08 16

AUGUST 2016
$4.00
Woods-n-Water News
Michigans Premier Outdoor Publication
Scout Summer
Eyes
Smart
For Early
Deer Season
CWD Area Expanded!
River
Walleyes
Sturgeon
Season Opens
Osprey
Invasive vs. Common Carp Burning Crankbaits for Smallmouths

Grunt Bucks Kissin Close Rev Up Lazy Walleyes Hognose Snakes
Nutrient Requirements for Antler Growth Stay Safe In The Sun
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July 22 - 31, 2016
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errors. All items subject to prior sale. *Discounts off regular everyday selling prices.
Be Sure To Check Out Chapman's
IN-STORE BOAT SHOW PRICES

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Open 6 Days: Monday - Friday 9am-5pm:

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www.chapmanssports.com
AUGUST 2016 - WNW NEWS
2017
22
SLX
2016
22
SSX
BENNINGTON PONTOON
By Tom Campbell
Field notes...
s usual here are a few

reminders; fall turkey
application period closes
Aug. 1 and antlerless deer
applications close Aug. 15.
Michigans unique sturgeon season has openedsee Jim
Felgenauers story for more information on pages 8-10. The waterfowl
hunting seasons and bag limits have
been set for 2016-17 and can be
found in the 2017 Michigan Water-
October through February. See page

18 for more information. Unfortunately, a reminder too about Michigans CWD, check out the report in
the box to the right.
Whats New At
The Outdoor Weekend
One of the best reminders I have

for you is that the 30th Woods-NWater News Outdoor Weekend is just
around the corner, Sept. 9-11 at the
DNR announces expansion of

Chronic Wasting Disease Core
Area and Management Zone
Additional townships and counties are affected...
The Mobile Tactics shooting trailer will be par t of the Outdoor Weekend this year!
fowl Hunting Digest available online
at mi.gov/dnrdigests, license agents,
DNR field offices and Service Centers. The experimental teal season
is back and Canada goose bag limits
have been increased to five per day
during Sept. and three geese per day
AUGUUST 2016 - WNW NEWS
SEASONS
Open All Year Pike and walleye season on

Lower Peninsula Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair &
St. Clair & Detroit Rivers
Open All Year Catch-and-immediate-release
bass season on all Michigan waters open to fishing
Now-Dec. 31 Pure Michigan Hunt application
Now Dec. 15 Muskie season on Lake St.
Clair, St. Clair River and Detroit River. (additional rules and regulations apply)
Now-March 15 Pike and walleye season on
Lower Peninsula inland waters
Now-March 15 Pike and walleye season on
Upper Peninsula Great Lakes, inland waters &
St. Marys River
Now-Dec. 31 Catch and keep bass season on
all Michigan waters except; Lake St. Clair, and
Detroit and St. Clair Rivers
Now Dec. 31 Catch-and-keep season for
largemouth and smallmouth bass on Lake St.
Clair, St. Clair River and Detroit River.
Now Aug. 1 Fall turkey hunt application
period
July 15 Aug. 15 Antlerless deer application
period
Aug. 1 Aug. 28 Reserved waterfowl application period
Aug. 1-Sept. 30 Crow season
Sept. 1-Sept. 7 Experimental teal season statewide
Sept. 1-Sept 30 Canada goose season North
and Middle Zones
Sept. 1-Sept 25 Canada goose season South
MJC
ARCHERY
MJC
ARCHERY
MACOMB
OAKLAND
19744 15 Mile Rd
Clinton Twp. 48035
3001 Rochester Rd
Royal Oak, MI 48073
586-791-4600
248-589-2480
Eastern Michigan State Fairgrounds

in Imlay City. The intention of the
weekend is to celebrate our outdoor
heritage and this years event looks
outstanding. Our vendor/retail support has been terrific with over 220
vendors with just about every type of
product an outdoor enthusiasts would
need.
In particular we are really excited
about working with Williams Gun
Sight Co. out of Davison (www.
williamsgunsight.com) this year
on a new display/event, never seen
in Michigan beforeWilliams is
sponsoring Mobile Tactics (www.
mobiletactics.com). Mobile Tactics
provides a state-of-art mobile-portable, self-contained, live firearms
training/shooting facility. Through
Williams, showgoers will actually be
able to try out firearms before buying as well as receive training and
instructions all in a safe and comfortable environment. Mobile Tactics is
a ballistically secure trailer, allowing
the firing of pistol, shotguns, and
certain rifles. It has a state of the art
target retrieval system developed and
installed by Action Target.
Theres an additional benefit of
Mobile Tactics that goes beyond the
Outdoor Weekend; area police agencies will have the opportunity to train
for marksmanship training, decision
making, shoot/dont shoot, and tactical training. So thanks to Williams
Gun Sight its a win win situation.
The Sept. issue of Woods-N-Water
News, our website and facebook
page will have more information on
the Mobile Tactics.n
The NRC expanded the Core Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Area
to include 17 townships. This area, which will continue to be referred to
as Deer Management Unit (DMU) 333, now will consist of Lansing,
Meridian, Williamstown, Delhi, Alaiedon and Wheatfield townships in
Ingham County; DeWitt, Bath, Watertown, Eagle, Westphalia, Riley,
Olive and Victor townships in Clinton County; Woodhull Township in
Shiawassee County, and Oneida and Delta townships in Eaton County.
The CWD Management Zone also has expanded; it now will
include the remainder of Clinton, Eaton, Ingham and Shiawassee counties, as well as all of Ionia County. The expanded Management Zone
will be referred to as DMU 419.
With the detection of CWD-positive deer in the southern part of
Clinton County, we need to better understand the magnitude of the disease in those areas, said Chad Stewart, Department of Natural
Resources deer specialist. Expanding our surveillance to include those
areas is key at this point, and we need help from landowners and hunters within the expanded zone to help us with this effort.
Other regulation changes include:
Banning deer feeding and baiting on all properties within the Core
CWD Area and Management Zone.
Opening Eaton and Ionia counties to the early antlerless deer season.
Allowing roadkill deer in the Core CWD Area to be possessed and
kept with a DNR-issued salvage tag from a law enforcement officer or
DNR employee, as long as the head is submitted to a DNR biologist,
biologist appointee or check station.
Continuing from last year, other regulation reminders include:
Those hunting within the Core CWD Area are required to present
the head of all hunter-harvested deer within 72 hours of harvest to a
DNR deer check station.
Hunters leaving the Core CWD Area are required to present the
entire carcass of all hunter-harvested deer originating from the Core
CWD Area within 72 hours of harvest to a DNR deer check station. (A
list of deer check stations is available at michigan.gov/deercheck.)
All live free-ranging deer from within the CWD Management
Zone or Core CWD Area are prohibited from being rehabilitated.
Permittees located within the CWD Management Zone or Core CWD
Area may no longer rehabilitate deer.
CWD affects members of the deer family, including elk and moose.
It is caused by the transmission of infectious, self-multiplying proteins
(prions) contained in saliva and other body fluids of infected animals.
Since the May 2015 discovery of chronic wasting disease in a free-ranging, Michigan white-tailed deer, more than 5,000 deer have been tested
for CWD in order to gauge the extent of the disease across the landscape. Of those tested, seven deer were confirmed positive for the disease in Clinton and Ingham counties.
To date, there is no evidence that the disease presents any risk to
non-cervids, including humans, either through contact with an infected
animal or from handling venison. As a precaution, the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend infected animals not be consumed as food by either humans or domestic animals.
To learn more about CWD, visit mi.gov/cwd.
HUNTING
Going green for
early season geese
Ryan Walker page 22
Nutrient requirements
for antler growth
John Ozoga page 49
Cover Story...
Scout smart for early
season opportunities
Cover Story...
Flowing water 'eyes
Mark Martin page 16
Stalking shallow
water KINGS
Betty Sodders page 68
Summer food plots
Charter Directory
page 56-57
Headwater trout
George Rowe page 56
The Next Bite...

