news only
to discover that he already had a
buck on the ground and needed help
to get the deer out of the swamp.
Aarons hunt was from a simple
brush blind. He was also carrying a
30-06 with 180 grain bullets. Things
were quiet at dawn and nothing was
seen until after nine. A doe came
through then, running hard but stop-
ping near him to look back. The doe
minced forward nervously a few
steps at a time but continued to look
at her back trail. Aaron raised his
rifle and kept it on the doe, confident
that a buck was coming behind her.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw
movement to his left and not behind
the doe. It was an enormous buck,
moving toward the doe from the
side, walking slowly.
Aaron could see instantly that
this was not only a legal shooter but
the biggest buck he had ever seen
on the hoof. The buck was 90 yards
away, walking steadily away, but
offering a quartering shot. He put
the crosshairs behind the shoulder
and touched off the rifle. The buck
collapsed immediately. Since the
deer was not visible on the ground,
Aaron waited for a reasonable time
before approaching the area where
the deer had disappeared. When he
did walk up to the area, he found a
real monster of a buck, thoroughly
dead.
Now we have a hunter alone
with a buck that weighed well
over 200 pounds and needing to be
moved out of that swampy area.
Aaron field-dressed the deer, texted
his dad and started dragging.
Russ and another man met him
and the three of them managed
to get the deer out of the swamp
and into a truck. The size of the
deer, his sheer bulk and his teeth
indicated that he was probably five
and a half years of age. He was a
massive eight-point with an 18 inch
inside spread. What a day for a
father and son pair.n
Volunteer campground
host applications being
accepted for 2018 season
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is seeking volunteer
campground hosts in Michigan state parks, recreation areas and rustic
state forest campgrounds for the 2018 camping season.
In exchange for 30 hours of service per week, including duties such
as helping campers find their campsites, answering camper questions,
planning campground activities and performing light park maintenance
duties, campground hosts enjoy waived camping fees.
Both individuals and couples may apply for volunteer positions that
begin as early as April and last through October. Volunteer hosts must
be 18 years of age and provide their own camping equipment, food and
other personal items.
"For many visitors, the camping experience wouldn't be the same
without campground hosts," said Miguel Rodriguez, promotional agent
for the DNR. "These dedicated volunteers engage with park visitors by
helping out around the campground, answering camping and park ques-
tions and even hosting kids' crafts and fireside activities. All of this is
accomplished while they are enjoying some of Michigan's most beautiful
outdoor destinations."
Interested volunteers can click on "campground host" at www.
michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers to learn more about the volunteer host
campground program, download an application and waiver and view a
vacancy host campground report, which is updated regularly and indi-
cates when and where hosts are needed in specific parks.
Hosts are screened and interviewed by park managers and selected
based on familiarity with the state park system, camping experience,
special skills, availability and knowledge of the area. Hosts must partici-
pate in a two-day host training session within the first two years of being
selected as a host. The 2018 training will take place June 6-7 at the Ralph
A. MacMullan Conference Center in Roscommon.
For information, contact Miguel Rodriguez at 517-284-6127 or
rodriquezm2@michigan.gov.
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WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 67
 Eskimo words for snow
A
friend called from
Chicago not long ago
to say he was head-
ing up to northern
Michigan to go
cross-country ski-
ing and he wanted to know what
the snow was like up here. I had to
break the news that we were in the
middle of a thaw, with the tempera-
ture in the 40s, and the trails were a
mess.
How would you describe the
snow? he asked.
Kind of cruddy, I said.
Which brings to mind the many
Eskimo words for snow. That the
Inuit can recite a seemingly endless
list has been passed around as fact
for more than a century, and I have
to admit (because its documented,
alas) that I once passed it around
as casually as anyone. It makes a
good storythe fur-clad people of
the arctic reciting their hundreds of
designations while eager ethnolo-
gists took notes. The trouble is, its
not true.
The story of how the myth origi-
nated is as winding as a coyotes
trail. It apparently began when an-
thropologist Franz Boas mentioned
in print in 1911 that Eskimos had
four separate word roots referring
to snow. Soon after, in a widely re-
printed article, the linguist Benjamin
Lee Whorf exaggerated the
count to seven. And then
the story went viral. Count-
less magazine articles,
scientific papers, op-ed
pieces, newspaper columns,
textbooks, and popular
books conflated the figure
to dozens, then scores, and
ultimately to as
many as 400.
I played it a
little safer than
some in my book, Its Raining Frogs
and Fishes: Four Seasons of Natural
Phenomena and Oddities of the Sky.
I wrote, Dozens of variationsas
many as 200, by some accounts
make it possible for Inuits and Eski-
mos to speak more precisely about
snow than anyone on earth.
Well, I stand corrected. (And so
does the new edition of the book.)
It turns out that linguists have
argued for years that our count was crud, crust, slush, pack, hard pack,
way off. In 1986, anthropologist packed powder, ballroom, boiler-
Laura Martin traced the myths plate, neve, and buffed.
pathway in an article in the journal Theres also fluff, cold smoke,
American Anthropologist. Geoffrey corduroy, corn, mashed potatoes,
Pullum shortly afterward wielded and the borrowed Russian sastrugi
his own debunking axe in (for windblown drifts shaped like
his book The Great Eskimo waves in water).
Vocabulary Hoax and Other And dont forget windslab, glop,
Irreverent Essays on the blue ice, and sugar. And of course
Study of Language, taking Sierra cement, kitty litter, and death
the trouble, as few have, cookies.
to consult C.W. Schultz- Leave it up to people who play
Lorentzens Dictionary of every day in the snow to invent the
the West Greenland Eskimo best words for it. Their linguistic
Language (pub- inventiveness helps us to understand
By Jerry Dennis lished in 1927), in
which are listed
why the Eskimo vocabulary hoax
was so believable in the first place.
only two root Whether in play or work, the more
words for snow: qanik, for snow- involved we become in something,
flake or snow in the air, and aput, the more complex is the language
for snow on the ground. Varia- we invent for it.
tions of those roots add up to about Jerry Dennis lives up to his
twelve separate words for types of waist in snow in northern Michigan.
snow. His many books include A Walk in
The crazy thing is, we use more the Animal Kingdom, The Living
than that in English. A quick search Great Lakes, Its Raining Frogs and
through the literature of downhill Fishes, and The Bird in the Water-
skiing and snowboarding reveals a fall. Visit him at www.jerrydennis.
list that includes powder, chowder, netn

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Save waypoints for ice
M
ichigan had a small
window late in 2017
to jump back in the
boat for one last
open water walleye
ad-
venture and boy did we
strike Great Lakes gold.
A nice limit of Saginaw
Bay walleyes in short
order during early De-
cember utilizing the usual
late fall pattern of trolling
big crankbaits filled the
livewell.
We found several
spots that provided some
non-stop action and had
walleyes ranging from
feisty 15 inchers to one
weighing in at 8.5 pounds
with several nice four-
pounders mixed in. A
good haul for any boat
angler but a great haul
for the ice angler, let By Mark SaK
me explain what made
this trip so important. These fish in
early December were in their winter
mode. They were in relatively shal-
low water staging close to the river
mouth and adjacent to the massive
structure of an old dumping grounds.
These fish will most likely be utilizing
this little staging spot for the next sev-
eral months long after ice has formed
on the bay.
For avid ice anglers these types
of spots are very important. Saginaw
Bay looks like the surface of Mars
when it is covered with ice. Very few
points or actual landmarks define ar-
eas that hold fish. Mapping software
is certainly very helpful but I can tell
you from my own experience it does
not guarantee fish hold in spots that
look promising. But areas that pro-
vided bountiful harvest in December
will increase the odds dramatically.
Not only did they provide the struc-
ture, they also provided the proxim-
ity of comfort to the river mouth. It
is the spot on the spot which we all
know is key to success.
The next thing on our late fall
fishing list was to gather three to
five more of these types of spots. It
is optimal if you can group spots to
an area and mark two or three areas.
The reason is we know Saginaw Bay
is a fickle one and it can open cracks
overnight that immediately eliminate
fishing spots sometimes for the rest of
the season. While anglers are talk-
ing about crossing cracks we will just
head to a safer spot. Other areas that
are extremely important to mark in-
clude weed edges, shipwrecks or even
significant depth changes as we know
walleyes use these contour breaks as
travel lanes.
Utilizing a flasher is extremely
important while ice fishing. It is ing fish on the screen. The flasher will bibs, carry flares, a life jacket and 200
one of those tools that many modern show the bait descending. Stop your feet of nylon rope. In addition I now
anglers just will no longer go without. offering a foot above the fish and jig have a lithium battery charger for my
Flashers provide real time responses slowly down to it always keeping the phone and I carry an additional 12-
in less than a second unlike other line tight. Anglers will often see the volt battery that will power the GPS
traditional sonar units fish strike on their flasher as the two unit. We have all seen or heard of the
that must scroll the fish lines come together as one on the catastrophes that take place during
across the page some- screen. the ice season. Every one of those
times taking a minute Remember safety is the most fatalities could have been avoided if
or two. Flashers can important factor on the ice. Do not those anglers had the right equipment.
detect a fish moving up cross cracks even when they have Sometimes we get too amped up
to a take a bait or move seemingly froze back over. They usu- about icing big fish and forget what
away from it. They give ally dont. Always run with a couple is important. Have a great ice fishing
the angler immediate of other anglers on separate sleds season and Ill see you out there.
information. and carry safety equipment just like Follow our season on Greatlakess-
Once the angler sets you do during the boating season. I portsman Fishing with Mark Sak on
up on fish it is also im- utilize the new floating ice jacket and Facebook.n
portant to have a game
Hifive Kennels
plan as far as presenta-
tion of lures. Consider
utilizing some of the
same colors that worked
in December if possible. Wild Bird Dog Training
Why not? The fish are
going to tell you what
they prefer but many
successful colors often
imitate bait colors already present in
the system. Jigging body baits work
well when tipped with minnows as Proven Training Program
well as small spoons and jigs. Obvi-
ously that good ole firetiger is going All Pointing Breeds
to be popular on the perch-filled bay, Pups & Started Dogs
but chrome colored lures that imitate
smelt and shiners are also a high per-
centage bait. The first drop is always Bruce & Neal Minard Hifivekennels.com
Hifivekennels@aol.com
the most important. Dont drop the
bait to the bottom, drop it to the hold-
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WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 69
 Traditional Black Powder Hunting...By Dennis Neely

Acquired, not simulated

M
oonlight illumi-
nated a familiar
path. Cowhide
moccasins touched
toe first, then heel.
Brittle oak leaves
hushed to a whisper as if on a stalk
of a mighty buck. The death sphere
slept. The smooth-bored flintlocks
pan was devoid of powder. The Eng-
lish flint rested. The simple pursuits
of that Monday of mid-November,
in the Year of our Lord, 1796, ended
in the River Raisins dense bottom-
land.
Late that afternoon, the days
still-hunt progressed through a sub-
tle depression in the knolls and hills
of a hardwood forest. The acidic
aroma of dry oak leaves hung in the
fall chill. The moccasins course
reached a tongue of land that stuck
out into a tangle of sedge grass,
stunted maples and yellow birches.
A thick-trunked, tall white
oak leaned over a mucky bog as if
stopped midway in a fateful fall.
This survivors southernmost roots
grew exposed like the straining
knuckles of a giants hand gripping
the earth for dear life. As if tempting
certain doom, a well-trod deer trail
passed beneath the old oaks out-
spread branches. The adopted white
captive who spent his youth among
the Ojibwe settled behind another
white oak, downwind from that trail.
Moments before the last sliver
of the orange sun slipped away, a
deers shape appeared in the red
willow and elders to the south. At
a barkless, fallen white ash, this
Dyed deer hair cones from an 18th-century Odawa shot pouch (top-left)
show the same wear and tear as those on Msko-waagoshs reproduction
buckskin pouch (bottom-left). The re-created brain-tanned leggin ties
were patterned after a pair collected by Major Andrew Foster (top-right)
in lower Michigan. After two 18th-century weeks of hunting, a linen thread
broke. Over time, the gar ters lost a fair number of pale-blue beads
(bottom-right) and displayed honest trail use. Wild River tree photos
Establishing a sense of kinship with an 18th-century hunter hero
requires careful attention to detail and a commitment to pursuing
wild game with the resources available to our forefathers.
wilderness tenant turned to the and gazed about in the midst of his
northeast. Head down, it took two or own still-hunt.
three steps, then paused. White tines As he entered a golden patch of
flashed as the buck raised his head thick sedge grass, the buck began a
steady plodding. The trail bent in the
direction of the leaning oak. About
six hoof-falls short of the woodland
edge of the sedge grass, the buck
perked up, halted and surveyed the
oaks, wild cherries and hickories
before him.
A thumb and forefinger manipu-
lated the trigger and sear, muster-
ing the death sphere and bringing
the sharp English flint to attention.
The Northwest guns muzzle began
to ease up. The turtle sight grew
anxious. Msko-waagosh, the Red
Fox, mouthed a silent prayer: A
clean kill, or a clean miss. Your will,
O Lord.
Satisfied that no danger existed
in the hardwoods, the buck walked
from behind a maple clump. As he
resumed his methodical plodding,
the tines of his creamy-white antlers
came into view. He was a fine eight-
point buck, his beams wide to the
tips of his ears with long, upright
brow tinesthe solitary buck a
fellow woodsman sought with un-
bounded passion.
An occasional oak leaf crack-
led, mixed with the squishing of
black muck and one small, snapped
twig. His wilderness crown bobbed
up and down with each step. As if
testing his immortality, he paused
beneath the Creators deadfall. Then
with a short hop, he broke into a
fast walk that carried him over the
tongue and up to the forest floor.
The eight-pointer never looked
back, never detected the huddled
shape of a linen-and-wool-clad
woodsman, never suspected death
lurked so near.
Msko-waagosh tended to the
Northwest gun. He looked down
as he again fingered the trigger and
held the hammer, setting it back to
half-cock. He noticed a red-dyed
deer hair that lay crosswise beside
the trail-worn silk ribbons that
adorned his right, blue-wool leg-
gin
Details matter to traditional
black powder hunters. Ridding ones
being of all items that do not belong
to a personas chosen time period is
a prerequisite for venturing back to
yesteryear with hope of experienc-
ing the texture of the hunters life.
Thus, the material possessions of
Msko-waagosh are based on exist-
ing museum examples and/or jour-
nal entries written by the individuals
who lived and survived in that time
period.
The Red Foxs shot bag is based
off an Odawa-made pouch in the
collections of the Canadian Museum
of History. The bag is attributed to
1800 or earlier. The brain-tanned-
buckskin bag features white edge
beading, a panel of quillwork and
accents of dyed deer hair cones.
Small, thin pieces of brass or
tin were shaped into slim tapered
tubes about an inch in length. The
white under-hair of a bucks tail was
dyed red. A lace of buckskin, passed
through the cones narrow end, was
tied about a snippet of dyed hair,
then pulled back into the cone. The
knot and folded hair wedged in the
cone, creating an adornment that
was then added to a bag, leggin gar-
ter, split pouch or piece of clothing.
With use, the hollow deer hair
breaks, leaving a tarnished cone
with short deer hair bristles ex-
posed. Most 18th-century artifacts
with deer hair cones display this
type of damage. In some instances
only the bristled cones remain, sug-
gesting extensive use by the original
owner.

