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WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 3
By Tom Campbell...Field Notes
EARLY
Mike Gnatkowski page 98 BAD BEETLE
page 63
The pros and pitfalls of
BIG WALLEYE
constructing log crib reefs
Bill Ziegler page 110
John A. Muter
Memorial Scholarships
GOOSE
page 74 Kenny Darwin...page 92
& CRANKBAITS FEATURE
The Mackinac Straits
Paddling the Pine River Trail Mackinac Straits oil pipeline
Mark Romanack...page 44 Raptor Watch risks fish and wildlife habitat
Darryl Quidort page 40 page 76 Drew YoungeDyke page 84
SPITTLEBUGS Howell named MUCC’s
Michigan Turkey Tracts
Bob Gwizdz page 64
Jonathan Schechter page 42
‘Legislator of the Year’ GUNS/AMMO
Michigan Meanders... page 86
BIG BEAR Canoeing...the essence Gun Chat...Ruger American .22
Jeff Pendergraff page 69 of all outdoors PERSPECTIVE Lee Arten page 32
Tom Huggler page 50
Black Powder Shooting...
Michigan Deer Camp... Outdoor Weekend helps
Frustrated on the The Man in the Arena
First time for everything outskirts of Caro groups/clubs raise thousands! Dennis Neely page 104
Jake Dykstra page 96 Tom Carney page 54 Randy Jorgensen page 34
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WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 9
STREAM KINGS:
from page 8
the skein. Next get it into a Ziploc a strong chemical message to fish
bag and immediately place on ice. waiting downstream. Plus the eggs
When you get home set the skein are natural, not tied in a spawn bag,
on a hand towel and roll in 20 Mule and they look like a cluster of eggs
Team Borax. Next, place skein in ready for lunch. After several casts
Foodsaver bag and remove air and the skein will begin to fall off the
freeze until ready to go stream fish- hook and you need to re-hook the
ing or put skein in a freezer Ziploc membrane. When eggs wash out of
bag, roll it up and remove as much the skein and the membrane turns
air as possible and freeze. white fish will ignore the presen-
Some anglers prefer coho skein tation and it is time to put a new
or eggs from steelhead. My roe of cluster on the hook. Don’t make the
choice is king salmon because it common mistake of fishing candy
has a special musky odor that draws below salmon. Kings usually sus-
maximum strikes. However, if you pend off bottom and if your offer- Above: Kings prefer a large chunk
get your hands on some brown trout ing is below them they seldom bite. of fresh roe dyed bright pink.
skein I guarantee the fishing results However, if your cluster is above Some anglers keep candy fresh by
are absolutely incredible. fish they will slowly rise and inhale carrying a small cooler stream-
Prior to a stream outing thaw the offering. Sometimes they shark side. Right: To make your own king
the skein and cut into quarter-size to attack the offering and your bob- salmon candy, roll fresh skein in
small golf ball size chunks and roll ber will suddenly jerk underwater. Borax powder and mix until the cut
in 20 Mule Team Borax. Savvy fish- However, kings tend to slowly rise up pieces are covered. Use bait
ermen know kings are very selective to feeding position and inhale the cure to dye preferred pink, orange,
about egg color. Most mix the skein offering in a smooth, gentle gulp. red, yellow color and refrigerate.
with coloring that dyes the eggs Often they stay stationary after the Treated skein will stay fresh for
pink, red and orange. My favorite bite and the bobber jiggles to the about two weeks if you keep it
egg cure is Pautzke BorX O’ Fire strike and slowly goes down. cold. Kenny Darwin photo
with bright pink color and revo- Fantastic fishing is often depen- the Betsie River below River Road
lutionary krill formula. I also use dent upon scouting and you need to Bridge at the trail parking location. the hole and cast slightly upstream,
Alaska Premier Bait Cure in radiant locate where fish are holding in the Downstream the Betsie makes many mend loose line and allow the float
color. Last fall kings went bonkers river system. Some holes will have winding turns and has numerous to drift the exact speed of the current
for big chunks of skein dyed bright no fish while others areas will be deep holes. One hotspot is near the the full length of the hole. Keep
pink from BorX O’ Fire recipe. packed with schools. One way to Betsie River Campground and great your rod tip held high to eliminate
Sometimes brighter colors seem to identify hot spots is to find a region king fishing is available all the way line drag and allow line to free spool
get the attention of more fish and where kings are breaking the river to the railroad bridge at Betsie trail. off the reel as the bobber moves
increase your hook-ups. One tactic surface. When they enter Great Don’t overlook the deep pools in downstream. Try to cast upstream
is to have several different colored Lakes tributaries they prefer deep, the Big Manistee for top notch king from the suspected salmon hideout
skein chunks in your fishing vest slow moving holes in the lower action and the Pere Marquette holds where the splash of your float and
and when the bite slows on pink river. Here they slow down, relax solid numbers of kings too. The shot does not spook fish. If your
switch to a new color. Keep the in the cool current and they become Mighty Muskegon has plenty of big float is moving fast add more shot
cured eggs refrigerated and put them selective feeders and love to gulp kings but you need a boat to reach and if the float is barely moving you
on ice in a cooler when fishing. One a piece of candy dangled below a the hotspots. The Grand River has can get by with only a few small
trick is to carry in your vest a small float or bobber. In early morning set overlooked king honey holes and the BBs.
plastic jar of eggs and when you run the distance from bobber to hook Kalamazoo gets a solid run of fish If you find ’em and have a picnic
out go back to the cooler and get at about 3 feet and when daylight as well. The St. Joseph River offers fighting and landing hawg salmon
fresher skein that is cold. arrives lower the depth of the candy great fishing but again you need a but the action goes dead, take a
Salmon skein referred to as cut by moving the float up the line. river boat to reach the best locations. break. Step back from the pool, eat
spawn or chunk spawn milks while One legendary area for limit Your goal for limit catches is to a sandwich, drink some water, sit on
drifting in the current and sends catches of kings is the deep holes on locate deep holes holding maximum the bank and enjoy the scenic beauty
numbers of fish. and give fish 30-45 minutes to relax.
Float fishing has taken over Use the break as an opportunity to
stream and river fishing by storm. rig frayed leaders or replace the not
The advantages are many and gone so sharp hook. Senior fishermen are
are the days of bottom bouncing, quick to use the break to set the rod
snagging gear and breaking lines. down, lay on the bank and take a
Today’s wise anglers float presenta- power nap. Believe me on more than
tions over debris using long rods, one king outing I’ve relaxed against a
center pin reels and specialized line. cedar tree, dozed off only to have the
Most combine a custom stand up splash of active salmon wake me up.
float and string of split shot above King salmon are Michigan’s
the hook. Use a barrel swivel above premiere Great Lakes species and I
size #4 Eagle Claw or Gamakatsu hope you find time this September
egg hook. Use an 18-24 inch clear to make a trek to area streams in
fluorocarbon leader of 8-12 pound search of a monster. Savvy anglers
mono attached to a small ant size schedule trips following strong
Black Bird barrel swivel with a northwest winds which create high
main line of 10-18 pound test. seas and push salmon into skinny
Savvy anglers use center pin style water and they charge up rivers and
drift fishing reels and custom stand streams. Many times a downpour
up style floats. Others prefer a bob- or a couple days of fall-like cool
ber and spinning reel attached to a overcast weather will cause salmon
A pod of piggishly fat kings slide upstream across a Betsie River sandbar long 10-12 ft. drift fishing rod. to pile up in the lower sections of
while migrating upstream after a cold September thundershower. Get in position at the head of many waterways.n
10 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
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WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 11
RECOVERING
BOWSHOT DEER
O
ver my 50-plus lung hit should always be your goal.
years of bowhunt- Lungs are much larger than the heart
ing whitetails I’ve leaving a bigger margin for error
learned that patience and depending on the shot angle the
must be applied heart can be partially protected by
to just about ev- shoulder blade. Also, the blood from
ery aspect of it, and this can’t be a double lung shot deer quickly fills
any more overstated than what to the air passageways in both lungs
do once a deer has been shot. I’ve drowning the deer a bit quicker than
taken around 100 bucks and likely a heart shot where the deer runs un-
as many does with a bow and have til it pumps most of the blood from
#2
also aided in the recovery of deer its system.
for many of my friends. There was A center or
a learning curve over the years as mid-body shot
to how long I waited before trailing is likely to hit
based on the hit, the distances trav- the liver, stom-
eled before expiration per type of ach or both. This is a common hit
hit, expiration times, duration time because many hunters tend to body
of recovery based on the terrain, shoot instead of aiming just behind
types of nasty terrain some poorly the shoulder for a double lung hit.
hit deer gravitated to and what vitals If the arrow is covered in dense
were hit upon field dressing. coagulated blood only it was likely
One would think that for as a liver shot, if there is also a gritty
much film and ink is printed about substance mixed in with the dense
how to go about getting shot oppor- blood it was a liver/stomach hit, if
tunities that there would be a decent there is minimal blood and green to
amount of instructional information brown stomach matter on the arrow
about the recovery process, but there it was a stomach hit, all of which are
isn’t. In fact I’ve seen many poor lethal.
hit deer on TV and in videos where With a liver or liver/stomach hit
By John Eberhart
they would have done the viewing there should be an easy to follow
audience a favor if they wouldn’t blood trail to the expiration site
have edited out the entire recovery if the deer is given sufficient time
process. No matter how hard we to bleed out before an attempted
try to avoid it, not all deer are hit he hasn’t expired. While waiting, remained in the chest cavity, the recovery. A high entry into the body
perfectly and die within sight or mentally re-run the shot procedure deer should be easily recovered by cavity without an exit may be an
hearing distance. to ensure you of the angle the deer making visual circles from where exception because most of the blood
With modern equipment a pass was facing, and where the arrow the deer was last seen or heard. will remain within the body cavity.
through is common and should entered as they should give you an On straight down or severely The liver lies behind the lungs
always be the goal. From elevated idea of what vitals if any were hit quartering shots it’s common to hit and in front of the stomach and
stands, a high entry without a pass giving you an idea of how long to only one lung and in this case he a deer’s ribcage ends where the
through will oftentimes leave a wait before making the recovery. must be given several hours before stomach begins making the entire
poor blood trail because the blood With a pass through check your attempting recovery. When trailing, liver somewhat protected by thin
remains within the body cavity recovered arrow for the following if you bump him, back off and give ribs with a broadside shot angle.
#1
whereas with a low exit the blood clues and react accordingly him several more hours before con- An arrow has no problem penetrat-
will spill onto the ground leaving a With a shot in tinuing. Just as with humans, deer ing through a couple ribs but the
good blood trail if a vital organ was the front half of can live with one lung and depend- ribs will leave a telltale sign on
hit. the chest cavity ing on where in the lung the arrow the broadhead that the liver was
When a whitetail has been hit, the likely vitals passed, the deer may survive. hit. If with a mid-body shot your
watch until he is out of sight and hit would be the lungs and/or heart. I’ve taken three bucks that had recovered broadhead has a dulled
then listen until out of hearing dis- Dense coagulated blood likely scarred over arrow wounds through or ragged edged blade or blades,
tance and unless he expired within indicates a heart hit and if there are one lung and know two recovery they hit rib bone and likely passed
sight, mark the last sighting with a tiny air bubbles in the blood it was a dog trackers that hesitate to search through the liver. This is important
landmark that will be easily recog- lung or combination heart/lung hit. for deer in which the hunter tells to note with a questionable stomach/
nized once you’re on the ground. If If both lungs and/or the heart them they took nearly straight down liver hit because deer will expire
you heard him run quite a distance were hit there should be a decent or hard quartering shots into the quicker if the liver was also hit.
beyond that landmark, before exit- blood trail beginning at or very near lung area. A dog will find nearly 100 Liver shot deer can have huge
ing the tree use your compass and the shot site and the deer will expire percent of gut and liver hit deer, but variances in expiration times and
take an approximate reading as to within sight or hearing distance (50 the percentage odds of recovering a there’s no way of judging how much
which direction he went from the to 100 yards is the norm). Often- single lung hit deer where the arrow time it will take the deer to expire
landmark. The reading will give you times during their full throttle death obviously missed the heart, due to just by looking at the amount of
a direction to search if there is a lack run they don’t follow routes and the distance the deer traveled before blood on your arrow or the ground.
of blood. I’ve had two bucks run headfirst into seeking a tracking dog, are rela- I’ve witnessed liver shot deer
Even if you saw him fall or trees with one breaking off an antler. tively low. expire in 10 minutes and have had
lie down, play it safe and wait 20 Even if your arrow doesn’t pass The takeaway is with any sem- others with really good blood trails
minutes to exit your stand otherwise through with this shot and there is blance of a broadside shot angle, for the first 100 yards still be alive
your exit noise could spook him if no blood trail because the blood a just behind the shoulder double after 16 hours even though they
12 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
were too weak to get up.
The reason for such diversity
in expiration times, and distances
if pushed, is that the arteries enter-
ing the front portion of the liver are
large whereas the vessels in the rear
and around the edges are tiny. When
large arteries are severed the deer
bleeds out quickly whereas when
tiny vessels are severed it can take
many hours because they bed down
within a short distance which lowers
their heart rate and slows the bleed-
ing.
Liver hit deer rarely travel very
far prior to getting sick and bedding
down and they also retain their full
mental capacities until they expire.
When only small vessels are hit and
a recovery attempt is made too soon,
the deer will be pushed into dense
or wet areas in which a recovery
will be more difficult and in some
marshy swamp areas, nearly impos-
sible.
The dreaded gut or intestine
shot! Many whitetails are lost to
these shots, and that should not be
A Whitetail’s Circulatory System
the case. The procedure for this shot
is simple. Even with a pass through These are all large veins and book bucks, 28 of them carried at tice and sight in from an elevation
a gut or further back in the body in- arteries that pump blood from the least one old wound and many of similar to that of what most of your
testine shot deer will not leave much heart throughout the body. The jugu- them still carried the bullet or broad- hunting sites are set at. I always
of a blood trail, but will die and be lar veins run through the neck and head and most projectiles were in practice from a platform that’s 25
#4
easily recovered if given ample time into the brain, the aorta runs from the neck or a hind quarter. feet off the ground so my bow is
before a recovery is attempted. the heart up and along the spine A high shot into sighted in using the exact same form
With a liver, liver/stomach or and the femoral arteries connect to the back that (shooting triangle) I will be using
#5
intestine hit wait 30 minutes before the aorta and run through each hind severs the spinal when taking a shot.
quietly getting out of your tree, quarter and down the back legs. cord will disable A thin layer of
picking up your arrow for inspection When any of these 3 primary a deer’s hind legs. blood indicates
and leaving the area. Do not even blood vessels is severed there should A shot that severs the spine will a flesh or small
consider walking in the direction the be an easy to follow blood trail to drop the deer immediately but un- artery hit.
deer went for at least 4 hours and if the expiration location and expira- less the aorta artery is also hit (aorta Unless a large vein or artery is
the temperature is below 40 degrees, tion is just a matter of time. Howev- artery explained earlier) the deer hit a deer will rarely die from a flesh
wait at least 8 hours as the longer er, with this hit the deer should still will have its full mental capacities wound. Flesh wounds often leave
you wait the better the odds of a be given sufficient time to bleed out and will need to be shot again in the blood trails that are misleading and
short recovery. before a recovery attempt is made lung area to kill him. It’s suggested look as though the deer will expire,
If while tracking, you see him and this is especially the case with a to make the second killing shot as but generally the trail eventually just
bedded up ahead with his head up, femoral artery hit depending on how soon as possible as sometimes a runs out. However, when an animal
or you jump him, even if the blood far down the leg the hit was. deer can move pretty fast by pull- is hit you must make a concerted
trail is easy to follow, mark the spot If you’re positive you hit the ing himself with his front legs. On effort to recover it.
and wait another 4 hours before jugular vein in the neck you only 2 occasions in the distant past I had Wait at least four hours before
resuming your search. need to wait an hour, but with an to chase bucks down for quite a trailing a flesh wounded deer, al-
Early in the season when the aorta or femoral artery hit wait at distance (once was a quarter mile) lowing the deer to bed down and
ground foliage is dense a poorly hit least several hours before attempting before getting a second shot because possibly bleed out or become weak
deer recovery may require a lot of a recovery and then use the same while getting down from the tree if the artery is large enough to keep
searching, so if there is no blood recovery process as a liver shot deer. to take another shot up close, they the coagulating blood from plugging
trail get as many friends as possible On an evening hunt in 1989 my crawled away at a brisk pace. the artery and stopping the bleeding.
and form an organized grid search. 12 year-old son Joe hit a 3-point in Common cause: While at full If you jump him and the blood trail
If there is water in the area in a rear leg just below the knee and draw there is something archery is still easy to follow, back off for
the form of a creek, river or pond severed the femoral artery. I knew instructors call a shooting triangle several more hours before resuming
and you’ve lost the blood trail, make that the farther down the leg the which is comprised of the 3 distanc- the search. Continue this process un-
sure to search the banks and look artery went, the smaller the artery es; from your shooting eye to anchor til recovery or the blood trail expires
into the water for the carcass as both got and the less blood it pumped. point, from anchor point to bow which will usually be the case. If a
liver and gut shot deer will gravitate We left him alone overnight and he hand, and from bow hand back to large artery was not hit, the blood
to and oftentimes die in the water. only went 150 yards before bed- shooting eye. When a hunter prac- will coagulate in the artery and stop
#6
Doctors have told me that liver and ding down and bleeding out. He had tices and sights in from the ground the bleeding.
gut wounds burn and lying down in lived well into the night as he was their head is straight upright and the A slick slippery
the water is a way of cooling down. still warm when we gutted him out distance from their shooting eye to shaft indicates
In 2016 I knew I had hit a big which meant that had we searched anchor point is longer than when the arrow passed
buck in the liver and gave him 5 just after dark we would have they tilt their head downward when through an area
hours before searching and found pushed him. shooting from a tree before drawing with thick tallow such as; a high hit
the 11-point expired in the middle of No matter the angle of shot, the their bow. Tilting their head down- along the loin, a brisket or low chest
#3
a small pond. neck or hind quarters should never ward shortens the shooting eye to hit or a high hind-quarter hit.
Dense coagulated be the target area as the jugular and anchor point distance and changes An arrow shaft coated with tal-
blood with a neck femoral arteries running through the shooting triangle and causes the low is not a promising sign. Howev-
or hind quarter them are only about the diameter of hunter to shoot high. Lowering their er with hard quartering shot angles
shot indicates the a 16 penny nail and hits that don’t arm from parallel (when practicing) there can be tallow on the arrow
jugular vein, femoral or aorta artery sever those arteries are usually not also slightly alters the triangle.
was hit. fatal. Of my 31 Michigan record The ideal scenario is to prac- Recovering page 14
WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 13
Recovering: from page 13 In many instances you can go
faster by looking for kicked up
leaves or dirt, especially if it has
with it still having passed through instincts and will usually be bed- rained recently, which makes any
vitals. Tallow can plug an exit ded nice and neatly in a hard to alterations on the ground very easy
wound, so with a low brisket exit find place when they expire. I once to identify.
through tallow if you do not find recovered a buck that had crawled When trailing through dense
a lot of blood, do not be surprised. under the low hanging branches of a brush, tall ferns, weeds, marsh
The arrow will likely be wiped clean large spruce tree. There were several grasses and cattails you will often
by the tallow as well, leaving no in- spruce trees in the area where the find more blood on the tall vegeta-
dicator of what might have been hit blood ran out and I just started lift- tion than on the ground due to the
internally. This hit should be treated ing the branches that hung to the deer’s body rubbing against it. If
similar to a gut shot unless you are ground to check under them. you think a deer may have expired
sure that the arrow passed through When trailing any deer with a in tall vegetation climbing trees may
some vitals. questionable hit you may want to enable you to look down into the tall
#7
consider taking your bow because stuff for a white belly or carcass.
A solid bone hit you may have to shoot the deer Wounded deer that retain their
such as a shoul- again to finish him off. full instincts will almost always take
the easiest route to get to a secure The author recovered this liver hit
der or knuckle If it’s raining or rain is in the 11-point that expired in a pond.
with no penetra- forecast, still wait the suggested destination area. When blood trails
tion will obviously not kill a deer. time before attempting recovery. are lost, check nearby runways, bow, quietly cut over 15 rows (count
This hit will make a loud whack- Yes, rain will wash away most lanes, low spots or holes in fence- them as you go) downwind from the
ing sound and typically the deer will blood, however with a poorly hit rows, or whatever route is easiest row he’s in, then quietly go down
run off with all but a couple inches deer you are still better off wait- for you to travel in that direction, to that row about 200 yards in the
of the arrow sticking out. The arrow ing and having him expire within a try and pick up the trail. same direction the deer was travel-
will eventually jar out or be pulled couple hundred yards as opposed to When trailing through a large ing, then cut back the 15 rows. This
out by the deer. Odds are not in your pushing him into a swamp or dense grass or weed field, which can be will put you in the same row the
favor but make every effort to find area of cover where the odds of difficult to trail in, look at the last deer was in. Set up a simple ambush
your arrow to insure that you did not recovery will be greatly reduced. two locations and get a line. Using site one or two rows off to the side
that line, go across the field and skirt
Tracking Process
penetrate deep enough to reach any and wait for him to start trailing.
vitals, and follow any blood trail and search the inside edge of the You may get a shot if he pushes the
until it expires. It’s common to go over the same tree line where blood will be easier deer past you. This same scenario
Deer vary in color shades, so trail several times before spotting to see on the leaves. Resume the can also be used if you are pushing
only when there’s white hair on the specks of blood and when trailing search once found. a deer towards a known funnel in a
ground do I pay any attention to gets difficult, slow down, get closer If a deer runs into a large stand- wooded area.
hair. White hair will give you ad- to the ground and check the ground ing cornfield there is an excellent Whenever you question whether
ditional information on location of before placing your foot with each chance that it will travel down the to immediately look, or wait prior to
entry or exit. It’s advised to look at step. same row because running against blood trailing a deer, always wait as
the rows is more difficult. If the
INTRODUCING
pictures or roadTHE NEW
kills to verify where Mark last blood with something your odds of recovery will be much
INTRODUCING
the common THE NEWpatches of hair
white easily visible like tissue or flagging hit was questionable and there is a greater. Also keep in mind that the
are located. tape and keep at least two mark- chance the deer will be alive and larger the animal, the longer it will
Unlike double lung or heart ers on the trail behind you to give bedded in the cornfield due to its usually take for him to expire (this
shot deer that expire all ™ ™
sprawled a direction to go by. If the deer was security cover, get your bow and is true with any type of hit).
“THE
outSTRONGEST.
with theirBECAUSE
white Ibelly
SAID SO.”
show- running, the direction of the blood a friend and have him stand at last In highly populated areas where
“THE STRONGEST. BECAUSE I SAID SO.” blood while giving you half an hour
– STEVE
ing, liver, AUSTINintestine, and
stomach splatters on the leaves can also aid property prices are high and hunting
large– STEVE
arteryAUSTIN
shot deer maintain their in the direction he is going before he starts trailing. With your parcels are often small, some neigh-
bors will refuse to let you trail on
WORK
WORK PLAY
PLAY
their property. The longer you wait
INTRODUCING THE NEW
14TH Annual for recovery, the better your odds
that if the deer is expired, he will
™ be on your property. I know several
“THE STRONGEST. BECAUSE I SAID SO.” Buck Pole/ hunters and have heard many others
HARD PLAYHARD
– STEVE AUSTIN
that had their bucks stolen by non-
HARD HARD
Family Event friendly or jealous neighbors.
WORK
Just as being patient is the most
important aspect of receiving shot
NOV. 15TH! opportunities, patience is also the
most important aspect of recovering
HARD HARD ea
poorly hit deer.
Receiv
Built to work hard on and off the job, The MULE PRO-FXR™ stands out with John has 31 bucks in the Michi-
Built to work hard on and off the job, The MULE PRO-FXR™ stands out with
the MULE PRO-FXR™ side x side takes a premium appearance, painted finish gan record book from 19 different
2018
the MULE PRO-FXR™ side x side takes a premium appearance, painted finish
strength, dependability and durability and aggressive styling. Show who’s in properties and another 19 P&Y
strength, dependability and durability and aggressive styling. Show who’s in
Pole
to a Built
whole newhard
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bucks from 13 different properties
to work on and off the job, The MULE PRO-FXR™ stands out with with this true boss vehicle.
Buck
to a whole new level.
the MULE PRO-FXR™ side x side takes
charge with this true boss vehicle.
a premium appearance, painted finish on his 22 out of state bowhunts he’s
Experience the new MULE
strength, dependability and PRO-FXR
durability ™ and aggressive styling. Show who’s in exclusively hunted on public and
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Kawasaki.com/FXR
to a whole new level. charge with this true boss vehicle.
shown knock-on-doors for free permission
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Experience the new MULE PRO-FXR™ properties. He has co-authored 3
Kawasaki.com/FXR Accessorized unit shown instructional bowhunting books and
Ray
Ray C'sExtreme
RayC's
C's Extreme
Extreme Store
Store
Store 1422 Imlay City Rd., Lapeer, Michigan 48446
produced a 3 DVD instructional se-
ries. Whether you hunt public, free
1422
1422 Imlay
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Imlay City
City
City Rd.Lapeer,
Rd.Rd. Lapeer,
Lapeer, MI MIMI permission, family owned, leased,
www.raycs.com
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Phone: (810) 664-9800 managed or out of state properties;
attending one of John’s two day
Phone: (810) 664-9800
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Phone: (810)664-9800
664-9800 Website: www.raycs.com
KAWASAKI CARES: Always wear protective gear appropriate for the use of this vehicle. Never operate under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Protect
in-field/classroom workshops will
the environment. The Kawasaki MULE™ side x side is an off-highway vehicle only, and is not designed, equipped, or manufactured for use on public
give you the knowledge to take
KAWASAKI CARES:Motors
streets; roads or highways. Obey the laws and regulations that control the use of your vehicle. Read Owner’s Manual and all on product warnings.
Always wear protective gear appropriate for the use of this vehicle. Never operate under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Protect mature bucks. For information on
KAWASAKI©2017
CARES: Always wear
Kawasaki protective
Corp., U.S.A. Printedgear appropriate for the use of this vehicle. Never operate under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Protect
in U.S.A.
the environment. The Kawasaki MULE™ side x side is an off-highway vehicle only, and is not designed, equipped, or manufactured for use on public
the environment. Eberhart’s Whitetail Workshops or
roadsThe
or Kawasaki
highways. MULE™
streets;18MULEFXR6x5c Obey theside
lawsx and
sideregulations
is an off-highway vehicle
that control theonly,
use and is not
of your designed,
vehicle. Read equipped, or manufactured
Owner’s Manual for usewarnings.
and all on product on public
streets; roads
©2017 or highways.
Kawasaki MotorsObey
Corp.,the lawsPrinted
U.S.A. and regulations
in U.S.A. that control the use of your vehicle. Read Owner’s Manual and all on product warnings. his instructional books and DVDs
©2017 Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. Printed in U.S.A.
please visit: www.deer-john.netn
1418MULEFXR6x5c
SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
18MULEFXR6x5c
Waterfowl reserved hunt
applications now available
R
eserved waterfowl hunt The maximum party size is four
applications are available hunters. For morning hunts and the
now through Tuesday, Aug. second-day hunts, successful appli-
28. To apply for reserved cants must have appropriate licenses
hunts on certain managed waterfowl and stamps and be accompanied by
areas, visit a license agent or michi- one to three other appropriately li-
gan.gov/waterfowl. Applications censed hunters. Youth have a special
are $5, and hunters may only apply opportunity because the opening-
once. Drawing results will be posted day afternoon hunts are for those 16
Sept. 17. and younger. Successful applicants
Reserved hunts will be held for the opening-day afternoon hunts
both mornings and afternoons of the can have up to two adults who are
opening weekend (Oct. 13 and 14) 18 years of age or older with appro-
of waterfowl hunting season at Fish priate licenses.
Point State Wildlife Area, Harsens For more information about wa-
Island and Shiawassee River State terfowl hunting, visit www.michi-
Game Area. gan.gov/waterfowl.n
W
ith bird hunting interactive map, information about
season just around individual GEMS, custom maps and
the corner, it’s a great information about local businesses
time to plan a fall showing support by offering dis-
hunting trip. counts.