Rev up lazy walleyes
Gary Parsons/Keith Kavajecz

page 62
Marquette County
offers great fishing
John Bergsma page 64
Jim Felgenauer page 8
Walleyes and the

dog days of August
Noah O'Reilly page 67
Robert Stupp page 14
page 24
Osprey chicks banded

in SE Michigan
Catching a
"living fossil"
Bear hunting clinics
Randy Jorgensen page 30
page 57
The Hudson Bay Axe
Nature Deficit
Disorder
Darryl Quidort page 44
Charter a boat or
rent a boat
Fred Davis page 48
The shallow
Munising shipwrecks
Stay safe in the sun

Buck Mallory page 75
Angling's other
"sweet spot"
Larry Walters page 90
In the market for

new rod and reel?
A Man of the Wilderness
Tom Lounsbury page 77

Trail Cam page 82
page 45
page 78
Watkins Lake State

Park/County Preserve
103rd state park
page 88
"The Twin Cedars Cup"

Dan Russell page 98
Deer Private Land

Assistance Network
grant period opens
page 99
PERSPECTIVE
Part II
Michigan Marine Laws
Joe Lunkas page 86
Taxidermy-truly art
Tricia Auten page 93
What's in your
tackle box?
Tom Huggler page 97
Positive environmental
factors for your dog
Len Jenkins page 98
OPINIONS
December archery
data lacking
Richard P. Smith page 79
Biofuel mandates
don't work for boaters
page 80
GUNS/AMMO
Black Powder Sports
A fitting tribute to
Bruce Robb
Dennis Neely page 72
Sporting Collectibles
Studying the science of Early automatic reels Jeff Pendergraff page 27
Gun Chat...
catching more walleye Terry McBurney page 84
Custom shotgun?
I'm kind of like
page 99
Lee Arten page 91
a woodcock
Dog/puppy planning
Tom Carney page 38
Six-year-old takes
DNR shooting ranges
Charlie Linblade page 89
huge muskie
improve to keep pace
Outdoor
archives
with trends
Betty Sodders page 99
OUTDOOR NEWS
FEATURE
Waterfowl season
dates and regulations
Mark Romanack page 12
Smallmouths:
Brawling Bronze
Boxers
Woodcock banding
Bill Ziegler page 50
Lake St. Clair

kayak fishing
Roger Beukema page 92
Cover Story...
The lake sturgeon
The 'Buckley Bear'

on my back porch
Jonathan Schechter...page 46
Mike Gnatkowski page 54
FISHING
Lane Walker page 79
Just don't listen

to that voice
Oftentimes deer live

dangerous lives
Kenny Darwin..page 32
Life in the fastlane

Dog days of summer
Mark Romanack page 36
Smallies and
crankbaits
Grunt
bucks
kissin'
close
MDNR page 70
Smallmouths worth
bragging about
John Eberhart page 58
Ron St. Germain page 66
Volunteers make a
world of difference
Kenny Darwin page 20
Dave Mull page 52
Ed Spinazzola page 94
Hognose snakes
Dear Fish Diary...