70 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS

 Some contemporary living-his- toured the Great Lakes in the early Then, during a spring turkey hunt, lone reminder of that evenings
tory artisans attempt to duplicate the 1790s. The Foster garters featured a pale-blue bead rested in a cupped encounter inspired a prayer of
museum examples, re-creating every pale-blue beads, line-stitched to oak leaf. thanksgiving. Then, overcome with
flaw and imperfection. But from the the leather. I did not include the Like the pale-blue bead, the a sense of great reverence, Msko-
traditional hunters standpoint, each quillwork panels, deer hair cones or single, red-dyed deer hair represent- waagosh released the red-dyed deer
accoutrement should reflect honest hawk feathers. ed a wilderness classroom lesson hair to drift off in the moonlit beauty
wear and tear from daily use, rather During the first winters rab- of importanceanother moccasin of 1796.
than look centuries old. A shot bag bit hunts, I discovered the Foster/ step along the path to yesteryear. Give traditional black powder
that looks 200 years old would draw Ojibwe style garters did not cut into From the traditional woodsmans hunting a try, be safe and may God
attention to a backcountry woods- my legs and were easier to tie and perspective, honest wear and tear is bless you.
man of 1796the same as adjust than leather-strap garters. But acquired, not simulated. And what a Dennis Neely maintains a web
a complete set of new clothes within two weeks of 18th-century joyous way to learn! site devoted to traditional hunting at
would. use, a two-ply linen thread broke. cold fingers held the solitary www.traditionalblackpowderhunt-
By that evening, Msko- The frayed end hung off to one side. hair up to the days last light. The ing.com.n
waagoshs shot bag had seen four
calendar years of hard hunting. In
the 1790s, a woodsman carried a
shot bag all day, every day. In 18th-
century terms that shot bag served
the forest tenant for seven months of
actual usea living historians ver-
sion of people years versus dog
years.
Msko-waagoshs buckskin
pouchs foremost tin cones are
bristled with no long red strands
remaining. These deer hair cones re-
ceive the brunt of swamp and brush
CROSSBOWS
travel. Given that amount of use, I
suspect that the original Odawa bag
did not see more than six months of
woodland pursuits. And due to the
nature of ornamentation, a strong
case can be made that that shot bag
was worn for special feasts, dances
or occasions of note.
The blue wool leggins approach
the quality and design of a pair
gathered by Sir John Caldwell of the
Kings Eighth Regiment of Foot, as-
signed to Fort Detroit in 1770s. The
side flaps are bound with hand-dyed
silk ribbons, hand-sewn with the
same care as the originals.
The ribbons came from Mary
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living historian. Mary discussed CARBON EXPRESS DEALER
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care instructions to preserve the
silks integrity. Her intent was to
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WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 71


DNR dredging buys time to protect
Buffalo Reef in Keweenaw County
T
he Michigan De-
partment of Natural
Resources recently
completed an emer-
gency dredging project
in Keweenaw County
to restore the Grand Traverse Harbor
channel for commercial and recre-
ational boating.
The $246,230 dredging project,
undertaken by Marine Tech, LLC
of Duluth, Minnesota, through the
DNRs Parks and Recreation Divi-
sion, pumped 9,000 cubic yards of
sand to a beach area north of the
harbor.
Previous dredging at the harbor
was done by the DNR in 2015 and
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
in 2009 and 2003.
Meanwhile, more extensive sand
removal and containment efforts
are needed to protect important lake
trout and whitefish spawning habitat
on Buffalo Reef and a juvenile
whitefish area south of the Grand
Traverse Harbor, which is situated
on the east side of the Keweenaw
Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund
board recommends $40.3 million to
enhance public outdoor recreation
T
he Michigan Natural Re-
sources Trust Fund board this
week recommended $40.3
million in grant recommendations for
outdoor recreation development and
land acquisition projects to the state
Legislature.
This funding will support a va-
riety of outdoor recreation improve-
ments including expanded public
access at popular fishing destinations,
additional snowmobile and multi-
use trail easements that give users
broader access to more trails, facil-
ity and playground improvements at
urban parks, planning and construc-
tion for new trails and connectors,
trail-resurfacing projects and wildlife
and habitat enhancement projects.
The Michigan Natural Resources
Trust Fund has a proven record of
supporting expanded opportunities
for more Michiganders and tourists
to experience quality public outdoor
recreation, Snyder said. This years citizens and visitors. A restricted fund
recommendations could help improve
the quality of life in a very Pure
Michigan way.
The board recommended a total
of $40.3 million for projects in 2018,
72 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
Hot Topics in the Outdoors...
Peninsula, northeast of Lake Linden.
Buffalo Reef is a 2,200-acre
spawning reef located down drift
of stamp sands that have eroded
into Lake Superior since the early
1900s, said Phil Schneeberger,
DNR Lake Superior Basin coordina-
tor. It is currently estimated that
this reef, critical to both lake trout
and lake whitefish populations in the
area, is currently 35 percent unus-
able by spawning fish due to sand
that has filled spaces between rocks,
which are necessary for success-
ful fish egg deposit and incubation.
Furthermore, migrating sands along
the shore have made nursery areas
unusable by newly-hatched fish.
Nearly a quarter of the annual
lake trout yield from Lake Supe-
riors Michigan waters comes from
within 50 miles of Buffalo Reef.
The Great Lakes Indian Fish and
Wildlife Commission estimates the
annual economic benefit of the reef
at $1.7 million.
The Keweenaw Bay Indian
Community, as well as other tribes
including $19 million in recreation
development and $21.3 million in
land acquisition projects.
Of the $21.3 million recom-
mended to fund acquisition projects,
$12.3 million would be awarded
to local units of government, while
the remaining $9 million would be
awarded to the Department of Natural
Resources. Of the $19 million recom-
mended to fund development grants,
$15.2 million would support 72 local
government projects and $3.8 million
would support 17 DNR projects.
The board considered a total
of 166 applications seeking $76.1
million in funding. In a competitive
process, all eligible applications were
evaluated on scoring criteria devel-
oped by the board.
In 2016, the Michigan Natural
Resources Trust Fund celebrated 40
years of funding high-quality outdoor
recreation opportunities for Michigan
ture will forward a bill to the gover-
established in 1976 to support public
acquisition of lands for conserva-
tion and outdoor recreation, as well
as public outdoor recreation devel-
opment projects, the Trust Fund is
A map shows the stamp sands project area on the Keweenaw Peninsula.
located around Lake Superior,
are and have always been, fishing
tribes, said KBIC President Chris
Swartz. Since time immemorial,
these tribes have used the resources
provided by gitchi-gami (or Lake
Superior) to sustain their commu-
financed through interest earned on
funds derived from the development
of publicly owned minerals such as
oil and natural gas. Over the past 40-
plus years, the Trust Fund has granted
more than $1 billion to state and local
units of government to develop and
improve public outdoor recreation
opportunities in all 83 counties.
Every Michigan Natural Re-
sources Trust Fund grant has a
direct, positive impact on healthier
lifestyles, outdoor recreation op-
portunities and regional economies,
said DNR Director Keith Creagh.
The Trust Fund is a unique Michi-
gan model, and were excited about
the many benefits it will bring to
Michigan communities for decades to
come.
The boards recommendations
will go to the state Legislature for
review as part of the appropriations
process. Upon approval, the Legisla-
permit from the DEQ, under the
nor for his signature.
A full list of the final Michigan
Natural Resources Trust Fund board
recommendations is available at
www.michigan.gov/mnrtf.n
nities. This sustenance is not only
physical; it is also spiritual, cultural,
medicinal and economic.
Swartz said modeling predicts
that by 2025, 60 percent of the reef
will no longer be viable for lake
trout and whitefish spawning.
In this part of the Keweenaw
Peninsula, the coarse, black stamp
sands threatening the reef were cre-
ated as a by-product of century-old
copper mining at the Mohawk and
Wolverine mines.
The mines hauled copper ore
from near Calumet 13 miles to a
four-stamp mill in the community
of Gay, where ore was crushed by
the stamps and the copper separated
through a flotation process.
Stamp sands are the waste
material resulting from the milling
work. They were dumped into Lake
Superior and on the shoreline.
Over the past roughly 80 years,
the stamp sands have shifted south
moved by winds, waves and
nearshore lake currents about 5
miles to the Grand Traverse Harbor,
covering 1,426 acres of shoreline
and lake bottom.
Without taking measures to
slow the movement and down-drift
accumulation of the stamp sands,
they will eventually move past the
harbor and deposit on the natural
white sand beach south of the jetty,
at the mouth of the Traverse River,
said Steven Check, a project man-
ager with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers in Detroit.
The DNR has applied for a
Great Lakes Submerged Lands Act
(Part 325 of Michigans Natural Re-
sources and Environmental Protec-
Buffalo Reef dredging page 74
 Hot Topics In The Outdoors...My Thoughts, My Views...
Michigans bear harvest 2017
S
uccessful bear hunt-
ers registered 1,912
bruins in Michigan
during 2017 seasons,
according to prelimi-
nary figures from the
DNR. Thats an increase of 297
bears from the year before when
1,615 were registered, but only
about 200 more than the 1,718
registered in 2015.
A slight increase in the number
of bear licenses issued
by the DNR this year,
244 more than 2016, is
partly responsible for the
increased harvest, but dou-
bling of the tribal harvest,
increasing bear numbers
and lack of natural foods
in parts of the state also
played roles in the higher
harvest. State
licensed hunt-
ers accounted
By Richard P. Smith
for 1,814 of the bears registered for
2017 and tribal hunters registered
98, which is almost twice as many
as the 52 that tribal hunters ac-
counted for in 2016.
The number of state-issued bear
licenses was intentionally reduced
starting in 2012 to allow the bear
population to increase. Only 7,991
bear tags were available in 2012
compared to 11,742 for 2011, a re-
duction of 3,751. At the time, DNR
data showed bear numbers were de-
clining, but that data has since been
proven wrong. Bears were actually
stable to increasing.
In spite of that information,
bear licenses were reduced further,
dropping to 7,906 during 2013,
7,831 in 2014, 6,951 for 2015 and
6,896 in 2016. After five years of
reduced hunting pressure, bear
numbers have responded as expect-
ed by increasing and DNR data has
confirmed that. The DNR estimates
the U.P. bear population increased
by 11% between 2012 and 2015
and it has gone up even more since
then. Bear numbers in the northern
Lower Peninsula went up by 29%
between 2012 and 2015.
The increasing bear population
is why the state issued 244 more
bear tags during 2017. And the
presence of more bears increased
the odds of hunters filling those
tags. The lack of natural foods in
parts of the state also increased the
chances of success in those areas.
When natural foods are lacking,
bears spend more time feeding at
baits and searching for food, mak-
ing them more vulnerable to hunt-
ers using both bait and hounds.
The western U.P. is one part of
the state where natural foods were
in short supply during 2017. Acorn
production was spotty. What acorns
were present were quickly eaten.
Wild cherries were scarce, too.
Apple production on feral apple
trees was also down, but apples
were more abundant than other
types of foods.
The bottom line is bears were
more likely to end up at hunters
baits in that part of the U.P. this
year, increasing hunter suc-
cess. Thats one of the rea-
sons that the Baraga Bear
Management Unit (BMU)
had one of the highest bear
harvests during 2017 at
349. The Newberry BMU
actually had exactly the
same number of bears
registered (349), when the
tribal kill of
30 for that
unit is added
to the 319 registered by state-li-
censed hunters. There was no tribal
harvest of bears during 2017 in the
Baraga BMU, according to prelimi-
nary DNR records.
The third highest harvest among
U.P. BMUs was another in the west
(Bergland) at 233. A total of 205
bears were registered in the Gwinn
BMU, 203 for Amasa and 127 in
Carney. Five state tags and one
tribal license were issued for Drum-
mond Island this year and those
were all filled. Only two bear tags,
one each by the state and tribes,
have been issued for the island for
a number of years to allow the bear
population to increase. Now that
the population has recovered, the
harvest quota has been increased to
better manage those animals.
The Red Oak BMU in the
northern Lower Peninsula is the
largest BMU in the state. A total
of 316 bears were registered there,
291 by state-licensed hunters and
25 by tribal hunters. The tally for
the Baldwin BMU was 102, 77 by
state hunters and 25 by tribal mem-
bers. The kill was 22 in the Glad-
win BMU, 19 of which were taken
by state-licensed hunters.
An average of 58% of the bears
bagged in the U.P. were males com-
pared to 55% males in the LP.
Not surprisingly, Ontonagon
County, which is in the Bergland
BMU, produced the highest bear
kill in the state at 182. Marquette
County, which is the largest in the
state, was next in line with 154.
The north half of the county is in
the Baraga BMU and the south half
is in the Gwinn BMU. Iron County,
which is in the Amasa BMU,
Jon Keppel took his first black bear, this 225 pounder, hunting
Crawford Co. on private land.
wasnt far behind Marquette at 149.
Alcona County had the highest
bear kill in the L.P. at 56. Montmo-
rency County was next in line at 35
DNR deer check stations?
Dear Woods-N-Water News:
The Michigan DNR requests
that all successful deer hunters to
come to the local deer check station
to have their deer checked for CWD
or TB, by the whitetail biologists.
In return you are given a Successful
Deer Hunter Patch for your jacket
as a memento. Back in the day there
were deer check lanes at the Macki-
naw Bridge and at many roadside
rest stops throughout Michigan
during and at the end of the regular
rifle season.
A few years ago, the price of all
resident and non-resident hunting
and fishing licenses in Michigan
were raised, to double or more in
some cases for all hunters and fish-
ermen, including senior citizens.
Based on that alone, the MDNR
budget that pays for the salaries
of all MDNR employees should
be in the black and then some
you would think. Also you would
think that there would be DNR deer
check stations open every day of the
season, if they really wanted to get
a real time idea of the health of our
deer herd, in regard to the CWD and
TB throughout the state.
But this was not so. The MDNR
check stations were closed on
the first weekend, plus the four
day Thanksgiving weekend, for a
total of six days closed during a 16
followed by Alpena County with
29, Oscoda and Presque Isle at 25
each, Roscommon and Cheboygan
with 22 each.n
day rifle season. I did not expect
the check stations to be open on
Thanksgiving Day, but was sur-
prised to see them closed on Friday,
the day after Thanksgiving, after
we drove a 45 mile round trip to
Roscommon to have our two deer
checked, and found the gate locked
and the office closed.
There were plenty of trucks
pulling in and out of the DNR park-
ing lot, they were not happy hunters,
some had driven from other coun-
ties, and stopped at the Roscommon
DNR, as it is close to the I-75 exit,
some had young hunters, who were
looking forward to getting their
deer patch!
When I called the following
Monday, I was told by the person
who answered, that if I had checked
the DNR website, I would have seen
that they were closed for a four day
holiday break. I kind of figured that
out by myself by then.
I do not know for a fact, but I
do believe that the MDNR wildlife
officers are out in the field the entire
rifle season, both in upper and lower
to watch for violators. So it seems
that with the new DNR budget, that
the department could afford to pay
to keep the deer check stations open
throughout the state, for the entire
rifle season, except Thanksgiving.
Deer check Statioins page 75
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 73
 Hot Topics in the Outdoors and Letters...
Buffalo Reef dredging: from page 72 can start on some type of control
mechanism for the original pile of
tion Act), to allow the Army Corps
to remove more of the stamp sands
from Lake Superior.
The EPA has provided $3.1
million to the Army Corps to design
and carry out the dredging work,
scheduled for May 2018. A pub-
lic comment period on this permit
closed Nov. 1. No public hearing for
this permit application is planned,
with a permitting decision deadline
set for Dec. 14.
Under the permit, a total of
172,500 cubic yards of stamp sands
are expected to be removed from an
underwater bedrock trough, mov-
ing the sand to a 37-acre place-
ment site that has the capacity to
store 380,000 cubic yards. This
2,350-foot-long by 700-foot place-
ment area, located about 1.5 miles
from the dredge location, would
be north of Buffalo Reef, behind a
temporary berm.
Another 20,000 cubic yards of
sand would be removed from Grand
Traverse Harbor, while 10,000 cubic
yards of material would be dredged
from an upland area next to the
harbor, on the beach.
This dredging project would
buy 5 to 7 years of protection for the
reef and the whitefish juvenile re-
cruitment area south of the harbor,
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74 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
said Steve Casey, Upper Peninsula
district supervisor for the Michigan
Department of Environmental Qual-
itys Water Resources Division. In
the meantime, we need to develop
a long-term, adaptive management
plan, a solution, for the Gay stamp
sands problem.
The EPA has formed a coopera-
tive multi-entity task force to de-
velop that plan over the next couple
of years, which will solicit input
from many stakeholders, including
the public.
One critical component of the
plan will be to develop a beneficial
use for the stamp sands, which is
currently being explored by the
MTECH SmartZone in Houghton.
A primary goal of the plan would be
that long-term maintenance would
be assumed by a non-federal entity.
A task force steering committee
has been named which includes Lori
Ann Sherman, natural resources
director for the Keweenaw Bay
Indian Community, Tony Friona,
Great Lakes liaison for the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers Engineer,
Research and Development Center
and Steve Casey, U.P. district super-
visor of the DEQs Water Resources
Division.
Were hoping construction
Fallow Bucks
$1,000
stamp sands by 2021, with comple-
tion two years after that, Casey
said. We would then hope to put
long-term maintenance dredging
in place by 2026. The annual costs
for that dredging would depend on
which type of long-term remedy is
selected.
The stamp sands source pile at
Gay was originally estimated to con-
tain 22 million cubic yards of mate-
rial, with 2.3 million cubic yards of
material remaining today.
The community of Gay is named
for Joseph E. Gay, who conducted
early explorations of the ore body
that would be mined by the Mohawk
Mining Co.
Meanwhile, a separate dredging
project has been proposed by private Lake trout rely on the spawning
parties for a stamp sands deposit on habitat of Buffalo Reef, which is
the southwest side of the Keweenaw threatened with stamp sands, which
Peninsula. The project would extend are covering the reef project area
roughly 13 miles, from the Village on the Keweenaw Peninsula.
of Freda to the North Portage Entry.
This proposal is currently under determined.
permit application review by the The Michigan Department of
DEQ Water Resources Division, Natural Resources is committed to
and is in no way associated with the conservation, protection, man-
EPA Task Force, DNR and Army agement, use and enjoyment of the
Corps of Engineers efforts at the states natural and cultural resources
Gay stamp sand deposit. A public for current and future generations.
hearing is planned for spring 2018. For more information, go to www.
No date for that session has been michigan.gov/dnr.n
BOOKS/DVDS BY RICHARD P. SMITH
TRACKING WOUNDED DEER
Lots of NEW INFORMATION and ALL COLOR PHOTOS.
A MUST FOR THE DEER HUNTER ~ Deer & Deer Hunting Magazine
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How Best to Recover
Read Blood and Hair Sign
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____ Great Michigan Deer Tales - Book 6 ($16.50)
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Please specify which books sent to the same address.
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SEND FOR YOUR
AUTOGRAPHED COPIES TODAY.
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____ TOTAL _______
Name
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Please remit by MasterCard, Visa, Check or Money Order.
Circle card type:
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Make checks payable to: SMITH PUBLICATIONS
814 Clark St. Marquette, MI 49855
www.RichardPSmith.com
 My Views, My Thoughts
DNR deer check stations: from page 73
I understand you have plenty of
concern with the CWD counties and
focusing much of your staff there.
And I appreciate the work you and
your team are doing in that regard,
as caretakers of our states wildlife.
But this is where we disagree about
statewide deer check stations open
the entire season; by not having
more deer checked statewide, you
take the chance that the disease will
get a leg hold in other counties and
(continued)
before you know it, we have an
epidemic in our deer herd. I am sure
that there are many deer biologists
that would be happy for the over-
time, if needed to get a real picture
of the health of our Michigan white-
tail deer herd, during our annual rifle
deer season.
Sincerely,
Tom Harmon
St. Helen, MI
Tawas Point Lighthouse Keeper
Program offers special vacation
and service opportunity
For those seeking uncommon travel experiences, the Tawas Point Lighthouse
Keeper Program offers the opportunity for a free two-week stay in historic light-
house keepers' quarters while helping to promote the history and preservation of
the site. The application period to participate in the program in 2018 is now open.
In 2018, the Tawas Point Lighthouse Keeper Program offers combined vaca-
tion and service opportunities for adults from May 16 to Oct. 16. Those selected to
be volunteer lighthouse keepers receive lodging in the restored keepers' quarters
next to the 1876 Tawas Point Lighthouse in Tawas Point State Park. In exchange,
participants provide roughly 35 hours of services each week in and around the
historic lighthouse that attracts visitors from all over the world.
"The Tawas area is known as Michigan's Cape Cod," said Hillary Pine, Tawas
Point Lighthouse historian. "It's a lovely area favored by bird-watchers, anglers,
history enthusiasts and others. We make sure our volunteer lighthouse keepers
have plenty of time to enjoy Lake Huron, Tawas Bay and other recreational op-
portunities."
Keeper duties include greeting visitors, giving tours, providing information