Michigan has millions of acres Mi-HUNT is another option
of huntable public land, with excel- for hunters who already know the
lent young forests that have made general area they’d like to hunt but
northern Michigan a destination for want specific stand and road infor-
many. mation. Visit michigan.gov/mihunt
GEMS and Mi-HUNT are two to watch the tutorials that can help
DNR-developed programs to help you use the mapping system to its
build a public-land hunting itinerary. full potential.
Nineteen GEMS (Grouse En- Michigan’s grouse season runs
hanced Management Sites) in the Sept. 15 to Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 to
northern Lower Peninsula and Up- Jan. 1. Woodcock, a migratory bird,
per Peninsula will be available have an abbreviated season, Sept. 22
to explore this fall. GEMS are to Nov. 5. To hunt grouse and wood-
large blocks of land managed for cock in Michigan, hunters only need
young forests, with winding hunter a base license. To target woodcock,
walking trails that provide added a free woodcock stamp is required.
comfort to those unfamiliar with an Licenses and stamps may be pur-
area or those with mobility chal- chased online at E-License or at one
lenges. of the many license agents across
Visit michigan.gov/gems for an the state.n
WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 15
We Do
It All!
Midwest's Best
NRC approves
Selection of
Hunting - Fishing
- Boats!
deer regulations
related to CWD
CVA Hunter Rifle Barnett Recruit Terrain Shadow Hunter Blinds
#CR5432 450 Bushmaster Desert Tan Crossbow 2019 Model Special –Free Ladder/
SALE
Platform kit with purchase of in
stock Marksman 5X5 & 6X6 models
249.99*
Reg. $299.99
$
Reg. $279.99
299
CVA Scout Black SS
$
w/ Muzzle Break 450 Bushmaster
SALE
savings
Baiting bans, ban on natural cervid
249.99*
SALE
$
369.99*
urine-based lures, many extended
$
A
bag, camera mt and bow holder
$
135 GUN CLEARANCE Reg.
$399.99
t the August meet- 16-county CWD Management Zone.
value Check In Store ing of the Michigan Under the new regulation, a hunter
For Many More! SALE in the CWD Management Zone can
w/purchase Natural Resources
$
299.99* Commission in Lan-
sing, the commission
use the restricted tag of the combi-
nation license to harvest a buck with
Terrain Hunting Blind PreSeason Special Hot Buy: approved a series of
deer hunting regulations aimed at
antlers as long as it has at least one
3-inch antler.
Edge Range Archer slowing the spread of chronic wast- • Created a discounted antler-
48x48x78 75x72x85 75x72x85 ing disease. The action came after
months of commission members and
less license opportunity in the CWD
Management Zone on private land;
Reg. $549.99 Reg. $699.99 Reg. $799.99
SALE SALE SALE
Department of Natural Resources if purchased, the license will expire
Nov. 4, 2018.
399.99* 499.99* 599.99*
$ $ $ staff hearing from hunters, residents
and others interested in the long- • Effective immediately, a
term health of the state’s deer popu- statewide ban on the use of all
GIANT KAYAK, BOAT, MOTOR & ELECTRONICS CLEARANCE
lation, and a thorough review of the natural cervid urine-based lures
best available science on chronic and attractants, except for lures that
wasting disease. are approved by the Archery Trade
Boat Clearance -2018 Model Clearance “We hope that by setting these Association.
specific CWD regulations we can • An immediate ban on baiting
on all Pontoons & Fishing Boats limit the movement of this disease and feeding in the 16-county area
Save up to in Michigan,” said Vicki Pontz,
NRC chairperson. “We appreciate
identified as the CWD Management
Zone. This area includes Calhoun,
$10,000 all the comments we have received Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale,
Ranger – Triton – Nitro – from across the state. Michigan Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson,
Tracker – Qwest – Regency hunters are very passionate about Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskeg-
deer and deer hunting, and I look on, Newaygo, Ottawa and Shiawas-
Lots of Trolling Motor Specials! forward to working with them as
we continue to confront this threat
see counties.
• A ban on baiting and feeding in
Fishfinder/GPS Sale Rig Take Off Minn Kota Talon Non-Bluetooth
Minn Kota Powerdrive Shallow Water Anchor to wildlife and our valued hunting the Lower Peninsula, effective Jan.
70 lb. 60”-24 volt 4 pair available tradition.” 31, 2019, with an exception to this
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COLDWATER RD
M-15 STATE RD
FISHING TACKLE
GRAB BAG RICHFIELD RD.
I-7
POTTER RD.
5
N
oticeably shorter tion on the lay of the land underwa-
days and chillier ter from the SD card from Navionics
nights are what the I have inserted in the Carbon’s SD
month of September card holder. Knowing that Mother
is all about. It’s the Nature has placed rock piles and
time frame when rock-strewn areas in similar areas
water temperatures begin to cool in most waterways, I can check out
and the walleyes start to move into other parts of a lake with parallel
shallower water from their deep, water depths and breaklines within
summertime haunts in main-lake the same system. With the informa-
basins. tion Navionics mapping tells me,
But it’s not just the fish that are my scouting time is less than half
transitioning. Less daylight and of what it used to be before such
colder water conditions have weeds electronics were available. And this
of all types starting to wilt and dye information is invaluable.
off. It’s usually not a major all-at- To Cast Or Troll…
once change, but a gradual one. And
this is a good thing as dying weeds
That Is The Question
How I fish rocky areas depends
don’t make for good fish catching. on where they are in a system.
As the month progresses and Rocks in shallow water, say, 3 to 12
vanishing weeds become a bigger feet, I’ll pitch jigs and crankbaits;
deal, however, I’ll start fishing rocky anything deeper I’ll often troll over
areas more. Here, walleyes find
what forage is left in a system…
the tops. As the month progresses and vanishing weeds become a bigger
including nymphs, crustaceans, min-
In extremely shallow water, deal, Mark Mar tin star ts fishing rocky areas more.
I’ll cast Rapala’s Original Floating
nows and young-of-the-year fishes. Minnow, making sure to twitch it deeper areas, I like to use crankbaits Just as with crankbaits, size
For Those About during the retrieve to give it a “fish that dive just deep enough so that matters when it comes to spinners.
To Rock, We Salute You in distress” action. The size I use the bait just “ticks” the rock tops. A Colorado blades are what I tend to
High school Biology 101 taught will depend on how deep the water size-5 Rapala Shad Rap, for exam- use most, with size-3 and -4 blades
us that aquatic plants are the main is and the forage that’s in the lake. ple, will dive 4 to 9 feet deep, while used most often, and size-5 and even
life-giving entities when it comes to For example: The size-5 Original is the size-5 and new size-4 Rapala size-6 in the Great Lakes. A 1-ounce
creating oxygen. But what wasn’t 2-inches long and dives three to five Shad Dancer both dive 7 to 10 feet. in-line weight about 6 feet ahead of
talked about is how they can also feet, while the size-7 has the same Pulling Over the spinner is a good start.
produce toxic gasses as they deterio- dive curve, but, is an inch and a half When fishing rocky areas or When trolling at 1 MPH with
rate. And these noxious vapors are longer. And size can matter. reefs in water 13 feet or more, I like a 1-ounce weight, the depth of the
why fish eventually abandon decay- If the fish are preferring jigs, I’ll to cover the water column as much offering will be ½ the depth for the
ing weed beds. tie on a 1/32- or 1/16-ounce North- as I can while offering up as many amount of line out; this means a
Whether it’s a rock pile in shal- land RZ Jig directly to 6-pound test baits as possible. And this is why I spinner 30 feet behind a board will
low water, or, a rock-strewn area off Berkley FireLine (Flame green, so I prefer trolling in these areas. be 15 feet down. Adjust your spin-
the first few breaks, huge boulders, can see a strike as well feel it), and I usually start with crankbaits, ner and crankbaits to where you are
baseball-sized or pea-sized gravel, then put on a Berkley PowerBait but will switch to spinners (crawler seeing fish and bait on your sonar.
walleye will abandon the dead flora Pro Jig Worm, or, tie on a pre-rigged harnesses) if I find the fish are pre- And using planer boards is a
and swim about these hard-bot- PowerBait Power Minnow. ferring a slower presentation. must in my boat. The Church Tackle
tomed areas in search of food. The lighter jig head allows the Just as when casting, the depth boards I use get my lures out to the
One of the best ways I have bait to fall slowly—which walleyes my baits are running at is crucial. side of the boat and into the faces of
found to find rocky areas in water- love—as well will keep the bait Some of the crankbaits I mentioned, more fish, as well keep my multiple
ways I am unfamiliar with is with from getting caught up in the rocks like the Shad Raps and Shad Danc- lines from getting tangled.
the SideScan Imaging of my Low- as much. And I can feel the moment ers, are still go-tos when trolling. Rock on, Dude...Rock On
rance HDS Carbon 12 with Struc- the jig taps a rock via the super-sen- Others that are often overlooked, So, here’s the deal…
tureScan 3D. With the images dis- sitive FireLine telegraphing through however, are in the series of Rapala When the weed beds you’re so
played from both sides of my Lund the graphite of a medium-light-pow- Scatter Raps, including the Scatter used to catching fish in suddenly
with SideScan, I can find rocks with er Fenwick Elite Tech Walleye Spin- Rap Tail Dancer, Scatter Rap Deep have no fish, look for the rocks near-
ease, no matter what depth of water ning rod, as well that light telltale Husky Jerk and Scatter Rap Shad est them. Cast a crankbait; cast a jig;
they are in. And with a simple push tap when an ’eye sucks in my jig. Deep. shallow, deep or in-between. Maybe
of a button or two, I can move the When fishing rocks in slightly The Scatter Rap’s unique lip cre- troll. No matter what, just figure
cursor over the rocks I find and add deeper water, say, 8 to 12 feet, I’ll ates an erratic action, as if the lure out where they are located and get a
waypoints so that I can run my lures use the same jig bodies, but, will up has a mind of its own. It darts to one bait in front of those rock-oriented
in just the right place later on. the weight of the jig head. When it’s side or the other every so often. fish.
With SideScan I can literally see calm I prefer a 1/8-ounce head, but Overall, I pull crankbaits Mark Martin is a walleye tour-
rocks on the screen of my sonar in if the wind’s up I will beef it up to a anywhere from 1.5 MPH up to 2.5 nament pro, and, instructor with the
near-3D imaging, and even spy fish 1/4-ouncer. Overall, I always use the MPH. But if my crankbaits aren’t Fishing Vacation/Schools. Check
cruising the boulder bottoms. lightest weight the wind will allow. getting hits, I’ll switch over to spin- out his website at markmartins.net
But I also utilized the informa- When casting crankbaits to these ners and troll slower. for more information.n
18 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
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MILFORD RD.
US 23
8 miles East of US 23
8 miles West of Airport Road
A
sanctuary is deer absolutely huge and the impressive
cover free of human rack indicated he was the adult buck
encroachment, human recorded on the Stealth camera.
disturbance and human He stopped at the edge of thick
scent from at least a briars, looked every direction to
month before season make certain it was safe and then
until it closes. Sometimes I enter sauntered across an open tall grass
my sanctuary but only to retrieve clearing on a runway that went
a deer. The goal is to protect cover directly in front of my stand. I was
and bedding areas where bucks feel shaking with excitement when I
safe with no human intervention. brought the Darton Toxin 180 to
This provides hunting my shoulder and settled
opportunities for bucks the 40 mm illuminated
that are relaxed as well scope on his chest. His plot covered with the thickest black- You see, if hunters walk all
as creating a buck mag- long nose and heavy berry thorn bushes in the county. over their hunting grounds they
net providing safety and chest made him look an- The Briar Patch held legends of cot- chase smart bucks to the neighbors.
cover. The following cient through the scope tontail rabbits providing fun winter Most make the common mistake of
anecdote best describes and I gave him a slight bunny hunts and deer tended to slip overhunting good locations, educat-
this point. burp, stopped him in his into the tangled brush and simply ing bucks to stand locations and
It was October 27 tracks and the Darton disappeared. The patch held deer smart deer move to more secluded
when I climbed into sent a Spitfire broadhead year round and I stayed off the thick locations or become totally noctur-
my treestand overlook- through his chest at brush all year with the exception nal to avoid hunters. If you want
ing old apple trees next lightning speed. of berry picking season in summer to increase your buck harvest you
By Kenny Darwin
to an abandoned He made and bunny hunts during winter. The need to create refuges on your land.
farm and cedar four big leaps big buck felt no pressure here and Here’s how.
hedge. My trail and piled into the the refuge gave him a false sense of The idea is to provide sanctu-
camera provided exciting video of a alders. When I climbed down from security and he felt safe. ary areas where deer feel safe, they
dandy 10-point sneaking out of my the stand I was still shaking and In Michigan, habitat manage- can retreat and hide from hunters,
sanctuary parcel to feed under two couldn’t wait to get my hands on the ment has caught on like wild fire to a place of refuge where they can
apple trees an hour before dark. The rack. When I held his heavy head the point where serious hunters put relax, a zone free of human scent
rut was just beginning, temperatures and beautiful 10-point rack I recog- in deer food plots. Food plots can and human encroachment. It sounds
were in the 50s, light rain brought nized the animal. It was a big buck provide fantastic hunting. Others do difficult but actually it is simple and
an early sunset and I wasn’t really which usually hung out across the timber improvement, plant grasses, you can create a sanctuary at light-
expecting to kill a buck. I painted street on private property that was a dig water holes and work on habitat ning speed.
my face to better blend in with the horse farm and didn’t allow hunt- enhancement. This can cost plenty In order to create a sanctuary
tree and settled back for a relax- ing. I figured out what happened. A of money and be a lot of hard work. you need to pinpoint an area where
ing hunt. My treestand was in the week earlier the horse farm hosted Many simply believe improving deer can relax adjacent to your
crook of a large tree only 15 feet a ride and dozens of horses and rid- their hunting grounds will bring big hunting grounds. A location that
off the green grasses when I no- ers roamed the private ground and bucks but give little consideration can act like a powerful magnet to
ticed movement to my left. I had to pushed the deer from his home turf to developing buck sanctuaries. Did attract deer, hold them and draw
do a double take because in broad onto my property. More importantly you know buck refuges can cost in bucks from surrounding high
daylight I could see a dandy rack the bruiser took up residency in a little or no money and the results pressure hunting areas. Sanctuaries
working through the thick alders sanctuary I called “The Briar Patch” produce better than huge plots of
headed directly at me. His body was because it was a super thick 10 acre private ground? Big Buck Refuges page 30
28 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 29
Once a big buck takes up residency on your refuge, you can
expect other bucks to join and share the sanctuary. Bucks
may scatter during the rut but during early archery and late
gun or archery season they are often back together.
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I didn’t have a shot as he sauntered
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ED’S ARCHERY HAT! HUGE prizes! home and another to shoot it at the
range. My friend thought the Com-
weight at the moment. It reminds me
a little of a trigger on a Browning
pact American rifle stock felt short. BAR. That Browning was my first
Visit our booth at the The rifle comes with two stock mod- good deer rifle and had a trigger that
ules. The one installed at the factory came from the factory set at three
WOODS-N-WATER NEWS has a low comb for iron sights. The and three quarter pounds. I’ve never
Outdoor Weekend second has a higher comb for use
with a scope. It appears that they are
adjusted that trigger.
I have several good .22 rifles.
September 7th, 8th & 9th the same length, or very close to it. The new compact American .22
810-686-6494 4483 E. Vienna Rd Since I bought the rifle for plink- will probably see the range, and the
ing and small game hunting, I don’t woods, more than the others for a
www.edsarchery.com Cilo, MI 48420 think the short stock will bother me. while.n
32 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
COs seize record amount of illegal crayfish
M
ore than 2,000 pounds of increase awareness and reporting of
live, illegal red swamp the illegal crayfish, in addition to re-
crayfish recently were moving infestations from confirmed
seized by Department of locations.
Natural Resources conservation of- Michigan conservation offi-
ficers – the largest aquatic invasive cers are fully commissioned state
species seizure by the Michigan peace officers who provide natural
DNR. resources protection, ensure recre-
Red swamp crayfish are prohib- ational safety and protect citizens by Over a ton of
ited in both Michigan and Canada. providing general law enforcement illegal red swamp
They burrow and create shoreline duties and lifesaving operations in crayfish was seized
erosion, creating instability. Addi- the communities they serve.n by MDNR COs.
tionally, they compete with native
crayfish, reducing the amount of
food and habitat available for am-
Firearms Optics
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
when a commercial hauler trans-
porting red swamp crayfish was
denied entry into Canada and would
be returning to Michigan. The
commercial hauler was stopped by
Canadian officials at the Sarnia,
Canada, border crossing in an at-
tempt to leave the United States.
“Our officers have great work-
ing relationships with professional
law enforcement partners across
the U.S. and Canada. This is a fine
example of how important those re-
lationships are in protecting Michi-
gan’s natural resources,” said Chief
Gary Hagler, DNR Law Enforce-
ment Division.
Assisted by customs officials,
DNR conservation officers stopped
the truck and obtained 55 bags of
live crayfish. After interviewing the
driver, the officers learned the truck
originated from Canada and made
stops in Maryland and Arkansas
to pick up cargo prior to attempt-
ing its return to Canada. The driver
did not have appropriate records,
other than a few purchase receipts.
DNR Law Enforcement Division’s
Great Lakes Enforcement Unit is
conducting further investigation. It
currently is unknown if any stops or
sales were made in Michigan.
The first concern regarding red
swamp crayfish in Michigan was
in 2013, when conservation of-
ficers learned the illegal crayfish
was being used as bait in southwest
Gunsmithing Ammunition
Michigan. The first live infestations
in Michigan were detected and re-
ported in 2017. Confirmed infesta-
tions include locations in southeast
Michigan.
Native in southeast states of the
Find us on: NEW EXTENDED HOURS
U.S., red swamp crayfish are the Mon -Sat: 9am - 8pm
most widespread invasive crayfish Sun: 9am - 6pm
in the world, and often are used in
classrooms as teaching tools and
at food festivities such as cray-
fish boils. Any possession of live
red swamp crayfish in Michigan 7389 Lapeer Rd. Davison, MI 48423 - (810) 653-2131 - williamsgunsight.com
is illegal. The DNR is working to
WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 33
Win a truck at the Weekend! Thousands of dollars are raised at the
Outdoor Weekend through raffles
and fundraisers each and every year
W
hen you think of of is the amount of money
the Woods-N- generated for many worthy
Water News outdoor causes. Thousands
Outdoor Weekend, most of dollars are made through
likely ATVs, deer blinds, raffles and other fundraisers
bows, arrows and whitetails that in turn end up in the
come to mind. Maybe it’s hands of Michigan’s clubs’s
our Puppy Tent, where hun- organizations and ultimately
dreds of puppies are sold those in need.
and the vision of a child And you may not think
holding a chocolate lab of the conservation-minded
close to their face begging organizations that rely on
to take it home. Or pole the show to distribute edu-
barns packed with outdoor cational literature, such as
merchandise and show- the Ruffed Grouse Society,
goers doing what we call National Wild Turkey
the ‘Woods-N-Water shuf- Federation, Pheasants
fle.’ Forever,
It’s a festive mood, peo- Quality Deer
ple eating venison burgers, Management,
Jeana Cheek, Ag Community Relief’s Region 1 Representative, and smoked turkey legs and Safari Club
Bruce Milnes of Milnes Auto Group, stand with some of the models the tasting the winning Camp International
raffle winner will get to choose from when the grand prize drawing takes Chili Cook-off recipe. and so many
place at this month’s Outdoor Weekend in Imlay City. A limited number of What you may not think others.
tickets are still available. To purchase tickets, visit agcommunityrelief.
com or call (517) 668-2676. As stated, the winner will be drawn at the
Outdoor Weekend on September 8th, some tickets may still be available. By Randy Jorgensen
D
o you believe every- Before wetting a line, cruise
thing your buddies tell around the area you are targeting with
you? your Mercury Verado while watch-
What a loaded ing your Lowrance HDS for spots
question! The an- that could be holding fish. Using the
Gary Parsons believes when the fish bite is tough, just bring out the trolling rods.
swer is probably, StructureScan feature with side view, passes you would make when trolling will want to use an 8-foot 6-inch to
“It depends!” As summer starts to look for transition areas with scattered pure basin fish. 10-foot rod that is strong enough to
wind down, they might tell you that rock turning to mud. The fish you Once you are ready to start fish- handle the weight of the lead, but
you can’t catch any fish this time of mark will either be suspended or relat- ing, spread out your lines to cover with a forgiving tip to help fight the
year. While the bite may be tough, it ing to bottom. water. Begin by trolling in the shal- fish. Adjust your speed to adjust the
doesn’t mean that the fish won’t bite. The depth at which you will find lowest area that you are marking fish, depth of the lures. Speed up to raise
Just bring out the trolling rods and fish will vary. While some days they and then move out. We will often run the lures and slow down to drop them
prove them wrong! are shallow, on other days they can be two of the new Bass Pro Shops 9-foot deeper. We like to use 18 pound lead
One of the most overlooked areas up to forty feet deep. Don’t just look 6-inch telescopic Walleye Angler core with a 10 pound FireLine leader.
for trolling this time of year is the 50- for “walleye arcs” on your Lowrance Trolling rods with planer boards off You should be able to feel the lure vi-
100 yard basin next to offshore struc- HDS. If you see a cloud of bait fish on each side of the boat. We also run lead brating and ticking bottom. If it stops
ture. In these areas we tend to look for your screen, this can be a giveaway core off the back to keep the baits at vibrating, check the lure as it may
sunken humps that top out from 10 to that walleyes are in the area! or close to bottom. If we are following have picked up debris.
25 feet. While the fish are occasion- If it gets rough and windy, try a contour that has a lot of sharp turns If the structure is small, you can
ally on top of these humps, they are fishing the shallow structure itself. we won’t use any planer boards at all use a snap weight somewhere be-
normally found off the structure in the Since most structures are smaller, the and just fish the lead core. tween 2 and 3 ounces to get to the
extended sand and mud bottom areas. trolling passes won’t be as long as the When trolling with lead core, you desired depth instead of lead core.
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989-693-6741 team@kirks-mi.com YOUR ARGO DEALER WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 37
Conservation Conversation
My Thoughts, My Views...By Steve Law - MACD
S
o many times, it seems as though Conservation Service, now known as the Natural
programs designed to “help the Resources Conservation Service. This agency
people” are dreamed up in Wash- was created to work in states that had adopted the
ington or Lansing and launched on Standard Soil Conservation District Law allow-
the unsuspecting population without ing for the creation of Conservation Districts at
the benefit of local guidance and the local level, usually by county. When these
leadership. Not so with Michigan’s Conservation local Conservation Districts were created during
Districts. the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, then federal employees
The story of Conservation Districts is one with special training in resource conservation
of a successful long term federal, state and local through the planning and installation of many dif-
partnership. The Dust Bowl provided the politi- ferent conservation practices would be assigned
cal will to create a new Federal agency, the Soil to help the Conservation District with projects in
their area of concern.
The creation of a local Conservation District
required that the County Commissioners agree to
put the question on the ballot and because there
was so much support, most did just that. Then the Local leaders saw early on the need for a Con-
ser vation District.
people who made their livings on and cared for
the land made the trek to the polling place and most pressing resource concerns in the county.
voted to create a Conservation District to serve They coordinate with many other local leaders
their county. Today some 3,000 Conservation and groups to get this job done. No matter how
Districts provide local leadership in planning and serious one thinks our environmental problems
installation of conservation measures across the are today, just imagine how much worse they
nation. would be without the ongoing efforts of these lo-
Conservation Districts are led by a group of cal leaders to bring in the technical and financial
five locally elected directors. These directors are resources of the federal and state government and
The Dust Bowl encouraged the development of a responsible for developing a long range business focus them on the resource conservation issues
federal, state and local conser vation par tnership. plan which when implemented will address the most important to the local people.
Lapeer County
O
n a sunny, spring ness. The river was aptly named for
morning I slipped the groves of huge white pines that
my 14 foot cedar lined its banks until the 1860s when
strip canoe into the lumbermen came into the water-
slightly tea colored shed to harvest the big pines. Over
water of the up- the next 20 years thousands upon
per Pine River and pushed out into thousands of logs were floated down The author anxious for a day of paddling.
the current. With one stroke of my the river to waiting sawmills. When in improving the watershed and “You have a horn,” a woman
paddle I started on a new adventure. the pines were gone the lumber- promoting recreational use of the shouted from her cabin porch. “Stu-
I intended to follow an old, nearly men moved on, but the Pine River river again. They cleaned up trash pid goose won’t leave me alone,” I
forgotten canoe trail for thirty miles remained. The river flows yet today and cleared log jams from several laughed. He finally tired of the game
downstream to the first dam. I don’t unbridled from its headwaters to the sections of the river. Unfortunately and flew away.
know of anyone who has actually dam in the city of Alma. interest soon waned again. Lack of Although I found most of the
done it. The Pine River Canoe Trail was use, river obstructions, and water trip safe and relaxing, it wasn’t
Native Americans certainly actually mapped out in 1974 by quality issues have plagued the Pine without challenges. Eventually the
knew the route. This Central Michi- Alma College Biology Professor, River and today the trail has been river became a little wider with a
gan river must have been a major Mr. Lester Eyer. However, inter- nearly forgotten again. slower but more powerful current
travel way for centuries. Histori- est dwindled until the trail was The sun was shining down flowing over a sand bottom with
cally, river travel was much easier nearly forgotten. In 2010 a new through the new leaves on the oaks deep holes on the river bends. I’d
than traveling overland through the group, Friends of the Pine River, and maples along the river that hug the inside of the bends to avoid
swampy areas of Michigan’s wilder- was formed to raise local interest morning as I started my journey. the current slamming my canoe into
It was quiet. Along with the dip the brush on the outer side. Trees
of my paddle there was only bird fallen across the river became all
Outfitter Grade song, the breeze in the trees, and the too common. Especially huge ash
soothing sound of moving water. trees which had been killed by the
Hunting Blinds My timing seemed perfect; after the emerald ash borer. As each fallen
and Towers early spring torrents and before the
gravel scraping low-water flow of
tree came into view I would line the
canoe up to hit any opening through
summer. For the first several miles it. Many times the fallen tree had
a swift current carried me rapidly collected other flotsam and caused a
along over a cobblestone and pebble huge logjam across the entire river. I
Three Window Options river bottom. It seemed as though often had to leave the river and drag
everything was coming alive. The the canoe around an obstruction.
ferns were coming up on the river Sometimes I had to unload the ca-
bottoms, the trees were wearing noe and portage it on my shoulders
bright new leaves, and one of the around a mess of fallen trees locked
year’s first mosquitoes was buzzing together. In some areas I faced a
me. I spotted a tiny fawn lying on logjam every hundred yards.
the river bank looking at me through Suddenly, I heard a new sound.
the emerging ferns. Then I noticed “That’s not wind in the trees,” I
the doe lying motionless beside him thought. “It’s rapids!” I had no
Slayer Archery Slayer Combo watching me pass silently by. Al- intention of running an unseen
Slayer Blind
Blind Gun/Crossbow though there were a few backyards rapids. I headed for the nearest bank
Blind and a couple of cabins, the river intending to scout the river ahead
appeared to be mostly wild. but the powerful current turned me
Deer were a common sight along sideways and I nearly shipped water
Two Camo Patterns One Floor Plan the river, as were squirrels, and a as I bounced off a log. Straightening
big raccoon climbed a tree to watch out, I aimed for a narrow passage
me pass. A long list of birds, from between two trees. That committed
kingfishers to blue herons, were a me to running the rapids. It didn’t
6’6” pleasure to see. Ducks were plenti- look too bad. As I steered across the
ful and Canada geese, many with current and lined up for the rapids,
6’6” young in tow, seemed to be found two fishermen reeled in to watch the
around every bend. They usually fun. “Great, an audience.” I’d only
honked loudly until they jumped up seen two other people all day. I hit
Grey Skyline Camo Hinge-Cut Camo Blind Floor Plan
on the river bank to let me pass by. it straight and rushed through the
However, one goose swam ahead of rapids with standing waves slapping
my canoe for a long distance. Honk- under my canoe.
435 Packard Hwy. Ste. A • Charlotte, MI 48813 ing loudly at one second intervals, “Nice day for fishing,” I casu-
517 - 7 2 6 - 0 2 21 • 517 - 9 9 7 - 6 4 0 0 he would not let me pass. It became ally remarked as I whisked past the
irritating. fishermen. They both burst out in
W W W. S L AY E R O U T D O O R P R O D U C T S . C O M
734-368-5060
info@whitegoldmineral.com • www.whitegolddeerfeed.com
The author nearly stepped on this fawn while por taging his canoe.
WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 41
Spittlebugs
O
ver two months days I share the adult version of
have slipped by how the bubbles are made. The fact
since strange frothy of the matter is the bubbles have
bubbles shimmered nothing to do with spit, even though
on plant stems in they are created by a creature known
meadows, fallow with a degree of affection as the
farm fields and along weedy road- spittlebug. And as far as bugs go—
sides. The season of the mystery they are rather cute.
bubbles that seemingly ap- Little kids and nature-
pear overnight is over and curious adults often noticed
won’t return until late next those stem-clinging bubbles
spring, but questions on but I often held back on
these eye-catching bubble sharing all details of their
baths that kids like to poke creation to prevent young
Little kids and nature-curious adults often noticed those stem-cling-
their fingers into still come children from collapsing on ing bubbles...but what is it really? Jonathan Schechter photos
my way as I meander my the ground in fits of hysteri- and for that reason I am coming fantastic speeds, and some taste re-
home turf on the wilder cal uncontrollable giggles clean on the story of spittlebugs and ally, really bad. But if you are a very
side of that often their “bug-spit.” But all true tales tiny, perhaps tasty creature that’s
Oakland
County.
By Jonathan Schechter accompany
comments
of nature start with a beginning,
so that’s where we start, with one
shorter than a mosquito, with no
evasion and escape abilities, danger
And questions don’t just from little on bodily functions. Truth could do word: Evolution. is rarely out of spitting distance.
kids, I also received them from that, especially if I told the truth, Predation has spurred the evolu- Concealment is the technique used
the hooks and bullets crowd of the the whole truth and nothing but the tion of all sorts of clever survival by the crawling creatures that live
Michigan Outdoor Writers Associa- truth. Truth might even stir little adaptations in the world of insects within these frothy masses. They are
tion, “Hey, nature guy; what’s this ones to scream such phrases as and bugs. Some tiny creatures have created by “spittlebugs,” and they
stuff on the stem?” “Out their butts!” Science should be protective ‘armor plating,’ others are are the pale green nymphs of small
And so on those sultry summer based on fact, not sharing of myth, masters of camouflage or can flee at jumping insects known as frog-
WWW.HUNTIN-IT.COM
for any repairs. Huge stock of hunting apparel, scent
elimination products, tree stands and accessories.
HuntinIt_70824 Hunting Guide 6/29/17 dr/dr/dr WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER made by 2:0043
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KPC Media Group PROOF
Crankbait
Connection
F
or more than 30 years Literally every manufacturer of
I’ve known something crankbaits has a few baits in this
about walleye and crank- category. In my experience, the
baits. Crankbaits catch best of the lot tend to be the larger
bigger fish on average sized baits. In part, larger baits work
than jigs, spinners or better because they displace more
live bait rigging. Most of the serious water and are easier for walleye to
walleye anglers I’ve broken bread feel, see and ultimately zero in on.
with over the years would agree Oversized stickbaits work especially
with me that for some reason crank- well when fishing after dark.
baits seem to routinely produce a My short list for “must have”
higher grade of walleye. walleye friendly stickbaits includes
The problem is that not all the Rapala No. 18 Floating Minnow,
crankbaits are adept at catching the Rapala Husky Jerk 14 and the
walleye. In fact, of the hundreds Smithwick Perfect 10 Rogue.
of crankbaits marketed as walleye The next category of crank-
slayers, only a handful of these baits baits anglers must embrace are the
routinely catch fish. Every crankbait minnow divers. These baits feature
has it’s day, but the crankbaits I’m the same slender minnow profile
interested in owning and using are of stickbaits, but they have larger
the select few that catch fish day in diving lips that allow them to reach
and day out. significant depths. Minnow div-
Crankbait Categories ers are largely considered the most
important category of crankbaits as
Learning how to get the most these lures produce well
from crankbaits starts with during the spring, summer
understanding the differ- and fall.
ent categories of crankbaits While many minnow
and when best to use them. divers share a similar look
I break down crankbaits or profile, the action these
into four categories I’ll call lures deliver is vastly dif-
stickbaits, minnow divers, ferent from one to another.
shad baits and high action The shape, length and
wobblers. width of the diving lip, plus
Stickbaits,
or what bass
anglers rou-
By Mark Romanack the precise
location of the
pull point all
tinely refer to as jerkbaits, feature have a profound impact on the ac-
a shallow diving lip and slender tion these lures deliver. Big walleye motivate Jake Romanack of Fishing 411 TV unlike other
minnow profile. This category of species found in the Great Lakes region. Catching big walleye often
This point is important to grasp
crankbait can be deadly casted and boils down to using crankbaits and understanding which baits rou-
fished as a jerkbait over the top of because a lot of minnow divers
work well on some days and not so tinely produce the desired results.
emerging weed beds in the spring of
the year, but mostly these baits find well on others. The Reef Runner using the two ounce Off Shore action was slow and the size of the
themselves pigeon holed as night 800 series is a classic example of a Tackle Snap Weight to get our baits fish were smaller than we expected.
time trolling baits. minnow diver that can run red hot or to bottom in water from 40 to 45 It wasn’t until we put the Reef Run-
It’s true that stickbaits are es- icy cold depending on conditions. feet deep. In practice we caught ner back into our spread that things
pecially useful when trolling after Recently the Fishing 411 TV fish on four different cranks, but the changed for the better.
dark, when fishing near the surface crew hooked up with Steve Lynch of Reef Runner was clearly not the best This is precisely why I carry
and also when fishing in close Pro Cure Bait Scents to target some producing lure. a fairly large selection of minnow
proximity to rip rap, breakwalls and walleye, trolling crankbaits on Lake The very next day we assembled diver style crankbaits and switch
other types of shore protection. In Erie. Prior to shooting a TV episode a filming crew and loaded up our them out often until the most pro-
the early spring and again through- we normally spend a couple days spread with the baits that had pro- ductive bait for any given day is
out the fall, stickbaits are the “go to” pre-fishing to figure out a pattern. duced best the two days prior. You
choice of serious walleye fishermen. On this particular trip we were guessed it, while we caught fish the Big walleyes page 46
44 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
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darkening river. just described Canoeing a Michigan river whether five miles or 500 miles from home
Soon the river comes only grants the author a child’s sense of adventure.
By Tom Huggler
would babble through careful
us to sleep. planning and the target for family and friends is memorable experience.
I remember preparation. the Thunder Bay River that courses Besides appealing to those of us
tired muscles—tight from stern-end You have to help make it happen. through the northeast part of the who enjoy solitude, canoeing also
strokes all day—loosening to the As I write this, my 12-year-old Lower Peninsula before emptying attracts the rowdy types who tip ca-
foam pad upon which I slept. We son Daniel and I are organizing our into Lake Huron at Alpena. noes, scream at each other and spray
had said goodbye to the 21st century gear for an annual canoe/camp- In summers past we have en- one another with beer. Some of the
and a world of four-lane frenzy and ing challenge when dads and lads, joyed adventures on the Manistee, more popular rivers like the Manist-
video-game violence. Sometime grandpas and grandsons team up to Muskegon, Pere Marquette, Pine ee and Au Sable see too many booze
during the most peaceful sleep I had take on a Michigan river. This time and Au Sable. Each has been a cruisers, which may prompt authori-
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here’s a place I on one side and then the other. I dis-
remember quite well covered a lot of these bridges were
from my childhood. It like the 45-rpm records I played at
was tucked way back home on a box-styled record player
into the woods, along we had – there was a fast side and a
one of the wider dirt slow side.
roads we used to travel in our old I liked them both.
family station wagon. Not surprisingly, the fast side
In those days, before their was usually more exciting, but the
divorce would separate me from slow side was deeper. I never tired
my siblings across an international of stopping on bridges to look at
border, my mom and dad would take water.
us for long rides in the woods. The forests and countryside
Depending on the season, we’d we’d drive through would change as
pack fishing poles, berry-picking we’d ride, like watching a movie out
pails or paper grocery bags for the window.
apples, bug spray and a picnic lunch Tall red and white pines would
my mom had put together. change to leafy, green northern hard-
We’d travel old logging trails woods to alders and cedars along the
and railroad grades, turned two- creeks to grassy fields and yellow
track roads, looking for whatever meadows, flanked on their sides by
wildlife we could see, a chance to beautiful, ghostly poplar trees.
enjoy the sunshine and to listen to A view of a slow, downstream, side from one of the bridges in the My mom would bring a little
the car radio. Upper Peninsula backwoods. gardening spade and maybe a
This was back before cassette, cardboard box or a plastic pail. If
or even 8-track, tape players made and country, back-to-back, all on the the black-topped county road. We’d she found some pretty flowers in
their way into the dashboards of same station. wait in the car for my dad to come the woods – remnants from some
American automobiles, back when Sometimes, on our way, we’d out with a slim-jim for him, a Bit- deserted homestead garden or some-
the radio would play folk, rock, soul stop at the little store that sat along O-Honey for me and my mom and thing growing wild – she’d get a
whatever my younger brother and start to bring home with her.
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trains and cars.
back in those woods, where there
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• One of my favorite things was
water – whether it was playing with
water. This is where we’d many
times stop for lunch.
Bow, Pistol, Rifle the garden hose, in the plastic back- While my mom was pulling out
or Shotgun Hunts yard swimming pool or down at the
lake by our house, hunting for frogs
the food and paper plates, my dad
would sit at the table, watching.
• and turtles – I loved it. He’d draw a drink out of the old
Out here in the woods, that yellow-and-brown tartan-print juice
No License meant bridges. My dad would stop jug we had.
Required on the bridges long enough for me
to look out both back passenger
They’d talk, while I and my
siblings would wade among the lily
• windows to see the water flowing pads and swamp grasses, explor-
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ing. I remember one time we found This fabulous icy water – which
leeches stuck to our legs when we clearly held trout – was combined
came out of the water. My folks with a quiet set of modest campsites,
called them “bloodsuckers” and which sat on a flat place under the
my dad pulled them off, while my trees, at the top of a set of wooden
sisters screamed. steps that reached from the river.
If our constant kid pleadings had This place was amazing. A kid like
found favor with my mom, lunch me could live here forever and fish
might mean bologna, or split hot trout all day, every day –brookies,
dogs and ketchup, or peanut but- rainbows and browns. I could eat
ter and jelly, on white bread, with berries along the road, drink water
orange or green Hi-C or Kool-Aid from the pump and make a campfire
to drink and potato chips or those all the time.
canned Pik-Nik original shoestring To heck with having a fort in the
potatoes. backyard at home, my brother and
Once, when a thunderstorm I could sleep here in a tent – every
ruined our woods picnic, we put a night. Maybe even have pizza. One of the old woods roads traveled often by the author’s family.
blanket on the floor at home and had There were often people camp-
our dinner there. ing there, but not ever in any large with the tremendous power of that Underneath those pines, sitting
From the lake, the road wound numbers. They seemed to be folks place by the river – a rustic state around a campfire looking up at the
slowly through the trees, up and like us, eating dinner from a frying forest campground in the wilds of stars, listening to the water – raising
over a few hills, with at least a pan or a dinner pail, looking to find Upper Michigan. a glass to mom and dad and those
couple more wooden plank bridges a place to connect with nature, away It grabbed me and never let go – days gone by – when the biggest
to cross over little creeks, rolling from home. at once capturing my heart and my thing in life was stopping on a
streams or places where the sun We’d drive slowly through the imagination, without my ever hav- bridge to look at the water.
had sucked almost all the water dry, campground sometimes, looking at ing stayed there even once. These Michigan has 138 state forest
leaving only grass, rocks and sand the folks and nodding hello – like days, I’ve got two boys of my own, campgrounds, most all associated
in the river bottom. Henry Fonda and the rest of the even a beautiful little granddaughter with a body of water, some found
I knew every bridge on ev- Joads in the labor camp arrival my dad never got to meet before he along state pathways. These rustic
ery road, and the names of all the scene from movie version of the died. I now imagine a time when campgrounds are found throughout
streams. Because of this, some “The Grapes of Wrath.” me and my brother, and my the Upper Peninsula and northern
roads were favorites, while others Unfortunately for me, my two boys – who are now men Lower Peninsula.
didn’t rate at all. What’s the point of parents weren’t the camping kind. themselves – might one day Learn more about these rustic
even having a road, if there were no Consequently, my brother and I find ourselves together in that state forest campgrounds to start an
bridges on it, I wondered? never did live out my dream of wonderful place. adventure of your own today.n
This brings me back to the place. camping there – not even once – at
That place way back in the woods, least not yet.
past a farm powered with a wind We were young when they
turbine, several deer-hunting camps divorced, and my brother and sisters
and countless raspberry and black- moved to Canada with my mom and
berry brambles crowding the sides her soon-to-be new husband.
of the cobbled dirt road. As the oldest – a 13-year-old
We’d usually get there late in the with the choice of where I wanted
day, as the sun was sinking down to be – I stayed with my dad here in
behind the treetops, the air had Michigan and learned how to cook
cooled, considerably, and we needed dinner, do laundry, clean house and
to be heading home. other stuff my mom used to do.
There was a bridge there – a glo- My dad would take me out to
rious bridge, maybe the best bridge. the restaurant in town every payday
Not because of the bridge works, for supper.
but because of one of the best com- Those early experiences helped 3+ SAFE
bination fast sides and slow sides I shape me in becoming the person I HOURS TO COOK
had ever seen – like Credence Clear- am today. There are lessons there I OF FIRE! OVER
water Revival’s “Travelin’ Band” am very grateful to have had. I’ve
and “Who’ll Stop the Rain.” often been struck over the years
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WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 53
Frustrated on the outskirts of Caro
“I
t’ll be like ‘Crazy Quail’ Can’t say I hadn’t been warned. where we were attending the annual presented at different speeds and
on steroids,” Tom Loun- His description fired my imagination meeting of the Michigan Outdoor from different angles gives it the
sbury had cheerfully and launched my hopes. I signed Writers Association. Among the “sporting clays” feel. Instead of tak-
advised, comparing an on to join him and a few others to many shooting areas at the TCCC ing a walk along a course or field,
activity choice to a ramped up ver- visit the Tuscola County Conser- is the “six-station” 5 stand. It’s like as one does with sporting clays,
sion of an already amped up clay vation Club (TCCC) near Caro, regular 5 stand but with an added however, in 5 stand the shooter just
target sport. about 35 minutes south of Bay City, station for shooting, you moves from station to sta-
see. And that’s where we tion, as he would in skeet.
shot. 6 Stand. According to club
If I were less of a man, president Doug Kline of
I would have been angry. Vassar, the membership
More prideful? I would ratio of rifle and tactical
have been humiliated. A aficionados to shotgun en-
better shot? Frustrated. thusiasts is approximately
Let’s just say in my 80 percent-to-20 percent.
By Tom Carney
hopes and attempts Understandably, the
to show I’m a better club sports many
shot than I am, I more courses for
was stymied. This game was, in- rifle/tactical use than for scatterguns.
deed, like “Crazy Quail on steroids.” TCCC is in the fifth year of a
THE FRIENDS OF NRA PROGRAM HAS BEEN OPERATING As a shotgun shooting sport, 5 plan to create an indoor 300-yard
NATIONWIDE SINCE 1992. DURING THE PAST 25 YEARS, OVER stand is basically a combination of rifle range and shooting structure.
$3,561,632 HAS BEEN SPENT IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN! AS trap, skeet, and sporting clays. Like It became functional last fall, but
THE PROGRAM GROWS – SO DOES WHAT WE GIVE BACK! trap and skeet, the 5 stand course is the club is still tinkering with the
set up in a small area, perhaps 30 details.
2018 BANQUET DATES yards wide with five different shoot- As he points out the spots where
DATE EVENT CITY
ing stations. The variety of shots spray foam and acoustical tiles will
n B e r g sm a
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utilized. The fishing on the northeast other silvers want the speed at 2.75
corner of Michigan’s Lower Penin- mph or more! The thing is, the lake
sula never ceases to amaze me. The trout up there will also hit, even at
fishing can be great much earlier in that speed. Lakers are seemingly
the season, but this stretch of Lake more aggressive in this neck of the
Huron is in full on combat mode in woods, so don’t be guilty of going
August and September. The straits too slow!
and bridge are not only beautiful The best starting points that I
but hold some of the hottest action can give you are these: both areas
in the area during late summer. This north and south of Boblo Island hold
bite stretches all the way down to lots of fish and offer major struc-
the port of Cheboygan. Awesome ture. The areas around Reynolds
lake trout and Atlantic fishing is in and Spectacle Reefs straight out of
WATER
store for those that decide to come the port of Cheboygan are awesome
and try out this stretch of water. spots. Shoreline breaks can also be
In Mackinaw City and Cheboy- a very productive troll if the winds
gan, the presentation is simple yet are more than you want to battle.
effective. A spread of “high lines” Speaking of winds, this is one of the
mixed with a high and low diver on biggest reasons to plan a trip to this
each side and finished with a down- area, the winds are almost always
rigger on each corner and you’re offshore and are typically very fish-
ready to fish. My basic approach is able. Includes dirt bikes, motorcycles (under 500cc),
simple. The high lines are search If you get bored with the ‘same
rods for Atlantics. I like a spread of ol’ thing’ and want a new adven- personal watercrafts, ATVs and snowmobiles.
three coppers per side, consisting of ture…try the northeast corner of our
a 75, a 125 and a 200. This spread beautiful state. You might be just as
on each side will give you excellent hooked as the fish.
coverage for the Atlantics. The wire For great Facebook Video
divers can be set to get “just a bit” Reports of this and other regions
deeper than the 200 coppers and of Michigan, Check out the web-
the riggers can accomplish the deep site www.fishermansdigest.com or *APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Floor rate of 1.99% APR. Special financing offered
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WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 57
Worst fishing trip...EVER!
H
Dear Fish Diary: Let’s be clear, you quit smok-
ing for one reason and that reason
Cigarette companies dominated the
commercials during major sporting
three days in, I got a phone call that
I was going to be a father for the
ow bad can it be? is to live longer. So when a doctor events. Heck, you could even smoke first time. That afternoon I backed
It’s fishing right? Oh recently wrote me a prescription for in the stands of a sporting arena. into a brand new Cadillac in the
sure, things can go a drug that was supposed to help me Now, you can no longer smoke in parking lot. That car wasn’t even a
wrong. The weather get through the nicotine withdrawals public buildings and even some week old and I completely smashed
can put a damper on I immediately filled it without ques- parks are putting up no-smoking the grill right off it. I quickly wrote
the festivities, the fish tion. Before taking anything I began signs. You have to be 20-30-feet the owner a note with my informa-
might not bite or you could run out reading the side-effects. We are in away from any building to smoke. tion, and went to a local store and
of gas five-miles from shore in a an era where many times When this first became bought a pack of cigarettes. Since
thunderstorm. Been there, done that, the side effects are worse a law, 20-feet from my then I always start smoking again
even forgot the bait. But bait-less, that what you’re taking the building put me in the first after the second day just to avoid
engine-less and inclement weather medication for. Sometimes lane of traffic on a major another bad luck, or life-changing
are all miniscule issues when com- you’re better off keeping road downtown. I’d walk encounter.
pared to being a smoker and real- the ailment rather than tak- out to the center turn lane What I’ve realized this time
izing you left your cigarettes ashore, ing the medication. In this and light up while vehicles around is that I’ve found more
and…you’re the only smoker on case, suicidal tendencies honked at me. I did it reasons to continue smoking than
board. was one of the first things because I was young and I have made excuses to quit. I’m a
Every boat I pass… “Hello!!! listed. I’m going to quit wanted to be rebellious. much nicer person when I’m not
Do you have any cigarettes?”
I was asked this not too long
smoking so I
can live longer By Ron St. Germain Whatever horn
honkers…
trying to quit smoking. For quite
a while it seemed nobody was a
ago. “If there was one thing I could while taking I’ve not smoker. Suddenly, everybody is a
go back and change about myself, a drug that might make me want to had the best of luck trying to quit. smoker. Those smokers know I’m
what would it be?” The answer was kill myself. Hmmmmmmmm… The first time, I was three days in trying to quit and they taunt me. I
swift and simple. “I would have In my generation smoking was and someone ran a red light and have no idea who these people are,
never started smoking.” billed as a tough guy stamp and broadsided my car at a major inter- I’ve never seen them in my life, but
And now it begins. Realizing there were no side effects to smok- section. I crawled out of my com- somehow, they know I’m trying to
this, and trying to reverse several ing. Doctors did smoking com- pletely totaled car, wondering how quit and they’re purposely egging
decades of an addiction, a new era mercials and only endorsed certain I was still alive, and went right to me on. Maybe I should just give
of my life begins. One of a non- brands. The Marlboro man was an the 7-11 across the street and bought them my prescription.
smoker. icon much like today’s Avengers. two packs. The second time, again All my friends seem to want to
Call 269-903-6276 or
269-312-6207 for pricing
58 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
talk about lately is smoking. It’s like was an athlete, an avid outdoorsman If you have any secret tips to story, just a brief outline of what
getting a massage with a barbwire and loved being physically active. quit smoking I’d love to hear them. happened. If it has some humor to it
glove. It’s like eating ice cream and But, I was also a hyperactive person, Funny fish stories I’ll be getting in touch with you and
donuts in front of a diabetic. It’s like and somehow smoking calmed my we’ll work on the completed story
showing up to an Alcoholics Anony- nerves and helped me focus. I guess wanted: Strangest thing together.
mous meeting with a case of beer. I thought it helped with my creative you’ve ever caught Contact Woods-N-Water News
People said food would taste thought process too. Now I’m at an Send a short description of columnist Ron St. Germain by
better once I quit smoking. So far, age where I guess I don’t really care your “best or worst” fishing day, or calling (517) 626-2814, e-mailing
fish still taste like fish. But it’s fine if I focus or not. I also know that worst fishing-related adventure, or DaPhotoDude@aol.com. Visit the
really, I mean, food tasted good even without smoking, I’m always strangest thing you’ve caught to me. author’s Facebook page www.Face-
when I was smoking. One thing not going to be a smoker. These nasty You don’t have to write the entire book.com/BearwaveBooksn
smoking has done for me is helped things have physically left their
O
ver the years Betty challenge. Even at age 89 she con-
Sodders has become a tinued to write stories on wildlife.
beloved outdoor writer Some were published many years
to the many people who ago and given a fresh update. Some
read her stories. As she stories were brand new as a result
moves on to another realm where of someone contacting her with an
we cannot follow, I want to share interesting fishing, hunting, or trap-
some personal insights about Betty. ping tale.
As a modest lady, she has always Betty saw stories everywhere.
Writer and author Betty Sodders has been writing for Woods-N-Water
found it difficult to talk Even when she was hospi- News for over 25 years and now faces a diagnosis of terminal leukemia.
about herself and her many talized for health problems
accomplishments, but those she chatted with the woman which kept her readers captive. One of Betty’s greatest gifts was her
of us who call her friend in the bed next to her and When she emailed me and said ability to listen. She loved to hear
are aware of her many came home with a story. It she didn’t have long for this world, stories told by hunters and fisher-
talents and the wisdom she might not be about rescued her first thought was of her readers. men. She understood the importance
imparted to us. animals or 500 pound black She was worried because she hadn’t of keeping traditions alive and pass-
I called this column a bears, but it was something finished writing stories for the ing them from one generation to the
“love story” because Betty that held our attention as monthly magazines that depended next. She was always eager to learn
upon her work. She wanted me to
By Sharon Kennedy
is loved by all we read it in new things and meet new people.
who have met the Woods-N- complete them for her and share She was a pioneer blazing the way
her and spent Water News the byline, but she was too weak to for female outdoor writers. She was
many delightful hours at her kitchen or some other outdoor magazine. send anything by mail or to sit at her the first woman in Michigan to write
table. Whether it was sharing a meal Betty’s list of published articles is computer. She hoped people would for outdoor magazines.
of fried whitefish or playing a game long and varied. She wrote thou- contact me if they had a story to Betty wanted to thank her edi-
of Scrabble, Betty was up for the sands of stories and six books, all of share with others. tors and readers for their words of
encouragement through emails,
Church Tackle Co. ALL MADE
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request to me went something like
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T
wish him well or tag along with him. I Lake where we supervised young musky mount caught by her friend,
here’s a television cook decided a change of scenery might be people on forest and stream related Bud Thomas. I quickly took notes as
who calls herself the an interesting challenge, but I had no jobs. We managed outdoor museums, she reached into the past and recalled
Pioneer Woman. She idea it would lead to the most exciting raptor release units, were caretakers days full of excitement, surprise, and
lives in a beautiful home and rewarding years of my life. on an island seven miles out in Lake even some danger.
outfitted with all modern “We sold our home in Marine Huron, and conducted numerous stud- “Anytime I look back and real-
conveniences, appears on City in 1979 and never looked back. ies of regional and local deer herds.” ize all the interaction we had with
QVC to hawk her wares, and occa- Our four kids were married and Betty’s adventures are many and wildlife, I am amazed,” she said.
sionally you’ll see her smiling face probably thought our decision was varied. Soon after she and Bill arrived “Watching a war between two rival
on a placard as you enter Walmart. crazy, but that didn’t deter us. Bill at Detour, she got out her camera and flocks of wild turkeys led to my first
She’s about as “pioneer” as my fake was stressed from police work and started taking pictures. She had no article and began my writing career. I
fingernails. If you want to meet a real ready to live closer to nature. When idea her hobby would land her a job was 53 years old and had never writ-
“pioneer woman” look no farther than we crossed the Mackinac Bridge, the as an outdoor writer and photogra- ten an article or submitted anything to
Goetzville, Michigan, and you’ll find enormity of our adventure became ap- pher. Betty’s stories and photos earned anybody. I had no formal education
Betty Sodders. parent, but we settled down in a rustic her the honor of becoming the first as a journalist or photographer, but I
Many readers are well acquainted cabin west of Detour in the Eastern female outdoor writer in Michigan’s thought the battle of the turkeys was
with Betty’s wildlife articles, but they Upper Peninsula and took to the area history. She won the admiration and too good a story to keep to myself. I
may not know the story behind the like bears to honey. respect of men who had been outdoor sent the article with photos to Michi-
woman who traded in city life for “Bill had experience as a duck writers for years. It wasn’t a case of gan Out-of-Doors, and the response
the wilderness. The story behind the hunting guide. He was also an excel- fighting her way into a man’s world. of editor, Ken Lowe, went like this.
photographs and articles is as interest- lent hunter and angler. His goal was It was a case of good writing, superb ‘The story was filled with amusing
ing and intriguing as the lady herself. to accept only wilderness related jobs, photographs, and living in tandem observations of the antics of these
She and her husband of 59 years lived never work the same job twice, and with nature. Although the stories of birds, some of which I had never
what she calls a “simple” life because never stay at one position for more other writers were interesting and come across in the literature dealing
it was rustic. Once you get to know than nine months. My contact with informative, her work was a firsthand with this species. This was nature lore
her, you’ll realize there was nothing nature was the usual kind found in look at nature. Living in the wilder- of the first order. I couldn’t wait to lay
“simple” about their life except the urban areas—cats, dogs, birds, and ness gave her stories an unmatched the story before our readers.’ Those
cabins without modern facilities and the occasional skunk or raccoon that authenticity. turkeys were the beginning of 35
the jobs taken. The former thrust her ambled through our backyard. I was As our conversation continued, years of writing outdoor articles.”
into a pioneering tradition and the raised in Ironwood in the western end Betty, who is the size of a minute, Betty became a prolific writer
latter offered her a chance to observe of the U.P., and although I enjoyed grew taller with the telling of each who continues to crank out stories
and record the daily activities of the out-of-doors, I never dreamed of new tale. She has the energy and about her years in the wilds as well as
wildlife. living among wildlife. enthusiasm of a giant, and at 88 years conducting interviews with interesting
Betty and I are contributors to the “Bill was a visionary who wanted of age, her memory is as sharp and people who cross her path today. She
Mackinac Journal, a monthly maga- to pursue life according to his rules, clear as a pane of glass. Her joy for loves talking with folks and shar-
zine published in Cheboygan. I was and it didn’t take me long to learn the life and all manner of wildlife is be- ing their stories. She has written six
intrigued by her stories and wanted to wisdom of his decision. The wilder- yond measure. Her home is a treasure books, thousands of magazine articles,
meet her so I sent an email. The first ness promised a smorgasbord of trove filled with items like bird track been a staff member of prestigious
time we met was last winter when she opportunities for us. We did some fas- (Cuspidiform Petroglyphs) rocks outdoor magazines, and a field editor
invited me to her home for a fish fry. cinating things from managing hunt dating back millions of years, burls, and feature story writer at Whitetails
As the lunch progressed, I realized it clubs to co-directing the first Michi- webbed deer antlers, pudding and
was time for someone to tell her story gan Youth Corps Camp at Brevort Petoskey stones, polypores, and a 52” Swansong love story page 62
and give her fans a chance to meet the
delightful lady who has lived a life as
full of adventure as that of the early
pioneers.