White robin interrupts
my fishing time
016
$4.00
ater News
Scout
page 18
Invasive versus
common carp
MDNR page 41
Mark Sak page 61
page 96
DEPARTMENTS . . .
Trophy Page. . . . . . . . 76 Classifieds . . . . . . 85-86
Op-Ed . . . . . . . . . . . 78-81 Real Estate . . . . . . . 87-97
Deer Season
COVER PHOTOS
Scout Smart...page 58
By John Eberhart
River Walleyes...page 16
By Mark Martin
Sturgeon...page 8
By Jim Felgenauer
Osprey...page 45 MDNR Photo
CWD Area Expanded!
River
Walleyes
Season Opens
Osprey
P.O. Box 278, Imlay City, MI 48444
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Michigans largest fish
THE LAKE STURGEON
orldwide there are 29

species of sturgeon.
Eight species of sturgeon are native to North
America with only the
lake sturgeon found in
the Great Lakes. Lake sturgeon are
a relic from the dinosaur age and are
the oldest Michigans fish species.
Male lake sturgeon live an average
of 55 years. Females live 80 to 150
years. They can grow up to eight feet
long and weigh well over 100 pounds.
Some of the largest specimens now
swimming in the great lakes were
born prior to the start of World War II.
Some of the fish being born this year
will still be alive when our grandchildren have grandchildren of their own.
COVER STORY
By Jim Felgenauer
stclairsturgeon.org
Reproduction
Despite their long lives, sturgeon

are slow to mature. Unlike other fish,
lake sturgeon have an interrupted
spawning cycle. Females typically
reach sexual maturity at the age of
24 to 26 years. Males become sexual
mature in 8 to 12 years. While males
spawn every 2 to 7 years females only
reproduce once every 4 to 9 years.
Spawning occurs on clean gravel bottoms from April to June when water
temperatures reach 55 to 64 degrees.
Females lay 4000 to 7000 eggs
per pound of body weight. During
spawning eggs are broadcast into
clean gravel or rock crevices on the
river bottom. Eggs become sticky on
contact with water which allows them
to adhere to rocks during incubation.
Sturgeon do not guard or tend to their
young. Hatching will take 5 to 12
days dependent on water temperature.
The eggs are vulnerable to various
predators such as the round goby and
rusty crayfish. Microbes and fungi can
also attack developing embryos. Upon
Steve Guc with his 70 inch lake sturgeon caught on the Nor th Channel of the St. Clair River.
hatching the free embryo with the
attached yolk sac finds refuge or cover
in the substrate for 5 to 7 days until
their yolk sac is absorbed. This starts
the larval stage when they emerge
from the substrate and begin dispersal
by drifting, sometimes many miles,
downstream at night to suitable nursery habitat offering food and protection during their first year. Mortality at
this life stage can be significant in the
absence of habitat that provides cover
for the drifting larva.
Sturgeon have several defense
mechanisms that help them make it
through the early life stages. They
grow rapidly throughout their first
spring and summer. They have a
mottled appearance that provides
camouflage against the bottom and
they develop five rows of sharp bony
scutes making them less appetizing

to potential predators. Each year after
surviving their first winter the chances
of survival increase. At some point
in the first few years they reach such
a size that the only predator large
enough to have a significant impact on
their population is humans.
History
By the early part of the Twentieth

Century populations were greatly reduced by overfishing, habitat changes
and pollution; all human influences.
Lake sturgeon have been recognized
since the Upper Cretaceous period, the
time of the dinosaurs. They have been
in existence for 136 million years and
are considered by many to be living
fossils. In the early to middle part of
the Nineteenth Century lake sturgeon
were found in all of the Great Lakes
and were one of the most abundant
species in lakes Huron and Erie.
Information gathered at archaeological sites along both the St. Clair and
Detroit Rivers indicates that Native
Americans harvested many of them.
When the first Europeans arrived,
lake sturgeon were not sold and were
considered to be a nuisance by commercial fishermen because of the damage they would cause to equipment.
These large fish were removed from
the nets used for lake trout and whitefish and stacked like cordwood on
beaches to dry before being destroyed
by burning or used as fuel in steam
ships. By the late 1800s, as Europeans
developed a taste for smoked sturgeon
Sturgeon do not guard or tend to their young. Hatching will take 5 to 12 and caviar, a targeted commercial
days dependent on water temperature.
fishery intensified. During the heavy
fishing years from 1879 to 1900 the

commercial catch of lake sturgeon in
the Great Lakes averaged over four
million pounds. In 1885 a maximum
of 8.6 million pounds were harvested
of which 5.2 million pounds came
from Lake Erie. By 1929 Commercial fishing for lake sturgeon in Lake
Michigan was closed after the catch
declined to only 2,000 pounds compared to 3.8 million pounds harvested
in 1879.
Commercial exploitation was not
the only factor influencing the decline
in lake sturgeon populations. Habitat loss has also been a contributing
factor to the reduction of sturgeon
populations. Sturgeon spawning
habitat in smaller inland tributaries
was destroyed as the landscape was
denuded of timber by careless logging
practices. Damming of streams for
power generation and water control
prevented access to historical spawning grounds. With the growth of our
nation came pollution, first in the form
of biological pollutants from raw sewage dumped into our lakes and rivers,
then later in the form of chemicals.
Consequent to the decline, only a
remnant population of lake sturgeon
remains today in most of the Great
Lakes basin. Lake sturgeon are listed
as endangered, threatened or special
concern in 19 of 20 states throughout
their range. The current population
is estimated to be less than onepercent of historical levels with many
populations in the Great Lakes having
become extirpated. Most watersheds
Lake sturgeon page 10
Lake Sturgeon:
from page 8
within the Great Lakes Basin have
annual spawning runs of less than 200
fish.
Restoration
10
In the late Twentieth Century