My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions
Share your thoughts, views, opinions or short stories with
Woods-N-Water News readers by emailing
wnw@pageone-inc.com or mail to
Woods-N-Water News, PO Box 278, Imlay City, MI 48444
Questions regarding Woods-N-Water News subscriptions,
newsstand sales, Outdoor Weekend, stories, trophy page
contact our office Mon. - Fri. 9 am-5 pm 810-724-0254,
www.woods-n-waternews.com or facebook woodsnwaternews
about the lighthouse, and routine cleaning and maintenance. Keepers stay in the
second story of the keepers' quarters attached to the lighthouse. Accommodations
include two bedrooms sleeping up to four adults and modern kitchen, bath and
laundry facilities. Keepers must commit to a two-week stay at the lighthouse.
Pine said the lighthouse keeper program looks for teams of two, three or four
adults especially those with knowledge of lighthouse lore or Great Lakes mari-
time history but that there is no requirement for such a background.
"We give our volunteer lighthouse keepers historical information and on-site
orientation to help prepare them for their experience," Pine said. "They take great
pride in helping to promote and preserve the lighthouse and who wouldn't love
waking up to the beautiful view of the bay that they enjoy every day?"
The application and additional information about the Tawas Point Lighthouse
Keeper Program is available at www.michigan.gov/tawaslighthouse. For more in-
formation about program, send e-mail to DNR-tawaskeepers@michigan.gov. The
application period is open through Feb. 2, 2018.
Tawas Point Lighthouse is a nationally accredited museum located 2.5 miles
southeast of East Tawas, in Tawas Point State Park; a Recreation Passport is
required for park entry. For more information, call 989-348-2537 or visit www.
michigan.gov/tawaslighthouse.

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 Late season
GROUSE By Katie Keen, MDNR
W
ith Michigans
most popular
hunting season
firearm deer
now put to bed,
some hunters
might not be ready to call it a day just
yet. The December ruffed grouse sea-
son, now to Jan. 1, offers an entirely
different hunting experience for deer
hunters who just cant stay still, are
always second-guessing the blind they
chose or just want to get a few more
miles out of their base license.
The base license which all
Michigan Ruffed Grouse Society
member Brian Sneller hunts every
December to celebrate his bir thday,
reflect on the season and plan for
the next year.
Michigan hunters already have, as its
required to purchase other hunting
licenses is the only license needed
to hunt ruffed grouse.
I go because Im crazy, I guess,
said Michigan Ruffed Grouse Society
member Aaron VanderWall. I would
religiously go out on New Years Day,
despite conditions, in hope of killing
what would be both the last grouse of
the season and the first grouse of the
next year.
Deer hunters who have never tried
bird hunting might consider calling
that friend or family member whos
always talking about his hunting dog,
suggested Al Stewart, Michigan De-
partment of Natural Resources upland
game bird specialist.
During the December hunt, its
helpful to use a dog, said Stewart.
Not everyone has a dog, but several
hunters can work together with one.
Stewart added that the Decem-
76 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
ber season is a great time for grouse
hunters to introduce their deer-hunting
friends and family to the sport.
Now is your time invite your
favorite deer hunter, set a date and
go, he said. Imagine if each bird
hunter took just one person new to the
sport out.
Just like other hunting pursuits,
bird hunting isnt seeing an upward
trend in new hunters. Fresh blood is
needed, and a great way to get some-
one hooked can be taking them from
the field to the table. Cook and enjoy
your harvest or grab some game from
a previous hunt from your freezer
if you didnt get a bird. Share the
bounty.
The late grouse season is a prime
time for hunters to get out and walk
without the worry of busting their
deer season by traipsing through areas
where the deer were hanging out dur-
ing late November.
The late season hunt is about
getting outside with your dogs, said
avid grouse hunter Fritz Heller from
northwest Michigan. Birds can be a
bit unpredictable this time of year, so
double it up with some scouting for
the next deer season.
Providing an additional oppor-
tunity for hunters without impacting
the grouse population was the reason
behind the season.
We havent always had a Decem-
ber season, said Stewart. Michi-
gan opened by zones, with southern
Michigan opening first in 1964, then
northern Michigan in 1969, and then
the Upper Peninsula most recently in
2003.
For many, the December grouse
season is a tradition.
I have a December birthday and
go grouse hunting for my birthday,
said Michigan Ruffed Grouse Society
member Brian Sneller. A December
hunt is also a time for me to contem-
plate the year thats been and the one
to be.
During this time of year, grouse
tend to be grouped up. It may take
some time to find one, but once you
do, it probably will not be alone.
During the earlier fall season, grouse
are flushed more often, but they are
normally by themselves.
You may walk twice as long for
the same number of birds in Decem-
ber, said Heller. Some years can be
action-packed, with hunters running
into groups of birds.
Heller said his best advice for the
late-season hunter is to think about
warm places in the forest. Its all
about the swamps.
Finding thermal cover like
Fritz Heller, an avid nor thwest Michigan grouse hunter, finds success in
the late season although to do so he said you should love just walking
and be willing to put in the distance.
spruce trees with boughs blocking the Hundreds of hunters each year tally
wind and even south-facing slopes, up and send in the details of their sea-
and especially a ridge where some son. Hunters can help in monitoring
beech nuts or acorns have fallen can grouse and woodcock populations by
be helpful. becoming cooperators and reporting
Hunters, who already have a vast on their season.
knowledge of where to find other For grouse hunters looking to
types of game, can use that knowl- grow their sport, and their circle of
edge to help find grouse in December. hunting buddies, the December season
One advantage of the late season is the perfect time to add a plus one
is the potential to have some snow on to their hunting party.
the ground. A little snow cover a Hunters love to show others what
dusting to just a couple inches is said they are passionate about, to get oth-
to be perfect can be especially use- ers to smile about what they love to
ful to help show animals travel. do, said Stewart. Grab your friend,
Grouse tracks in the snow, which coworker or family member who just
looks like turkey tracks but are much wrapped up their deer season and who
smaller, are hard to miss. They can maybe hunted small game as a kid.
be found in thick wooded areas with The late grouse season also offers
trees smaller around than your wrist. deer hunters a great opportunity to
Find an area that still has some extend their time in the field, take
fruit holding onto shrubs or small ber- on a new outdoor challenge and add
ries on bushes, catkins on tag alder or another variety of game meat to their
even crabapples. These little jackpots table fare.
offer a great chance at finding the Nothing eats better than a ruffed
small grouse tracks. grouse, said Heller.
In December, forests look differ- Get more information on Michi-
ent than they do earlier in the season, gan hunting at www.michigan.gov/
so identifying tree types may be a hunting.n
little more challenging.
Using a program like Mi-HUNT
an interactive mapping application
with millions of acres of public land
available to hunt labeled by stand
type and age, with road names can
help hunters scout locations from the
comfort of their couch.
Hunters harvest about 260,000
grouse in Michigan annually, during
all seasons.
This puts Michigan on the po-
dium, but not at the top. Minnesota
and Wisconsin, respectively, have us
beat, said Stewart.
Although Michigans grouse and
their habitat are found primarily in
the northern Lower Peninsula and the
Upper Peninsula, they are still within
a days drive of states to the south.
This makes Michigan a destination for
around 17,000 nonresident hunters.
The DNR gets valuable informa-
tion about the hunting season and
population of ruffed grouse and
American woodcock from hunter
cooperator surveys, which have been A dog can be helpful in the late
conducted since the 1950s. season. Ric Heller photo
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WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 77