Betty didn’t set out to live as a
pioneer woman or to become Michi-
gan’s first female outdoor writer,
but as she put it, “If I wanted to stay
married, I had to follow my husband.
In the late 1970s, when Bill and I
were both 46, he announced he was
quitting his job and heading north. I
had two choices. Wave goodbye and
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WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 63
Michigan Turkey Tracts
All three are located in the southwestern part
of the state… By Bob Gwizdz-MDNR
P
erhaps many Michigan-
ders have never heard
of a Turkey Tract, but
they’re gaining in popu-
larity as the Michigan
Department of Natural
Resources opened its third such site
this spring at the Barry State Game
Area, near Middleville, in Barry
County.
Turkey Tracts are demonstration
areas, complete with trails, designed
to show newcomers to turkey hunt-
ing – or other wild turkey aficio-
nados – exactly what prime turkey
habitat looks like.
The tracts are similar to the A group of Michigan Depar tment of Natural Resources officials and suppor ters gathered at the open-
DNR’s Grouse Enhanced Manage- ing of the Barry State Game Area Turkey Tract in Barry County. MDNR photos
ment Sites (GEMS), which high- ing openings and establishing food get into the outdoors.” expanding as well, Stewart said. “If
light ruffed grouse and American plots. Ryan Boyer, a regional biologist you’ve never hunted turkeys before,
woodcock habitat. However, the two The additional existing turkey with the federation, said an impor- get on the trail at a Turkey Tract be-
programs differ in significant ways, tracts at the Allegan State Game tant aspect of the Turkey Tracts fore sunrise and call and maybe lo-
including where you can find them Area in Allegan County and the Flat program is the connection it makes cate a turkey gobbling and sit down
in Michigan. River State Game Area in Montcalm between hunters, state game areas and hunt him,” Stewart said. “And
GEMS are located within the County are located near established and local communities. these sites are great places for hunt-
northern Lower Peninsula and the foot-traffic paths in places that are Businesses in the game area’s ers with mobility issues, as they’re
Upper Peninsula, where most of the often the remnants of old logging vicinity help sponsor information not climbing over logs or stumbling
better grouse and woodcock habitat trails. The trails are often planted kiosks at the sites, and hunters over other obstructions out there in
with clover or some other vegetation who take a selfie photograph at the the dark when they get on the trail.”
that wild turkeys will use. kiosks and show it at participating Over the past several decades,
All three Turkey Tracts are situ- businesses are eligible for discounts. rehabilitation of wild turkey popu-
ated generally in the southwestern “It makes a connection between lations in Michigan has been a
part of the state. local businesses and hunters and dramatic success.
“Southern Michigan has always helps illustrate the economic impact Wild turkeys were totally wiped
been prime turkey habitat,” said Al of hunting … something that I think out in Michigan in the late 1800s,
Stewart, the DNR’s upland game is often overlooked,” Boyer said. but their populations have been
bird specialist. “A lot of the release “A lot of people are completely rebuilt to where they can be found
sites during our turkey restoration unaware how these resources are in all 68 counties of the Lower
activities were on southern Michi- funded – by hunters.” Peninsula and in most of the Upper
gan state game areas.” The kiosks are being made by Peninsula’s 15 counties. Only seven
The Turkey Tracts program is federation members and students at states harvest more wild turkeys
the result of a partnership between Belding schools. than Michigan.
the Michigan chapter of the Na- Boyer said that habitat manage- Get more information on the
tional Wild Turkey Federation and ment benefits not only turkeys but DNR’s Turkey Tracts at michigan.
the DNR. other game and nongame species gov/turkey.n
“The Turkey Federation is do- that use these areas.
ing the heavy lifting,” Stewart said. “It’s a beneficial pro-
“They’re paying for the signage gram that we’re excited
materials and placing the signs. The we can help build on
kiosks are being made by federation and expand,” Boyer
A successful hunter displays the members.” said.
turkey he shot at a Michigan The Michigan chapter of the Expansion is in the
Turkey Tract. Federation has gone all-in on Turkey works, Stewart said, and
Tracts. eventually there will be
can be found. In addition, GEMS “It’s a wonderful cooperative a series of Turkey Tracts
are heavily managed to maintain effort between the DNR and the across southern Michi-
early-succession, high-stem density NWTF,” said Art Pelon, president of gan, not unlike the way
forest, where grouse and woodcock the Michigan National Wild Turkey GEMS are sprinkled
thrive. Federation chapter. “It provides around the northern por-
Wild turkeys have less specific access to the woods for youths and tions of the state.
habitat needs. As adults they thrive handicapped hunters by providing “The next ones are
in mature woodlots, but they need foot trails that make it easier for envisioned for south-
grasslands for nesting and brood- hunters to get in and out of good eastern Michigan,”
rearing. Good deer habitat is typi- habitat. Stewart said, “at game
cally good turkey habitat. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to areas – places like Lap-
So the land management at give people who are not experienced eer, Holly, Waterloo or
Turkey Tracts is less specific than in turkey hunting a good launching Tuscola.”
at GEMS and includes maintain- point. It’s a great way to go out and The partnership is
250
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I
black bear estimated to
weigh over 400 pounds.
n an effort to fulfill my 15- year quest
to harvest a color phase black bear I
headed to Northern Manitoba this past twilight that gives “the midnight sun” its name and As we pulled up to shore, the 14-foot alumi-
June. I have harvested six black bears about three hours later its starts to get light again. num boat hit a rock and made a loud noise and I
and passed on many others over this So, I figured we would be spending a lot of time thought that any bear that was within two miles
time span. A 300 pounder in Saskatch- on stand. heard it and would take off!
ewan, two from Manitoba and three from Ontario. The lake the lodge is located on is very large. I jumped out of the boat and my guide handed
I chose an outfitter who was located 200 miles The lodge itself is located on a small island in the me my gear. I was hunting with my Thompson
north of Thompson, Manitoba. This area could middle of the lake. All hunting is done by boat. Encore 50 Cal Muzzle Loader, a 250- grain bullet
only be accessed by a float plane and Thompson Most stands are located not far from shore where with 150 grains of powder. I kept it loaded, minus
is about as far north as you can drive in Manitoba. you are taken by a guide. There are ladder stands the cap, in my hard rifle case as we traveled from
Most bears there have never seen a person be- at many sites, but most hunting is done by pop up the lodge to my hunting site. I didn’t want to take
fore and the most important factor there is a fair blinds. a chance on banging my rifle or scope up so I
amount of color phase bears in the area. After my morning hunt and no bear sighting, decided it was best to travel with it in a case. It’s
The outfitter had sent me pictures of several Ray and I headed out fishing. It was still windy legal there to have a rifle uncased in a boat.
color phase bears that had appeared on his trail and we caught several northern pike, but we fig- I laid it on the ground and we started setting up
cameras. Of course, another important element of ured fishing would be better once the wind settled the pop-up blind about 20 yards from the bait. As
this trip is the world class pike and walleye fish- down. I looked in the direction of the bait, I couldn’t be-
ing. For my afternoon hunt we headed to a differ- lieve a giant bear was looking at us 15 yards away.
Because they are located so far north and ent site by boat that was about eight miles from My guide saw the bear about the same time as I
spring comes later, they normally don’t start bear the lodge. It was a long sit and again no sightings. did and all he said was look at the melon (head) on
hunting until mid-June. My hunt was scheduled The wind had died down but the temperatures that giant bear. All I was thinking, “Where’s my
to start on Friday, June 15. My good friend, Ray had picked up a lot. Once back at the lodge where gun!”
Piper, was with me on this trip. After making our there is access to the internet we discovered that I kept my eyes on the bear as I slowly backed
way to Thompson, Manitoba, we were to take the next week was going to be unseasonably up until I could reach my gun case. While still
a flight on an Otter float plane 200 miles to our warm, with temperatures hanging in the 80s. Not looking at the bear I reached down and got my
lodge and we were both very excited to see what what I had planned on and this without a doubt gun out and grabbed the cap for my muzzleloader
the next seven days of hunting and fishing was was going to slow the bears down. that was in my front pocket. I had to walk forward
going to bring us. Russ, our outfitter, showed me some pictures back to where the blind was because my guide was
However, Mother Nature had other plans for of the bears that had been at the site I had just still standing there and I couldn’t shoot at the bear
us on our first day. Our flight was scheduled to hunted. There was a chocolate colored boar on with him in front of me.
leave at 7 a.m. and a major front moved in and if camera that had to go at least 400 pounds. Russ As I put the cap on, the bear figured he had
the rain wasn’t bad enough the ceiling was very said it had last showed up a couple of days ago seen enough of these strange animals and just as
low. When the sky cleared up for us, we discov- at 9 a.m. After seeing that picture I decided that I he started to leave I shot him. I knew I had hit him
ered by phone with the outfitter that landing condi- was only going to hunt that bear and spend the rest hard and he just started to walk away while I was
tions were poor at the lodge. of the hunt at that site hoping he would show up! reloading. I may have set a record time re-loading
Finally, we left at 1 p.m. and arrived at the Russ said these big boars normally showed my muzzleloader, at least it felt that way!
lodge at 3 p.m. Besides the rain, the winds picked every third day or so and right now the rut was just He moved about 20 yards away and stopped,
up and I was very confident that the bears weren’t starting and they were just roaming looking for but there was a lot of brush in the way and I had
going to be moving in this type of weather so we girlfriends. He also said sometimes the boar would to move closer to him to take another shot. The
decided to unpack and take it easy on our first just walk through a bait site without eating just second shot put him down for good.
day, hoping things would be better on day two. trying to pick up the scent of a sow in heat. Everything happened so fast and while I still
This was a seven-day hunt and giving up a day to On my third day, I headed back to the spot had my sunglasses and head net on it never sunk
weather is always tough but we didn’t have much that the giant chocolate boar was last seen four in that it wasn’t the giant chocolate bear that had
of a choice. mornings ago on camera at 9 a.m. I was going to been hanging out at the site. It was a giant black
Day two started with a quick breakfast and we sit for a few hours and go back to the lodge and colored bear.
then headed out to our blinds to hunt. Normally have lunch and do some fishing before the evening There was no ground shrinkage as I walked up
I am not a big fan of hunting bears in the morn- hunt. to the bear. It was by far the biggest black bear I
ing. But our outfitter said the bears move freely The sun was out and very bright. We headed had ever seen. It was missing an eye and it turned
throughout the day with no human pressure and on our eight-mile boat trip. I had my sunglasses on out that this bear had been to this bait in years past
they have taken them in the morning. as well as my head net because the bugs were bad. from pictures that the outfitter had.
This time of year, this far north, it doesn’t get At least until I got into my blind and turned on my
dark until almost midnight. Then it’s the kind of thermo cell. Big Bears page 70
WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 69
Aluminum
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mother nature when she changes
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After harvesting my huge bear
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A
s a parent, how frustrat- the parent tackle box might sound
ing is the obsession our something like, “Can your gam-
kids have with this stinkin’ ing fingers really pull in a fish?”
game! Or the simple fact OR when all the before mentioned
that these kiddos rely on electronics doesn’t do the trick, “You might be
for entertainment? Most of us these a gamer but there is no doubt you
days can relate to these thoughts and cannot out fish me!” A good ol’
reactions. I say, we parents just use competitive dare should do the job.
‘our’ superpowers: a fishing pole, a Being in the great state of
hook and a few worms! And if there
is any skepticism from the young-
Michigan there is no shortage of
water. So grab that tackle box of
Even the
sters, a lofty fishing story might do superpowers, as many youngsters as best turkey
the trick to get them thinking about you can shove in the car and get hunters appreciate
getting outside and throwing a line after it! Just take a look at these Hannah Ketterer with a nor thern.
in. young anglers, their smiles say it less recoil and
Another weapon to use from all!n muzzle jump!
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A
utumn presents the out-
door set with a strange Trout
Brown trout, the largest and
and wonderful dilem-
most common trout in our streams,
ma. Sure, it is time to spawn in late summer and fall. You
start hunting but there is can expect to find at least some of
still some great fishing around and them on mid-stream gravel in Sep-
there are just so many days in this tember and October and, once they
very special season. The challenge have left their usual hideouts, they
is to figure out just what to pursue may be easier to catch. While some
when that day off comes around. streams are closed after September
Here’s how I decide. If the weather 30, many of the best streams remain
is sort of marginal – cold or rainy open throughout the year.
or perhaps a bit windy, I go fishing. Steelhead enter major streams in
If the weather is nice – sunny and the fall to take up winter residency.
warm – I take to the woods. In your These fish are feeding, not spawn-
boat and with your rain gear on, you ing, and they are easier to catch than
can stay comfortable and the fish, they would be during their spring
believe it or not, like a nice rainy spawning runs. The fall/winter
day. steelhead fishing usually peaks in
There are many sorts of fishing November or December and just
that actually peak in the fall. Let’s when most of the outdoor set dons Fall fishing will produce perch in good numbers and some jumbos
list a few: blaze orange and takes to the woods will be in the catch as well.
Pike
stops and they are seldom caught, inland lakes, there is ample evidence, given up by now but the anglers
by accident or design. In the fall, from fish caught this summer, that who fish off the beaches and piers
however, these same fish are re- The northerns seem to move we have at least two exceptional will still be after them well into
ally on the prod, taking on fat for up in the water column in the fall, year-classes of perch available this October. The fish are often dark and
the winter. The best fishing starts in leaving those depths that made year, with many fish in the eight-to- less than prime table fare but they
September and lasts well into the them almost inaccessible in the hot ten inch range or even larger. still fight like crazy.
fall. The fish are usually well scat- summer months. By the middle of
Whitefish
Yes, we all know that the fall
tered, vertically, and can be found September, they will be back in the is for hunting but the fishing is so
in many depths but not way down shallow weed beds and ready to Although few anglers get after good that we have real trouble mak-
there. The best fishing might be with whack anything shiny that shim- this wonderful fish, they are avail- ing that choice.n
T
he Muter Outdoor Fund
is pleased to announce
the first three recipients Alpena, Michigan
of its inaugural John A. Northwood University
Muter Memorial Scholarship. The Jennifer is driven by her passion
new scholarship recognizes college for improving the lives of youth
undergraduates who are committed in northern Michigan. For the past
to engaging new audiences and new eight years, she has been working
generations with Michigan’s natural with the Boys & Girls Clubs of
resources and rich outdoor heri- Alpena leading fishing, recycling,
tage. The program was established and other nature-based activities for
in memory of the late John Muter, hundreds of youth in the area. Jen-
an avid Michigan sportsman, who nifer received her associate degree
passed away in 2016 after a long in Business Administration from
and courageous battle with cancer. Alpena Community College in May
The winners were selected from 2018 and is now continuing her
a highly-qualified pool of 23 appli- education at Northwood.
cants, representing eight Michigan Samantha Lobdell Jennifer Digna Samantha Lobdell
colleges and universities. Recipients
were selected for their clear passion Harrison, Michigan
hikes, fishing, and other programs
for Michigan and its outdoor oppor- Central Michigan University with families visiting the park.
tunities as well as their demonstrat- Merging her interests in natural
ed commitment of introducing oth- resources and outdoor recreation, Mallory Verch
ers to those opportunities, such as Samantha is committed to helping Waterford, Michigan
fishing, hunting, camping, boating others find a lasting connection to
and wildlife watching. Each win- Michigan State University
the outdoors. In 2017 she developed Mallory is entering her senior
ner received a $1,000 scholarship and led the very first public nature year in the Department of Fisheries
to support her 2018-2019 academic program at Wilson State Park in her
expenses. & Wildlife at Michigan State Uni-
hometown of Harrison. In summer versity. At MSU, she serves as the
Our three winners for 2018 2018, she expanded that park’s out-
include: president of the Fisheries & Wildlife
reach efforts through leading nature Club, plays violin in the MSU Con-
cert Orchestra, and participates in
several other student organizations.
She has also been actively involved
in several wildlife-related research
projects, ranging from conduct-
ing deer surveys in East Lansing to
working as a black bear research
technician in Nevada.
About the Muter Outdoor Fund
The Muter Outdoor Fund is a Mallory Verch
501(c)(3) not-for-profit organiza-
tion, established to provide schol- to introducing new audiences to
arships, grants and programs that fishing, hunting, and other forms of
promote outdoor recreation and cel- outdoor recreation in Michigan.
ebrate Michigan’s natural resources To learn more about the Muter
and rich outdoor heritage. Our first Outdoor Fund and how you can
program, the John A. Muter Memo- support our scholarship program,
rial Scholarship, recognizes college please visit our website www.mu-
undergraduates who, like John, have teroutdoorfund.org or e-mail us at
demonstrated their commitment muteroutdoorfund@gmail.com.n
SUCCESSFUL HUNTERS
GET YOUR
DEER & TURKEY
OFFICIALLY SCORED!
Go To: www.buckfax.com
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,
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
S
eptember has been said to Nearly every species that swims in
be a tough month to fish. the Great Lakes can be taken in the
Many anglers are mostly still Soo in September.
in summer mode. Many of Speaking of muskie, fantastic
the early September days feel more muskie fishing can be had on Lake
like July, but deep down things are St. Clair in September, and the
changing quickly in the aquatic en- fish migrate towards the American
vironment. Water temperatures can waters during the fall. Trolling or
swing wildly. Baitfish are bigger, casting big cranks like Believers or
bug hatches are different and weeds tandem bladed in-line spinners es-
are everywhere. So, September can pecially around weed beds can hook
be perceived as being a difficult anglers up with the fish of a lifetime.
month when actually we should not These fish are voracious feeders
only be altering our approach but trying to put on some winter fat. It
looking at species that present better is not uncommon to run through 20
opportunities. fish trolling or 5-7 casting. There are
Here are a few opportunities many fish in St. Clair measuring 55
anglers should take advantage of… inches and weighing 40 pounds.
Starting on your home waters, if Perch fishing in many areas of
there are bluegills to be had, Sep- Michigan has been fantastic. Late
tember is a great month to fish them. August and early September offer
Midges or Griffiths gnat have some stellar opportunities to put some of The author encourages anglers to hit the big water for big fish!
of their best hatches in mid-Sep- these tasty morsels in the freezer.
tember. It is honestly the reason we Try Bolles Harbor in Lake Erie, the raised in a hatchery. They are wild. As the colors start to change and
don’t swim on Labor Day weekends Detroit River, Saginaw Bay, Tawas, Without the massive amounts of the breeze turns cooler, get out on
anymore. Swimmers are covered Munuscong Bay, Traverse Bay planted fish the average size of a the water this fall. There is no better
with the larvae when they surface. and ports down the Lake Michigan king salmon is much larger. But therapy for what ails us. Don’t for-
This is the time to put a couple of side. Fish up to 14 inches are not beware, your fish catching muscles get to take that youngster out with
nice dinners in the freezer before uncommon. The real trick is making won’t be in shape for many of these you. It simply adds fun to the day.
waiting for ice. Use a slip bobber sure there are perch minnows for brutes. I’ll see you on the water.n
with a teardrop with hair on it and sale where you will be fishing. Call
keep the bait shallow. Many times ahead or you may want to stop and
the gills will be actively feeding so grab some to take with you if there
just cast to the rings on the surface. aren’t any at the local bait shops.
Walleye fishing doesn’t get a Crawlers and wax worms will also
lot of attention in September but take perch but they sure like a small
there are still great opportunities. minnow.
One of the best is Sault Ste. Marie Last but not least, the salmon
in Michigan’s U.P. Fish migrate up and lake trout bite will continue into
the Saint Marys River throughout September. The lake bite peaks in
August and September and end up August but there are still great fish
right at the Soo. Anglers can pitch to hook up with well into early Sep-
jigs to the rock piles around the tember. As cooler winds start blow-
channel markers, or drag crawler ing, fish will hit the river mouths
harnesses downstream to harvest and provide some great action both
these golden beauties. The Soo is an on the lake and in the rivers. Fish
angler’s dream in September. Keep up to 30 pounds are not uncommon
a good grip on that rod as one never and once again Michigan anglers
knows when an Atlantic or Chi- have broken the 40-pound mark
nook salmon, giant pike or muskie several times this summer. Most of
could snatch up the offering as well. the salmon taken these days weren’t
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WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 75
The Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch
W
hen asked, ‘why hawks, eagles, and vultures fly-
spend time and ing north. The count in Mackinaw
energy in watch- City set a U.S. record for the most
ing the record red-tailed hawks (5,360) seen on a
bird migration single spring day in North America.
in the Straits of Such high numbers prove that the
Mackinac?’ everyone who par- Straits of Mackinac form a critical
ticipates in that fun task answers bottleneck for migration between
differently. Most people come to the Lower and Upper Peninsulas.
see the beauty, power, and freedom As such, it makes an ideal place
embodied in hawks, owls and ducks to monitor the birds and develop a
– wild nature at its best. Others better understanding of changes in
cite the camaraderie of sharing the population size, migration timing,
challenging pastime of finding and and ecosystem health.
identifying the birds. Here one can From August 25 through No-
witness grand spectacles of nature: vember 14, the first intensive fall
thousands of waterbirds skimming Hawk Watch will take place at Point
or swimming beneath the Mackinac La Barbe near St. Ignace. In a test
Bridge; hundreds of hawks circling count last fall, volunteers tallied 214
in the sky; or a northern saw-whet rough-legged hawks flying south.
owl about the size of one’s hand, This species nests in the high Arctic
caught and carefully banded under a and primarily visits the Lower
sky full of stars. Peninsula during the winter. Seeing
Ed Pike focuses on the research In a test count last fall, volunteers tallied 214 rough-legged hawks this many in the fall drew statewide
on birds that are threatened by hu- flying south. Rick Baetsen photos attention from birders and profes-
man activities. Pike founded and sional ornithologists.
chairs the non-profit organization, launch MSRW, hoping our vision of has allowed MSRW to expand our Another unexpected sighting
Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch maintaining a safe migration path- research and public education work was a magnificent frigate bird,
(MSRW), which celebrates its 5th way through the Straits of Mackinac every year,” says Pike. which may have been blown north
birthday this year. would attract people who care about Pike was pleased when this out of its normal range of coastal
“We went out on a limb to birds. The overwhelming response spring’s Hawk Watch tallied 64,298 Florida by winds associated with
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76 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
A nor thern
saw-whet owl
about the size
fall hurricanes. gulls. Contractor Kyle Wiktor from
of one’s hand, Illinois welcomes visitors to stop
MSRW has contracted with
Jason Bojczyk as the Fall Hawk
will be caught by and see these birds anytime from
Counter. Bojczyk began serious bird and carefully dawn to midafternoon when the
watching in 2005 and has worked banded so flights die down.
as Lead Hawk Counter at Acadia biologists can To showcase raptors and water-
National Park in Maine with the collect age and birds, the fourth Mackinaw Raptor
Schoodic Institute, Hawk Counter sex information. Fest is planned for April 5 to 7,
at Gulf Coast Bird Observatory in 2019. “Nearly 200 people attended
Texas, and Hawk Counter at Tussey some portion of the Fest in 2018,
Mountain, Pennsylvania for Shav- where they saw and learned about
er’s Creek Environmental Center. these migrants,” said Pike. In addi-
Bojczyk finds raptor research tion, outreach to the public yielded
particularly rewarding. “Hawks, 1,400 guest visits at research sites,
raptors and other predators play in the fall than the 182 that were to see her again,” says Pike. programs, or public events. To make
important roles in ecosystem health. caught and banded in route north Other re-caps came from Cedar the organization and its volunteers
They help keep small mammal this spring. During the summer, new Grove, Wisconsin; Hawk Ridge in more effective, MSRW recently
populations under control. They hatchlings emerge, increasing the Duluth, Minnesota; and Whitefish hired a part-time Director.
are indicators of ecosystem health population. These young head south Point in Michigan. To join a field The Mackinac Straits Raptor
because many require large areas to instinctively on their first migration, trip to the owl banding site between Watch conducts scientific studies of
forage. They can respond quickly to although most do not survive the September 20 and November 10, hawks, owls and waterbirds migrat-
changes in the environment includ- winter to return in the spring.” Pike asks people to email him at ing through this region of northern
ing human disturbance and environ- The biologists collect age and msrwinfo@gmail.com. Michigan, educates the public about
mental toxins. Trends from moni- sex information on each owl, help- The third and latest research them, and aids in conserving and
toring raptors over the long-term ing conservationists understand thrust is the waterbird count at protecting the resting and feeding
show whether a species is declining, population dynamics. Sometimes, an McGulpin Point, Mackinaw City, stop-over habitat for birds of prey in
stable, or increasing. For species owl already was banded elsewhere. which people may visit for free the Straits of Mackinac region.
that are declining we can focus on This spring, ten birds were such between August 20 and Novem- To learn more, visit the MSRW
why this is happening and what can ‘re-caps.’ One had been banded ber 10. Last fall’s count yielded Facebook, Instagram, or www.
be done about it.” by MSRW in October 2014 as a 26,283 individuals of 43 species. mackinacraptorwatch.org for maps,
MSRW also plans fall Owl hatch-year bird, making it five years Among commonly-seen birds were blogs, event dates, support options,
Research at Point La Barbe, to be old and approaching the longevity long-tailed ducks, redhead ducks, and link to photos of Mackinac
conducted by Maycee Hash from record of seven years in the wild. In and white-winged scoters. Unusual Raptor Fest, the primary educational
California. Pike explains, “We 2017, one re-captured female was 6 species included American avocet event held the first weekend of
expect more owls to move through years old. “It would be really terrific and greater and lesser black-backed every April.n
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WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 77
By Cory Kovacs and Carl Christiansen-MDNR
n a rainy August morn-
ing, three men dressed in
dark-shaded green chest
waders and rain jackets
slowly make their way
upstream, through the
chilly waters of the Rock River in
Alger County.
Two of the men carry long white
poles with rectangular boxed ends in
one rubber-gloved hand and a fish-
ing net at the end of a wooden pole
in the other.
From each of the two men, a
thick yellow electrical cord runs
downstream to a blue or red equip-
ment box in a small aluminum boat,
which is being pulled up the river by
the third man.
As the men move the ends of the
white poles under the stream banks,
and the wet alder trees overhang-
ing the water, large and small brook
trout begin to appear, floating side-
ways or upside down in the creek.
Quickly, the fish are netted and
moved to a plastic bin filled with
water that’s sitting in the bottom
of the boat. The men pull the boat A MDNR crew works with electrofishing units to conduct a stream sur vey on the Rock River in Alger County.
to the muddy shore and they begin
measuring the fish and collecting cians with the Michigan Department In every case, fisheries managers are A stream shocker is made up of
information on each of them. of Natural Resources. trying to gather more data on fish a small generator and a control box
They work quickly because it Within the DNR, the Fisher- populations to help guide manage- that can alter the amount of current
won’t be long before the fish have ies Division is responsible for ment recommendations. being produced by the generator.
The electric current flows from a
revived and are once again darting
under the banks of the stream, look-
managing fish populations within
the state’s streams, protecting and How It Works positive to negative charged direc-
ing for places to hide. preserving these valuable resources Electrofishing in Michigan got tion.
This process is called electro- for the public and posterity. its start at the Hunt Creek Research These components are put into
fishing, and it’s been around for Because every stream is unique, Station in Montmorency County a small boat or barge. There can be
quite a while. The men and women each one requires attention to fac- during the summer of 1942. There, two or three anode (positive) elec-
who perform this task for the state tors that may, or may not, have an the electrofishing unit first used trodes on the boat (the red and blue
are fisheries biologists and techni- impact on the fish community. in Michigan was a 1-horsepower boxes), allowing several people to
gasoline motor that powered a “shock” the stream at the same time.
500-watt generator. The electrical These electrodes are often con-
current was conducted to the water nected with cord reels, allowing the
through a rubber-covered, two-wire technicians to be able to move away
cable using a pair of electrodes that from the boat to get to different
were attached to wooden handles. areas of the stream. The boat acts
The two electrodes used the water to as the other electrode (negative) or
complete the electrical circuit to the “cathode,” completing the electrical
generator. circuit in the water.