there was a renewed worldwide interest in sturgeon conservation. In
contrast to attitudes of early part of
the century, sturgeon are now held in
high regard. Lake sturgeon protection
and restoration efforts in Michigan
and around the world are as diverse
as the watersheds where the fish are
found. Most of these efforts involve
the collaboration of large groups of
stakeholders including state, federal,
and tribal agencies, researchers,
sportsmans groups, non-profits and
other volunteers.
On the Menominee River in the
western Upper Peninsula five hydroelectric dams prevent sturgeon from
getting up river from Lake Michigan
to their prime spawning and rearing
habitat. The Menominee River Fish
Passage Partnership has developed
an elevator system which is used to
capture the fish which are then transported upstream in trucks. They can
find their way back to Lake Michigan through sturgeon slides which
bypass the dams.
In the northeastern Lower Peninsula at the Black River restoration
efforts include the use of streamside
hatchery and production facilities.
Eggs are collected then brought to
these facilities where they are fertilized and raised. This allows the
young fish to imprint on the watershed where after being released they
will return to spawn for many years.
Every year in May volunteers gather
at the rivers edge to learn about
the fish and help protect them from
potential poaching during the spawn
when they are most vulnerable.
In the larger, deeper St. Clair
and Detroit Rivers in southeastern
Michigan rocky artificial spawning
reefs have been constructed to replace
lost spawning habitat. The Michigan
DNR and the US Fish and Wildlife
Service do setline surveys each year
to monitor and track populations from
southern Lake Huron down to Lake
Erie.
There are three Michigan chapters of Sturgeon for Tomorrow; The
Black Lake Chapter, the Kalamazoo
Chapter and St. Clair-Detroit River
Sturgeon for Tomorrow. Through a
memorandum of understanding with
the Michigan DNR the chapters have
shared responsibility for administration of the sturgeon in the classroom
program. Young of the year fish from
the hatchery at Black Lake area transported to participating classrooms
where they are raise by the students
All successful fishermen

who repor t
catching
a tagged
sturgeon are
eligible to get
one of these
limited edition
lake sturgeon
cooperator
collectors
patch.
during the school year. At the end

of the year they are returned to the
Black River. Teachers must have
extensive aquarium experience or
must have participated in the salmon
in the classroom to be eligible. For
more information, interested teachers
should contact their nearest Sturgeon
for Tomorrow chapter.
Fishing Today
Michigan also offers a variety
of unique fishing opportunities for
lake sturgeon. Every sturgeon caught
is the fish of a lifetime. Seasons
and creel limits are set to allow a
limited harvest, on selected waters,
that is below levels that could have
a harmful effect on sturgeon populations. All anglers must obtain a nontransferable lake sturgeon permit and
tag prior to fishing for lake sturgeon.
They are available for free at all
license vendors. Upon harvesting a
lake sturgeon, anglers must validate
the lake sturgeon harvest tag, attach it
to the fish and must register their harvest within 24 hours. Lake sturgeon
harvest is limited to one per year per
angler.
Lake sturgeon fishing season information can be found in the annual
Michigan Fishing Guide. Catch and
immediate release sturgeon fishing
opens statewide on July 16 and ends
on September 30 with the exception
of several watersheds that have special regulations.
The earliest season is the spearing
season at Black Lake in early February. It is Michigans shortest and most
intensively managed fishing season.
A small harvest quota is set each year.
Anglers must pre-register to fish. All
anglers must immediately report any
harvested fish using their cell phone.
When the yearly quota is reached the
season is closed by signaling cannons
and by a large staff of personnel on
the ice that go shack to shack to make
sure the quota is not exceeded. The
2016 season lasted just short of one
hour. All fish must be brought in and
registered at a portable DNR field
office which is set up on the lake for
the event. On the same weekend the
Black Lake Chapter of Sturgeon for
Tomorrow holds the Black Lake Sturgeon Shivaree. This fun event allows
people other than just the anglers to
participate, to learn about sturgeon
and to support sturgeon conservation.
On Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair
River one lake sturgeon between
42 and 50 inches can be harvested
between July 16 and September 30.
Most anglers choose to release the
fish to be caught again. Some tagged
fish in these waters have been caught
as many as four times. On these wa-
ters sturgeon may be targeted for

immediate catch and release through
the months of October and November. Sturgeon fishing is prohibited
on these waters from December 1
through July 15.
If you do not have a boat or
would like to learn more about sturgeon fishing, the sturgeon fishery on
the St. Clair River supports several
sturgeon fishing charter businesses.
Certain sections of the Menominee
River are open to sturgeon fishing
from the first Saturday in September
until the end of the month. The minimum size is 60 inches. Targeting sturgeon is prohibited the rest of the year.
A stocked fishery exists on Otsego
Lake. It is the only place in Michigan
besides Black Lake where sturgeon
can be targeted during the ice fishing
season. However, there is no spearing
on Otsego Lake. Fishing is limited
to angling methods only. The harvest
season runs from July 16 through
March 15 with a 50 inch minimum
size limit. Fishing regulations are
constantly being updated. For more
detailed and current information be
sure to check your Michigan DNR
Fishing Guide http://www.michigan.
gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10364_63235274824--,00.html
100 of these patches are designed

and manufactured. When stock run
low another tag is designed. It is very
special to have one.
Handling Sturgeon
Every year sturgeon are caught
incidentally by anglers targeting other
species. It seems that every year we
hear about a fisherman catching one
on the Saginaw River or St. Clair
River while targeting walleyes. It is
important to handle these large fish
carefully to release them successfully.
First, you should consider releasing
them without bringing them into the
boat or onto the ice. If you do remove
them from the water, support the
sturgeon horizontally. Do not hold
sturgeon in a vertical position by their
head, gills, or tail.
Minimize the time the sturgeon
is out of the water. Support it in the
water until it is ready to swim off
under its own power. Michigans only
lake sturgeon fishing tournament, The
North Channel Sturgeon Classic will
be held September 23 through the
25 in Clay Township on the St. Clair
River. Michigan has world class fishing for walleyes, bass, muskies and
lake sturgeon. If you have not tried
fishing for them you should.
Cooperator Program Conclusion