Hunter safety education helps keep
hunting a cherished Michigan tradition
T
odd Switala has always been a vol-
unteer. Hes coached Little League
baseball, swim and soccer teams,
led Cub Scout and Boy Scout
groups, and he puts on an annual
youth sucker-fishing tournament
near his home in Sterling, where he serves as
president of the Sterling Sportsmen Association.
Hes well-known for his efforts in Arenac
County, but his reputation spread statewide when
the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
named him Hunter Safety Education Instructor
of the Year. Its an honor he accepts with a casual
shrug.
Anything we can do for the youth, Im all
for it, said Switala, a 50-year-old retired union
brick layer and full-time community activist.
Ive always thought that.
Switala was barely an adult, 30 years ago,
when he thought it was time to recreate the local
sportsmens club, which had closed its doors in
1963.
He and a handful of locals came up with a
plan to purchase the decrepit building and in
1993, even before the facility was fit to be used,
Volunteers drive Michigans hunter education pro-
gram with 20,000 students instructed each year.
he started a hunter safety program, holding
classes at a nearby 4-H building.
Except for a couple of years when he was out
of the loop, recuperating from a fall from a scaf-
folding, hes been at it ever since. DNR Conser-
vation Officer Philip Hudson, who patrols Arenac
County and nominated Switala for the award,
said Switala is responsible for teaching nearly
2,000 future hunters.
Hes very dedicated, Hudson said. Hes
never late, always early, ready and prepared. The
amount of time he puts into (this) is way beyond
what would be expected from any volunteer. Hes
an amazing guy.
Switala says even hes not sure what it is
that got a hold of me, causing him to hurl him-
self headlong into hunter education, except that
he loves hunting himself and you get enjoyment
out of passing the sport along.
Four times as year in February, March,
August and September he spends a weekend
78 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
By Bob Gwizdz MDNR
teaching hunter safety to an increasingly diverse
crew. The last class I had had 42 students, 23
of them girls and seven of them adult females,
Switala said. Back in the day, it was all 13-year-
old boys.
He also provides the hands-on field sessions
that support the online and home study programs.
Switala calls his approach to hunter safety
EDGE training educate, demonstrate, guide and
enable something he picked up in other pro-
grams.
I never thought of myself as an educator,
said Switala, who has been lauded by the school
district for the outdoor education programs he
puts on for fourth- and fifth-graders at the local
school. I like the word mentor. In life there
are ways you do things and ways you dont do
things. I think we all think it should be that way.
A strong believer in hands-on learning,
Switala says he has his students handling firearms
properly within the first hour of class. He runs
them through 14 hours of training more than
the minimum requirement saying he wishes he
had 24 hours. He then offers all the students the
opportunity to return at a later date and shoot clay
targets at the sportsmens club.
Switala holds his classroom shooting sessions
with air rifles at the clubs inside range, demon-
strating proper procedures to the first student,
then requiring that student to instruct the next
one, so he knows its sunk in.
I drill them pretty hard, he said. Then we
hold mock hunts a bird hunt, a rabbit hunt, a
deer hunt so they can demonstrate what they
learned. Its everything but live ammo.
When administering the written test, he reads
each question aloud not every kid is the best
reader, he said and after the tests are corrected,
he goes over every incorrect answer with each
student, making sure any mistake is corrected.
To me one wrong answer is failing, he
said. You want them to get it right.
And over the years, hes never had a student
he couldnt certify, though he admits he had one
student that took two years to successfully com-
plete the training.
Hunter safety education in Michigan has
evolved over the decades. Its been around since
the mid-1940s, explained Lt. Tom Wanless,
who oversees the program for the DNRs Law
Enforcement Division. When the National Rifle
Association conducted the program nationwide.
When the states assumed control, we were
one of the first states to do so.
Hunting was a lot more dangerous back then
compared to what it is today, and every step the
state has taken has improved safety, Wanless said.
In 1971, hunter safety training became and more responsible hunters.
mandatory for first-time hunters ages 12 to 16.
In 1988, hunter safety became mandatory for all
first-time hunters born after Jan. 1, 1960.
Thats when the numbers of hunting casual-
ty incidences really started to nosedive, Wanless
said.
In 1971, Michigan witnessed a total of 15
deaths and 180 injuries involving hunting. In
1988 there were 10 deaths and 91 injuries.
That was the last year that we had double-digit
deaths, and since then weve only had one year
Todd Switala, Hunter Safety Instructor of the
Year displays a plaque recognizing his ser vice.
on record where we had more than five related
deaths seven, Wanless said. And we had two
years when we had no deaths.
Today, to purchase a hunting license in Michi-
gan, hunters must show proof of a previous hunt-
ing experience such as a license from another
state or have completed hunter safety training.
There is one exception beginning hunters
may purchase an apprentice license, which allows
them to hunt under the tutelage of an experienced
hunter for up to two years, then they must com-
plete the training to continue hunting.
Three options exist for taking hunter safety
courses in Michigan. Hunters may take:
A traditional classroom course, which
involves a minimum of 10 hours spread over at
least two days.
An online course, offered by state-approved
private vendors, and then attend a hands-on field
day (typically 4 hours, with a certified instructor).
A home-study course, with the hunter safety
manual for at least a week, before attending the
hands-on field day.
We have about 3,000 volunteers teaching it
out there, Wanless said.
Some conservation officers teach hunter
safety, and some teachers teach it at schools.
Volunteer instructors are the backbone of
this program, Wanless said. Were teaching
approximately 20,000 students a year. That would
take up a lot of our conservation officers time
that they would not be able to be out in the field.
Because of our volunteers, were making safer
However, Michigan needs more volunteer
instructors, Wanless said.
The average age of our instructors is get-
ting up there. Some of them have volunteered for
over 40 years. Wed love to see more younger
adults get involved, he said. Anyone who is
interested in instructing, who is willing to share
their knowledge and talent to help out our future
hunters, should check us out.
For more information, visit www.michigan.
gov/huntereducation.n
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By John BergsmaGreat Lakes Fishermans Digest
BUCKET LIST
3 trips for 2018
W
Hearst Air Service
Napken Lake
ell, it seems
that each year
that goes by,
Melanie at
Hearst Air
sends me on
another simply silly great trip.
We departed from Hearst, Ontario
this past August for our own little
piece of complete tranquility. This
year was especially fun because we
did the everyone in the pool trip.
My brother and his friend Brian, my
nephew James and his buddy Mitch,
all headed out on a trip that was
frankly, stress free.
Now Napken Lake is jammed
full of beautiful walleye and some
crazy big northern pike. It didnt
take us more than 100 yards of slow
dragging jigs tipped with my trusty
white three-inch rage-craws to begin
putting 18-21 inch walleye in the
boat. The thing that I loved about
Napken other than the great fish-
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
80 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
ing was the complete seclusion and
serenity. As usual, the staff at Hearst
Air had everything we needed to
make this trip a home run.
The lake itself is not very deep,
so theres no hunting for fish in 80
feet of water. Its a phenomenal
lake if you love casting reeds and
weed edges. There are fish all over
the place. Our go to presentation
that ended up being the most fun,
was as follows: We put two guys
in each boat, the guy running the
engine, would backtroll, and drag
a jig and plastic right over the side
of the boat. This was deadly for the
walleye. Simply backtroll a nice cast
distance off the weed/reed edges,
that way the guy in the bow would
make casts up into the reeds for the
northerns with any number of baits.
We used big 7-10 inch bass
worms rigged weedless. We also
threw big double-bladed spinner
baits with great success. The ab-
solute most fun was the weedless
top-water frog. The pike would hit
A Boundary Waters walleye. Anglers need to know they can take
their boats to Ely for the outstanding fishing!
this so hard they would leave the
water. This method of backtroll,
drag and casting was the ticket, the
guy running the engine, just dragged
jigs and caught walleye like crazy,
while the guy casting caught pike.
We would switch after an hour or
so, this kept my arms from falling
off! The fish are not far from the
camp, but to be honest, no matter
how far we went, we just kept catch-
ing them.
If youre looking for the real
Canadian experience, Melanie and
the staff at Hearst Air are the place
to start your search. Check them out
at: www.hearstair.com
Ely Minnesota
Boundary Waters
To say that Ely is one of my
favorite places to fish would be an
understatement! I have had two of
my three best days of smallmouth
bass fishing in Ely. Im not even
sure where to start when it comes to
this awesome place.
First would have to simply be
the setting. Ely is a very cool town
that mixes modern with rustic like
nowhere that I have ever been. Fun
shops, great food, fun area orien-
tated events, and of course fishing!
This awesome combination makes
Ely a cant fail trip.
Lets talk about the boat fishing.
Many people dont realize that you
can bring your boat and fish. There
are many lakes close to town on the
edges of the boundary waters that
allow boats and motors. The fish-
ing on these lakes is outstanding.
Shagawa Lake, and the lakes of the
White Iron chain are excellent for
bass, walleye, crappie and bluegill.
Large northern pike are in all the
lakes.
Obviously, the boundary waters
themselves offer an unspoiled ex-
perience that is an absolute bucket
list destination for any avid angler
or outdoorsman. The resorts that are
in and around the Ely area are fam-
ily run operations. I love this part of
the equation. Ely resort owners are
committed to your best experience.
Ive had nothing but great experi-
ences and advice from each of the
two places I have stayed.
The unsung species can at
times be the best. The crappie and
bluegill fishing in Ely is amazing. I
love walleye and bass, but the pan-
fishing here is worth the trip. I know
a lot of the older crowd who would
be here every year if they knew just
how good it really is. So, whether
you are taking your boat, or going
on a canoe adventure with an outfit-
ter, Ely is also a fantastic ice fish-
ing option, and is the place where
memories get made. For more info,
check them out online at: Ely.org
Camp Quetico
Southern Ontario
I met Barry Giles and his beauti-
ful sidekick Tammy at the India-
Tom Carney
Among the Aspens
To purchase: $34.95 (Michigan residents, please add $2.10 sales tax) plus
$6.35 postage/handling
Send check or money order to: Partridge Pointe Press, 2470 Strawberry
Farm St. NE, Belmont, Michigan 49306.
Purchase online at www.tomcarneywriter.com
napolis Sport Show. We had a great
conversation about the Drive-In
opportunities for all-species fish-
ing in Southern Ontario. When the
subject turned to big smallmouth
fishing, he had my attention. I had
no idea what I was in for when I ar-
rived in early June to Camp Quetico.
The first day of fishing was all
I needed to know I was in a World
Class smallmouth camp. The lodge
itself sits directly on the shores of
gorgeous Eva Lake, and this lake
was our destination for day one.
Wow is all that I can say, I
absolutely crushed the big
smallmouth bass!
Four to five pound fish were
common. It was simply outstand-
ing fishing. I did nothing unique.
Pitched a 1/8 ounce weedless VMC
jig head and hooked my Strike King
Shimmy Stick Wacky Style. I
casted way out in front of the boat
and worked it back reasonably ag-
gressively. We were searching on
the first breaks that had a mix of
gravel/sand and rocks. The lakes
in this general area around Camp
Quetico are filled with this bottom
combination and I believe this is
why the fishing is so outstanding in
this region.
There are some unique things
Award-winning nature and outdoor
writer Thomas Carney returns to
form in his latest collection of
essays, Among the Aspens: Stolen
Moments in Secret Coverts.
As with his previous collections,
Sun-Drenched Days, Two-Blanket
Nights; and Bird Dogs and Betty
Cakes, Tom employs a variety of
perspectives and presentations
as his writing glides effortlessly
across the lines that delineate
serious writing, humor, nostalgia,
analysis, description and storytelling.
Different this time around: Instead
of moving from activity to activity
with the progressing seasons as he
did in his first two books of essays,
in Among the Aspens Tom delivers
the goods through a single form
of outdoor recreation: upland bird
hunting.
Southern Ontario offers some amazing smallmouth bass fishing.
about this camp that also made this trip a fish catching success.
my Drive-In choice. The camp of- The lodge is where the great
fers guided fishing to over 40 lakes food at the camp occurs. This is
throughout the area. This was a very where Tammy and the camp chef
big deal to me. I wanted to fish more make your stay memorable. Awe-
than just one circumstance and spe- some fishing, food, great service
cies! At Camp Quetico, you can fish and a smile from Tammy every day!
different lakes and species each day If a quick, three-day trip is on your
or even in the same day. wish list, Contact Barry at: 807-929-
The guides at camp are what 2266.
make Barrys operation tick. These John Bergsma is the host of the
are committed staff members who TV show, Great Lakes Fishermans
take getting you on the best bite Digest. John brings us great fishing
seriously. Knowing the lakes and reports, and destination information
where to fish, and when, makes your at: www.fishermandigest.comn
TROPHY SPECIALISTS
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Captain Mike Veine targets the hottest action at the best
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Eries Trophy
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Early spring on Lake Erie
serves up the best trophy
walleye fishery in the world.
From ice-out in March
through April, Lake Erie
offers outstanding trophy
walleye action.
Saginaw Bay
Walleye
All through spring and
summer our charters
produce consistant,
worldclass fishing.
Catch limits there are very
generous too. Both eaters
and lunkers are
typically caught on most
charters for the perfect mix.
734-475-9146
www.trophyspecialists.com
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 81
 Michigan Deer Camp Traditions
A Trip to Vegas Ranch
A series of stories
about Deer Camps
in the Great State
of Michigan
By Jake Dykstra of
A
Wildlife Realty
s fall temperatures
start to drop and trees
lose their brilliantly
colored autumn
attire, the conver-
sations for nearly
586,000 Michigan hunters shifts
toward the prospects of big deer and
the annual trek made to their highly
esteemed seasonal lodging, deer
camp begins.
Although a very ambiguous
place, deer camp remains incredibly
powerful in that these two simple
words have the capability of uniting
hundreds of thousands of divergent
minded individuals to a common
interest and pastime; deer hunting.
For many, deer camp is a pole barn
in the backyard of a relatives house
where family gathers on November
14 in eager expectation of the open-
ing day of Michigans gun season.
For some, deer camp is a secluded
cabin on a remote parcel accessible
only by the most adventurous. Still,
when others hear the phrase deer
camp, they are immediately con-
sumed with memories of traveling
to the northern boundaries of Michi-
gan and camping at one of the many
parks our great state has to offer.
For four busy friends, deer camp
has been shaped by decades of
To better manage the Vegas Ranch for wildlife a professional log-
ging company select cut the proper ty and food plots were star ted.
82 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
Vegas Ranch had a great star t to the deer season with this dandy
wide eight point being taken.
combined hunting experiences, and parcel, surrounded by thousands of
has recently become an aggregate of acres of state land, offered the per-
all of these notions of deer camp in fect opportunity to do so. Upon ar-
what is now called, Vegas Ranch. rival to the Vegas Ranch, you drive
Ken, Todd, Brad, and Kurt under a 50 year-old, hand carved
acquired Vegas Ranch in 2016, with wooden arch engraved with bold
great expectations of creating their letters Vegas that proudly greets
own deer camp memories. Located all its guests. The three-quarters of
in northern Michigan, this 200 acre a mile long dirt drive winds its way
back through dense cedar swamps,
red and white pine thickets, and
pockets of mature oak trees. It isnt
until the very end of the drive that
a charming burgundy, rustic cabin
begins to appear through the pine
boughs. As the car doors swing
open, the aroma of burning pine
begins to fill the nostrils of the
weary travelers, the smoke rolling
out of the aged stone chimney that
has ceaselessly warmed its guests
for decades.
When the cabin door opens,
there is that inviting, old-fashioned
musty aroma that reminds you that
deer camp only comes around but a
few times each year. A four foot tall
wooden Indian statue stands guard
at the door entrance; the first to
welcome its lodgers and extend its
hospitality. As you walk further into
the cabin, you admire the red pine
log walls that were harvested from
the property many years ago. One
cant help but get the sense of walk-
ing slightly uphill; a high spot in
the floor, result of gravitys constant
pull on the logs.
The kitchen is already in full
swing. Brad, the camp chef, is cook-
ing one of his famous cuisines; a
shrimp boil paired with peppered
venison loins. Prior to indulging in
such a wonderful spread, all owners
and guests of Vegas Ranch bow their
heads around the table, thanking
the Good Lord for all He has given.
They pray for military men and
women that have fought to protect
our freedoms, for their families back
home, and for a safe and successful
hunt for all hunters. The dining area
seamlessly extends into the living
room, where couches reside for
fully satisfied deer campers seeking
the comfort of warmth provided by
the soot stained stone fireplace. A
distant, quiet hum coming from the
trusty propane generator that sits
behind the log outbuilding fills the
nighttime air. After campers have
enjoyed countless hours of storytell-
ing and hunting tales around the
warmth provided by either the stone
hearth or the outdoor fire pit, they
can retire in one of the six home-
made bunk beds in the bedroom on
the opposite side of the lodge.
A host of alarm clocks sound,
marking the arrival of opening
day. The aroma of coffee brewing
in the kitchen lies thick within the
chilly cabin air. The guests of Vegas
Ranch begin to make their way to
the mudroom, where each has their
own designated cubby containing
their hunting gear. The first step
outside the mudroom door draws
the crisp clean air inside, chased
by the faint whistling sound of the
wind, blowing through the pines. As
each owner embarks down a differ-
ent trail, its apparent that the new
landowners have had full inten-
tions of making Vegas Ranch into a
well-managed, big buck producing
property.
Trails created with chainsaws, a
little muscle and the help of a small
utility tractor lead to many strate-
gically placed box blinds. Dense
cedar swamps mark the property, the
largest having earned the title Dead
Stream Swamp. In order to create a
more conducive habitat for deer, the
landowners had hundreds of trees
professionally selected and logged.
This allowed for the cultivation of
new food plots and enhanced bed-
ding areas. With the funds gener-
ated from the timber harvest, the
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landowners were able to acquire a on the evening after Thanksgiving