Today the concept is still the The final, and largest, electro-
same, although the equipment has fishing tool is the boom shocker.
come a long way since 1942. There These tools are used on large rivers
are three main electrofishing tools and lakes. They usually consist of
used by the DNR in Michigan. a 16- to 20-foot, flat-bottomed boat
The first is called a backpack equipped with large booms, a gen-
shocker. It is designed for small erator and a control box. The booms
streams and is very portable. It runs act as the anode (positive) electrode,
off a 12-volt battery or sometimes a and the boat serves as the cathode
small generator. (negative) electrode.
The second type is called a All three types of electrofishing
stream shocker. These units are gear options serve the same purpose.
designed for larger streams that They produce an electric current in
a backpack shocker cannot cover the water which temporarily stuns
adequately, and they are what the
A scale sample is taken from a brook trout during a stream sur vey fisheries team was using on the
in Alger County. Rock River that rainy day in August. Electrofishing page 80
78 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
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80 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 81
TROPHY PAGE
No Wait -
Let’s Go Hunting
T
vocal organizations drawing atten- of the Mackinac Bridge.
his is what is at risk from tion to the danger of Line 5 have
the continued operation of been the National Wildlife Federa- and larvae by oiling and also de- Upper Peninsula still needs propane.
Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 tion and environmental voices like layed population impacts of sub- In July, the National Wildlife
oil and natural gas liquids For Love of Water (FLOW), but in lethal doses compromising health, Federation released an independent
pipeline which traverses along the June of this year Michigan United growth, and reproduction. Many fish report it commissioned from Lon-
lakebed in the Straits of Mackinac, Conservation Clubs also adopted a spawn in close proximity to Line 5 don Economics, International (LEI)
according to a recent draft risk policy resolution calling for “serious and their spawning grounds will be with funding from the C.S. Mott
analysis report issued by consideration of alterna- impacted depending on the season Foundation. The report analyzed
the state of Michigan. tives to pipelines across or of an oil spill.” alternative delivery mechanisms for
The draft report ana- below the Great Lakes.” Waterfowl like redhead, long- Michigan’s propane needs if Line
lyzed the risk of a worst- The draft risk analysis tailed duck and red-breasted mer- 5 is shut down. Due to an abundant
case scenario from a Line 5 released in July modeled ganser use the Straits, and shore- supply of natural gas liquids and
oil leak. It was compiled by 4,000 scenarios to estimate birds like the endangered piping falling demand in Michigan, LEI
a team of academics from the impact of a worst-case plover arrive in the counties which determined that supply would not be
Michigan universities led scenario leak from Line 5, could be impacted by an oil spill in negatively impacted, though isolated
by Dr. Guy Meadows of depending on the time of May and don’t leave until August. events like the 2014 propane short-
Michigan Techno- year, direction of the Common loon populations in the age could still occur, as they could
logical University. By Drew YoungeDyke currents, ice cover, area peak in the spring and fall. The even if Line 5 continues operation.
Line 5 carries up to location and volume most likely risk to mammals is from Supply could most cheaply
23 million gallons of oil and natural of the leak. The estimates were so- secondary poisoning. In the Straits, be replaced by truck or rail from
gas liquids from Superior, Wis- bering, as detailed above: 441 miles these include fur-bearing species Superior, Wisconsin. Propane last
consin to Sarnia, Ontario, taking a of shoreline, 100,000 square miles like muskrat, river otter, beaver and winter averaged about 2 dollars per
shortcut through Michigan and the of surface water, 60,000 acres of mink. gallon; truck and rail would only
Great Lakes, crossing about a mile unique habitat for 47 species of con- The draft report identifies 47 add 5 cents per gallon for consum-
west of the Mackinac Bridge where cern and $1.8 billion in cleanup and species of special concern at risk ers, which would be lost in normal
it splits into twin 20-inch pipelines. lost economic activity. And while from a Line 5 oil spill, summarizing: fluctuation of propane prices.
Built in 1953 after it was approved these numbers model a worst-case “Finally, declines in abundance “This report shows that Line 5
by the Conservation Commission, a scenario, they assume that Enbridge of primary producers and primary is not critical to propane supplies
surveyor who worked on the con- detects a leak within five minutes: consumers resulting from an oil in Michigan,” said Mike Shriberg,
struction project told a documentary it took them 17 hours to detect the spill would mean that consumers Great Lakes Regional Executive
filmmaker that it was meant to last Kalamazoo River oil spill in 2010. higher up in the food chain may Director for the National Wildlife
50 years, an age it passed 15 years If it takes them longer than five need to shift to finding alternative Federation and a member of the
ago. Its risk to the Straits of Macki- minutes to detect a leak from Line food sources, affecting ecosystem Michigan Pipeline Safety Advisory
nac came to light after the 2010 5, then those numbers could grow as dynamics in oiled areas. Given this Board. “A small investment of
Kalamazoo River oil spill when En- more oil is released before the flow diversity and richness, an event like resources from propane consum-
bridge’s Line 6B pipeline ruptured. is shut off. an oil spill may represent a point ers would eliminate the risk Line
In 2013, the National Wildlife The researchers provided a de- of no return for species loss and 5 poses every day to 441 miles of
Federation (NWF) conducted a tailed analysis of potential impacts extirpation.” Great Lakes shoreline, northern
dive to inspect the pipeline, not- to fish and wildlife from a Line 5 Most of Line 5’s 23-million gal- Michigan’s regional tourism econo-
ing missing supports in violation oil spill, as well. Lake trout could lon capacity of oil and natural gas my, 60,000 acres of critical wildlife
of the easement with the State of be impacted by higher egg mortal- liquids is delivered to Sarnia, On- habitat, and irreplaceable tribal and
Michigan allowing Line 5 to op- ity. If the spill was in spring, when tario, but it also delivers an average cultural resources.”
erate in the Straits. Enbridge has yellow perch spawn near Line 5, of about 81,000 gallons per day of So what’s next for Line 5? While
since added those supports, but the they would have increased mortality natural gas liquids for propane to the most pipelines in the United States
impact on the pipeline’s structural to eggs and larvae. Lake sturgeon Upper Peninsula via the Rapid River are governed by the Pipeline and
integrity after being subjected to six are at a higher risk to exposure to processing facility. While this is Hazardous Materials Safety Admin-
decades of currents in the Straits oil due to their close proximity to only 0.35 percent of Line 5’s capac- istration (PHMSA), Line 5’s cross-
while those spans were unsupported sediments. The report summarizes ity, it supplies much of the propane ing under the Straits of Mackinac is
is unknown. A 2017 NWF report impacts to fish: relied upon by Upper Peninsula
found 29 historical spills from the “Significant mortality to eggs residents. If Line 5 is shut down, the Mackinac Line 5 page 86
84 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
Hot Topic: Take a Kid Hunting, Fishing or Outside...
permitted only by that 1953 ease- “The debate over a tunnel sim-
ment, a contract between Enbridge ply kicks the can down the road,”
and the state of Michigan. The state said Shriberg, who also serves on
can revoke the easement if Enbridge the Pipeline Safety Advisory
is in violation of its express terms, Board.
such as clause requiring Enbridge to And that’s even if a tunnel could
“exercise the due care of a reason- get permitted for construction;
ably prudent person for the safety meanwhile northern Michigan con-
and welfare of all persons and of all tinues to be held hostage by the risk
public and private property.” of Line 5 leaking, rupturing or being
The governor or the attorney struck by a bigger anchor than the
general could take such action to one that struck it just a few months
terminate the easement. Instead, ago. Compare that to the much
last fall Governor Snyder entered simpler option of shutting it down
into an agreement with Enbridge and replacing the 0.35 percent of its
- without consulting his Pipeline capacity Michigan actually needs
Safety Advisory Board – to reach a for propane with truck or rail for 5
decision about the future of Line 5 cents a gallon.
right about the time you’re reading Whether it’s this administra-
this. He has already tipped his hand tion or attorney general who finally
about a preference for a tunnel to be takes action on Line 5 or the next, it
constructed underneath the Straits cannot remain in its current condi-
of Mackinac for Line 5. Enbridge tion under the surface of the Straits
delivered a report to the governor in of Mackinac, where it hangs like
June of this year estimating a tunnel a guillotine on a fraying rope over
would cost $500 million and take northern Michigan’s water, wildlife
seven years to complete. and way of life.n
86 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 87
TRAIL CAM/OUTDOOR PHOTOS
Join us in sharing interesting and sometimes rare
trail cam and/or outdoor photos with our readers.
Send your photos to: wnw@pageone-inc.com (please submit in jpeg format)
An update
of trail cam
Joe Misiak’s trail cam must like to take photos from
close up photos. (Right) He catches a strut- Kraig Staples
of Millers-
ting tom and (above) he got this close up burg with
of a deer, both in Macomb Co. an elk and
black bear.
Ontario Canada
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L
incoln County in the Up- 330-mile trip into the pines, alders,
per Peninsula, in 1962, aspens, two-track dirt roads and
was a great place to fish, the great outdoors. We were both
tent-camp, hunt deer, or decked out like Howard Hill or The author’s Plan B or C.
get lost. It’s your choice. I Fred Bear. I had more than enough and began walking slowly through antlers and I missed again. This time
have always been success- equipment stuffed in my red and the brush, ferns, and trees. I had no he moved 20 yards further away
oriented since I was ten years old to white 1959 Chevy Impala convert- idea what happened to Jim, I think so I approached him with another
present date, and when things don’t ible. We arrived close to dark with his 50 yards stretched out to 200 arrow strung. I calmed down bit
go well I just back up and just enough time to gather yards. I came upon a large open and let fly another arrow with all
go to plan B. But I never wood, put up the tent, make meadow and stayed at the forest the confidence of the Archers club.
give up on my goals. a campfire and a pot of fringe, watching, as hunters do. Out Yes, I missed again! And I thought,
A good friend of mine coffee. Since I was not a of the woods to my right walked a “Is this deer crazy or am I?” After
Jim, who worked with me, good cook, dinner was out magnificent buck with a trophy rack. four missed shots, the answer did
had talked about going of a can that night. I forgot He stood there looking at me about not come easily to me. I still did
fishing in the U.P. but we the can opener so I used my 35 yards away. I put the prover- not know where Jim was located.
never did go. So, that year, hunting knife to fillet the bial Grey Goose shaft in my trusty Meanwhile, I began looking for my
we planned on going deer cans and warm them on a Osage longbow, adjusted for eleva- arrows stuck in the dirt and while I
hunting with bow hot rock. tion and let fly. was putting them in my quiver that
and arrow in Lin-
coln County, since By Mike Simcik Morning came
way too early for
I missed! But that deer just stood
there looking at me. I loaded an-
buck put his head down and charged
right at me. I became the hunted and
we shot bow at me and the over- other arrow, drew back and missed had to run for my life back into the
the Chicago Archery Club, and we night chill crept into places I didn’t again, over his shoulder. He never woods! But then he stopped, put his
thought we were fairly proficient. even know I had. But, there we moved! I thought, “Is that buck head down and stamped his foot in
The big weekend arrived and I were, a perfect day for a deer hunt. stupid or what?” I let fly a third defiance.
was ready to rock and roll for that Jim and I paced off about 50 yards arrow. This one rattled through his The whole weekend went this
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For the rest of the evening, we pondered the error of our ways and even considered this area
was possibly cursed by some unknown evil spirit. That, or, we were really lousy bowhunters...
way and no matter what plan we spirit. That, or, we were really lousy brought down a good sized grouse. like the very same deer from 1963
tried, it failed miserably. We ran out bowhunters. The rest scattered, but after 15 or 20 that walked out into the clearing
of canned stew for dinner, so plan Sunday morning broke, it was minutes they came back again, eat- and stood there just looking at me.
C was to come back the next year, another fine day - that is for paint- ing and milling around as if nothing This time I raised my Winchester
sadder but wiser hunters. ing the porch or mowing the lawn. I ever happened. In all, I shot three .308 and that crazy buck never knew
In the fall of 1963, Jim and I was forced to resort to plan D: either male grouse that day, and Jim had what hit him!
made a second attempt at redeem- shoot a deer or go back home. My the same luck with his bow, after That night I had the strongest
ing ourselves and recapturing some father had always told me that when walking for two miles. I showed feeling to call home. So I left the
of our lost dignity. Returning to the a door closes, a window opens, and him how to take the cape off with camp to find a pay phone and I
exact same spot Friday night, we we were in a prime place for a dif- poultry shears as I used the feathers called my wife. My mother an-
pitched our tent, gathered wood, ferent kind of wild game. to tie fly-fishing lures. That evening swered and told me my daughter
made a campfire and a pot of coffee. Jim walked off down a two-track we ate three birds roasted over the had been jumping up and down on
This time I had a backup plan, and with deadfall everywhere, his bow campfire. No canned stew for us our bed, she fell off, twisted her
we were not going home empty- loaded for any legal game in sight. I, tonight! leg, broke it then was taken to the
handed for I had done my homework. on the other hand, staked out an area Several years after I got dis- hospital. A regrettable situation, but
Saturday morning broke, clear, of aspens and wild crabapple trees. charged from the Navy, got married, it was my vehicle and I had to get
crisp and full of promise. It didn’t I had left my bow in the trunk of then had our firstborn child, I started everyone packed up and drive all the
take us long to discover that hunt- my car because at the bottom of my thinking about that crazy deer that way back home.
ing pressure made the deer a little camp-bag I found my old Sears & tried to kill me to save his own hide. I gave the venison to the other
spooky. But, in the previous year Roebuck slingshot and a Band-Aid I never thought that deer were sup- three guys. It was the least I could
I had spotted a wild apple tree and can of ¼ inch ball bearings. posed to be that smart, or are they? do under the circumstances. My
since there was a hard frost on the I cleared away pine needles on In the year 1972, I went back up daughter’s leg healed fine and I
ground, so were the apples. I staked the ground near the trees, covered north with three friends on opening made a lamp from the plaster cast
out the tree at a qualifying distance myself with an Army blanket and day to pitch a tent, gather wood, for her room. Jim and I never went
while Jim staked out a rut-trail area. waited. I even dozed off for a while. make a campfire and, of course, a bow-hunting again but I still have
Long about 4:00 p.m., yes, you An hour had passed when I heard pot of coffee. We got there just in that slingshot. The truth be known,
guessed it, no deer, only the sound several grouse on the ground mak- time to absorb the sunset, the smell I prefer the taste of wild campfire-
of irritating squirrels and crows ing funny noises and drumming of pine trees and the wonder of the grouse over venison any day, so
heckling us! their wings. Some of them were great outdoors. Saturday morning “All’s well that ends well.”
For the rest of the evening, we perched in the low-lying limbs. broke into a beautiful day and once Since I can’t walk well and feel
pondered the error of our ways and I raised up my head slowly again I walked through the forest too old to hunt grouse in the heavy
even considered this area was pos- under the blanket, loaded a ball in till I came to that same meadow. forest, today’s plan E is for me to
sibly cursed by some unknown evil the sling and with the first shot I Low and behold, I swear it looked hunt rotisserie chicken at Walmart!n
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Field hunters need to match their
camouflage to the environment and
remain motionless until birds decoy
into range and you set up, take aim
and begin firing.
EARLY GOOSE
fully camouflaged in a hot zone.
Don’t forget to sign across the
federal stamp and attach it to your
license or the CO’s will confis-
cate your prize shotgun and write
a ticket. If you are hunting over
water you will need waders, boat or
flotation device to hold decoys and
gear. Field or dry land goose hunts
require important gear like layout
M
blind, rubber boots, face and body
ichigan’s Early Goose I finally made out the huge flapping Incoming birds noticed the live bird camouflage, gear bag for shells,
season offers sports- wings of a dozen big Canada geese prancing through decoys, set wings water bottle, sunglasses, head lamp
men a unique oppor- flying low across the field, below and zoomed for the moving goose. and snacks.
tunity to go hunting the tree line, just a few feet over the Somebody yelled “Get ‘em!” A Serious modern goose hunters
when temperatures expansive grain field. We scrambled quick count revealed we were only transport gear, decoys, dogs, by
are ideal, landowners to get out of sight, grabbed shotguns two birds from our three man early quad runners and more in utility
allow hunting, you share the out- and stayed motionless as the gi- goose limit of 15 birds. It was fun- trailers. If farmers don’t want ve-
doors with family and friends and ant birds set wings and glided into filled, fast-paced outstanding hunt- hicles driving on fields they simply
the action can be unbelievable; the the spread. Scott Goldammer of ing considering the season had only load up quad runners and motor to
best of the entire year. Okemos dumped the first bird with been officially open a few minutes. goose hot spots, set up and stash
Sure, there are days when end- a clean shot, and when the flock We gathered harvested birds and the sports machine. Take the group
less scanning the horizon can be flared Brandon Conner of Ionia and placed them belly down in the decoy of hunters one mile north of us on
boring but when the distant call of I opened fire. spread with heads tucked under a opener last year that busted 52 birds.
huge birds flying your direction The impressive sound of mas- wing to mimic resting geese. Before They had a field goose hunting pro-
transforms into a fast-paced shoot- sive beating wings in my face got I could sip my hot coffee Brandon gram. They started at 3 a.m. trans-
ing spectacle it makes all the effort my heart pounding and the shooting announced “Geese” and to the north porting generators and huge stadium
worthwhile. There is something was at close range and we rained we could see a large flock of around lights to their hunting location. Once
powerfully addictive about geese from the sky. At one 50 birds circling. But this flock was the scene was all lit up they put up a
the raspy sound of huge point the hissing sound of headed for a field occupied by a picnic table and started frying eggs,
beating wings at close range wings got my attention as large group of hunters with a huge ham, diced potatoes and brewed
and the excited “get ‘em” Brandon slammed a big decoy spread. I giggled at the sight hot coffee served with a smile in
yells from friends. When goose and it fell close, al- of multiple birds suddenly falling the goose field. Next they brought
the feathers clear the air and most hitting me in the head, from the sky and moments later we camo layout blinds and huge piles
you are rushing to pick up making a loud thump as the heard a volley of around 25 shots of goose decoys. These boys had
15-pound plus giant birds 15 pound bird crashed near that sounded like loud firecrackers a giant spread of 150 Greenhead
your heart will be beating my feet. When the loud on the 4th of July. It was a beautiful Gear Hunter Series full body field
By Kenny Darwin
off the charts and shooting ended sight as hard core Michigan water- geese with motion stakes. Two
the adrenaline we had seven fowlers put their skills to work in an hours before daylight the army of
rush is simply geese on the outdoor ballet resulting in top notch hunters looked like ants on a distant
incomparable in the wing shooting ground and we celebrated with high early goose shooting action. On this hill as they set up decoys, placed
world. This is best described by the fives and hand slapping. We danced day the hunting was remarkable layout blinds, gobbled breakfast and
following anecdote. around when we heard more geese. and we soon filled our limit. A few toasted the opener. Come the first
We had Big Foot full body Scott yelled, “From the south!” savvy hunting tricks and you can hint of dawn the decoys looked like
Canada decoys in position long When I glanced at the tree line I make this an easy task. a huge flock of feeding geese and
before shooting hours and when could see a flock of around 20 geese Most importantly, you must the hunters were tucked in comfort-
the predawn darkness was outlined coming directly at us. have recent goose intelligence that able layout camouflaged blinds and
by a bright pink rising sun I caught Once again we scrambled to get tells you what birds are doing, their gear and transportation was
movement, something was flying ready, crammed shells into empty where they are landing or roosting parked at the barn. These water-
directly at us. There was no honking chambers, dove for cover. I gave and outlines where to go hunting. fowlers were in position, fully fed,
of frantic early morning geese eager the newcomers one loud “Honk” Scouting is the key to fast shooting locked, loaded and ready for geese
to dine in the harvested wheat field, and the flock answered back and success and knowing exactly where to arrive before shooting hours.
no long line of huge birds but the lowered landing gear. That’s when geese are landing can provide thrill- Truth is these hunters were set
movement was coming from flying I noticed a crippled bird from the ing gunning. Savvy field hunters up in the exact location where about
birds coming directly our direction. previous volley had gotten up and identify hot spots in certain fields
It took a few seconds to register but was wandering in the decoy spread. that hold birds and water hunters Early goose page 94
92 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
MICHIGAN'S
NUMBER 1
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RADIO SHOW !!!
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WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 93
Early goose: from page 92
500 geese were feeding on a daily Their big white utility trailer beat
basis in a harvested grain field. me to my spot and when I arrived
Geese are large impressive birds and retrieving them brings a fist
full of happiness and big smiles. Kenny Darwin photos
at the field long before shooting geese.
time I was amazed at their bright I’m kind of old fashioned and
lights on large tripods, their huge still lay on the ground wearing
decoy spread and how they ef- full camouflage from head to toe.
ficiently prepared for a successful I toss three or four dozen Big Foot
field goose hunt. I parked along decoys in my Ford van after I take
the country road and watched them out the back seats, load up with
through my 10x50 Nixon binocu- shell bag, gun and cooler and drive
lars. It was interesting to observe out into open fields, unload and set
the well-organized hunting team up in minutes. My strategy is to be
and I enjoyed seeing how they put mobile, prepared to change hunting
good use to a large gear trailer to locations based on scouting intel-
transport outdoor lights, decoys, ligence and sometimes I hunt alone.
blinds, chow and much more. That’s In my average season I’ll hunt sev-
when I moved to a field birds would eral dozen different farms, chang-
fly over on the way to the hot spot. ing locations as birds alter feeding
Soon I was joined by my pals and flights. I also hunt several counties
we set up pronto and we had a in southern Michigan: Shiawassee,
dozen geese on the ground and fired Ingham, Ionia, Clinton, Jackson,
the first opening day shots in the Isabella, Midland, Bay County,
County. But soon large flocks passed Kalamazoo and more. My goal is to
us up and decoyed into the hot spot hunt in southern Michigan’s giant
covered with the huge decoy spread. Canada heartland and I frequently
It was music to my ears to hear them set up just outside big cities and
calling, followed by fast paced mul- decoy birds from protected parks,
tiple shots on unsuspecting decoying water treatment plants, golf courses,
private lakes and ponds, large condo
developments with waterways high-
lighted by small islands and lawns
covered with lush green grass.
Once a field has been hunted
and is somewhat burned up I begin
the scouting process all over again.
What happens is adult geese are
spooked from hunted locations and
they shift feeding patterns to new
fields. The trick is to follow early
morning flights leaving roosting
waterways and follow them to
current feeding fields. Early geese
prefer to fly at sunrise, return to
waterways for a mid-day rest and
return to fields late in the afternoon.
If you scout geese, learn their flight
patterns and set up where they like
to land, you are guaranteed great
gunning.
During the current early goose
season, try a hunt or two. If marsh-
lands and waterways don’t provide
the action you desire, make the
switch to open field layout tac-
tics. Dawn is without a doubt the
best time to ambush unsuspecting
flocks but field hunting can provide
action any time of day, adrenaline
rush excitement and challenging
wingshooting.n
94 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
Photos Of The Month...
CITY
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I
ing Tyler’s first successful solo hunt
as a 14-year-old.
t always brings me great joy The fall of 2017 had brought
to listen to a young, up-and- about the long-anticipated closing
coming hunter relive their date for Paul’s first and very own
first successful hunt. With 80-acre vacant land parcel of hunt-
tremendous excitement and ing ground. Although 60% agricul-
exhilaration, these tural fields, the remaining
stories are often scripted wood lot provided steep
better than what we see on ravines, dense cover, and
most outdoor shows these a four season stream that
days. From reliving the provided a constant water
highs and the lows of the source for the property. Af-
newcomer’s first hunt or ter years of searching, Paul
two, it inevitably brings you and his son Tyler could now
back to recollecting your start their own annual deer
own first experi-
By Jake Dykstra
camp traditions on
ences in the field. his own property.
The mistakes you
made, the lessons of Wildlife Realty Already
midway through
Tyler, his first deer and the star t of a lifelong journey of creating memories.
learned, the heart hunting season, of property can often seem daunt- at the dining room table, had a long
wrenching lows and the triumphal Paul and Tyler elected to postpone ing, but there’s no better way than to rectangular box sitting directly in
highs; it’s what hooked us all right the building of the pole barn “man have boots on the ground. front of Tyler’s chair. Without any
from the beginning, and it can usu- cave,” and instead decided to make It was November 20, a Sunday hesitation at all, Tyler ran to the box
ally be traced back to our first few the best of their time and hang a few night Tyler said, that dad had called in excitement, beaming from ear
hunts that we experienced with a ladder stands. Learning a new piece him upstairs out of bed. Paul, sitting to ear. Tyler’s first ever “real gun,”
L e n Je n ki ns
HUNT CLUB
Visit my
booth at the
32 Annual
Woods-N-
Water News
Outdoor
Weekend!
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4989 Abbot Road • Reading, MI 49274
Hunts Conducted On
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igan in the fall to anchor quietly
and you’ve got a and cast parallel
real dilemma. Do to the weed edg-
I hunt or do I fish come fall? es. Schools of walleyes will move in
Most Michigan sportsmen I to herd minnows against the weed
know try to reach a happy me- edges. Rose advised using a light/
dium. Mix in a little fishing on the medium-spinning combo with super
perfect Indian summer days. Or a line. The super sensitive line is per-
little grouse hunting in the morning fect for detecting the subtle bite of a
and fishing in the afternoon. Nasty nighttime walleye.
days are reserved for waterfowl- Most of the ’eyes will be 1½ - 3
ing, although that kind of weather pound eaters, but walleyes over 6 Local anglers know that walleyes begin to make nightly pilgrimage into the shal-
is ideal for fall muskies, too. First pounds are not unheard of. Try the lows as the waters cool in the fall and produce an entirely different kind of bite.
two weeks in November are prime shallow flats in the bays on the west
time for the whitetail rut. But if you side of the lake. Listen for schools Big Glen Lake doesn’t have that has some openings in it and cast
arrow a bruiser early in the rut, early of walleyes slashing minnows. much in the way of structure. The stickbaits, like Rattlin’ Rogues and
November is pretty hard to beat for For bait, tackle and maps contact lake is basically bowl shaped with Husky Jerks, into the pockets in the
steelhead fishing. Gander Mountain in Traverse City few points or humps. The exception weeds. Let the bait sit for 20 sec-
at (231) 929-5590. is where Little Glen Lake enters Big onds or more before giving it a few
Long Lake Walleyes Glen Lake. A ridge there is worth subtle twitches, then let it sit again.
Grand Traverse County’s largest Big Glen Lake Trout prospecting for fall trout. Other- Walleyes will explode on it.”
inland lake at 2,860 acres, Long “There are a lot of lakes that wise, Rose advises just working Rose said to look for weeds in 4
Lake is a bustle of activity during are planted with trout in northwest the shoreline drop-off. As the water to 12 feet or water where walleyes
the summer months, but once school Michigan that nobody really fishes,” cools, trout move shallow and cruise will school up and work the min-
resumes and summer cottage owners offered Dave Rose. “You might find the edge. He said just cast to 4 to 10 nows over. Most of the walleyes will
go home the lake settles down and a few people trolling for trout in feet of water with a suspending stick run from 15 to 19 inches, but fish to
anglers reclaim the lake. the summertime, but after that you bait and hold on! “The big ones will 8 or 9 pounds are not uncommon.