Michigan also has a lake sturgeon
cooperator patch program. All successful fishermen during the Black
Lake Sturgeon season receive a cooperator patch. Others who report catching a tagged sturgeon are eligible to
get one of these limited edition collectors items. If you catch a tagged
sturgeon you should record the tag
number, the date, time and location of
catching the fish and the length and
girth if possible. You can report your
catch at http://www.michigandnr.
com/taggedfish/tags. Every few years
Lake Sturgeon are an important

part of Michigans diverse resources
and our heritage. Human attitudes
toward these great fish have great
impact on their ability to not only
survive but to thrive. We must work
to assure that they are here for our
grandchildren to appreciate. If you
can spend some time fishing for them
you might catch the fish of a lifetime.
If you do not fish for them you could
always get involved with one of the
Michigan chapters of Sturgeon for
Tomorrow as a volunteer or member.
They are ours to protect.n
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11
WALLEYES
and the dog days of August
A
s a lifelong Michigan resident, you wont

find me complaining when the weather is
hot and the air is sticky. Here in the Great
Lakes state avid anglers endure way too
many cold, rainy and nasty days and not
nearly enough days made for T-Shirts,
shorts and flip flops!
The dog days of August puts the brakes on
fishing for some species, but thankfully walleye
dont seem to mind the heat. One of the great things
about walleye is they bite well in both cold and
warm water conditions. No matter how hot or sticky
it gets, anglers can count on good walleye fishing
action if they know where to look and how to target
these fish.
Finding Fish
12
In August walleye arent going to be found in

the same areas they frequented in May, June and
July. Walleye have a lot of habits, but sticking
close to home isnt one of them. Walleye have been
documented traveling great distances in search of
preferred forage species, comfortable water temperatures or both.
Case in point, walleye of the Saginaw Bay system that spawn in the Tittabawassee River in April
are likely to be spending their summer months
hundreds of miles away in Lake Huron! A similar
migration of walleye occurs in Lake Erie. Fish
that spawn in the Western Basin, routinely end up
spending their summers in the Central and Eastern
Basins and also along the north shore in Ontario
waters.
Its these open water basins, often found miles
from shore that attract the largest schools of baitfish and also mid-summer walleye. Routinely these
fish experience little fishing pressure because most
anglers are uncomfortable targeting fish out in the
great abyss! To make matters worse, these fish can
be in one location today and tomorrow that same
school of fish might be miles away.
Mid-summer walleye are seemingly always
on the move. Enjoying consistent action requires
adopting the same wander lust ways as the
fish. Its also interesting to note that most
of the walleye that favor open water tend
to be the adult sized fish. Lots of fish and
big ones too is a recipe for fishing success
any angler would be crazy not to consider.
Locating fish in this sprawling open
water environment might seem like finding
a needle in a haystack. Actually with the
help of quality sonar, a simple
game plan and some patience,
finding fish is the straight forward part.
Huge basins are best approached by breaking
down the water into smaller and more manageable chunks. The best open water trollers set up a
grid search pattern that breaks down the water into
quadrants about 1/4 mile apart.
Start by splitting the screen of your sonar/GPS
unit so half the screen is set on broad beam sonar
and the other half is set to the mapping screen.
Open water walleye trolling is a cat and mouse game

that many anglers like young Jake Romanack thrives on.
This kind of fishing is both the thrill of the hunt and the
excitement of catching lots of fish rolled into one!
Cruising the boat along at about 10-15 MPH, search
for about a mile or two in one direction, saving
waypoints anytime a noteworthy cluster of fish appears on the sonar screen. If several fish are marking on the screen at the same time, that is defined as
noteworthy and worth taking a second look at.
Once the boat has covered a mile or two in
one direction, jog over about 1/4 mile and repeat
the process heading back the way you started. This
process continues, saving waypoints on
clusters of fish and eliminating unproductive water.
Its a good thing to mark fish on a
sonar unit, but the only way to confirm if
these fish are indeed walleye is to set up a
trolling pass. Once a few clusters of fish
are located in the same general geographic
area, its time to set up a trolling pass to
confirm that the fish are indeed
walleye. Running straight upwind
of a waypoint about 1/2 mile and
then trolling downwind makes it easier to steer the
boat and navigate towards specific waypoints.
If on the test pass walleye are caught, save
those locations as waypoints using a different mapping icon to differentiate between actual walleye
caught and waypoints that simply note the location
of fish on sonar. Gradually the pieces of the puzzle
start to come together. If you find fish and then
lose them on subsequent passes, refer back to the
By Mark Romanack
waypoints indicating where fish have been caught

and also waypoints that indicate the presence of fish
on sonar. Use this information to make an educated
guess as to what direction the fish may have disappeared and make another pass in that direction.
This cat and mouse game is what open water
walleye fishing is all about. When a sizable school
of fish is located, they can often be caught using a
variety of trolling tactics. Finding good numbers of
fish is the key to success.
Step Up The Trolling Speed
During the hot days of summer walleye will

bite a wide variety of trolling presentations including spoons, crankbaits and open water spinner
(crawler harnesses) set ups. Of these options spinner fishing is the least desirable because it limits
trolling to a top speed of about 1.5 MPH.
Spinner trolling is a game best played at slow
speeds and not the ideal trolling tactics for covering water quickly when hunting for open water
fish. Both crankbaits and spoons are a better option
for covering water and contacting the maximum
number of fish.
In a tough open water bite that only yields the
occasional fish on cranks or spoons, an angler can
always slow down on known fish holding waypoints and fish spinners. Day in and day out however, spoons and crankbaits will boat more fish during
the heat of summer.
Open water walleye trolling is a game

played with spinners, spoons and
crankbaits. The author prefers to troll
faster and concentrates mostly on
spoons and high action crankbaits like
this Yakima Mag Lip when targeting
open water fish.
Crankbait Options
ing to elude a game fish.