tractor and some additional imple-
ments to be used for continuous land
improvement efforts.
Creating food plots was no easy
task. The light and sandy nature of
northern Michigans soil posed a
threat to the effectiveness of food
plot growth. In an effort to enhance
and enrich the low quality soil, it
was necessary to bring in over three
tons of lime and 13 dump trucks
of manure. These efforts, however,
would not prove to be in vain.
Within the first year, the invest-
ed hard work was paying off. Brad
was the first of the owners to take a
Michigan trophy on Vegas. Over-
looking the Dead Stream Swamp,
Brad sat comfortably in his box
blind, hoping to make the best of the
chilly November day. He had sat all
day before catching movement in
the late afternoon hours. Grunts bel-
lowed through the swamp as a doe
came crashing through, followed
by none other than an eighteen
inch wide eight-point, which Brad
proudly dropped in its tracks with
a perfect 95-yard shot. A doe taken
in the late archery season would
be the last deer harvested on Vegas
in 2016, but the four owners were
excited with their first years success
and the with the work they had ac-
complished, paving the way for an
even better 2017.
This year has the Vegas Ranch
deer camp off to another great start.
During the first week of October,
Todd sat, hoping to connect with
his first Michigan buck with a bow.
With the onset of another season,
he sat patiently in his elevated box
blind, labeled Trump Tower. His
first glimpse of horns was a nice
seven-point. Todd made an excel-
lent shot, the bolt accurately passing
through both lungs. With one last
burst of energy, this seven-point
charged the blind and expired di-
rectly beneath Todds feet. Just two
weeks later, Brad was able to fill
his archery tag with another trophy
eight-point buck.
Opening day of Michigans
firearm season provided sightings of
35 does and 9 different bucks, and
perhaps a few missed opportuni-
ties. Just a few days later, Ken sat
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on top of a slight ridge overlooking
Dead Stream Swamp. In the late
afternoon, a white rack began to
emerge from the brush. At 30 yards,
Ken immediately recognized the
wide framed eight-point; a deer he
had seen at first light on the open-
ing morning of firearm season. Not
wanting to miss out on his second
opportunity, he squeezed off a shot,
just as the buck prepared to jump
over a fallen tree. As Ken walked up
to the location the buck last stood
when he took the shot, he found the
wide racked eight-point straddling
the same tree it attempted to hurdle,
never taking another step. After a
few short phone calls, the other deer
campers quickly arrived to share in
the moment of yet another success-
ful buck harvest at the Vegas Ranch.
For the four owners, this is always
a special time, spent with many
Poly Furniture and
high fives, plenty of back slaps, and
maybe a few puffs on a celebratory
Campfire Supplies and Rings
stogie while reminiscing the occa-
sion.
The four friends, excited to see
their efforts paying off, look forward Relax In Style!
to completing more habitat manage-
ment projects and many more suc-
cessful years at Vegas Ranch. With
the promise of great friendship,
good food, and maybe even a shot
at another Vegas buck, the Vegas
Ranch deer camp residents are set
to start another Michigan deer camp
tradition that will last for many
years to come.n
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WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 83
 BIG BEARS
Alpena brothers take
Left: Jim Skiba
of Alpena was
hunting Alcona
County with his
son Mitchell after
a thunderstorm
and took this