Long Lake has a long history of hardly see anyone fishing specifi- darn near rip the rod out of your Rose said that if the stickbaits
walleyes plants and the persistence cally for trout.” Rose said that fall hands,” chided Rose. Rose said that aren’t working you can always fall
seems to have paid off. Long Lake is prime time to cash in on this Elk, Burt and Torch lakes are good back on the old standby- a jig and
supports a good walleye population untapped resource. The trout move bets for fall trout action too. grub or worm. Rose said in the clear
now. The fish average 16 to 17 inch- from the depths into the shallows To sample some of northwest waters of South Lake Leelanau that
es, but ’eyes in the 25- to 26-inch as the waters cool and provide great Michigan’s best fall fishing contact natural colored plastics work best.
range aren’t uncommon. Anglers jig sport on light tackle then. Dave Rose at 231-276-9874 or on- Try motor oil, pumpkinseed or red
with minnows or troll with crawler One of Rose’s favorite fall trout line at www.wildfishing.com. colors highlighted with a chartreuse
harnesses to catch walleyes during lakes is Big Glen Lake. At 1,400 jig head to call attention to the
the summer months. These same acres, Big Glen Lake has a long South Lake bait.
tactics work during early fall during history of trout plants. From 1995 Leelanau Walleyes South Lake Leelanau is a big
the daylight hours. Because Long through 2001 the lake received “We have so many great fish- body of water at 5,370 acres and is
Lake is very clear, don’t be sur- regular plants of brown trout, lake ing lakes up here it’s tough to pick long and narrow so the wind doesn’t
prised to find the walleye in water trout and splake. More recently just one or two,” said guide Dave affect it too much unless it’s com-
25 to 35 feet deep or deeper dur- Big Glen has been the recipient of Rose. “But one destination I’d ing straight down the lake. Prime
ing the day. The ’eyes relate to the rainbow and steelhead plants. Those have to include would be South walleye locations include Perrin’s
myriad of structure that the lake af- fish are now reaching good size. Lake Leelanau. From about mid- Bay on the south end of the lake, off
fords. Sloping contours off the mid- Rose emailed me an image recently September until the weeds start to Robinson Point, and near the inlets
lake islands are natural hotspots. An of two fat rainbows that he took die off the walleyes really turn on of Weisler and Cedar creeks. There
underwater point straight out from from Big Glen Lake just last fall. in there.” Rose said weeds are the are boat launches on the both the
the boat launch off Edgewood Ave. Those trout should have added a few key to South Lake Leelanau’s fall east and west sides of the lake.
on the lake’s northwest corner is an- pounds by this fall. walleye fishing. “Look for cabbage Contact Dave Rose at 231-276-
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WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 99
Join our club and learn a trade
Told by HYC members…To Capt. Fred Davis - Boat Smart
T
he HYC (Huron Yacht Over the years, challenges to
Club), located at the protect their property presented
mouth of the Pigeon as water levels rose. Lake Huron
River on Lake Huron often riled up with strong winds that
in Caseville has had a washed into the river where their
remarkable forty years. boats sat at dockside. Urgent calls
The club is like no other group would go out to members to assem-
of boaters. In 1978 a group of 30 ble and stand their ground to hold
sailors envisioned the future and back the erosion of their property.
became charter members. “Join our Rebuilding and maintaining was
Yacht Club and learn a trade,” was accomplished because of the diver-
soon adopted as their motto. Third sity of occupations of its members.
generation members, that now total Engineers, teachers, construction
thirty-three, continue to sail. When workers, doctors, lawyers, and
hosting club activities with fam- veterinarian describe but a few.
ily and friends the group’s number Helping one another, they learned to
raises to over one hundred. do plumbing, masonry, pipe fitting,
I observed the club’s progress roofing and many other skills. By
over the years. Their accomplish- doing the work themselves, they not
ments far exceeded their imagina- only learned how and saved the club
tions of forty years ago. Yes, they money, they built a strong sense of
are all sailors, but they are also hard pride.
working people who totally re-built I was invited to sit down in the
a lowly fish house into the beautiful clubhouse and chat with some of the
clubhouse it is today. When a call “Golden Age” construction crew.
of, “All hands on deck,” is sent out, They were eager to relate the club’s
all members fit and able respond. history and told how charter mem-
A statement is often repeated; “The bers scraped together funds to put
only way to be excused from a work a down payment on the Gillingham
session is to attend their funeral.” Fish Company property. It provided
Top photo is the Gillingham Fish Company proper ty and the begin-
ning of the HYC. Bottom photo is the HYC today!
five-hundred feet of frontage with boast of. Members often donate
quick access to Saginaw Bay. The their race flags to display along the
seller stressed they did not want rafters of the clubhouse.
the property used for commercial Member Mike Elliott has com-
purposes. The prospective owners peted in 25 Mackinaw races. While
assured them the development was racing in a Nood (National Orga-
to be purely for the enjoyment and nization One Design), he bested
camaraderie of sailing for members 2,000 competitors for a victory.
and their families. The docks, built The Noods are sanctioned races
by club members, hold 34 boats that feature identical boats. They
from 24 to 38 foot with many of are held throughout the year and
Visit our booth at
them fitted out for competitive rac- 35 to 40 HYC members and family
the Woods-N-Water News ing – and race they did. Over the have enjoyed participating in them.
Outdoor Weekend lengthy span of years, there have They travel to the west coast, South
Sept. 7, 8 & 9 been many events that the club can Carolina and many other locations.
$3,599.00
3995 Fairgrove Rd. www.kirks-mi.com Reservations call: 231-994-2108
Fairgrove, MI 989-693-6741 www.lakeleelanaunarrowsresort.com
100 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
Several members raced in a Nood in their clubhouse. Tawas is the host
held at St. Petersburg last year. this year and 7 to 10 members will
Scott Maust, took his 33 foot Hobie, be sailing across Saginaw Bay a
Rhumbline, and four crew members few days in advance of the race to
to Miami in 2016 to compete in the prepare.
International Miami to Havana race. Closer to home and hearts of
It had not been held for sixty years many are the WOW (Women on
but resumed when Cuba opened its Water) races that feature women
doors to visitors. He brought home a only. They set a buoyed course off-
trophy for finishing first in his class shore and hold a captain’s meeting
and was interviewed by Dave Reed to determine race details. One of the
of Sailing World because of the men describing the event declared,
distinction. “Many of our women are much bet-
Over the long span of years, ter sailors than the guys.” Winners
members have participated in single of each race have their boat’s name
and double-handed races from Port inscribed on a trophy that sits atop
Huron to Mackinaw. Each year the club’s mantle.
members join the fleet that races It’s not all work or racing at
in July to Mackinaw Island. Three HYC – the group takes time off to The Golden Age Construction Crew who told the tale (left-right);
boats represented the club this year enjoy annual functions. The Com- Charlie Morden, Rich Bass, Tom Main and Scott Meyersieck.
with 15 members along as crew. The modores Ball leads off the season on
wind did not favor them however Memorial weekend and each year a participate in civic endeavors to the area wearing a tee shirt noting;
and they were a bit late rounding the theme is adopted. It may be formal promote the community and its “HYC Swim Team” ask them
buoy to enter the harbor. or everyone may be told to show up progress. how they earned the privilege to
Locally club members really as cowboys or perhaps pirates. The Although the grounds and build- wear it. I was told club members
enjoy the “Slammer Cup Regattas” 4th of July is always a big fam- ings seem enough to keep members who fell off their docks – or boats
held since 1982 with Tawas Bay ily gathering and a focus is put on busy, they find time to maintain – were awarded one of those tee
Yacht Club. The host club alternates entertaining the youngsters. A Labor a row of beautiful vessels. Their shirts.
each year and sets a ten mile trian- Day activity and Christmas party beauty is on display as they sail in Capt. Fred Davis is a retired
gular buoyed course that, depending round out the year’s events. If a regattas across the bay. Each boat charter captain and nationally
upon wind, may conclude in two member is active with a group, such stands out with its own colors and published author of boating articles.
to six hours. Boats race the course as the Kiwanis’ Club, the clubhouse flags, providing a breathtaking view His Boat Smart articles are pub-
twice to score points and a winner is may be the scene of one of their of the results of hard work. lished online at www.captaifreds-
awarded the Slammer cup to place annual activities. Many members If you see a member around boatips.com.n
1-800-700-2628
WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 101
The wonderful
essence of early
squirrel hunting
By Tom Lounsbury
W
hen summer binocular with me that is as much
winds down for watching birds as for locating
and begins to wary bushy-tails. Needless to say,
transcend into I’m never bored with a day spent in
autumn, I auto- the September squirrel woods.
matically think I have a wide array of firearms
of squirrel hunting, and you can’t that I employ for squirrel hunting,
beat Michigan for pursuing this but my favorite squirrel rifle of all
unique outdoor pastime. It doesn’t time is a .22 rimfire Model 39 Mar-
require much traveling anywhere in lin Lever-action topped with a Wil- Tom Lounsbury with a mid-September Thumb fox squirrel taken with his
scoped .17 caliber Gamo air rifle using a lead hunting pellet (a proper
this state to discover great squirrel liam’s peep sight which has been my pellet is the key when dealing with tenacious squirrels).
hunting opportunities. The problem frequent woods companion for over
is, small game hunting on a whole 50 years now. With a butter-smooth On occasion I enjoy using a bow dog first finding squirrels by scent
in Michigan, which includes squirrel action, it has become a natural ex- and flu-flu arrows tipped with Judo- and then sight which is an important
hunting, is at an all time low these tension of me. points as well. What hunting arma- factor when dealing with squirrels
days in regards to hunter par- Other squirrel guns that I use ment you wish to use for squirrel that travel across branches from tree
ticipation. This is a fact that utterly entail a variety of .22s, including hunting is purely whatever is legal to tree. A good squirrel dog keeps
amazes me, because I thoroughly handguns. I have a traditional cap- and suits your fancy and hunting an eye on its quarry once a squirrel
enjoy the wonderful essence of early lock .32 caliber muzzleloader which technique (I haven’t tried a sling- is treed and the pooches can even
autumn squirrel hunting, and it is adds a touch of unique nostalgia, shot yet, but I have been seriously retrieve squirrels after the shot.
something I have passed on to my as well as recent years have seen considering it). The dogs I had hunted with were
three sons, and they in turn are pass- me using an air rifle. My scoped My most used hunting technique on the squirrels the minute they
ing it on to my grandchildren. It is .17 caliber Gamo air rifle might not is simply sitting down in good hit the ground after the shot. Large
a unique atmosphere that can offer be absolutely quiet when I fire it in squirrel habitat against a handy tree squirrel dogs are known as curs and
complete relaxation combined with the woods, but its abrupt, coughing trunk and patiently waiting (and the smaller ones are called feists
moments of frequent hunting action report is more mellow than the typi- sometimes dozing off) for shots of and this type of hunting is an old
which is a great way to share an cal firearms often used. I’ve noticed opportunity. The key here is not to American pastime that’s making a
outdoor experience with kids. wary bushy-tails pay less heed to get up and retrieve each squirrel great comeback, at least in this neck
And you can’t beat the weather in my shooting an air rifle in a dense right after a shot because this visible of the woods (it has always been
the woods either, which can at times and woodsy environment, and that movement in the cover alarms squir- popular down south entailing some
be outright balmy. When the mid- works for me. rels more than the sound of the shot. old and time tested bloodlines of
September squirrel opener arrives, When it comes to shotguns for I mark the spot to memory where squirrel dogs).
the leaves on the hardwoods are squirrel hunting, I prefer the smaller the squirrel falls, and stay put until I purchased a young female black
still green, with only a hint here and bores, with a tight-choked .410 I have finished hunting that loca- and brindle Mountain Cur last fall
there of autumn’s colorful splendor stoked with number 4 birdshot being tion, and only then do I get up and and I’m utterly amazed at the versa-
that is fast approaching. The woods my favorite. A shotgun definitely gather any downed squirrels. I have tility of this actually quite old Amer-
are also still teeming with songbirds gives the shooter an edge in trying on occasion bagged my daily limit ican dog breed, which is also a great
that have yet to migrate south, and to hit a small target in the heavy of squirrels from one location in this family dog that can’t resist smooz-
squirrel hunting for a fact has turned foliage setting of hardwoods during manner, and refer to this technique ing with kids. You name it and she’ll
me into a bit of a birdwatcher. I now early autumn (a favorite of mine is a as taking a “squirrel stand.” hunt it, including pheasants (she has
never go squirrel hunting without scoped T/C Contender .410 handgun Of course some locations in the a deep howl which really rattles the
my bird identification book and a with a 10 inch barrel). woods from day to day aren’t as typically wily and wary wild roost-
squirrel-active as others, especially ers), rabbits and of course treeing
right where I’m sitting, and this squirrels is right in her nature. I’m
will find me still-hunting (using really looking forward to September
eyes and ears more than feet while squirrel hunting with my Mountain
moving slowly through the woods Cur, and it will be great to have kids
one careful step at a time) to a more along too, because it truly can be
likely hunting site to sit at. This type action packed. Typically, I prefer
of hunting can also turn into a spot to use a small bore shotgun for this
and stalk event when a bushy-tail is type of hunting, for both safety
sighted, and stalking into range of reasons and more efficiency when
a squirrel can be a very challenging shooting at often animated squirrels
endeavor that I much enjoy, whether in the treetops.
or not I get the shot (I’ve found Needless to say, I thoroughly
being proficient at squirrel hunting enjoy the mid-September squirrel
has made me a better deer hunter, woods in Michigan, no matter what
including honing marksmanship hunting technique or hunting arm I
skills in heavy cover). choose to employ.
A friend introduced me to squir- If you have never tried it, you
rel hunting with dogs a few years should, because you don’t know
The author, Tom Lounsbury’s, favorite squirrel rifles are the scoped Gamo ago and I have been smitten with what a unique pastime in a distinct
air rifle (top) and his beloved .22 Marlin Model 39 lever-action (bottom) this technique ever since. It is a atmosphere you are missing out
topped with a Williams peep-sight, which he used for over 50 years. method that is full of action with the on.n
102 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
DNR’s incident management
teams are ready to respond
By Timothy Webb-MDNR
M
ost people in Michigan oversight from an incident manage-
know the Department of ment team. But when lots of people
Natural Resources plays and multiple agencies get involved for
a critical role in keeping more than a day or two, an incident
people, homes, forests, fields and management team can step in to coor-
other resources protected when wild- dinate the effort.
fires take off. “Incident management teams help
Throughout the state, DNR staff bring organization to chaos,” said Jim
members stand trained and ready for Fisher, the DNR’s fire section man-
dispatchers to send them off to the ager. “A team can expand or contract
next fire. What most people don’t to fit the situation at hand. The more A bulldozer works to repair a section of trail where damage was
know is how that same training pre- complex the incident, the bigger the caused in June in Houghton County. MDNR photos
pares those firefighters for all kinds of team.”
other disasters. Team members on a large fire started checking local trails later that had reopened more than 40 miles of
The DNR Forest Resources Divi- or other incident in Michigan might same day. He quickly determined the trails and two boating access sites in
sion supports four incident manage- be responsible for requesting and task before him was enormous, well the county, which needed only minor
ment teams, two each in the Upper checking in responders and equip- beyond what could be handled with repairs.
and Lower peninsulas. ment, developing strategies to attack local staff. That’s about where the incident
While their primary job is coor- the problem, coordinating tasks and DNR officials soon decided an management team’s work ended. It
dinating response to large fires, the communications among responding incident management team could help had taken care of immediate public
teams’ training under the National agencies, providing food, supplies and Kakuk and others start wrapping their safety concerns, assessed the storm
Incident Management System also lodging for staff, producing incident arms around this overwhelming situ- damage and got ground crews rolling
prepares them to assist in just about maps and weather reports, collecting ation. on initial trail repairs.
any other catastrophe. information for the media, and so on. By Wednesday morning, team Team members had engaged the
Many team members attend work- DNR teams are managed by the members began arriving from across Michigan Department of Environ-
shops specifically geared to “all haz- Forest Resources Division but include the state. The Quincy-Franklin- mental Quality and a private engineer-
ard” response. There, they run through members from other DNR divisions Hancock Townships Volunteer Fire ing firm to help plan repairs of the
simulations of tornadoes, floods and who help with communications, Department offered its fire hall for use major trail washouts. Cost estimates
many other emergency situations. finances and logistics. as DNR’s incident command post. had been delivered to the Federal
Small incidents requiring only a In the early morning hours of Brian Mensch, DNR fire supervi- Emergency Management Agency for
few people, who are involved for a Sunday, June 17, torrential rains sent sor at nearby Baraga, stepped in as potential federal disaster funding.
short length of time, don’t really need emergency responders in Houghton incident commander to lead the team. “At that point, the team handed
County into action. The National “Our first job was to size up the things back over to Parks and Rec-
Weather Service reported seven damage to the local DNR trails and reation Division staff to oversee and
inches of rain fell over nine hours. close off the damaged portions of the implement the long recovery process,
The rainfall, coupled with the steep trail system as quickly as possible for with the goal of restoring the recre-
topography in and around Houghton public safety,” Mensch said. ation infrastructure so important to
and Hancock, resulted in dozens and During the next several days, the Copper Country economy,” Kakuk
dozens of roads, homes and busi- DNR ground crews documented 150 said.
nesses damaged or destroyed by flash washouts on about 60 miles of trails. Incident management team mem-
floods, landslides and cave-ins. After putting up fencing and signs bers returned to their home stations
According to plan, Houghton to close off critical trail access points, after spending just over a week at the
County’s emergency operations center they started the lengthy process of incident.
mobilized its own incident manage- repairing washouts and regrading It will take quite some time before
ment team. eroded trail surfaces. Staff also dug things are back to normal in Hough-
At the same time, the storm-rav- out plugged culverts and delivered ton County, but the DNR’s incident
aged area recreational trails and boat and spread gravel on storm-damaged management team members are back
ramps elicited a response from DNR’s trails. to their own normal – waiting for
Parks and Recreation Division. Just 12 days after the rains, the the next dispatch to a wildfire or
A section of the Lake Linden Trail Jeff Kakuk, western Upper Pen- DNR Forest Resources and Parks whatever else nature throws in their
sliced through by flood waters. insula trails specialist for the DNR, and Recreation divisions’ staffers direction.n
Sportsman’s Haven Museum Plan to visit us and see classic waterfowl hunting and fishing items
from Saginaw Bay and surrounding areas. Vintage wooden duck decoys, trapping
items, commercial fishing items and boats which were built in Sebewaing are
displayed in a manner which is educational for the entire family.
Located inside Cornerstone Venture at 4 N Center Street in historic downtown Sebewaing, Michigan
Open Friday-Saturday-Sunday 10AM-5PM (mid-April through December) 989-551-2739
Museum admission $3.00 for 13 and over Children 12 and under Free with adult
WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 103
Black Powder Shooting Sports...
The Man in
the Arena
have the certificate which was about 2014. This award
Enjoy
Upland Bird Hunting Bulk &
August 15—April 30
Bagged
Carrots,
No Hunting Sugarbeets, Corn,
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Gamebird Breeders & Hunting Preserves Statewide delivery available.
For information & listing of our preserves near you go to: 1065 Pratt Rd Service to retail locations
www.michiganhuntingpreserves.com Metamora, MI 48455 or private parties
104 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
sify shooters by their ability” J. L. Rifle Hall of Fame. The women
Hargis, the past chairman of the need 50 points, because their shoot-
NMLRA’s rifle committee said. ing program is smaller and there are
“There were always four or five less opportunities to earn points.
shooters who were at the top, win- “The distinguished master came
ning the medals. Shooters wanted to about from that research. Some
participate and compete, but were competitors demonstrated a high
unable to. degree of proficiency, but did not
“In 1994 we created three clas- meet the hall of fame requirements.
sifications with the ‘Expert Class’ For the Offhand Rifle Distinguished
being the highest, but we still had Master Award, a shooter must post a
too many at the top, so we created score of 180 or better out of 200 in
the ‘Master Class,’ which is where a series of events, and done so ten
Ed shot,” Hargis added. times or more.
At the NMLRA’s national “For the men, there are six
shoots, “Aggregate CA” is designed championship aggregates a person
to classify first time shooters with can compete in with one target shot
a total score from four matches. A at 25 yards, two at 50 yards and one
competitor can move up by post- at 100 yards. Each distance has a
ing higher scores in three classified different diameter target, but they
aggregates. On rare occasions, the are all round bulls. The aggregate of Attention to detail and a consistent loading process are key con-
rifle committee can be petitioned scores for the four matches, which is tributing factors for success in the black powder shooting spor ts.
to downgrade a classification for a 50 per match, adds up to 200. This doer of deeds could have done them fails while daring greatly, so that his
change in shooting ability. is a standard set by the rifle com- better,” he recited from memory. place shall never be with those cold
“The Master Class consists of mittee. There are only a few people “The credit belongs to the man who and timid souls who neither know
shooters averaging 88% to 100% in who have done this in the history of is actually in the arena, whose face victory nor defeat.
a 3-6 target aggregate, Expert Class the organization, and Ed Dennis is is marred by dust and sweat and “I am not a gifted shooter,” Ed
averaging 83% to 87%, Sharpshoot- one of them,” Hargis said. blood; who strives valiantly; who Dennis continued in his modest,
er Class averaging 75% to 82% and Ed Dennis avoided the question errs, who comes short again and humble voice, “I just work at it.” Ed
Marksman Class 74% and below,” when asked how he felt about the again, because there is no effort Dennis does, after all, personify the
Neil Eddington, the current rifle award. “Over my bench,” he said without error and shortcoming; man in the arena…
committee chairman explained in after a long pause, “I have a quote but who does actually strive to do Give the black powder shooting
the 2018 NMLRA Spring National from Theodore Roosevelt, ‘The Man the deeds; who knows great enthu- sports a try, be safe and may God
Shoot program. in the Arena,’ Are you familiar with siasms, the great devotions; who bless you.n
“The designation of Off- it? spends himself in a worthy cause;
hand Rifle Distinguished Master “It is not the critic who counts; who at the best knows in the end the
is achievement based on offhand not the man who points out how the triumph of high achievement, and
scores at the NMLRA’s national strong man stumbles, or where the who at the worst, if he fails, at least
shooting championships, which are
now held in the fall,” J. L. Hargis
said. “The list of distinguished Muzzle Loading State Events
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WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 105
The Outdoor Weekend is dog friendly
September 7-9, Fairgrounds - Imlay City...By Len Jenkins
T
he Outdoor Weekend tioning and training. I’ll have pigeons and pheasants to
is always a great op- Socially neglected pups who demonstrate using live birds in the
portunity to meet dogs were raised in a cage will never training process. There is no reason
or perhaps enter the achieve their full potential and you you have to depend on mere luck as
Michigan Hunting Dog would do well to search further you pursue winding birds that just
Federation “Puppy for a pup who doesn’t suffer from might happen to be present in your
Tent,” which will immediately put negative excess ‘baggage’ caused by training area.
you in “puppy heaven!” You can poor early handling or neglect. Besides being available for
visit with many litters of puppies If you select a pup, bring him individual help with your dog
as well as their owners and perhaps to me and my helpers for early bird I’ll also be conducting structured
select your next canine companion contact along the west fence ad- training seminars in which you can
or hunting partner. jacent to the puppy tent. I’ll have get your pup excited over birds,
Just remember all puppies are plenty of birds for your new pup to leash broke, working cover with a
‘cute’ but they’re not necessarily meet. That early bird exposure is high head, working the scent cone
‘equal.’ If the pups you’re looking at critical. conditioned to noise such as clap-
are receptive to being handled, that’s We can also show you how you ping or voice or anything else you
a good sign. If the pups like your can expose your pup to light gunfire think you might need. Your young
voice, that’s also good. It shows that as he becomes excited over birds. dog will have plenty of opportunity
they’re interested in having further This helps assure that your new pup to point and retrieve. If you have an
interaction with you. If the owner of will associate gunfire with positive older dog which needs bird contact Len Jenkins will be hosting
the pups you’re looking at talks to exciting bird contact. We won’t and training, you can bring him puppy training seminars at the
the pups and if the pups are aware of actually fire a blank gun at the fair- to the seminar also. If you want Outdoor Weekend.
voice inflection, enthusiasm in tone grounds but we’ll make a loud voice to enjoy your dog at the outdoor of the Outdoor Weekend.
and excitement, it shows that the signal such as “POW!” as we flip weekend, we can teach him to walk Feed your dog prior to entering
pups had positive interaction with the bird upward to simulate flight. with you in a civilized manner on the fairgrounds and allow him time
humans during their formative early All gun-shy dogs are made gun-shy the fairgrounds. I have plenty of the to relieve himself. Don’t feed you
weeks. They will not suffer from by improper introduction to gunfire. Scott collars available to help assure dog during the day. You don’t want
arrested social development and will We’ll make sure that you don’t in- you’ll have ‘power steering’ with to create any digestive discomfort or
be receptive to future social condi- advertently make your pup gun-shy. your dog as you enjoy the festivities teach you dog to beg for food.n
DVD $20
then mail to: Shipping and handling – $12.00 first bag $8.00 City State Zip
Upper Peninsula and the each additional bag
Deer Attraction
Includes rest of the Continental US
Phone #
4986 Winewood Lane TOTAL
REMIT BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER Please remit by MasterCard, Visa, Check or Money Order.
Commerce, MI 48382 MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
Circle card type:
Ed Spinazzola • 24150 31 Mile Road, Ray Twp, MI 48096
Check the Following: Book @ $25 each DVD @ $20 each WEBSITE: deerattraction.com MC/Visa #
Name Name Expiration Date Signature
Address Address
Make checks payable to: SMITH PUBLICATIONS
City State Zip City State Zip 814 Clark St. • Marquette, MI 49855
Phone # Phone #
www.RichardPSmith.com
106 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
Last minute weedy food plots
Did You Have A Busy Summer? Guest Column...By Robert Kennedy Jr.
F
or the most part, our lives than three hours of sunlight the
are hectic, whether it is food plot blend should entail shade
work, responsibilities, tolerant vegetation. Red clovers
hobbies or obligations. It and cereal grains have the ability to
is a never ending process tolerate areas that are less sunny. If
and a lot of times it causes the chosen location receives more
us to lose track of time. Being an than three hours sunlight you can
outdoorsman, when I am not oc- incorporate white clovers, brassicas,
cupied by work or responsibilities, I radishes, and chicory into the op-
spend the majority of my time out in tions you could plant. My favorite
the woods, fields and streams. With combination is red clover, ladino
so many outdoor hobbies it is easy clover, cereal grains, chicory and
to forget about making preparations radishes all mixed together. This
for the next season. This is espe- blend provides some shade tolerant
cially true when it comes to putting vegetation, plus both early season
in food plots for deer season. and later season food sources. It’s
Location and Blend an exceptional idea to always try
The neat thing about last minute to incorporate clovers as they are a
food plots is the pre-work put into it perennial food source and you won’t
is very little. When I’m looking for have to replant it the following year.
the place to plant my food plot, I try The author’s last minute food plot method; weed whip, spray, plant, fer tilize! After your open space is chosen,
to find the most open areas where on. Sometimes, however, you just to be just shy of a quarter acre and the fun begins. I break it down into
the least amount of work is required have to pick a spot and make up for some of the weeds were head high. three simple steps: preparing the area,
to let sunlight down to the ground. your lack of preparation. I was elated in the fact there were so spraying herbicide and finally plant-
My hope is that I don’t have to cut When locating these open spots, many weeds as it helped me decide ing. In reality I like to split the work
any trees, but when I do only a hand usually a quarter acre or smaller, that I wouldn’t have to rough up the up into two separate days. The first
saw is needed. I also try to take into they tend to be covered in weeds. ground. day is preparing the area with the sec-
account how I will hunt the plot, Don’t be discouraged as this will To an extent the location of ond day spraying and planting.
planning out stand placement, where actually help in the planting process. the plot will dictate what you will
the deer are coming in from and so My most recent food plot turned out plant. For example, if it gets less Food plots page 108
Tom Carney
I prefer to have my food plots
ensures something will grow. established and groomed well ahead
During the three step process of time, but this method works
of creating the food plot, fertilizer wonderfully when in a bind. It is
can be applied at any time. For best especially useful when wanting to
results, take soil samples and get plant something on a property you
Pheasant Hunts
in Among the Aspens Tom delivers
the goods through a single form
of outdoor recreation: upland bird
Send check or money order to: Partridge Pointe Press, 2470 Strawberry
Evart, MI
Farm St. NE, Belmont, Michigan 49306.