Fishing legend Buzz Ramsey the designer of
the Mag Lip series has a couple suggestions for
getting the most from these lures. The Mag Lip
has great action at all trolling speeds, but the skip
beat action of these lures becomes more prevalent
at faster trolling speeds, explains Ramsey. Vary
trolling speeds from about 2.0 to 3.5 MPH to get
the most benefit from the Mag Lips built in skip
beat action.
Ramsey goes on to explain that how the Mag
Lip is attached to the line also makes a difference.
Most anglers tie their crankbaits directly to the
split ring or snap on the diving lip of the bait, says
Ramsey. In the case of the Mag Lip it helps to tie a
snap to the end of your fishing line and attach this
snap to the snap that comes standard on all Mag
Lip baits. Attaching a snap to a snap opens up the
action of the Mag Lip even more and helps this bait
trigger the maximum number of strikes.
Spoon Trolling
The popular Precision Trolling Data app is

available on both Android and iPhone platforms. This ground breaking app allows
anglers to pick a target depth and the app
determines the correct amount of feet back
or trolling lead an angler must use to target
fish at specific depths.
Like crankbaits spoons can be fished at faster

trolling speeds and do an excellent job of covering water. Unfortunately, unlike a crankbait these
lures have no natural diving ability. Spoons must
be fished in combination with one of several diving
devices to get them to the respective target depths.
Great mini divers for fishing spoons include
the Off Shore Tackle No. 2 Tadpole Diver, Lurks
44mm Disco Diver and the Big Jon Mini Disks. In
the case of each of these divers a five to six foot
leader of 15# test fluorocarbon line is used to connect the diver to the spoon. At the terminal end a
good ball bearing swivel is required to allow the
spoon to have maximum flip and action.
The best spoons for walleye trolling are the
smaller versions. Wolverine Tackle, Michigan
Stinger, Yeck, Dream Weaver and Moonshine all
produce small spoons designed especially for walleye trolling.
The diver and spoon set up can be trolled on
super braid or monofilament lines. If using monofilament a good choice would be a high abrasion
line with low stretch such as Maximas Ultra
Green or Chameleon. Both of these lines are tough
enough for serious open water spoon trolling.
For anglers who prefer braided lines, the best
options are braids that are tightly twisted to create a line that round in shape like monofilament.
Most braids and fused lines are flat in shape, which
means they do not load evenly onto the reel spoon
making it tough for the drag to function properly.
The best braids for trolling are also the most
expensive. Maximas Braid 8 is made by twisting,
under high pressure, eight different Spectra braid
fibers. The line is then coated to give the line the

look, feel and handling characteristics of monofilament, but in a line that has zero stretch.
The added cost of premium braids scares off
a lot of anglers, but there are ways to mitigate
the costs associated with spooling up with braid.
Instead of loading the entire reel spool with braid,
load first a less expensive monofilament line and
then top dress the spool with 100 to 150 yards of
premium braid.
Its also worth noting that braid lasts longer
than monofilament. Even charter captains who fish
daily routinely get two or even three seasons out of
premium braids.
How Deep Does That Dive?

Finding fish is the key to catching open water
walleye. Once fish are located its also critical to
fish at the depths these fish are holding at. Open
water walleye can literally be found a few inches
below the surface all the way to the bottom and
anywhere in between.
Knowing how deep crankbaits, divers and
other trolling gear fishes on various lead lengths
becomes a fundamental part of successful open
water trolling. The Precision Trolling Data, LLC
apps are hands down the definitive source on how
deep stuff dives. Available in both an Android and
iPhone version, this app allows anglers to select a
target depth and the app spits out the exact amount
of line out needed to achieve that depth! Sold at
the Google Play and the Apple App Store respectively.
Virtually every pro on the walleye tournament
circuits is using the Precision Trolling Data app
to quickly dial in their baits and gear to the depths
at which they are marking fish. Anglers can purchase individual Dive Curves, complete versions
or a lifetime version that provides all the currently
available data and subsequent updates at no additional cost.
Summing It Up
Chasing walleye in open water is a challenge
at many levels. Finding fish, staying on those fish,
figuring out what depths are the most productive
and what baits the fish want to eat on any given day
make for world class trolling challenges. The cool
thing about open water trolling is once a pattern is
figured out, catching lots of fish and often big fish
are the rewards.
Fishing out in the middle of nowhere isnt for
everyone, but in the Great Lakes those who master
the open water basins, rule when it comes to catching limits and lots of big walleye.n
In warm water fishing conditions, walleye will