T
By Jeff Pendergraff monster record
book bruin that
here is nothing better and father. weighed over
than a do it yourself Marty had harvest a very big 500 pounds.
bear hunt in Michigan. bear this past fall, but his brother Below: Mar ty
It may take up to nine Jim Skiba had killed a monster of a Skiba took his
years in some units to bear. Marty told me he had several dandy bear after
draw. But, if youre bears coming into his bait and just sitting for four
successful there is no better feeling. before the season started all the days and not
I know this, because I have done it bears stopped hitting the bait, even seeing a single
myself. at night. The weather had gotten bear.
Last year I was looking for a warmer and he figured that was the
new hot tub and found Als Pools problem.
located in Alpena and they looked He sat Sunday through Wednes-
like they had some of the better day and didnt see one bear at his
prices I have seen. My wife and I site. One day he even went to his
drove to Als pools, and as I walked brothers camp and sat at his stand trail camera.
in my immediate attention wasnt because he had already harvested a This wasnt Martys first bear,
focused on the hot tubs, but on all bear and still had bears coming in. over the years Marty had taken five
the mounts on the wall. Of course, That night Marty saw one sow and other bears. His extended family
getting my attention off the mounts a cub. used to hunt bears with dogs starting
back to the hot tubs took a while. On Thursday night, back at his back in the mid-1970s. He has been
After reaching a deal on a hot bait, a bear came in just before dark hunting bears since, but as I said
tub I started talking to my salesman and Marty shot it. After walking up before it takes several years to draw
(Marty Skiba) about the mounts. He to the bear Marty was very pleased a bear tag.
informed me that he has five broth- with the size of his bear. The bears Jim Skiba, Martys brother,
ers and all of them hunt as well as dressed weight was 375 pounds. was hunting in Alcona County at
their kids and their kids (grandkids). Marty had never seen this bear a hunt club he belongs to. He had
All were taught by his grandfather before and it hadnt shown up on his several bears coming in, including
the monster he would later shoot on
opening day. Jim had his 23-year-
ED'S NEW DVD
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It was comical watching the bears most important things about this
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Name minutes Mitchell asked his dad if big bear with his son Mitchell being
Address he was going to shoot this hog of a there with him. Those are memories
City State Zip
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Address Address Jim said there are a lot of bears Author is Jeff Pendergraff,
City State Zip City State Zip
Phone # Phone #
in this part of the state. Jim feels retired Captain from the DNRs Law
they have so many bears because Enforcement Division.n
84 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 85
 13 guys I want to thank for making
me an OUTDOORSMANagain!
Dear Fish Diary:
Y
es, I was that guy.
Barking obsceni-
ties and screaming at
the television while
watching my favorite
teams play. I went
through the spit-wad in a straw phase
where Id fire them off at the screen
when the officials were clearly one
sided against me. I had those pho-
bia moments where I had to wear a
certain thing a certain way and stand
in a certain spot or my team would
surely lose. And I had to be wearing
my lucky hat. Its tough to handle it
being solely your fault when your
team loses because you werent wear-
ing that certain thing. I spent many a
Saturday and Sunday waiting for the
hate mail to pour in because I wasnt
standing in my lucky spot during the
game. Id tune into sports talk radio
anticipating being called out by the
host for being solely responsible that
my team lost. Thanks to thirteen guys,
those days are over.
There were weekends Id cancel
on fishing outings or camping outings
because I didnt want to miss a big
game. You know, because these games
are so important, at least so I thought.
Thirteen guys have shown me other-
wise, now those days are over too.
I got older and wiser. Thirteen
guys have made me realize that
winning really doesnt mean all that
much. Thirteen guys have made me
understand that maybe my mom was
right when she tried to console me
after losing an important game. Shed
say, Son, winning isnt everything.
Id say, Mom, its the ONLY
thing.
But is it?
Thirteen guys have changed my
thinking and Ive since realized that
championships, especially college
National football championships,
are only given to those who bring in
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86 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
revenue, not to those who actually
might deserve it because they proved
their worth on the field. In fact, twelve
times since the year I was
born there were co-National
champions and twice, three
teams shared the National
title. Thats right, three
National champions in a
single year. Wow thanks
thirteen guys.
All National champions
were decided by a thirteen
guy vote instead of al-
lowing teams to decide it
on the field. In 1997 both
By Ron St. Germain
Michigan and
Nebraska were
begging to
play each other, nope, youre both
National champs said the thirteen guy
committee. Twenty years later there
is still talk from former Michigan and
Nebraska players about suiting up
and deciding it once and for all. As
athletes, you can accept a loss much
better than accepting a trophy that you
dont feel in your heart you actually
won. As a fan, youd rather see your
team compete than win a vote. After
all, this is football, not ice skating
or gymnastics. In what other sport is
there a co-champion?
The final-four was supposed to
allow deserving teams a chance to
prove who the real National cham-
pion is on the field rather than have
thirteen guys vote. It was supposed to
eliminate the politics and controversy.
However, here we are for the second
straight year where the final four con-
sists of one team that finished third in
their conference, while a true major
conference champion was left out.
either fired or you have to fund that
How can any logical person accept
that a team that didnt win their divi-
sion and didnt win their conference
is suddenly worthy of playing for a
National title?
The thirteen guys decided hey,
just because the team that won their
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division beat them doesnt necessar-
ily mean theyre better. Mom, are you
reading this? You were on to some-
thing
Thirteen guys meet to
decide what most of us al-
ready know. What we know
is that each year, teams that
deserve the title shot are go-
ing to be replaced by teams
that bring in more revenue.
They justify it somehow
by giving us the schedul-
ing garbage and who they
think is the better team
despite the results from the
season. Sport?
No. Purely a
greedy financial
move and shame on us for continuing
to swallow this nonsense.
NCAA thirteen-guy logic. Penn
State beats Ohio State, Penn State
won their division over Ohio State,
Penn State won the Big 10 title game
Thirteen guys vote Ohio State into
the final four and leave Penn State
out.
Thirteen guy logic part two -
Auburn beats Alabama, Auburn gets
fined $250,000 because their fans
stormed the field, as all fans do after
a big win, so why fine them? Auburn
wins their division over Alabama, Au-
burn loses conference championship
game. Thirteen guys vote third place
Alabama into final four and leave out
Big 10 Conference champion Ohio
State, as well as Auburn who already
beat Alabama head to head and won
the division over them.
Im wondering, how many of the
thirteen guys would lose their job had
they not voted Alabama in? Youre
multi-million dollar stadium that is
only used six times in 365-days. And,
unless you want to pay that $250,000
fine we gave Auburn for beating Ala-
bama, youd best vote Alabama in.
If we all knew who the better
teams were, Las Vegas would still
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be a mud hut decorated with ancient
hieroglyphics, not a multi-billion dol-
lar industry partially funded by our
lack of knowledge of sports. An entire
nation voted on our new president
and half the nation still thinks we got
it wrong. There are 110 State Repre-
sentative and 55 Senators at our State
Capitol and rarely, if ever, do they all
agree on anything. So these thirteen-
guys? Wow they are going to break
Las Vegas.
The great Bo Schembechler Jr.
once said, Those who stay will
be champions. Wait a second Bo,
you forgot to add as long as those
thirteen-guys vote us champions.
The classic phrase, Thats why they
play the game, is suddenly meaning-
less, because now days the losers are
rewarded as much, if not more, than
the winners. Did you hear that mom?
So thanks thirteen-guys, my lucky
hat is now my fishing hat. Camouflage
is now my new favorite teams colors.
The great Michigan outdoors is my
favorite stadium. My lucky spot is
anywhere in the hardwoods, dunes,
fields, prairies or lakes our great state
has to offer. Ill be chewing jerky
instead of swallowing your nonsense
logic that defies every meaning of the
word sport. Because youre no longer
a sport, youre entertainment, and Im
much better entertained out here in the
wilderness.
If you and I are fishing and you
catch your limit and I get skunked, we
dont need thirteen guys to vote me
as the better fisherman. Honestly, Id
rather spend my day getting skunked
than continue to support a corrupt sys-
tem that still cant figure out how to
give us a true champion without poli-
tics and a stinking thirteen guy vote.
You see, out here, you either catch
fish or you dont, and if you dont,
youre not going to get coddled and
given a trophy because you had a bad
day. Thats reality, and reality only
makes us better down the road, even if
our feelings get hurt, even if our pock-
ets slightly suffer. Im sure the ratings
are going to plummet without my
participation, but I wont know, Ill be
outside with a much better heart rate
and a far better attitude.
Funny fish stories wanted
Strangest thing youve ever caught
Send a short description of your
best or worst fishing day, or worst
fishing-related adventure to me. You
dont have to write the entire story,
just a brief outline of what happened.
If it has some humor to it Ill be get-
ting in touch with you and well work
on the completed story together. Con-
tact - Woods-N-Water News colum-
nist Ron St. Germain by calling (517)
626-2814, e-mailing DaPhotoDude@
aol.com. Visit the authors Facebook
page www.Facebook.com/Bearwave-
Booksn
 Seasons pass but memories remain
S
easons come and go.
Michiganders have
the luxury of enjoy-
ing a continuous cycle
of opening days for
anglers and hunters
throughout the year. At the end of
a fishing or hunting season theres
usually a reflection upon suc-
cesses, disappointments and also
some freshly gained knowledge
that can be used down the road.
While placing these newly acquired
memories in their proper context,
theres undoubtedly comparisons
and remembrances of past seasons.
These moments make me think of
those that shaped my love for chas-
ing some of Michigans finest wild-
life. While hanging up my poles or
oiling my rifle and shotgun for the
offseason, my mind always drifts to
the two most influential sportsmen
in my life.
My father and younger brother
bestowed many of their lessons
upon me, and its still evident when-
ever I venture into the outdoors.
My dad let me accompany him
on squirrel hunts at a young age,
but his ethics had rubbed off on
my brothers and I before we ever
stepped into the woods. I remem-
ber him meticulously cutting off
every piece of venison from bones
and tendons at our kitchen counter
whenever he harvested a deer. Hed
let us help but ensured none of the
hamburger or stew meat was left
in the scrap pile. I never saw him
waste any game or let a fish spoil.
There was an obligation to the wild
creature that gave life to sustain
ours. He always instilled morals
while we were in the woods or on
The authors father, Rober t Bowen Jr.
Guest Column... By Kenneth Bowen
the water.
My father also tried to give back
to Mother Nature and show appre-
ciation when given the opportunity.
While on his annual weeklong
fishing trip way up north, he caught
a healthy, fat 40-inch northern pike
and then immediately released the
big female. Even though the fish
was the biggest hed ever landed,
he gently placed her over the side of
the boat and let water flow back and
forth through the gills. The trophy
flapped her tail slowly and then
disappeared back into the depths. He
was proud. My dad watched an old
VHS home video of that catch and
release countless times. Perhaps, he
was most pleased to think the pike
was still swimming around, laying
eggs and in an obscure way carry-
ing on his outdoor legacy. My father
wasnt very spiritual, but he had
strong convictions about respecting
natures creatures and showing ap-
preciation in his own ways.
His trophy room wasnt much
to brag about, but that didnt matter
to him. He gave up successful hunts
to allow my brothers and I to sit
with him when we were young, and
neglected his rod and reel to tend to
our tangled lines or retie our hooks.
Ethics were always taught alongside
techniques.
My younger brother also had
many qualities that I strive to emu-
late when I head into the wilds of
Michigan. Foremost, his unwavering
dedication was unmatched by any
hunter or angler I have met. Weather
forecast be damned - he was willing
to tough it out.
We travelled north for a spring
turkey hunt, and the weather was
The author and his brother Geoffrey Bowen.
uncooperative. The second morning
was unseasonably cold and rain was
predicted throughout the day. My
father and I would have been more
than happy to stay in bed and enjoy
the warmth of the wood burning
stove, but my little brothers persis-
tence roused us out of the comfort-
able cabin. Cold rain spat in my face
when a shot echoed across the field
to where I was hunkered down next
to a pond. I walked up to my father
and little brother who were stand-
ing triumphantly over a 29-pound
gobbler with an 11-inch beard. My
brother had been practicing his calls
around the house for months, and
after a couple clucks, the big tom
came prancing across the wide-
open field straight to their decoys.
A single pellet from his 20-gauge
youth-model shotgun hit the bird in
the head. He nonchalantly spread
the tail feathers for the camera, like
hed seen on the hunting shows. At
12 years old, he had taken the big-
gest turkey in Manistee County that
year. And on his first hunting trip, he
taught me a valuable lesson about
persistence.
Even at my brothers funeral,
there was a mentioning of his dedi-
cation to the outdoors. If Geoff said
he was going to be in a treestand
at 5:30 a.m., you can bet that when
you shined your flashlight up there
an hour before daylight, hed be
sitting there, a fellow hunter and
mourner said during his service. My
younger brother served as a Marine
with a scout sniper platoon in Iraq
and lost his battle with post-traumat-
ic stress disorder last year when he
took his life. I collect feathers from
all of my ducks, geese and turkeys
and make unique bouquets to place
on his grave whenever I visit the
Great Lakes National Cemetery.
My father was bound to a
wheelchair the last nine years of
his life, but he still loved getting
outdoors whenever the chance
arose. He passed away shortly after
my brother and I came back from
overseas. Some of his old hunting
buddies placed cartridges in his cof-
fin as their final tribute to a sports-
man gone too soon.
As seasons come and go, I real-
ize there will never be an opening
day when I wont think of them.
After I am blessed with a successful
hunt, I feel a hollowness knowing
I cant pick up the phone and share
my excitement and story with them.
Whenever I miss an easy shot or a
big fish wriggles off the hook, I can
still hear their loving laugh echo
in my mind. When its time to oil
down the guns and hang up the gear
for the year, Ill always ponder and
wish for one more trip with my two
hunting pals. I try to honor their
memory by carrying their count-
less lessons with me and reminisce
on the good memories we shared
together. I feel closest to them when
I head to our old hunting spots or
fish our favorite lake. I hope to have
the honor of taking my nephew
and niece to these sacred places
and teaching them some of their
fathers and grandfathers lessons.
Until then, I will try to carry on their
legacies as another season ends and
another begins.n
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 87
 BROTHERS TAKE AIM
Mentoring followed through into adulthood
T
his article started out
about two brothers
whose life choices;
business and family,
took up a great deal of
time, leaving 44 year
old Jay Kuchar of New Lothrop,
Michigan hoping to harvest his first
deer holding a bragging rights rack
while his brother Mike, 42 years
of age, living in Alaska, also start-
ing up a business and family life,
was having the same problem but
instead, wishing for a moose bearing
bragging horns. Both broth-
ers felt 2017 might just be
their year! Neither had a
great deal of time to hunt.
During the interview-
ing both successful hunters
talked about a neighbor,
Harold Bud Thomas
who introduced them as
youngsters to the
out-of-doors; hunt-
ing, fishing and By Betty Sodders
whatever outdoors activity proved
handy. In appreciation the brothers
took aim and described how Buds
mentoring took them into adulthood:
Starting with Jays introduction
to the realm of the out-of-doors, his
words follow detailing the role his
mentor played right down to the
point of finally getting his trophy
whitetail:
Buds mentorship to my brother
Mike and I as kids, has been a very
blessed education that has often
been called to mind over many
years. His basic guidelines and di-
rection have stuck with me and has
been a building block throughout
the foundation of my hunting and
fishing experiences.
Simple basic things I still use
today; watching for horizontal lines,
(the deers back as they are walking
through the woods), or coming into
your stands correctly based on wind
direction, so your scent is not picked
up by the deer.
When I was 13 years old I took
a trip to Raber Bay (Eastern Up-
per Peninsula) with Bud to go pike
fishing. While we were cleaning
pike we came across a 30-incher
that held a 14-inch trout inside of its
stomach. I still have never forgotten
that incident.
Jays 10 Point Buck Hunt...
First off my dad never hunted
and I was not brought up hunting. A
lot of my interest came some years
down the road after many conversa-
tions with Bud as well as uncles of
mine. Through these conversations
I really gained interest in learning
all about hunting. Once I got out
and actually took down a doe, I got
88 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
to enjoy the fruits of my labor and
while cooking up venison steaks I
quickly realized this meat needed
to be a regular item on my dinner
table. From that point on I thor-
oughly enjoyed getting out do some
hunting. At the time I didnt have
a ton of money so I really had no
interest in hunting for horns or get-
ting a mount done, so I usually took
does. With that said, I have only
seen two bucks in my eight years
of hunting and in both experiences
unfortunately I spooked them off.
I had been in Charlotte,
North Carolina, a number
of years and upon return-
ing to Michigan in 2015, I
was very eager to get out
in the woods again putting
venison in the freezer. In
2016, I shot a doe during
the bowhunt and another in
firearm season.
As I rolled
into the 2017
deer hunting season, I made the
decision to really take my hunt-
ing more serious than in the past. I
headed up to my in-laws property
at Hubbard Lake the day before Jay with his nice antlered 10-point buck.
the opener of bow hunting. Their
property is a 40-acre plot they coming out of the pines snorting take this buck down...watching for
bought some 25 years ago...it was a and grunting. This was the first time horizontal lines...being mindful of
clear cut and did not have too much I ever heard a buck grunt. I was scent, patience, etc.
to speak of for deer. Over the last shocked, nervous, anxious and dang Jay talks a bit about family life
25 years they have put a lot of hard near shaking. My heart beat ramped and mentoring his children to the
work and sweat into this prop- up as you can imagine when I saw out-of-doors...Family life today is
erty with establishing food plots of the rack on this deer. hectic and busy. I am happily mar-
oats, wheat, radishes and soybeans This was my first close encoun- ried to Jacklyn, my wife of 17 years
throughout the property; slowly ter with a real nice-sized buck...a and we own and operate a cabinet
but surely we started seeing more 10-pt., but he was situated behind a and milling business. We have three
deer the last five years. In 2014, my pine branch in the tree I was sitting children; Bryce is eleven; Nathan is
father-in-law took a 7-pt. off the in. The other deer immediately scat- nine; Alyssa is two- and -a -half. I
property which was the first buck tered and he stood at the edge of the enjoy serving as head coach of foot-
taken; no bucks were harvested in plot just looking over the land. I had ball and baseball being able to train
2015. But in 2016, my father-in-law already drawn back and was waiting the boys in their individual sports
and brother-in-law took an 8-pt. for him to step forward to clear the interests.
and a 10-pt. This past season on obstruction. This past year I enjoyed the
trail cams, we began seeing a lot of After a minute which seemed opportunity to retake the hunters
cool action and growth in the deer like l5, I decided to try and take the safety course with both my sons;
population. shot through the pine branches. He they have looked forward to get-
Being eager to get the ball roll- presented a perfect broad side shot ting out in the woods themselves
ing, I wasted no time getting up to of about 15 yards. I couldnt stand to enjoy the hunt since completing
the property. When I arrived, I got it anymore and decided to get up on the course. This past bow hunting
settled in. I knew where I was going my tip toes and hoped my arrow was season my oldest boy, Bryce, got his
to hunt. Went out October 1; saw going to get above the one small first doe with his grandpas cross-
two does. Decided I did not want to branch that could have been in the bow. It was exciting to be out in the
take a doe just yet. Went back out way. I let the arrow fly and ended tree stand along with him mentoring
at 3:30 that afternoon and hoped I up spining him, dropping him right along the way.
would see some of the horns that in his tracks. I texted my father-in- With Mike and family living in
were on the trail cams. I started to law and let him know I got one of Alaska, the interview was basically
get a little discouraged due to seeing the big 10-pts. we had seen on the conducted over the phone. I learned
nothing over three hours, and then trail camera and told him my story. just how positive Buds mentoring
I had a doe come out to the edge of I went to get my father-in-law and meant to Mike Kuchar...His words
the food plot. She nibbled alfalfa we field dressed him and hauled him follow:
and soybeans for a half hour at back to the cabin and had a couple Joining Bud as a kid was great.
about 6:40. Three more does came celebratory drinks. Fortunately I was able to join him
and joined her. Five minutes or so And that day I still remembered
passed when I heard another deer Bud laying the foundation for me to Brothers take aim page 90
 Ever Wanted To Be On The Cover Of The . . .