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W
This gave him a taste for busi-
e spent a lot of ness, and Connor started buying
time outdoors with and selling a variety of things. His
him from infancy friend Ryan once went with him to
on, believing that a flea market and commented, “He
the Earth already disappears and comes back with the
had everything a craziest things and he manages to
young child needs to learn: colors, sell them. He bought an old, rusty
shapes, textures, opportunities for tricycle. I thought he was crazy, but
problem solving. Connor rarely had he said someone would buy it to
tantrums, but the ones he did have decorate a garden.
usually occurred when he was told I ceased being surprised at what
he had to go inside. We spent a lot would show up in the driveway- he
of time by the river, and we took bought and sold a carriage, scooters,
him fishing for the first time when golf carts, a 1950 Allis Chalmers
he was very small. tractor, lawn mowers, and a wide
His inquisitiveness and thirst for variety of other things.
knowledge were clear from early on. One favorite story about buy-
At age of two, we heard “Uh oh...” ing and selling; I was finishing up
come from the bathroom. We went at work one summer day. Connor
in to find blue foam rising from the called me, having just got off the
toilet. Connor had decided it was phone with his dad. He said, “Mom,
a great place to do science experi- don’t freak out, just meet me at the
ments because it would mix things bank.”
well. Luckily, the only things avail- I was curious enough to actu-
able were his shampoo and soap. ally do it. I got there and he stated,
Around 7 to 8-years-old, Con- “Okay, weird request. I just bought a
nor took an interest in photograph- car, and I need you to get money out
ing wildlife, especially deer. One of the bank.”
day he came home proud that a I called David, who had ap-
certain buck he had been watching proved, with some skepticism. He
had finally come close enough for told David, “Dad don’t worry. Trust
a picture. He discovered the move- me, I got this.”
ments of deer were predictable, and Although not sure about this
varied by seasons, but if he studied plan, Connor had been doing busi-
them, he could tell them apart and ness for a while, and we figured
have a good idea of where he would Connor Puhlman and last deer he took in 2014, an 8-point with a 22 inch spread. while he was young was the time
find them and when. to make mistakes and learn, so
At age 9, Connor was invited but he wanted this special time with ing for a certain number of deer per I got the money out. However, I
to go hunting with a family friend. his son, so Connor began teaching year. said, “Um...son... you are only 16,
This was the beginning of his love David everything he had learned; Although often a bit shy around you can’t actually buy a car.” He
of hunting. He decided he wanted to cover scents, how to figure out the others, Connor had no shyness when said, “Oh, I went home and put on
take it up. As no one in our family movements of the deer and the best it came to hunting; it really brought nice pants with a collared shirt and
was a hunter, we were uncomfort- place for a stand. He practiced with out his personality. One time, we combed my hair nicely. They don’t
able. However, Connor had been his bow daily getting ready for the were driving past a local property, know I’m only 16.”
grocery shopping with me and had season. and Connor mentioned, “Oh, that’s I said, “Son, the DMV is going
helped enough in the kitchen to Connor took his first buck with a so and so’s property. I’m going to to know. You are going to need your
know just the perfect argument. He compound bow that year, and from have Dad bring me over here to ask dad.” He said okay, and went off. He
said, “Mom, hunting is the most that point on, we purchased very if we can hunt it.” doubled his money on the car within
organic and sustainable way to get little meat for the household, eating I asked Connor how he knew 24 hours. He stated, “The biggest
food. Animals that are used for meat mostly venison and fish brought this person, and he replied, “I don’t. thing, Mom, is it just needed a thor-
are not always treated right, but home by Connor and his dad. I I memorized the plat book. I keep it ough cleaning. People don’t give
hunters let the animals live a normal remember telling him that he should in my head.” enough credit to cleaning when they
life, and then when they shoot one, feel proud to be using his skills to Oddly, I didn’t surprise me. sell things. It makes a big difference
they don’t waste the meat. Really, it help feed his family. By age 12, Connor had begun in how the product looks.”
will be the best meat we can have.” Connor had, from an early age using deer sheds he found or pur- I had to laugh because one of
He had us there, and he knew it. taken an interest in supporting the chased to create pieces of art- can- his other buddies, who had come to
He took his first deer at age 10 homeless and local soup kitchen. dles, desk top pen holders, business see the car, commented, “Connor, I
with another family friend. How- So from that first year hunting, his card holders, etc. He went to a few love how your parents just look, roll
ever, Connor had decided he was second deer harvested was always local auctions and sold them, mak- their eyes, and keep right on walk-
interested in learning archery. given to the soup kitchen. Our local ing quite good money for a young
His dad had never hunted deer, processor would donate the process- person. He made some business Connor Puhlman page 114
112 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
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Woods-N-Water News?
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Michigan Timber Products. 269- hunting opportunity for black
923-1278. M-3-18-TFN 989-539-7588 after 6 p.m. W-10- long. On Demand hot water - 40 989-846-6228 H-9-4
967-2850. M-4-6 bear hunters in Newberry man-
.............................................. 12/17 gallon water tank, $30,000 in will agement area. Fully licensed ..............................................
A TEMPUR-PEDIC .............................................. sacrifice for $20,000. Can send guide offers unlimited day hunt- DEER HUNT: Bay County.
M E M O RY FOAM LOG BUNK BEDS. $495. pictures on request. 419-708-4137. ing. Lodging available. High Cabin. No Deer, No pay. $200 per
MATTRESS SET. Clean. Never Amish lodge furniture. Call Dan FS-9-1 point. Ranch phone 989-846-6228.
success rate. For information
used. As seen on TV. Cost $1700. 989-832-1866. M-4-14-TFN .............................................. H-9-4
Sell for $695. 989-832-2401. M-4- .............................................. FOR SALE LIGHTHOUSE TACKLE:
or references call Bruce at 906-
477-6983 or 616-566-0183. ...............................................
14-TFN Turnkey bait and tackle shop, City H-7-3
.............................................. G R E AT L I F E O U T D O O R S . of Port Huron. Old Texaco gas sta- HUNTING PROPERTY:
AN AMISH LOG COM OUTDOOR GEAR ON tion. Owner retiring. 810-985-3374.
HEADBOARD AND QUEEN WANTED SALE!! Ravin, Tenpoint, Lone Wolf, FS-9-2 ELK & DEER GUIDED
315 ACRES PRIME
HUNTING, 15 miles north
pillowtop mattress set. New. Sell all Victory, Lews, Daiwa, Gamakatsu, .............................................. HUNTS 100% success, Northeast of Alpena, Michigan. Parcel is
for $275. 989-923-1278. CVA, TC, + More+ More + More!!! POND SUPPLIES: Live game- MI no license needed. Plus, great surrounded by private hunting
M-4-14-TFN Only the Top Brands hand picked! fish for stocking. Large selection of fishing for bass and bluegills, cabin
TIMBER MANGEMENT: clubs. $350,000.00 Call 586-
.............................................. Traverse City’s Online Outdoor lake, pond and watergarden sup- with boat and motor. Text or call
Ensuring landowners maximum 438-0157. H-6-6
AMISH LOG BEDS, ANY Superstore. Family Owned. Over plies. Free catalog! Stoney Creek, 989-493-2909. H-9-12/18
value for their timber for over
SIZE $199. 5 drawer log chest 11,000 Satisfied Customers. FS-9- Inc., Grant, MI (800) 448-3873,
35 years. Michigan Timber ..............................................
$199. Good quality. Lowest prices Products 269-967-2850. W-4-
1 www.stoneycreekequip.com FS-4- MECOSTA CO WHITETAIL
in Michigan. 989-839-4846. M-4- 7
.............................................. 7 HUNTING: 160 acres, youth bow
GUIDED U.P. BEAR
14-TFN .............................................. HUNTS OVER BAIT. and gun and muzzle season, hunts
..............................................
Amasa, Gwinn and Baraga available. Land is also for sale. 231-
units. With great results. 972-8430. H-9-1
Over 20 years experience.
FISHING
..............................................
To reach an immense outdoor market use the . . . Call Rick at 231-464-1077
and Enjoy
U.P. and hunted everything Roscommon County. QDM deer Lake frontage $485K. One in North
there is to hunt. Lodging, food program for 18,000+ acres you Central Michigan $700K. Briggs
and a good time. Call 231-620- hunt, fish, shoot, fifty miles of roads, Realty www.briggsrealtyonline.com BIRD DOG HALL OF
Michigan’s Best
0398. H-6-4 year round caretaker. Home is two 616-942-1071. RE-9-1 FAMER DAVID GRUBB is
bedroom, 1.5 bath, large 2 car .............................................. now training on wild birds here in
garage with loft/bunk room. Sand Michigan. Only trainer in history to
Outdoor Magazine!
RAY’S U.P. HUNTING – Over beach, panoramic water views with 40 ACRES AND CABIN, win National Championships on five
25 years experience guiding for nesting loons, eagles and more. excellent hunting. Gladwin game birds and did it twice! We train
deer and bear. Baited stands in Talking $295,000 very softly. 248- County, easy access off US10 all breeds (labs too.) Special rate.
Amasa, Baraga, and Bergland 979-4101. RE-9-3 and M18. $109,000. 989-560- 248-860-1009. D-9-1
Units. Lodging Available. Call Ray .............................................. 9600. RE-9-1 ..............................................
at 906-265-9420 or cell (906) 284- SIDNEY - 35 ACRES - prop-
2216. Licensed and Insured. H-1- erty offers mature hardwoods, AKC ENGLISH LAB
12/18 pond, food plots & road frontage at BUYING OR SELLING! PUPS: Chocolate-black and
.............................................. 2 points-surveyed - Easy commute Farms, Vacant Land or Recreational yellow. OFA $800. Rheaume's
to GR- perfect to build & play on! Parcels throughout Michigan. Call Kennel. Gun dog training avail-
Andrea Belding - REMAX United Doug Beasley at Faust Real Estate, able. 989-864-8606. D-8-2
BAIT 616-240-1472. RE-9-1 LLC 517-260-2939. RE-9-1
.............................................. ..............................................
CHERRY FILLINGS & CABIN ON THE PINE RIVER MAPLEHILL BRITTANYS:
CHERRY SYRUP in 55 gal in the We-Hee-Gen Land Co. AKC/FDSB/OFA dual quality pups,
180 ACRES CHIPPEWA
Drums $50 per barrel. Other Private Club. 16842 Wereheegen selectively bred to bird hunt from
COUNTY: Hunt, fish, hike or
products available also. Call East in Leroy Tustin area. 1170 Sq. the finest bloodlines and top dogs in
snowmobile. 180 acres with
or Text 616-862-3768. BT-8-3 Ft. $97,500 Call JAC 231-250-4951 the country. Featuring the greatest
trails, blinds, and food plots.
.............................................. or look up on realtors.com or MLS. National Field Champions and Hall
Adjoins thousands of acres of
public land, 13 miles south of RE-9-2 of Famers of our time. The best of
the best and guaranteed not to dis-
New Subscription Renewal
RESORTS/RENT Sault Ste. Marie, less than 2 ..............................................
LITTLE TWO HEARTED appoint. Stud service and started (Please attach mailing label)
miles to boat launch and the St.
RIVER, 32+acres, quarter mile gundogs. 810-543-0733. D-9-1
Mary's River. E.U.P. hunting
One year $29 Two years $55
COHO BEND RIVERSIDE
and fishing camp, the 1100 sq. frontage, snowmobile/ATV trails, ..............................................
RV RESORT Seasonal-only brook trout, blueberries, high
camping at a private, gated ft. home and 32x42 garage will
satisfy most as a year round ground, nice building sites on bluff, GERMAN SHORTHAIR
paradise on Big Manistee River. surrounded by miles of state forest.
residence. A great buy at POINTER PUPS: Males
Large, wooded sites, full hook- $100,000 OBO. quantumdog99@
$250,000. Call 989-390-0362. and females available. Excel-
ups, boat ramp and docks, yahoo, cell 219-545-1702. RE-7-3
Details Craigslist and Zillow. lent hunting dogs and superb
surrounded by NFS land. Quiet,
RE-9-3 .............................................. family pets. Close working
NAME
peaceful, lots of wildlife! 231-
dogs with strong point and
723-7321 www.cohobend.com
retrieve instincts. Reasonably
RR-4-7 Classifieds Work! DOGS priced for the sporting family.
810.724.0254 Money back guarantee. Eulen-
HUNTING LEASE GERMAN SHORTHAIR
hof Kennels, Gladwin, MI.
ADDRESS
POINTER PUPS FOR SALE.
40 ACRES PRIME HUNT- http://www.eulenhof.com
ING LAND. Surrounded by farm- Both parents champion bloodlines,
PREMIER DEER HUNTING 989-426-4884 D-8-2
land. Rows of cedar and pine trees father titled master hunter. Both
FOR LEASE: 20 acres in
plus woods with trails throughout. parents have had hips certified
Missaukee County, several estab-
Call or text to set up your personal before breeding. Have both liver
lished food plots. Includes 3 bed- DAKOTA TRAINING AND
room home sleeps six, bunkhouse
sleeps 10, pole barn. More info
tour. 810-705-1060. RE-9-2
..............................................
and black and white available.
Ready to go Sept. 13. call or text for
HUNTING. For the 20th year,
we’ll take your dog/pup for 2 weeks CITY STATE ZIP
all info 989-627-5077. in North Dakota. They will see more
www.homeaway.com 280 AC. AND CAMP IN
Property ID#7131992 “The Farm” or ONTONAGON CO., MICHI- D-9-1 birds than they have seen in a year
call Mark at 231-510-8122. HL-9-1 GAN. All wooded must sell medi- .............................................. here! Only $350 for the 2 weeks,
cal reasons. Food plots and blinds. which includes everything. Please
Send to:
cover. Lease from September 1, Walla (586-482-4101). Open-
2018 - January 1, 2019. $800 Call
OF MICHIGAN, ALGER YELLOW LAB PUPS FROM
ings available now through fall
Or Call
COUNTY. Includes 34 acres
810-217-8295. L-9-2
..............................................
of pasture, deer, bear, par-
tridge, turkeys, ducks and
POINTING LAB BLOOD-
LINES. Dew claws, first shots,
wormed. Litter enrolled, health
at Rooster Ranch 989-658-
2332, www.roosterranch.com Woods-N-Water News (810) 724-0254
geese, rabbits, large pond, nat- clearances for parents. Both par-
D-8-2
Subscribe ural gas, year round access.
1.5 miles of very good drivable
ents’ hunters. Males and females P.O. Box 278 FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
Today! trails. Call 906-446-3261.
available $600. Ready to 8-16-18.
Classifieds Work!
RE-7-18-TFN
517-468-2219. D-9-1
810.724.0254 Imlay City, MI 48444 Date Ck# $
(810) 724-0254 ..............................................
COVERINGST
SOUTHWAEN!
MICHIG
Barton City
120 Acres – Your Own Playground!!!!
Specializing in:
120 Acres 75% wooded w/trails, food plots and
hunting blinds throughout. The stocked pond
- Acreage
includes a sandy beach and bridge to small island. - Hunting Land
There is a year round 3 bed, 1 ½ bath home in the
process of being totally renovated, 30 x 40 pole - Premier Michigan Waterfront Properties
barn and 532 sf hunting camp. $275,000
Call Barbara at 989-590-0238 CALL BRANDON | BROKER, LAND SPECIALIST (office) 269.357.7036 or (cell) 269.816.3010
barb@anjstatewide.com
A n J State Wide Real Estate
MOSSYOAKPROPERTIES.COM
Each Mossy Oak Properties Office is Independently Owned and Operated
430 S US 23, Harrisville, MI
WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 117
RIVER FRONT OR LAKE FRONT? Two cabins with 181’ frontage on scenic Ocqueoc River. Both 2 bedrooms, ¾
bath. One remodeled, both in good condition. Furnished. $140,000 #314177
54 ACRES
Affordable waterfront lot with 24’ 5th wheel, 12 x 16 shed, electric and well.
On quiet private lake. $40,000 #305314
Affordable river front cabin built in 2008. 2bed/1bath, full walkout base-
CHIPPEWA RIVER LITTLEFIELD LAKE
ment w/space for additional bedroom & bath. $85,000 #310887
Barryton, Mich. Beautiful Nature Oasis with 2,340 Lake, Mich. Beautiful waterfront home with 4 extra
ft. Premier Chippewa River Frontage. 5,840 sq. ft. large bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. Two gas
Quality Construction w/ 4-5 Bedrooms, 2.5 baths, fireplaces, a heated four seasons room with vaulted Reduced – Affordable farm house with 3bed/1bath. Main floor remodeled,
Geothermal, Oak Flooring, Modern Upgraded ceilings and sky lights, new furnace w/ central upper story can be finished for added room. Rural setting. $48,500 #312106
Kitchen. Master suite has Hot Tub room. Sundeck air, newer well, heated kitchen floor, and sprinkler
Overlooks River. Canoeing, Hunting, Deer Blinds, system. Large 2 car detached garage with potential New Listing – Built in 2013, 3bed/3bath quarter log home with pole barn on
ORV Trails. Detached 3-car Garage, Pole Barn, Guest attached bunk house included. All appliances and
House and more! $689,900 dock are included too. $399,000 29 wooded acres. Has full basement for extra living space. $237,000 #314629
MATTHEW COZZIE
Realtor/Sales Executive
402 N Mission, Ste #2
STATE WIDE REAL Check out our web site for
additional properties of all types.
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 ESTATE OF HAWKS www.statewideofhawks.com
989-289-4001 matthewcozzie@gmail.com www.hometowne-realty.com OF HAWKS FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT ONE OF OUR AGENTS: 989.734.4840
320 Acre
Licensed
Deer
Farm
Located between Charlevoix
and Traverse City.
10 foot x 3 mile fence.
Mostly wooded, mostly maple.
Trout pond, access to
shooting ranges.
$1,450,000
231-330-9210
Alcona/Alpeana County,
408+/- Acres, Incredible Retreat, Arenac Co, 167+/- Acres, 3,500+/- ft Calhoun County, 74 Acres, Calhoun County, 67+/- Acres 1+/- Acre Clare, 1200’ cabin or Clare County, 70 Acres, Mixed
3 Lodges, Large Pole Barn, Beaver Lake Huron, 6 Bedroom Lodge, Guest 1/2 Tillable ,1/2 Wooded, 300 ft. All Sports Prairie Lake, year round residence. Woods, Creek, Food Plots, Cabin,
Creek Frontage, Tons of Wildlife Cabin, Great Duck & Deer Hunting. Trophy Buck Genetics Tillable Acreage Move in Ready! Great Deer/Turkey Hunting.
$1,400,000 $550,000 $275,000 $275,000 $49,500 $167,500
Lapeer County 102+/- Acres, Trail 40+/- Acres Mecosta, Fenced Midland County, 80 Acres Missaukee County, 80 Acres, Custom Newaygo County 4+/- Acres Newaygo 40 Acres, Secluded Cabin,
System, Mixed Hardwoods, Pond, in pastureland and pond. Perfect for 12 Miles to Mount Pleasant, Built Home, Wrap-Around-Porch, Muskegon Riverfront, New cabin, Rolling Hardwoods,
Food plot areas, Tons of Deer Sign. equestrians and cattle owners! Excellent Hunting 4 Beds & 3.5 Baths. Beautiful landscaping, Secluded woods. Big Buck County.
$380,000 $97,900 $176,000 $350,000 $220,000 $199,000
I NG
END
P
Newaygo County, 80+/- Acres, Rolling Oceana County, 78 Acres, Great Deer
Newaygo County, 40+/- acres, County Newaygo County, 50.5 Acres, Custom Hills. Mature Woods. Heavy Deer, Newaygo County, 125 Acres, Three Newaygo County, Croton Twp, and Turkey Hunting, Tillable,
Estate, 1,400 sq. ft. home, 2 large pole Built Home, Secluded, Wildlife Galore, Turkey, and Mushroom populations. spring fed lakes, Excellent Deer, 160+/- Acres, Mature Timber, Cabin, Thick Forest Floor, Food Plots, Pond,
barns, large pond, and horse pastures. 4 Beds & 2.5 Baths. Just north of Emerald and Pickerel Lake. Turkey and Waterfowl hunting Loaded With Deer/Turkey Hunting Shack and Pole Barn.
$285,000 $550,000 $199,000 $375,000 $399,000 $154,000
Presque Isle County, Grand Lake Presque Isle County, 1,500 Acres, Roscommon County, 480+/- Acres,
Osceola County, LeRoy Twp, 141 Osceola County, 160+/- Acres, Trail Osceola County, 163+/- Acres, Great Water Frontage, Gorgeous High Fence Deer Ranch, 50,000+ sq. ft. High Fence Deer Rach, First Class
+/- Acres, Easy access to US-131, System, Near Reed City, Tons of Trail System, Awesome Hunting, Cottage along with Additional Cabin, lodge, rolling hills, caretakers Lodge and House, 120’x60’ Pole Barn,
Large Pond Deer and Turkey Sign, Food plot areas Rolling Hills, Must See! Gorgeous Views of Lake house, and pole barn. Quality Deer Herd.
$211,500 $359,000 $290,675 $354,900 $7,500,000 $2,900,000
W E
Near
3,960 ft
S
Marlette 121
in Sanilac Acres
County $326,700
OR
$
Will 2,700 per acre
consider 1,320 ft
all offers.
3 BD, 1 BA on 2.4 Acres. Lovely 66’ of frontage on Mill 50’ of frontage on beautiful 84’ of frontage on Hamlin Lake Basford Lake Front Chalet
stone fireplace and beam ceiling de- Lake! This parcel comes North Lake directly across with amazing views of this pri- with 2 BD and a large loft for
tail in the living room. 2-car attached with a 20 ft camper with the street! 2 BD 1 BA cottage vate swimming. 1 BD upstairs extra sleeping room. Full fin-
garage and a large insulated 40x40 an attached screened in in immaculate condition. Up- with 2 (unofficial) BD down, ished, walkout basement with
barn/workshop with heat and elec- porch. Perfect spot to get dated bathroom, new well, plus another living area in the its own kitchen, living area and
tric. Swing set in the back yard for away and enjoy the great septic system, electrical ser- full, finished, walkout base- laundry. There is a 2 stall ga-
the kids and 2 storage sheds on the up north! Call to schedule vice, counter tops, slider and ment. Assoc. ownership in 183 rage and 2 sheds for storage.
property provide additional storage. your appointment today! several windows! acres adjoining Federal Land. 15’ walkway to Big Star Lake.
MLS 18038746 $134,900 MLS 18033873 $29,900 MLS 18027310 $79,000 MLS 18029308 $89,900 MLS 18026515 $129,900
Beautifully wooded 10 acres in Wooded 7.5 acres with access 5 acres in un-zoned Cherry House in need of repairs on a Nicely wooded .59 acres of vacant
un-zoned Cherry Valley. State from a county maintained road. Valley. State land is just down nice double lot in the Village of land in historic Idlewild. Situated on a
land is just down the road making Enjoy as a camping site or build the road making this an excel- Luther. 3BD, electric on site, no county maintained road this would be
this an excellent hunting/camping a cabin for a hunting camp lent hunting/camping base. For indoor plumbing or evidence of an excellent place to get away from it
base. For those who love riding base. The recreational oppor- those who love riding the trails, a well. In back of the house is all. Close to the Middle Branch of the
the trails, the Tin Cup Spring Trail tunities are nearly limitless with the Tin Cup Spring Trail is a small 6x6 outhouse. Site pre- Pere Marquette, a multitude of lakes
is close by. Electric is available at Federal land only a mile away. close by. Electric is available at viously used for camping. Land and the Manistee National Forest is
the road. Land Contract Terms. Available on land contract. the road. Land Contract Terms. Contract Terms Available. less than a mile away!
MLS 18036624 $28,900 MLS 18022244 $23,900 MLS 18036628 $18,900 MLS 18035480 $12,900 MLS 18037487 $7,000
120 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
WE SELL LAND
EDMUND NOGASKI CHUCK KEEFER JAKE EHLINGER JEFF CHILMAN JUSTIN OLK
Broker, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist
Michigan Central Michigan Southeast Michigan North Central Michigan West Central Michigan
(231) 330-4107 (989) 600-4112 (517) 937-2118 (989) 205-2355 (616) 648-6156
MICHAEL TURNER SHAD WOODRUFF SHAWN KELLEY TONY HANSEN
Agent, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist Agent, Land Specialist
Eastern Michigan North Central Michigan Southeast Michigan Central Michigan
(248) 770-4898 (989) 330-4032 (586) 292-1812 (269) 420-9510
CONTACT AN AGENT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BUYING AND
SELLING HUNTING, FARMLAND AND TIMBERLAND
Upper Michigan
“WE REPRESENT BUYERS AND SELLERS”
MIKADO
Bringing people and places together since 1945
VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY!
statewiderealestate.net
• Houghton
Marquette
• Newberry This great home sits on a hill overlooking 120 acres with beautiful
Curtis • views of Duval Creek, a large pond with perch, bluegill and wildlife
Iron Mountain • Manistique • galore. There are vehicle and tractor bridges crossing the creek to get
• to other parts of the property. Approximately 30 acres are tillable with
• Gladstone
Escanaba • Onaway clover and alfalfa fields and the remaining 90 acres is wooded. The
• Powers • • Hawks trail system on this property is second to none with numerous hunting
Menominee • Hillman blinds throughout. A main level deck and a lower level walkout patio
• Alpena
Marinette •
• Atlanta provides great views. There is a large pole building for dry storage and
Mio • • Harrisville nicely maintained landscaping around the home. The 3 bedroom 2.5
bath 2492 square foot home is very well maintained with hardwood
and ceramic flooring throughout. In the kitchen there are stainless
appliances, custom cabinets, tile backsplash and an island. The
spacious living room offers vaulted ceilings and a gas log fireplace.
A large laundry room, Andersen windows throughout and an attached
two car garage makes this offering one of the best in the area.
• Almont MLS #1849900 $475,000
Linden • MORE PARCELS ARE AVAILABLE . . .
CALL TODAY FOR MORE DETAILS
Howell • 866-496-4400
TARGET REAL
ESTATE COMPANY
701 W. Bay Street, East Tawas, MI 48730
Office (989)362-4400 • Cell (989)387-1850
info@TargetRealEstate.com
Contact Your Nearest State Wide Real www.TargetRealEstate.com
ALMONT
HILLMAN
14938 State Street, P.O. Box 98, 49746
MARQUETTE (231) 920-8424
844 Van Dyke Road 856 W. Washington, 49855
email: statewidehillman@yahoo.com www.cbgreatlakes.com/pete.nemish
lafrancesharon@yahoo.com 989-742-4523 • 800-228-7856 email: sw@statewiderealestate.org
810-798-8591 • Fax: 810-798-8079 906-228-9312 • Fax: 906-228-8069
Fax: 989-742-3931
ACRES...AND WOODS...AND HOMES...'OH MY'!
MENOMINEE CADILLAC - Secluded, wooded, peaceful, 10 maintained, 'spacious', 2Bedroom (possibly 3),
CURTIS/NEWBERRY HOUGHTON acres! Hike, snowmobile, hunt, camp, enjoy! 2Bath home, & 'large' 2Car garage, built 2003.
500 Shelden Ave., 49931 3631 10th Street, 49858
Main Street, P.O. Box 305, 49820 Adjoins State Land! Easement egress! You $249,900. 1850493
email: dick@statewideofhoughton.com email: statewideone@newbc.rr.com
email: swcurtis@sbcglobal.net Want Privacy?? This is it! $24,900. 1850793
906-482-6955 • 800-676-6323 906-863-9905 VESTABURG - Magnificent wooded 71 acres,
906-586-9606 • Fax: 906-586-9607 Fax: 906-482-7699 Fax: 906-863-7935 TUSTIN - Location! Great 5 acre corner parcel to with small pond. Specifically managed for
build your countryside home. Partially wood- hunting and taking many trophy whitetail
MIO ed, within 5 to 15 minutes drive from every- bucks! (also turkey and other game!) 5 Elevated
ESCANABA
HOWELL/LINDEN 102 West 8th St., P.O. Box 395, 48647 thing you need! $16,900. 1843067 deer blinds! PLUS the immaculate 3BD, 2BTH
2209 Ludington Street, 49829 1285 S. Michigan Ave., Howell, MI 48843
email: escanaba@statewiderealestate.net email: statewid@earthlink.net
email: info@statewidemio.com LUTHER - Fabulous wooded 10 acres, adjoins home. A/C, large deck, master suite, 2Car
906-786-1308 • 800-900-0777 517-546-9060 • 800-531-4449 989-826-3292 State Land! With a quaint, 384 SF, "Amish garage, & Home Warranty! A MUST SEE!
Fax: 906-786-1388 Fax: 517-546-9148 Fax: 989-826-2108 Micro-Cabin"! Well, septic, electricity all $249,900. 1848267
attached. Tons of amenities! CALL TODAY! TUSTIN - 97 Acres! Mostly open (about 60-70%
$59,900. 1838528 tillable), some nicely wooded areas, and a
ONAWAY
IRON MOUNTAIN
GLADSTONE
231 East A. St. M-33 & M-68, TUSTIN - 'A bit o' everything'! 43+Acres! small pond! Spacious older farm house has
1401 Delta Ave.,
Iron Mountain, MI 49807 P.O. Box 478, 49765 Wooded, open, level, rolling, 2 creeks, and a 5BD, 1BTH, full bsmt., possibilities galore!
Gladstone, MI 49837 906-828-2525 email: bigdan@frontier.com smidgen of swamp! Wildlife galore, from the (totally livable while you do the updating!).