hit a wide variety of crankbait styles, brands and
models. Minnow diving baits like the Storm Deep
Jr. ThunderStick, Reef Runner Deep Little Ripper,
Yo-Zuri Deep Minnow, Berkley Flicker Minnows
and the Bandit Minnow are all good options.
Crankbaits with a wider wiggle and more action are also good candidates for warm water trolling. Classics in this category include the Storm 3/8
ounce original Rattle Tot and Salmo No. 6 Hornet.
Both of these lures have a wandering action that
gives off a lot of flash and vibration in the water.
A newcomer in the crankbait market that is
rapidly making a name for itself is the Yakima
Mag Lip series. These baits come in several sizes
including the 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.5 and 5.0 versions. For
walleye trolling the 3.0 and 3.5 sizes are ideal.
All of the Mag Lip baits fish with an aggressive
side to side wobble and a skip beat action that
does wonders at triggering fish strikes. The skip
beat action is built into the lure, causing it to dart
out to the side periodically like a baitfish thats try-
13
Smallmouths:
BRAWLING
BRONZE BOXERS
got it
By Robert Dock Stupp YepLyle
rightand I gotta
hired a fishing
guide one
day. We became good buddies and although
he is now fishing in a peaceful
blue lake in the sky, I still like
to think of him as one great fishing
buddy and teacher.
Lyle was also a boxer (was that
why he loved battling the brawling
bronzebacks) while he was in the
army and he was a WWII vet. Oh,
he never finished high school but the
things I learned from him about life
are still invaluable lessons today.
And what was his favorite fish?
Why, the smallmouth bass, of course.
I still like to discuss the initial leap,
the digging, relentless dives, and the
ferocious fight for freedom from a
fish seldom larger than five pounds.
Smallies still have the right stuff.
right to have my
own hero-fish, the smallmouth bass.
Why, then, up here in Yooperland, do I, of all people, sometimes
badmouth smallies? Simplein areas
where I used to catch walleyes I now
catch a number of smallies. And we
all know that fishermen, like bears,
think through their stomachs. Love
those walleyes meals.
Today, I believe we are losing
our spawning habitat in some areas of
the Upper Peninsula and all over our
great country. Curiously, perhaps, the
irrepressible smallies are the stronger, This Master Angler smallie was caught by the author in August, in the
healthier survivors among some of our dark, on a black Jitterbug, in Ottawa Lake in Iron County.
gamefish.
fronts or other changes in weather.
every smallmouth.
Or, maybe we are altering the
Target the smallies on sunny days or
natural balance of a lake by keepon cloudy days. Target smallies on
ing every legal walleye and releasing
windy days or on calm days. Finicky,
Smallmouth bass have been able
they aintoh, they do disappear but
to adapt and dominate some presentthats why its called fishin and not
day spawning conditions. As an
catchin.
angler, I tend to release almost every
Yes, fish for smallies by castsmallmouth and keep all the legal
ing to them or trolling for them. Fish
walleyes. Nowadays, however, I will
prepare and eat a smallmouth or two. for them on the surface with floating
Rapalas or Zara Spooks or buzz baits
Well, I think what weve done
or spinner baits. Fish for them on the
here, folks, is unwittingly created a
bottom with a simple split-shot and
nice niche for the smallmouth bass.
a hook/crawler combo. Use diving
Now, what to do? What to fish for
minnow baits. You get the idea. Work
during my golden years?
is for people who dont know how to
Simple! Ill fish both.
fish.
So, lets learn from the smallies.
Recently I have taken them on the
Target the smallies. Think Positive!
Not only have their populations risen; exciting drop shot method. Never used
this method of fishing before.
their propensity for adaptation has
Fish for those suspending bronrisen. Darwin was right! Heckmy
zebacks,
throwing suspending Husky
hero Lyle was right! The cream alJerks or use my favorite: the old, easy
ways comes to the top!
Smallmouth bass have popped to and reliable slip-bobber. Slip-bobbers
the top and taken advantage of chang- are a great way for kids to learn how
ing spawning conditions and changing to fish quickly and smile proudly.
Tons of funguaranteed!
water conditions. Whether you fish
Many smallmouth bass anglers
for them in the Great Lakes where
will
tell you when you add an acthe clearer water (due to the Clean
robatic
and aggressive fish like the
Water Act and zebra mussels etc.) has
smallmouth bass to the fun equaallowed
smallies
to
adapt
and
change
Premium Quality,
tion, why, you double your fun.
tactics, not only suspending in open
They slam a bait so kids know
water
near
baitfish
but
also
further
Whitetail Mineral Supplement
from structure or, whether you fish for this fish isnt a snag. And they bite
demanded by Five Industry Pro Staffs.
during the daykids time and your
them in more stained, natural lakes
where they also suspend near baitfish, timeas a teacher.
smallmouth bass have become more
readily available to all anglers
Consult all game laws in your area before starting a mineral supplement program.
young kids and old kids.
My case for targeting smallies is
Smallies can inhabit shallow,
enhanced by Great Lakes charter cap- rocky areas from spring though early
tains and fishing guides who are prov- summer as long as there is prey and
ing every day that suspended smallies the rocky areas are near their spawnin the clearer waters around Michigan ing locations. After smallies disperse,
look for nearby boulders in less than
are less likely to be affected by cold
Adapt & Dominate
Superior Products. Amazing Results!
14
Now available to the public!
Slammin - Jammin
Bronzeback Boxer Baits
bed. Also, fish the six to 14 foot range

on the weed flats in the back of these
reeds.
Hagerman Lake: Clear and lots
of drops and lots of rocks. Good
habitat. Fish down the shoreline from
Covenant Point. Keep movin and
throwin into the wood. Watch your
locator. Crawler and a chartreuse jig
or the old slip bobber. Fish around
Big Island or go the north end and
fish where it starts to get shallow.
Ottawa Lake: A World Class
smallmouth fishery! (no possession
of largemouth or smallmouth bass)
Sleeper Yooper Smallie Lakes

Many camper/fishing trips head
up to the U.P. to enjoy the summer
and fall seasons. Recently, a few
friends called to come up and fish.
One of our rowdier visitors still likes
to start his vacation like thisHold
my beerWatch this! Hes lucky
hes still alive.
Okayhere are a couple of
sleeper smallmouth lakes in the
great U.P. of Michigan, specifically
Iron County, where the smallmouth
fishing is the best it has ever been.
Take Chicagon Lake, for instance. Known for its walleyes and
big muskies but, go out to the two
reed beds on the left or west side of
the lake. Fish the back of them especially near the rocks on the first reed
the Badwater section of the Menominee River.

Yes, smallies are on the rise
population-wise and popularity-wise.
Get in on the fun!
Finally, Lyle, the battling boxer,
taught me well, so I pass it on to you.
Never be too old or too proud to have
a hero or too humble to be one. You
keep takin your family and friends
out smallmouth fishinwhy, youll
soon be a hero whether you want to
be or not.
And Lyle, thanks for the
memories!n
Smith & Wesson Days
Great Lakes Lures
Steve Ryan, contributing writer

for In-Fisherman Magazine, has lots
of experience on the Great Lakes,
fishing at prime timeearly spring
and late fall. Here are some very
popular smallmouth tools: The new
Rapala Shadow Rap; a bladed bait
called the Johnson Thinfisher; the
Berkeley PowerBait Rip Shad on
a Kalins Ultimate Jig; a tube bait
called the Get Bit Baits Tube on a
Bite Me Big Dude Head; the Storm
Mag Wort; and last but not leastthe
Strike King Bottom Dweller Spinnerbait.
Ryan also notes that Lake St.
Clair, not a Great Lake but still a
great lake, is one of the best spots to
fish for big brown bass.
But, did you know that professional Michigan angler, Jonathon Van
Dam, from Kalamazoo, thinks that
Lake St. Clair is the perfect summer
vacation fishery. Van Dam notes that
there are more four pound smallies
there than any lake in the U.S.
He likes to fish offshore there,
especially where he finds schools or
perch or shiners in 12 to 18 feet of
water. He also likes working Strike
King KVD 399 series jerkbaits
around isolated areas of vegetation.
His famous brother, Kevin, would
probably approve of his selection.
Braggingly, I caught and released