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NOW YOU, YOUR CHILD OR YOUR
HUNTING AND FISHING BUDDY CAN BE!
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WO O D S - N - WAT E R N E W S R E S E RV E S T H E R I G H T T O R E F U S E A N Y O R D E R I F I T I S C O N S I D E R E D T O B E I N P O O R TA S T E O R U N E T H I C A L .
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 89
Brothers take aim:
from page 88
both locally around home and on a
couple trips to the U.P .for some se-
rious fishing on the St. Marys River
where the majority of boat traffic
wasnt fellow anglers, it was Great
Lakes Freighters. There were plenty
of lessons to be learned regardless
of where we went or how big the
expedition was. Probably one of
the best lessons I took away from
my childhood with Bud was that if
you want to be successful, the most
important thing you can do is get off
your butt and get outside.
I recall a fishing trip in Raber
Bay. Every morning we were up,
packed on the water and anchored
over a fishing hole before the sun
even thought of coming up. After
hammering smallmouth we would
cast for pike for a while before
heading back in around late morn-
ing. Upon our return, it was like
a daily ritual in the neighborhood
around the Bud Thomas cabin, as
all the neighbors and nearby resort
people would have to gather around
to see what Bud and I caught that
day. Everyone always seemed to
wonder how Bud was able to always
out-fish everybody else. In private,
he was happy to point out to me that
difference was that we had already
put in 4-6 hours of fishing in just
the morning when everyone else
was still drinking coffee debating on
when and where to fish. So that was
lesson number one; Get off your
butt and get outside, you are not
going to catch any fish or shoot any
game from your couch!
It wasnt just Raber Bay though.
Something good I learned around
home was, you dont need to spend
a lot of money on gear, gas and big
trips to enjoy the benefits of the
out-of-doors. Living directly across
the road, Bud would often get me up
early in the morning for some local
sport event. Sometimes it was spring
sucker fishing on the Shiawas-
see; other times, it might be a long
morning of tromping through grassy
fields, fence rows, ditches and creek
banks in search of pheasants.
These were great lessons that
I still remind myself of today. The
number one thing if you want to be
successful is to just get outside. It
does not matter if you are hunting
and fishing locally or on a trip of a
lifetime, it is important to just get
outside!
I also recall how competitive
Bud always was and still is. Even as
a young boy, Bud wasnt going to
baby you. He was always on a mis-
sion. So when you were a youngster
fishing the St. Marys with Bud and
he hooked a huge pike and started
yelling to have you get the net; man
was it exciting; but boy there was
90 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
also a lot of pressure too. I remem-
ber being so nervous netting a big
pike for him. The last thing I wanted
to do was accidentally knock the net
off. I probably would have rather
told my dad I smashed the car than I
would want to lose a fish for Bud.
Mikes Moose Hunt...
Honestly, I havent had a long
desire to shoot a big moose. I have
had a long desire to spend time in
the out -of-doors. I have a long de-
sire to put food on the table with my
family...for my family. So, we fish
together and as the kids get older we
will hunt together. I have kept that
to myself that it would be nice to
someday have one big moose, but I
never thought it would be this year.
I just did what Bud taught me as a
kid, I got outside! The rest was pure
luck and a gift from God.
I met my good friend Brad
Chase about 15 years ago. Our fami-
lies have been good friends since,
Brads dad, Rudy, is from a small
village in western Alaska off the
Yukon River and one of its tributar-
ies. For almost that entire 15 years,
Brad and I had discussed going out
there to moose hunt and pike fish.
After two poor hunting seasons
around here, Brad and I decided to
head out west for the 2017 moose
hunting season. So in September
we both took off work and flew out
to western Alaska. Our destination
was a pretty small village. On our
way out, due to weather, we were
stuck in Aniak for about 24 hours.
Fortunately, like I am in Michigan,
Brad is related to half the state of
Alaska. So we were able to stay
with his cousin and borrow their
truck to explore the local scene. It
was like a family reunion for Brad
as he was catching up with lots of
friends and family. Fortunately, his
dad had a Jon boat out there that we
were able to use for transportation
up and down the rivers. A necessity
in a land with few or even no roads.
After a couple of days in the village
we were able to get geared up and
ready to head out. Another nice treat
was that Brads uncle Ken allowed
us to make use of his old trappers
cabin up-river.
We did some hunting that first
night around the cabin and then
packed up in the morning and
headed up-stream further until we
had to turn around due to too many
prop strikes. We eventually came
along a small stream that caught the
interest of both of us. We ended up
spotting a moose just a short ways
in from the larger river. It wasnt
that far away but for some reason I
had a hard time finding him in my
scope. By the time I did, he had al-
ready started moving. Fortunately I
Mike Kuchar shows off his incredible moose antlers!
was able to get a nice shot off before
he stepped behind some brush.
Brad and I both rejoiced and
gave a quick round of high-fives and
hugs. Like most hunting, it hap-
pened pretty fast. I had ample time
to screw it up and have the moose
get away. So more than anything
else, I felt very lucky. At that time
we suspected it was a decent size
bull, but had no idea how big it re-
ally was until we got up close to it.
It was soaking wet and steaming,
so we suspect it had just crossed
the stream right before we had. The
celebration had to be put on hold.
Theres plenty of work to be done
when you have an animal the size of
a large horse laying on the ground
and the need to get it back to camp.
Thankfully, we had a boat and
the moose was just a short distance
to the creek bank. Even at that it was
five long hours of hard work for two
guys bent over, just skinning and
quartering. Besides other moose, we
saw abundant other game. Lots of
grouse and beavers, ducks, geese,
swans, river otters, my first pine
martin and we even witnessed a
snowshoe hare swimming across the
river in front of us. We suspected it
was escaping the martin we had just
seen.
At the end of the day, I felt very
blessed for having been able to have
a successful hunt and to be able to
share it with one of my best friends.
Im still inspired by Bud
Thomas today, by just getting out
when you have the chance. And I
am always trying to teach someone
how to bone and fillet pike. The day
after returning to the village with
our moose, Brad and I did a bit of
fishing the following afternoon.
We only fished for a little while but
there were moments when John,
Brad and I all had pike on at the
same time. We decided to keep three
for a pike dinner. In rural Alaska,
some pike is eaten, but it is mainly
harvested as dog food for sled dogs,
so I think the expectations were low
for my companions. I proceeded to
show them how Bud taught me to
fillet them without the Y bones.
The best part was Rudy, the elder
of our group, leaning in to see how
to do it. That night we had what
might have been the best fried pike
Ive ever prepared. Even John who
is an avid fisherman, declared that
normally he does not like to eat pike
but he really enjoyed filling himself
up on that pike.
Mikes family...I met and mar-
ried Maria in Alaska. She comes
from a hunting and fishing family
in rural Oregon so she too loves to
keep our freezer well stocked with
the bounty of the land and sea. In
fact, last night we ate fresh home-
made halibut tacos from fish caught
while Jay and family visited last
summer.
We have three kids. Claire is
nine, Will seven and Josie is five.
They all like to fish and they all like
to bug me about taking them hunt-
ing. This winter I may break Claire
into some ptarmigan and snowshoe
hare hunting.
Maria is an RN and we both run
Kuchar Construction Company to-
gether; thus, our lives are busy and
making time for outdoor pursuits is
difficult. But we all look forward to
continuing our annual camping and
fishing outings with our kids as a
family and soon to be hunting out-
ings as well.
Mentoring is important due to
the fact that young people today are
over-occupied with electronics...
they really need a mentor as Bud
Thomas mentored both Jay and
Mike...and many others as well.n
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 Woods-N-WaterNews Classified Section
MISC. MISC. WANTED FISHING HUNTING REAL ESTATE
A TEMPUR-PEDIC I HAVE 30 JIM FOOTE TIMBER: Buying all types of tim- CANADA FISHING: NORTHERN ONTARIO MANISTEE MI: Beautiful 25
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MATTRESS SET. Clean. Never with re-marks. All like new, can Cash in advance. Improve wildlife Northern Walleye Lodge for Spring of 2018. Includes comfort- to federal land, Manistee River and
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14-TFN 12/17 Trout for 6 nights $450 U.S. per High success rate. 3 hours from the ready to start your new home. The
.............................................. LOG BUNK BEDS. $495. .............................................. person with 4 or more. Includes Soo. References on request. $960 concrete floor of the basement
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989-832-1866. M-4-14-TFN sons.com H-10-12-17 The parcel could be split with 12.5
FOR SALE
HEADBOARD AND QUEEN own dock, 2 people per boat,
pillowtop mattress set. New. Sell all 15hp electric start Yamaha .............................................. acres with amenities for $49,900 or
for $275. 989-923-1278. motors, fish finders and swivel 12.5 acres of wooded land for
M-4-14-TFN WANTED FOR SALE: MICHIGAN
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DEER HUNTING PASSES 231-794-1777. RE-1-1
REAL ESTATE
.............................................. 3.5 hours North of Sault Ste.
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price is $100 to $15.00. Call for Marie. See web site for specials
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hour from Lansing and Grand Rap- able-rented) for $149,000. Call
To reach an immense outdoor market use the . . . ids. Asking $4,000 per acre all of- Lorraine at Faust Real Estate, LLC
fers considered call 989-751-7472.
Woods-N-Water News Classified
517-605-6950. RE-1-1
ICE FISHING RE-1-1 ..............................................
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Classified ad rates: $30 for the first 20 words
Every word over 20 is .25 per word -- Box your classified, $5 additional charge N O R T H W E S T HUNTING PROPERTY: DOGS
This effective advertising is simple to do, place your ad by . . .
MICHIGAN'S BEST One mile on dead end County
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for Jumbo Perch and Walleye. deep, 720 acres in Presque GERMAN WIREHAIRED
Email your ad to wnw@pageone-inc.com Guaranteed success or you POINTER. My father recently
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ARCHERY
Woods-N-Water News Classified Advertising VAUGHN
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Custom Traditional
AR-
(Please print clearly. We are not responsible for unreadable orders.)
Make sure phone number is included in your ad! Longbows Straight laid, Reflexed
& Deflex/ Reflex Designs. Duff
NAME Streeter Bowyer 989-965-0557 or
www.vaughncreekarchery.com
ADDRESS A-1-8
CITYSTATEZIP ..............................................
DAYTIME PHONE NO. HUNTING
VISA/MASTERCARD#EXP: County on beautiful cold stream
RAYS U.P. HUNTING Over
CLASSIFICATION OF ADMONTHS TO RUN 25 years experience guiding for islands on it. Completely sur-
deer and bear. Baited stands in
Amasa, Baraga, and Bergland
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
Units. Lodging Available. Call Ray
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its zoned agricultural and taxes are
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or text my cell at 313-929-0623.
RE-1-2
..............................................
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(810) 724-0254
40 ACRES: Grand Traverse
10 to 20 ft. wide. Has small
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POINTER PUPS: Males
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D-1-2
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92 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
 Near
Marlette
in Sanilac
County
121
Acres
$
375,100
PAGES Will OR
consider $3,100 per acre
93-97 all
offers.

Ken Ames (231) 838 - 7909

Kidd & Leavy Real Estate
realestate@kenames.com
www.kiddleavy.com

3161 Shooks Road, Wolverine | $1,600,000

A 5 bedroom 4 bath Lodge and 330 acres sitting
on an elevated site with dramatic view to the East,
South & North. Located 4 miles from I-75
Wolverine Exit, just 10 miles North of Gaylord.
Additional buildings include guest cottage off the
corner of Corey Lake and a 30'x50 Storage January_November.qxd 11/30/2017 11:49 AM Page
Building. To the East lies a remote portion of State
Land. To the South Corey Lake and to the North
the Little Sturgeon River meanders well over a
Upper Peninsula
half mile through woods and hills. Living and Lake Michigan Homes
family rooms have replaces. Stick built, 2 bedroom, 1 bath
home on 600 of Lake Michigan
frontage with approx 7 acres.
Appliances and furnishings are
included, off-grid living with gen-
erator power, close to State land
and move in ready!
$259,000 - # 1105508

Beautiful Tennessee Log Home,

built in 2002, on Lake Michigan's
sandy North Shore. Double lot
has 200' of direct frontage on
Lake Michigan. 4 bedrooms with
at least one bedroom and bath on
each level. Close to town!
$379,900 - #1104488

2199 E. Bailey Road, Comins | $1,795,000 Lake Michigan cottage on 219' of

frontage. 2 bedroom plus loft
sleeping area, 1 bath, 2 car
Lodge on 158 acres has a private peaceful detached garage, move-in ready
complete with furnishings and
feeling offering country-side views, trails, appliances. Very private wooded
gardens, ponds, and wildlife everywhere. The lot. Nice open floor plan.
$229,000 - #1102054
grounds still have the original farmhouse and
Gorgeous 2 bedroom 3 bath
barn as well as a very modern accessory home on 160 of sugar sand
building with ofce space and garage. There frontage. Beautiful Lake views
from every room with plenty of
is something for every family member, from space to spread out. Bedroom

sitting near the outdoor replace under the

and bath on each level with a
bonus room above the garage.
$525,000 - #1101253
massive covered porches, hunting, shooting or
This 4 bedroom, 2 full bathroom
hitting golf balls on the driving range. Mostly home has a beautiful view of Lake
furnished. Michigan. It features a 20' by 24'
Sun Room to enjoy the wonderful
sunsets. 50 of sandy frontage.
Includes appliances with plenty of
room for the whole family!
$110,000 - #1097114

Check out our website for more properties!

Contact Grover Real Estate for more info!

771 East Lakeshore Drive
Manistique, MI 49854

906-341-2131
www.GroverRealEstate.com
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 93
 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

UP NORTH GETAWAYS AND YEAR ROUND HOMES

1.24 ACRES!!
This cute 2 bedroom cabin sits on 6 lots and is in
great resort area with several inland lakes nearby
for swimming, boating and fishing! Perfect little Up
North getaway for year round recreational fun!!
$19,900 1840716
TRANQUIL FAWN LAKE!
Lovely and spacious 3 bedroom home with ac-
cess to no motor lake. AC, partly finished bsmt,
master suite, garage, deck, newer shingles &
laminates!! Seller giving carpet allowance!!
$158,900 1838336
NEAR RIFLE RIVER!!
Neat 2 bedroom cabin with large fenced yard in
Skidway Lake area. Natural gas heat, newer roof,
newer water pump & shed with electric & hose wa-
ter hook-up. Great getaway also near many lakes!!
$24,500 1838322
ON CHANNEL TO ELBOW LAKE!!
3 bedroom home w/detached garage, nice
kitchen w/pantry, island & breakfast nook,
master suite, nice views from wrap-around
deck, on an ACRE with your own pond!!
$157,000
NEAR RIFLE RIVER!!
This one bedroom mobile home would make a
pleasant getaway on an ACRE of property and
near lakes and the beautiful Rifle River for fan-
tastic fishing and superb canoeing/kayaking!!
1810533 $25,000 1831259

LAKE GEORGE WATERFRONT!!
Lovely home w/frontage on allsports lake just min-
utes from town. FP, large family room, recently re-
modeled kitchen has newer cupboards, backsplash
& laminate floors and so much more to enjoy!!
$99,000 1839413
TWO FOR ONE!!
There are 2 homes included in this listing both w/one
bath and large lot. Near several lakes for swimming,
boating and fishing and not too far from State lands
for the hunter! Live in one, rent or sell the other!!
$26,500 1840529
1.8 ACRES!!
2 bedroom singlewide, manufactured home on partly
wooded property! Not far from all sports Long Lake
for water activities and near acres of National Forest
for the hunter!! Great weekend cabin or hunt camp!!
$35,000 1838366
1300 SQUARE FEET!!
This 2 bedroom mobile home w/garage is near Hale w/
just under a half acre fronting on paved road. Afford-
able weekend/vacation getaway in super recreational
area near lakes, streams & Huron Natl Forest!!
$29,000 1840769
BEAUTIFUL RIVERFRONT!!
Gorgeous 3 bedroom, 2.5 ba home has heated ga-
rage w/upstairs, fenced garden area, extensive deck-
ing, wood floors, FP, AC, 8.8 ACRES & 1170 on AU
GRES RIVER w/breathtaking views & much more!!
$265,000 1798150

OPEN FLOOR PLAN!!
This possible 2 bedroom home sits on nicely treed
lots and is not far from many lakes and the gorgeous
Rifle River for excellent fishing and canoeing/kayaking!
Newer and windows in 2013, some furnishings & more!!
$31,900 1830854
70+ ACRES!!
Fantastic hunting property w/lots of wildlife in the
area! The 1200 square foot home is practically move-
in ready with appliances and most furnishings! Large
30x40 barn/garage for your toys and a nice pond!!
$249,900 1816928
CUTE AND WELL-MAINTAINED!!
2-bedroom home on large lot w/appliances, natural
gas heat, family room, storage shed, fire pit and
nice deck for relaxing outdoors. Cozy year round
or affordable getaway in great recreational area!!
$37,500 1828738
OVER 5 ACRES!!
Gorgeous custom built 3 bedroom, 2 full ba home has
over 1800 square feet, cathedral ceilings, floor to ceil-
ing windows on both levels, large deck, pond & heated
garage. Beautiful setting w/RIFLE RIVER FRONTAGE!!
$174,900 1839528
1.5 ACRES!!
Nice and cute 2 bedroom home w/spacious garage
that has a convenient lean to. Great setting with trails
at rear of prop leading to Silver Creek! Pleasant year
round home or enjoyable weekend getaway!!
$39,900 1833833