906-825-9000 Fax: 906-828-2727 989-733-6522 winged to the 4-legged! Paved road! $65,900. PLUS, 2Car grg, 2 large pole buildings, AND the
email: judy@statewiderealestate.net email: steve@multistatewide.com Fax: 989-733-2427 1840952 great 'old red barn'! $270,000. 1848943
CADILLAC - 37.5 Acres on Long Lake! (190 acre CADILLAC - 40 Gorgeous acres, surrounds this
beautifully done home with unique floor plan
lake). Wooded, rolling, private, with state land
HARRISVILLE MANISTIQUE POWERS and amenities galore! 3BD, 2.5BTH, 'silent
10 N. State Highway M-149 W3776 US2 & 41, 49874 on 2 sides! Abundance of wildlife to enjoy!
430 S. US-23, 48740 flooring', large island kitchen, nearly finished
email: sold@anjstatewide.com Cooks, MI 49817 906-497-4190 Come See! $84,000. 1844171
walk-out bsmt., attached garage, deck, cov-
989-724-5711 • 800-655-5735 906-644-2304 Fax: 906-497-5328 CADILLAC - Here is the ultimate recreational ered porch, panoramic view! The land is wood-
Fax: 989-724-6833 email: dekeysermary@yahoo.com holly@statewiderealestate.net property! 80 Acres, outstanding hunting prop- ed, some open, level rolling and adjoins Federal
erty, Federal land on 2 sides. PLUS, the well land!'! Fabulous! $309,000. 1848720
122 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
WEST BRANCH HALE WEST BRANCH
R S ALE R S ALE
M-33/M-55 OFFICE F O OFFICE F O LOOP OFFICE
1953 S. M-33 3160 North M-65 2575 S. I-75 Business Loop,
West Branch, MI 48661 Hale, MI 48739 West Branch, MI 48661
10 miles north of I-75 exit 202 “Gateway to Huron National Forest” 1 mile north of I-75 Exit 212
4 BEDROOMS!! PRIVATE LAKE ACCESS!! VIEW OF LONG LAKE!! SAGE LAKE WATERFRONT!! BEAUTIFUL RIFLE RIVER!!
This home has many great amenities in- Spacious 3-bdrm on “no motor” lake, new- Cozy one-bdrm w/deeded lake access 2-bdrm, knotty pine interior, hardwood Nice 2-bdrm home w/80 feet of gorgeous
cluding 4-bdrm, 2.5 baths, kitchen w/ap- er windows & siding, partial bsmt, garage & to 190 acre lake! Wood floors, sunroom, floors, furnishings, walkout bsmt, porch, river frontage! Open floor plan, full bsmt,
pliances & snack bar area, full basement, pole bldg w/elec, covered porch, nice rear some updates, heated garage, rear deck, patio area, lakeside deck, deck plus a boat wood stove, laminate floors, tons of win-
newer roof, cozy porch, deck & more!! deck and fenced yard!! community boat dock & more!! & trailer are included!! dows, deck, porch & garage!!
$129,000 1850723 $149,900 1847559 $65,000 1818008 $164,900 1849059 $149,000 1844075
SAGE LAKE WATERFRONT!! GREAT REC AREA!! COUNTRYSIDE VIEWS!! 20 WOODED ACRES!! SPACIOUS 4-BDRM!!
3-bdrm, 2 ba home, almost ½ ACRE, full 2-bdrm home on 2 lots in need of some 2-bdrm, 2.5 ba home on 41 ACRES w/ lots 3-bdrm, attached garage plus a shed, full Beautiful wood ceilings, bamboo wood &
bsmt, AC, appliances, FP, attached ga- updating. Garage w/electric and home is of windows, FP, full finished basement, ga- bsmt, recently updated kitchen & bath, laminate floors, knotty pine interior, garage
rage, sandy beach, wrap around deck, close to all sports Skidway Lake and acres rage, covered deck & great hunting prop w/ large covered deck, trails thru-out for stroll- with electric, fenced yard, porch, patio,
beautiful views & end of road!! of State land for the hunter!! lots of wildlife in area!! ing or perfect for the hunter!! deck and nice views!!
$249,900 1844387 $55,900 1849268 $189,900 1850380 $154,900 1840412 $100,000 1849751
OVER 6 ACRES!! 6+ ROLLING ACRES!! STUNNING PARK-LIKE SETTING!! REMARKABLE INSIDE AND OUT!! 10 ACRES!!
2-bdrm, 2 ba home with 1680 square feet Gorgeous views from this 3-bdrm, 2 ba 7+ ACRES, spacious 3-bdrm, apple or- Gorgeous full-log home on 13 ACRES!! Older 3-bdrm, 1.5 bath home in need of
and garage! Newer siding & furnace, stock home w/AC, great room, FP, garage, chards, creek-fed pond, 2 garages, large Prisine property with trails & a pond. Home some TLC and updating. Garage, main
pond with a dock & picnic area, just min- blacktop drive, 3 season room, gazebo, 2 deck overlooking pond, beautiful views and has open floor plan, 3-bdrm, 3 ba, FP, full floor master & enclosed sunroom. Fantas-
utes from town & State lands!! stocked ponds & flowing artesian wells!! so much more!! bsmt & more!! tic area bordering the Rifle River Rec Area!!
$129,900 1841975 $139,900 1848506 $119,900 1850060 $271,900 1843572 $44,900 1846697
20 ACRES!! POPULAR SAGE LAKE!! SPACIOUS YEAR ROUND!! NEAR LAKE GEORGE!!
Perfect horse farm, arena, tack room, barn, 3-bdrm, with 45’ on canal! Over 3500 4-bdrm on 10 WOODED ACRES, with full LAKE OGEMAW!! Recently remodeled 3-bdrm, 2 bath home,
5 stalls, pastures, pole barn for storage square feet, walkout basement, family basement, wood stove, nice wood floors, 3-bdrm, 3 bath lakefront home!! Over 1900 with garage, open floor plan, fireplace,
plus a deer blind at the rear of property! room, 2nd kitchen, furnishings, AC & FP porch for enjoying the outdoors, shed w/ square feet, walkout basement, FP, natu- freshly painted, newer floors & counters
Gorgeous 3-bdrm w/tons of amenities!! & home has two sunrooms!! electric for more storage!! ral gas heat, doorwalls to decks, garage, and two sheds for more storage!!
beautiful views & more!!
$359,000 1847969 $200,000 1846248 $105,000 1843928 $249,000 1846265 $74,900 1840493
BEAUTIFUL WATERFRONT!! LARGE DOUBLE LOT!! ACCESS TO BUSH LAKE!! ACROSS FROM NAT’L FOREST!! UPDATED!!
3-bdrm, 2 bath home with 2100 square Cute 3-bdrm, vertical log home with de- Nice 3-bdrm home with 2-car garage on 3-bdrm home on deep lot with nice shade Spacious 3-bdrm, full bsmt, ONE ACRE,
feet, partial walkout basement, gas FP, tached garage, partial bsmt, wood stove, cul-de-sac for some privacy! Large kitch- trees, c ustom cabinets, freshly painted, on garage & large shed w/elec, laminate
large sunroom and beautiful views of 60” screened porch & mostly furnished. A great en, FP with insert, natural heat, front & rear almost an ACRE, & located in great recre- floors, appliances, trex lighted deck, newer
on 21 acre Big Wms Lake!! place to make your getaway!! decks wlake across road!! ational area!! windows, doors, gutters, siding & more!!
$105,900 1842289 $49,900 1850311 $199,900 1837404 $45,900 1848661 $139,900 1850717
34X28 HEATED GARAGE!! FRESHLY PAINTED INSIDE & OUT!! SPACIOUS YEAR ROUND!! 5 BEAUTIFUL ACRES!! AFFORDABLE GETAWAY!!
Two lots w/garage with electric, high ceil- Cute 2-bdrm home nestled on beautiful 5-bdrm, 4 ba, 10+ ACRES, nice pond & creek, 3-bdrm, 2 full bath mobile home with some Cozy 2-bdrm home in Skidway Lake area
ings, water heater, cement floors, vinyl hardwoods, with some privacy and few garage & 2 add’l outbldgs, patio, balcony, FP, updates, incl newer vinyl windows & metal with large fenced yard for your pets, nat’l
siding, oversized doors, well and septic & neighbors. Near popular 780 acre all built-in, radiant heat floors & many other great roof. Large garage w/2nd kitchen, 3/4 bath, gas heat, newer roof & pump, shed w/elec
near lakes & State lands!! sports Sage Lake!! amenities!! heated with electric!! & water and near lakes!!
$22,900 1850816 $42,900 1848932 $239,000 1843882 $69,900 1850896 $24,500 1838322
Over a mile of
frontage on the
Paw Paw River!
Four Ponds
designed for
planting duck
habitat!
Price varies per parcel, call Listing Agent for more details!
REALTOR
Direct:
REDU
LICENSED
PHEASANT
CED
200 TILLABLE ACRES PRESERVE 40 ACRES
Great farming, income producing. 1/2 mile on Fantastic Development Opportunity. Gorgeous 3270 Sq Ft Ranch with
Belle River, multiple Outbuildings, 2 Ponds. 30 2-Acre Lots. loft. Built 2011. 2 Pole Barns.
*DV $1,250,000 *DV $550,000 *DV $399,000
PRESERVE! $1,250,000 S
34 ACRES 60-80 DEER
10-15 TROPHY BUCKS
GENESEE COUNTY CLARE COUNTY LAPEER COUNTY
Woodland Deer Ranch in Davison. 6-car garage, Great Hunting Lodge, 14 5,200 Sq Ft
pond, 5 blinds, 3 lg feeders, Lg polebarn. 4BD, 3BA. Blinds, 6 Food Plots. Living Space.
*DV $849,900 APPROX. 200 DEER APPROX. 100 ELK *DV $598,000 *DV $798,000
NEW
CLARE COUNTY
NEW
GENESEE COUNTY
G
NEW
36 ACRES
ZIN
GENESEE COUNTY
NEW
MONROE COUNTY
A
AM ICE
GENESEE COUNTY
PR
6 ACRES
5 Pole Barns, 2-Story Home, 2,080 Sq Ft Watchman’s Quarters above
Beautiful Home, Private Lake. Great Business Opportunity. 2,080 Sq Ft Garage. Gorgeous View!
*DV $425,000 $450,000 *DV $399,000
NEW NEW
30 ACRES
NE W
SANILAC COUNTY
Farmland & 25 Acres, 289 acres, Luce County,
Commercial Properties in Davison. Woodland Sanilac County. Large Cabin, Heavily Wooded.
*DV $85,000 - $595,000 $119,000 $85,000 *DV $349,000
D 61 +/- 60 79 ACRES
SOL ACRES
NE W ACRES
NEW PRICE
REDU
CED
LAPEER COUNTY
OSCEOLA COUNTY OSCEOLA COUNTY 30 ACRES Amazing Home Over 5,200 sq ft of Living
10 Acres+/- Nice Cabin & Great Hunting Property, Osceola County, Great Space & Outdoor Entertainment. Gorgeous
St. Clair County Outbuildings. 16x20 Hunting Cabin. Hunting Property. property, 8 ponds. Very Private and Secluded.
*DV $159,000 *DV $159,000 $159,000 $75,000 *DV $1,150,000
DRONE
*DV VIDEO GO TO: MIDREAMPROPERTIES.com
OR CALL 810-449-1286
WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 125
FINALLY HUNTING SEASON HAS ARRIVED!
COME ON UP NORTH AND BUY A PIECE OF HEAVEN!
ALL OFFERS WELCOME!!!
SUMMER SPECIALS! • DISCOUNTED PRICES! • SUMMER SPECIALS! • DISCOUNTED PRICES! • SUMMER SPECIALS!
SUMMER SPECIALS! • DISCOUNTED PRICES! • SUMMER SPECIALS! • DISCOUNTED PRICES! • SUMMER SPECIALS!
1,350 ACRES: Prime hunting property - 50
CANADIAN WATERFRONT AND min. East of International Bridge. Hunt camp,
RECREATIONAL PROPERTY. hard and soft wood timber not harvested.
GRAYLING LOG HOME ON 17 ACRES! LOG HOME ON 15 WOODED ACRES. CLOSE TO SAULT STE. MARIE,
Timber info available on request. Miles of
Nearly 3000 sf of living space, 3 bedrooms, All the bells & whistles! 2 baths, stone MICHIGAN BORDER
3 baths, finished walk out basement w/fam- fireplace, covered porch, 2 side decks, trails thru-out. Beaver ponds and streams.
ily room & 2nd kitchen, wrap around deck, private setting, 2 ponds, a 2.5 garage
*LAND CONTRACTS Small amount of open area. $839,999 US.
3-1/2 car garage w/heated workshop, 1 car with finished/heated workshop and AVAILABLE O.A.C.*
BEAR SEASON
storage garage, RV station w all hook-ups. Ex- 2nd floor PLUS a 30x50 pole barn too! MACDONALD PROPERTY: 759 acres with
cellent hunting! $329,500 #313950 $188,800 #313640 (Millersburg) hunting camp, 25 miles east of Sault St.
NOW OPEN!!! Marie Ontario, property is gated, isolated and
ALSO HUNTING wooded, with a four bedroom, two-story pole
DUCK • GOOSE barn. 20-acre lake and 2 streams. Great
SMALL GAME Bear Hunting! Two Deer plots! Five deeds, no
MOOSE & WHITETAIL guide required, underpriced at $249,900 US.
TROPHY DEER & BEAR AREA Terms available, excellent buy!
WITH GREAT FISHING!!!
185’ ON MULLETT LAKE! Includes two 2 bedroom 149 SECLUDED ACRES! Trail roads, 11 estab- One-10 ACRE SAND BEACH LOT (this lot
recently renovated furnished cottages. One cottage lished blinds, small clearings for food plots, trail OTHER PROPERTIES AVAILABLE has it all): 60 miles east of Sault Ste. Marie.
has a hot tub and the other has a sunroom. Use roads and a creek. Nicely wooded with a mix SMALL AND LARGE. SEND OR 300’ frontage on Bright Lake near Hwy 17
one for yourself and rent the other out, make a fam- of evergreens & hardwood, mostly high ground. CALL WITH YOUR INQUIRIES!
ily compound or as an investment property. Strong Abundant game. Close to Hammond Bay Har- East (lake area approx.. 24 sq. miles), year-
rental history. Just listed $445,000 #315324 bor. $159,000 #313641 (Millersburg area) NO GUIDE OR round access with power to property. Inland
OUTFITTER REQUIRED!
Don't Be Shy, Make An Offer. lake has Perch, Bass, Walleye and Northern
LOOKING FOR OFFERS!!! Pike. Priced to sell at $119,900 US.
160 ACRES HARDWOOD & SOFTWOOD: EXCLUSIVE LAKE HURON WATERFRONT &
Large beaver pond. Only 2 miles off year- WATER-VIEW ESTATE LOTS LOCATED IN
round maintained road. 35 minutes East of THESSALON, ONTARIO 50 MILES EAST OF
Sault, Ontario. $49,900 US. SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO ON HIGHWAY
325’ OCQUEOC RIVER FRONTAGE! 3 CENTRAL LAKE. Set back off the road this 400 ACRES OF ROLLING HARD-AND 17 EAST: Lighthouse Point serviced with
ACRE PARCEL ON A PRIVATE ROAD. Gen- quaint home has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, full hydro, telephone, sewer, water, gas, cable on
tly rolling land that’s ideal for a walk-out basement, attached garage plus a 28x32 pole SOFTWOOD HILLS: Large beaver pond and
basement. Great place to camp or build barn and a tree lined paved driveway. All this creek runs thru property, next to above property paved street. Airport, marina and hospital in
your up north cottage. Trout fishing or kay- on 2 beautiful country acres 2 miles from Inter- if more acreage is required. Property is great for area. No time limit for building. Waterfront lots
aking. Land contract terms possible. Re- mediate Lake & Grand Traverse Bay. Reduced bear hunting, white tail and grouse. Four miles 100’– 478’ frontage, waterview lots 80’ front-
duced! $25,700 #295457 (Millersburg area) to $149,000 #314251 off year-round maintained road. $119,900 US. age. Prices from $9,999 US and up.
RE/MAX NORTH
Carol Steiger, Associate Broker LAJAMBE OFFICE: (705) 248-9663 CELL: (705) 941-8355
FAX: (705) 248-1110
(231) 627-9991 Office
(989) 351-0110 Cell
email: carol.steiger@remax.net
ENTERPRISESINC. Frank Lajambe
flajambe@lajambe.com
846 S. Main, Cheboygan, MI 715 Finns Bay Road www.lajambe.com
www.liveupnorth.com Echo Bay, Ontario CAN POS 1C0 *Prices subject to change.
OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, September 23
2-5 pm
2756 S. Lang Drive
Brimley, Mich.
$949,900 $1,600,000
A 5 bedroom, 4 bath Lodge
and 330 acres sitting on an el-
evated site with dramatic view
to the East, South & North.
Located 4 miles from I-75 Wol-
verine Exit, just 10 miles North
of Gaylord. Additional build-
ings include guest cottage off
Everything is exceptional about the 180 acres, lodge and river. Don’t be the corner of Corey Lake and
fooled by the name, Deer Creek is a full flowing main artery of the Jordan a 30’x50’ Storage Building. To
River. The densely wooded rolling hardwoods can be hilly in places but are the East lies a remote portion
completely accessible by a well maintained trail system. The lodge has 5 of State Land. To the South, Co-
bedrooms, 2 baths, natural stone wood burning fireplace and covered out- rey Lake and to the North, the Little Sturgeon River meanders well over a
door living space. Truly a beautiful setting right next to the river. half mile through woods and hills. Living and family rooms have fireplaces.
$550,000 $1,650,000
Drummond Island on Sturgeon Lodge on 158 acres has
Bay is as good as it gets. Beau- a private, peaceful feel-
tiful views of the bay, offshore ing offering country-side
islands and crystal clear water. views, trails, gardens,
The home is tucked away down ponds, and wildlife ev-
a long driveway offering 5 acres erywhere. The grounds
of privacy. There’s a unique still have the original
space for everyone on both the farmhouse and barn as
upper and lower levels. In ad- well as a very modern
dition to the 4 bedrooms there accessory building with
is an upper living space and a office space and garage.
spacious bonus room. On the There is something for
main level you’ll find a den/ every family member, from pond side reading, sitting near the outdoor fire-
bedroom, dining room, breakfast nook, living room and a sitting room. The place under the massive covered porches, hunting, shooting clays or hitting
attached finished garage is 32x26. Landscaped and manicured. golf balls on the driving range. Mostly furnished.
CCAROLE
oventry R ealty LLC
PORRETTA, GRI, BROKER-OWNER
12 W. High Street, Metamora, MI 48455
810.678.2288 Office • www.CoventryRealtyLLC.com • 248.310.4242 Cell
6350 WOLF - $2,995,000 2201 OAK GROVE - $695,000 4721 HASSLICK – $1,490,000
• 240 Acres! Owner’s own 10K sq ft Barnum log home! • Exceptional retreat w/5 bedrooms 4.1 baths on 120 acres! • 20 Private acres, 3 acre Koi pond, fully landscaped
• Custom finished, elevator, 5 bed, 5 bath, 1st fl master! • 2-way Calif Driftstone fireplace separates living/dining rms • 8,500 sq. ft. European Estate, 5 bedrooms/6 baths
• Full fin walkout, patios, landscaped, att garage for 20 cars! • Spacious kitchen w/Subzero, new double ovens, granite! • 3 story ballroom accesses English courtyard with garden art
• Children’s rec or theatre room, trails for horses or 4 wheelers • Master ste, full balcony overlooks landscape, koi pond, pool. • Master Suite with Romeo & Juliet balcony, custom bath
• Plus 11K sq ft separate retreat for 24+ guests, RV hookup, kennel! • 2000 sq ft LL fin walkout w/300 gal saltwater aquarium • Copper dome gazebo, heated pool, Cedar Scandinavian Sauna
• Hunters paradise with trophy deer, turkey, pheasant! • Private log cabin, large pond, ideal riding, hunting/fishing! • 3 heated barns, sep apt, close to pavement with a gated entry
3695 MERRITT LAKE - $695,000 5675 PHILLIPS - $579,000 4930 BALDWIN - $625,000
!
!
EW
EW
N
• 35 woodsy acres on Merritt Lake, 3000 sq ft custom brick home! • Custom-built Red Pine log home with beautiful appointments. • 2 HOMES on 20 ACRES! Metamora Farmhouse, 4 bed/2.5 Bath
• 3 bed/3.5 baths, Oak floors, inset Pewabic tile, 1st fl master • Spacious kitchen w/Hickory cabinets, newer appliances & large island. • 3200 sf, tile, hardwd, living rm w/sunken frplc, big window seat
• Lovely kitchen, huge granite island, dbl ovens, cooktop, st stl • Custom woodwork including bentwood railings & staircase. • Bright Kitchen, leaded glass cabinets, bay dining, blt in cooktop
• Bkfst dining to Trex deck, sunken family & living rms w/frplscs! • 20 Acres with breathtaking views. 8 acres are hardwoods for hunting. • Beautiful foyer, dining & sunrooms, huge master, custom bath
• Custom Oak trim, newels, doors, antique hardware, Generator • Morton barn with 3 overhead doors, electric and radiant heat. • 2200 sf Guest house, 4 bed/2 bath, 2+ car garage, 2nd garage
• LL w/o, family rm, bath, prepped for study & bedrm, 3+ car Gar! • Livestock Barn with water, 220 elec, runs, hay storage & pastures. • Lovely pond, horse barn, pole barn, milk house, paddock-WOW
OFFER ON THESE INCREDIBLE BUILDING SITES IN THE METAMORA HUNT AND SURROUNDING AREAS!
$574,900 Davison Lake Rd, Oxford Schools, 52 Acres $179,000 Casey Rd, Metamora, River 23 Acres $ 64,900 Thornville Rd, Metamora, 10 Acres, River REDUCED Metamora Golf & Country Club Lots Starting at $25,000!
$349,900 Bowers Rd, Mayfield Twp, 70+ Acres $109,900 Casey Rd, Metamora, River 12+ Acres $ 67,000 Princeton Ave, Clarkston 1.78 Acres McLean Drive, Imlay City 3 Lots Starting at $19,900!
$489,000 Sutton Rd, Metamora, 60 Acres $ 99,900 Casey Rd, Metamora, River 11+ Acres PENDING $ 54,900 Lake Nepessing, Elba Twp, Lot w/sewer taps Coming soon in Hunt country! Large tracts of
$189,000 Sutton Rd, 3 Wooded 20 Acre Lots $ 82,900 Pinecrest Court, Dryden Twp, 3 Acres $ 29,900 Sutton Rd, Paved, Nat’l Gas, Attica 2.5 Acres land and farmhouses! Call for more information!
WNW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 127
223 W. Main, Edmore MI 48829
www.eaglerealtymi.com
888.967.4140
CLARE COUNTY: 2004 Chalet on Little
Norway Lake w/60 Ft. of Water Frontage.
MLS#18011613/168996 - $149,900
3 Bdrm, 1 bth, mfg home. Beautiful, 1 Bdrm cottage on Escanaba 4 Bdrm, 1 bth camp or home.
wooded 10 acres. Gar, wood shed. River. Porch & Large deck. Log home. 40 Acres. Pond.
Privacy. Covered porch. Brampton. On the river. Cornell. Great hunting!! Cornell.
$88,000 1108945 $34,900 1108333 $116,000 1109383
THOUSANDS OF
ACRES AVAILABLE
FROM $6,900 TO $707,420. 2 Bdrm, 1 bth, Waterfront cottage. 2
1 Bdrm, 1 bth cozy cottage near 1 Bdrm, 1 bth cottage. Gorgeous
Acres w/225’ on Ostrander & Corner
Lk. Well & septic. Private on dead Steven’s Lake. Elec. Generator sand beach swimming!! Small
Escanaba end road. Chain-of-Lakes. Wetmore. included. Deck. Gar. Wetmore. cottage. Stonington.
2209 Ludington Street $98,500 1106501 $54,500 1108449 $129,900 1107916
(906) 786-1308
Powers
W3776 US 2 & 41
(906) 497-4190
Gladstone
1401 Delta Ave.
1 Bdrm, 0 bth camp. Well 1 Bdrm, 1 bth waterfront home. 52 Acres. 3 Bdrm 2.5 bth Home. Full
(906) 825-9000
maintained camp on Sturgeon Approx 1,800 of river frontage. 2,000 sq Log. 38 acres. Garage, Decks,
River. Rapid River. ft gar. In-floor heat. Solar. Rapid River. Private Pave Rd. Felch.
$58,000 1108141 $194,790 1107284 $239,000 1106871
128 SEPTEMBER 2018 WNW NEWS
Joel & Audrey TWO GREAT HUNTING OR
Martinchek FISHING CAMPS FOR SALE
www.JoelandAudreyRealtors.com
JoelMartinchek@BHHSMI.com 29 +/- acres on Private
11506 N. Straits Hwy • Cheboygan, MI 49721 Lake near Remus, MI.
231-420-0231 Contact Joel & Audrey Martinchek
Electricity, well, dock and
n ke /-
uro tt La s+ nice deck set up for camp-
eH ’M ulle Ac re
L ak 100 83 ing. Great Bass fishing
and Deer hunting in Rifle
zone. Multiple food plot
105’ SANDY FRONTAGE, 100’ FRONTAGE, 3 beds, 2 baths, NORTHERN PARADISE! U.P.
turn-key, 4 bed, 3 bath home fieldstone fireplace, garage w/ property sleeps 12. Great sites. Corn and Hay fields
w/updated kitchen & more! bonus room. MLS#312437 hunting and snowmobiling. to the north of the prop-
MLS#314712 $349,900 $539,900 MLS#307981 $124,900 erty. Neighbors are QDMA
ers ke VACANTS members. $125,000
Q u art
o n g La
st ’L 100’ Lake Huron. Prime building
Gue 150 site on Duncan Bay. MLS#302684
$144,900
Cabin on 5 wood-
115’ Long Lake. Great building ed Acres near
NEWER METAL ROOF, encapsu- 150’ OF SANDY FRONTAGE! Log site for walkout with gentle slope Sunrise Lake. East
late crawl plus guest cabin with cabin w/fireplace, 1 bed, loft and to water. MLS#301057 $79,900
100’ Cheboygan River. Outstand- of Leroy Michigan.
bath. Sits on beautiful 1.9 acres. det guest qtrs. Lot across road
MLS#313865 $139,900 incl. MLS#313868 $189,900
ing view & setting on the Inland Wa- Miles of trails to
terway! MLS#310145 $87,000
er er Seller May Split. Great location at ride or hike on
c k Riv c k Riv 313 Exit ramp on I-75, Indian River. state land. Pike
a a
’ Bl ’ Bl 7+ acres. MLS#312791 $299,900
165 152 and Bass on Sun-
103’ Black Lake. Boat, ski, fish,
swim, golf, ATV, snowmobile, ice rise Lake. $43,000
CUSTOM HOME ON PRIZED fish and more! MLS#297747
PERFECT UP NORTH HOME. $234,900
Blue Ribbon Trout stream, comes
with separate guest quarters. Modern home built for year Commercial, 8.8 acres and 513’of
Beautiful views from every an-
gle. MLS#314846 $239,900
round use. Warranty Protected.
MLS#313257 $162,000
Prime US -23 Highway frontage.
Btw Cheboygan/Mackinaw City. Call or Text Rob Trowbridge
MLS#301410 $69,900
©2018 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of
BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway
HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of
America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.
Commercial, Waiting for your de-
velopment site plan. City services
avail. MLS#313531 $89,900
at 517-726-0221 For More Information
5710 Clouse Rd, Glennie 4100 Lakeshore Dr 1009 Zimowske Rd, Mio
990 sf, 2 bed, 1 bath with 12 1960 sf, 2 bed, 3 bath, 1500+ sf, 3 bed, 1.5 bath
acres on dead end road. attached garage with over with detached garage and
Interested in having a hobby 250 feet of Lake Huron barn on 25 acres. Come see
farm? This is for you, room Shoreline to enjoy all year. what living up north is all
to roam, some fencing, ideal This gem is definitely worth about on your new covered
location. $85,000 check out and won’t last porch or covered deck with
For more information text long. Newly Listed this Move in Ready Gem.
R569702 to 52187 $379,900 $149,000
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
w w w. f r e e w a y - s p o r t s . c o m
Closed Sunday's
96
Exit 84 on US-23 ANN ARBOR DETROIT sales@freeway-sports.com
31516 Harper Avenue
St. Clair Shores, MI 48082
Michi-GUN
Available at: Layaways Welcome
Phone (586) 296-2360
Fax (586) 264-8307
STORE HOURS:
Mon. - Fri: 10am-7pm;
Sat: 10am-4pm; Closed Sunday www.michi-gun.com