20 WOODED ACRES!!
Bedroom home on full bsmt /2 car garage. Main
floor laundry, recently updated kitchen & bath,
large covered rear deck with beautiful views and
trails for nature walking or the hunter!!
$154,900 1840412
GREAT FISHING LAKE!!
198 feet of water frontage with nice views on 8 acre
TURTLE LAKE. Well-maintained 3 bedroom is on 2
ACRES in beautiful setting & some nice landscaping.
Insulated pole barn and shed, both w/elec, for storage!!
$49,900 1838539
RIFLE RIVER WATERFRONT!!
Over a HALF ACRE & 80 of river frontage!! Nice 2
bedroom home has spacious living area, FP, lots
of windows with fantastic views, some furnishings,
security system, appliances, deck & more!!
$139,900 1831481
JUST ACROSS FROM LAKE!!
This neat and clean 2 bedroom home is just across
the street from access to Bush Lake. Deep lot and
detached garage, partly knotty interior, FP and mostly
furnished. Also, just steps from DNR boat access!!
$49,900 1837134
ACREAGE AND WATERFRONT!!
210 of sandy frontage on popular, all sports CLEAR
LAKE and just over 2 ACRES!! 3 bedroom home, over
2600 square feet, full walkout bsmt, skylights, gas FP,
garage, pole bldg, boat dock, apple orchard & more!!
$139,900 1839256

CREEK FRONT GETAWAY!!
Just over a HALF ACRE w/2 bedroom home & 221 of
frontage on Silver Creek. Newer roof in 20167, newer
well & newer septic, 2 storage sheds, screened porch,
beautiful views and near many lakes!!
$54,900 1832428
10 WOODED ACRES!!
Lovely 3 bedroom, 2 ba home w/garage! Great kitchen
w/island and appliances, FP in spacious living area,
master suite w/walk-in closet and private bath. Great
location near lakes & State land w/gorgeous views!!
$129,900 1840732
TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!!
Two homes, each w/2 bedroom, appliances,
natural gas heat, privacy fence, shed and nice
landscaping. With some TLC, you could live in
one of these homes and rent or sell the other!!
$56,900 1835379
4 ACRES!!
Spacious 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath home w/garage and heat-
ed workshop and pole barn. AC, front & rear decks, full
bsmt, paved driveway, maple & apple trees & more!! With
some TLC, this could be your year round country home!!
$129,900 1839823
ON CUL-DE-SAC!!
Nice 3 bedroom home with 2 car garage and access
to BUSH LAKE for boating, swimming and fishing.
Large kichen, FP, natural gas heat, front and rear
decks, paved driveway & lake just across the road!!
$59,000 1840484

NICE LAKE VIEW!!
3 bedroom home with a view of all sports RIFLE LAKE
and newer drywall, flooring, countertops, back splash
& updated bath. Garage, sunroom, bonus upper level
16x18 room, garden area & a fenced spot for your pets!!
$90,000 1838970
SOOTHING MULESHOE LAKE!!
Quaint 2 bedroom home on no motor 8.8 acre
lake!! Appliances & some furnishings included,
storage shed, spacious deck with beautiful
pretty views or to enjoy the wildlife in the area!!
$60,000 1798881
NEAR LAKE GEORGE!!
Recently remodeled 3 bedroom, 2 ba w/garage on 2
lots at end of cul-de-sac. Open floor plan, gas log FP,
newer floorings and newer counter tops. Enjoy the public
access and boat ramp at this desirable all sports lake!!
$74,900 1840493
AN ACRE OF PROPERTY!!
Spacious 2 bedroom home or older farmhouse has tons
of great amenities including newer floors and cabinets,
built in bookcase, Michigan bsmt, detached garage &
more!! Fantastic year round home on paved road!!
$69,900 1837015
SECLUDED HUNTING CAMP!!
18 WOODED ACRES w/2 bedroom home is the perfect
place to call your hunting cabin that is also ADJACENT
TO STATE LANDS!! Propane lights, range, refrigera-
tor, wood heat, gravity tank and wired for generator!!
$64,900 1805656

FOR MORE LISTINGS

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.CAHANES.COM
94 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
 Blake Ver Woert 231-652-7000
OFFICE:

& Doug Leitch BLAKE:

Hunting Land Specialists 616-308-3122
WE WANT YOUR LISTINGS !!
537+/- 460+/- ACRES,
ACRES, SAGINAW
JACKSON COUNTY
COUNTY
Excellent Duck, Deer & Turkey
$
2,900,000
Hunting. Area of Other Large 8 Bedroom Log Lodge,
Property Owners. Man Cave 40x114 Pole Barn,
w/Game Cleaning Station Care Taker Residence
$
1,074,000 with Barn, High Fence
Deer Ranch, 275 Quality Deer
LD LD LD
SO SO SO

Alcona County, 240 Acres,
House, Barns, Pond, Stream, Food Plots
$499,000
Antrim County 52+/- Acres, Arenac Co, 167+/- Acres, Calhoun County, 67+/- Acres
Rolling Hills, Pole 3,500+/- ft Lake Huron, 300 ft. All Sports Prairie Lake,
Barn Lodge, Snowmobilers/ Calhoun Co, 61 Acres Calhoun Co, 86+/- Acres
6 Bedroom Lodge, Guest Cabin, 1/2 Tillable, 1/2 Wooded 750 ft. Frontage on Prairie Lake,
Hunters Paradise Great Duck & Deer Hunting 2,500 ft. St. Joseph River, Excellent Hunting Big Buck Hunting, Outbuildings
$119,000 $599,000 $129,000 $275,000
$349,000

L D
SO

Iosco County, 783+/- Acres, Jackson County, 105+/- Acres Jackson County, 120 Acres Midland County, 80 Acres Missaukee County Missaukee County, 10+/- Acres,
1 Mile Frontage Tawas Lake, Kunze WRP Program, Mature Hard- 46+/- Acres, Excellent
River Crosses Property, 5 Bedroom Log woods, Great Deer, Turkey & Mixed Hardwoods, Good Trail 12 Miles to Mount Pleasant, Hunting Setup, Amish Built Log Home, 3 Bed,
Lodge, 3 Miles from East Tawas Waterfowl Hunting System, Big Buck Country Excellent Hunting Mosquito Creek Frontage 2 Bath, Adjacent to State Land
$1,250,000 $211,000 $360,000 $176,000 $87,500 $199,900
G
DIN LD
P EN SO

Newaygo County, 40 Acres Newaygo Co, 45+/- Acres Newaygo Co, 55+/- Acres
Newaygo County, Newaygo Co, 25+/- Acres 5 Ac Private Lake, Nice 25 Ac Private Lake, Excellent Newaygo County, 60 Acres
32x48 Pole Barn with Water &
5+/- Acres Frontage 7 Ac Private Lake, County Electric, 20 Ac Old Apple Orchard, Pond, Trail System, Tillable Waterfowl & Deer Hunting, QDM, Trophy Bucks
on White River Road Frontage, Pond 20 Ac Hardwoods, Great Hunting Land, Excellent Hunting Good Trails Harvested, Great Parcel
$28,000 $75,000 $199,000 $135,000 $165,000 $90,000

LD LD LD
SO SO SO

Newaygo County, 80 Acres
Rolling Hardwoods, Great
Hunting, 2 Bedroom Mobile
$150,000
Newaygo County, 125 Acres, Three
spring fed lakes, Excellent Deer,
Turkey and Waterfowl hunting
$375,000
Newaygo County, 240 Acres,
Adjacent to State Land, Good Trail System
Food Plots, High Deer Population
$384,000
Osceola County, 167 Acres Osceola County, 163+/- Acres, Presque Isle County, 80 Ac
Nice Cabin, Good Trail Great Trail System, Awesome Creek Frontage, 24x24 Garage,
Hunting, Rolling Hills, Must See!
System, Excellent Hunting Excellent Hunting
$389,000 $290,675 $90,000

www. WildLifeRealty.com
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 95
 63-Acre Sanctuary Retreat
Stunning architecturally
designed home overlooking
your own 40-acre water
oasis. Unsurpassed quality
w/impeccable attention to
Jackson County detail throughout. Walk in
& be in awe of the 2-story
living room w/soaring
cathedral ceilings, gas FP &
custom Amish trimmed wall
of windows overlooking
the lake. Open floor plan,
entertainers dream!
3BDRM/4BA w/fin walkout
w/9 ft ceilings. Additional
garage. Geothermal.
$
595,000
Stephanie Bosanac, realtor
RE/MAX Mid-Michigan
2300 W Michigan Avenue Jackson, MI
517.812.3173
www.stephaniebosanac.com
Heritage Exclusive Marketing Agents for Northeast
House Michigan Properties
RealtyPC Located in the Heart of the Huron National Forest, on the
Personalized Service is the Difference
Shores of Lake Huron and the banks of the AuSable River
5710 Clouse Rd, Glennie
990 sf, 2 bed, 1 bath with 12
acres on dead end road.
Interested in having a hobby
farm? This is for you, room to
roam, some fencing, ideal
location. $85,000
For more information text
R569702 to 52187
Hunting Camp, Hillman
1700 sf, 4 bed, 2 bath with
several other structures
perfect the entire family
hunting trips. Just over 9
acres with Millers Creek
running through. Will need
some TLC, being sold AS-IS
REDUCED $54,900
5684 Riverview Dr
1800+ sf, 3 bed, 2.5 bath
with deeded access to Foote
Pond. Move in ready home
with 2 car attached garage.
Must see to appreciate all
this home has to offer.
$159,800 For More Info Text
R435893 to 52187
115 E Trask Lake Rd
2011 Cabin on just over 10
acres in need of finishing
work. Enjoy all that Northern
Michigan has to offer within
minutes of your front door.
Reduced $49,900 For More
Info Text R171003 to 52187
Call 800-650-5566 - Glennie or 800-982-0102 - Harrisville - www.HeritageHouseRealty.com
96 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS
Former Golf Course with Clubhouse and Pole Barn
1015 Brink Road Bronson, Michigan 49028
This beautiful piece of property has 15 splits available. Prime Branch County
Hunting Property with river running through it, Excellent hunting retreat!!! 123
Acres total! More info and Aerial Drone Footage at www.bronsonrealestate.com
CALL
810.724.0254
P.O. Box 278 594 N. Almont Ave. Imlay City, MI 48444
www.
Check out our website:
woods-n-waternews.com
80 acres Fruchey Ranch 1009 Zimowske Rd, Mio
Rd, Curran 1500+ sf, 3 bed, 1.5 bath with
Perfect for your next hunting detached garage and barn on
destination or would make 25 acres. Come see what
an excellent location to start living up north is all about on
that next adventure of your your new covered porch or
life. $115,000 covered deck with this Move
For More Information Text in Ready Gem. $149,000
R174399 to 52187
1455 E F-30, Mikado Hunting Land, Hillman
1420 sf, 3 bed, 1 bath on 1.5 61+ acres between Hillman
acres with full unfinished and Atlanta offers ideal
basement. Remodeled with hunting opportunities with
2 car attached garage offers several possible building
plenty of room to roam. NEW sites surrounded by larger
$89,900 For More Info Text private parcels meaning
R615688 to 52187 privacy and seclusion. NEW
$129,900
Wallace Rd, Glennie 4797 E Trask Lake Rd
27.5+ acres of beautiful 1400 sf, 3 bed, 2 bath with
hardwood with natural large deck overlooking 30
clearing and drive already acres. Move in ready home
cut in perfect for that new with all appliances included.
home, hunting cabin, Extra family room just needs
camping site possibilities are finish to add to living area.
endless. $69,000 For more $182,900
info Text R584243 to 52187
480 acres on Mitchell Trail Tara Lane, Grayling
Perfect investment for any Out of the way yet still close
sportsman/woman. 2 private to everything Northern
lakes, borders federal land Michigan has to offer.
on all sides plus it has two Perfect for that upcoming
cottages on site with electric. hunting trip or building that
Hunting and fishing was dream home. 10.55 acres
never easier than here. only $21,000 For More Info
$1,300,000 For More Info Text R529843 to 52187
Text R505657 to 52187
MLS 17034835 - N French Bay Rd - Beaver Island: Beautiful acreage on majestic Beaver
Island! Imagine building your dream home nestled on your own private oasis or maybe having
your own deer hunting compound. This diverse wooded habitat boasts approx. 120 acres atop
the West side bluff which then splits down to a multi level bluff to the lower area on the Western
border. The NE corner features a Cedar swamp & the road to French Bay goes thru the SW corner.
The N & W sides of this 160 acre parcel is bordered by over 240 acres of State land. Access to a trail
to Lake Michigan with views that are second to none. Hold as an investment, clear the timber
& farm or build your future - opportunity is endless. This is your chance to own a large chunk of
Michigan's Emerald Isle.

MLS 17013830 - S Kings Hwy. - Welcome nature lovers! This quaint, secluded cottage is
nestled on 170 acres of Pure Michigan forest with 900' frontage on the pristine Pere Marquette
River. Whether you love to hunt, fish or enjoy wildlife this wooded property has it all. The cabin is
steps from the rustling water & features an open floor plan w/ the focal point being a custom stone
fireplace complete w/ a swing arm to cook an amazing meal over the open fire. The 1st bedroom
is river side to soothe you to sleep & plenty of extra sleeping in 2nd bedroom w/ 2 sets of bunks &
twin size bed. Also includes pull out couch & trundle bed to accommodate up to 11 people great for
a big get together. The large bath features storage & walk-in shower. The fully applianced kitchen
has plenty of counter space & storage. Also includes 24 x 32 pole barn, 6 deer blinds, fire pit, shed
w/ wood shelter & wood stove. Mother Nature at her best. Own your own private paradise today!

STARTER HOME HUNTING CABIN RIVER ACCESS 2 ACRES 1.8 WOODED ACRES
3 BD, 2 Acres 1 BD, 2.5 Acres 3 BD, 5.5 Acres 3 BD, 1 BA 2 BD, 1 BA
MLS 17028941 $17,400 MLS 17051744 $44,900 MLS 17038673 $59,900 MLS 17021101 $39,900 MLS 17052778 $42,800

VACANT 1.4 ACRE 13+ ACRES 10 ACRES VACANT 2.5 ACRES 1.25 ACRES
Storage Buildings Hunting Property Recreational Property Camper & Shed Camp Site
MLS 17047388 $14,900 MLS 17031896 $38,800 MLS 17057314 $15,000 MLS 17057300 $19,900 MLS 17026873 $5,400

Looking for Affordable Vacation Property?

LAND CONTRACTS ARE AVAILABLE
Call us today & get started on the path to owning
your own little piece of Northern Michigan!
WNW NEWS JANUARY 2018 97
 Dan Dan The Mattress Man
SPORTSMENS FURNITURE PARADISE

Solid wood bunk w/ mattress $

- Woodcrest 2400 bunk 275 Rustic Tables
- Hundreds to choose
$
149 - Choose your fabric 649
Made in Michigan Wood Fouton $

GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICES

Child Recliners $
99
249 Unique Log Beds
- Queens start at
$ Solid Wood
USA Chest
$
199
www.DANDANTHEMATTRESSMAN.com
802 Ashman St. Midland
989-832-1866

98 JANUARY 2018 WNW NEWS

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