several Master Angler smallies there.
And there isnt a house on it; however
it does have camping sites.
Located in the beautiful Ottawa
National Forest, its deep and holds
big smallies. Those big smallies love
eating rusty crawfish. My daughter,
Lorri, caught a 20 incher there last
year. Catch and release. Bring your
camera.
Here are some coffee-stained
water spotssome river sections:
Peavy Pond near the dam area, the
whole Michigamme Reservoir, and
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eight feet of water, where big dominant bronzebacks tend to stay and
eat. They tend to like it there during
the early part of the season. Having
smaller rocks and gravel with boulders is a plus.
Jerkbaits, tubes, and spinnerbaits
are great tools to use at this time and
place. But, you know, what about the
old school, versatile grub. Bass grubs
can be defined as 3 to 5-inch twister
tails or curly tail grubs. Most have
a worm-like upper tail in a different
color than the single or double tail
which adds vibration.
When fishing weeds I like the
weedless, Texas-rigged, jig and tail
worked like a swimbait; Ill bet you
have a few in your tackle box. Work
them like a snap-jig too.
15
Flowing Water
WALLEYES
Try walleyes in rivers this late summer with simpleto-employ trolling tactics...By Mark Martin
verlooked? Yep. Underfished? You bet. Out of sight,

thus out of mind? Oh yeah.
Im talking about the populous of walleyes that live in
river systems all year long.
While spring is most definitely the
average anglers go-to time when it
comes to targeting walleyes in flowing
watera time when literally fish by
the millions may migrate from nearby
lakes to spawnsavvy anglers will
search out the fish that stick around all
year long.
But truth be told, although they
may not be as plentiful during the
late-summer months, there are still
more than enough resident fish to fill
the livewell for anyone whos willing
to take the time to target them. And
the best way to go about getting an
offering into the face of as many fish
as possible is to cover as much water
as you can. And trolling is how I like
to get this job done.
The best part about targeting river
eyes in summer while trolling? The
tactic is simple to employ. That and
youll catch more fish than ever.
Flow Trolling Basics
16
Trolling both upstream and down

will take fish; either way, going just
the right speed is the key to catching
success.
Although the Lowrance sonars
I have on both my Lunds dash and
bow are always on when Im fishing
rivers, Im not concerned about my
trolling speed being displayed on their
screens. This is because the current
speed is always changing run to run,
hole to hole, and I have to change up
my tempo accordingly. Nevertheless,
trolling with the correct momentum is
crucial.
Instead of relying solely on the
GPS, I depict whether or not I am
going a good pace by how my Rapala
crankbaits are running within the current. Thus why I always have my hand
on the throttle of my kicker motor; so
I can adjust the RPMs and speed up or
slow down depending on how my lure
is waggling at the moment.
Luckily, Rapala lures run true
right out of the package and swim
properly, even when trolling upstream
in a heavy current. Bump a few too
many rocks, however, and you may
have to tune your Rapala back to its
perfect out-of-the-box wiggle. You

can do this by bending the eyelet at
the head of the lure just slightly with
a pair of Rapalas Fishermans Pliers.
(Tuning tip: Bend the eyelet in the
opposite direction the lure rolls, but
only ever so slight. In fact, if you feel
the eyelet move, you more than likely
have twisted it too far.)
Another problem with trolling
over gravel- and rock-filled bottoms
is the lures hooks can become dull or
damaged in a short time. Im always
testing the sharpness of my lures
hooks by placing their point on my
thumbnail and then try to scrape it
over its surface. If the hook slides
easily, it needs to be sharpened. If it
sticks, then the hooks plenty sharp.
To sharpen, I use a Rapala 2 Sided
Hook File to touch it up.
If the lures hooks have been
severely damaged or been filed off too
much from sharpening multiple times,
I like to replace them with the same
size Daiichi hooks. The reason for
making sure to use the same size hook
is that the lures may not have the same
action with lighter or heavier hooks,
thus fish may not strike.
This walleye Mark Martins holding hit a Rapala crankbait as it was trolling out of a
river and into a shallow lake. David A. Rose photo
swimming wildly nosed into the flow.

The opposite holds true when trolling downstream, however, and youll
have to motor faster than you might
think to keep the lure wiggling. But
Proper lure placement is a crucial not to worry, river walleyes are used
to nabbing forage as it swims downpiece of the walleye catching puzzle
stream and will strike your fast-paced
in rivers, thus the depth below me is
bait without hesitation.
something I am always watching on
Responsive rods and line are an
the screens of my Lowrance units,
important
part of being able to feel
even more so if the waters stained
if my lure is running correctly; thus
and I cant see bottom. At all times,
I use a medium-action Fenwick rod
I need to know whether my lure is
and ABU Garcia reel spooled with
in the middle of a deep run, along its
10-pound-test Berkley FireLine.
edge or up on top of a shallow, siltI also like using leadcore line in
filled flat.
Overall, I want my lure to be run- rivers as I can get my lure down deep
ning through the deepest part of a hole without having to let a lot of line out,
and which helps in reducing snags.
or run, yet, right up tight to where it
starts to rise up and get shallower. Its A medium-action Fenwick trolling
along the drop offs where the majority rod and ABU Garcia line-counter reel
filled with Suffix 832 Advanced Lead
of walleye will sit, awaiting food to
Core is my preference. And I link the
drift their way.
lure to the leadcore via a 6-foot leader
Whether trolling with or against
of 10-pound-test Berkley 100% Fluothe current, I want to motor just fast
enough so that my Rapala crankbaits, rocarbon.
To the tip of the fluorocarbon, I
such as Shad Raps and Scatter Rap
tie on a Berkley Cross-Lok Snap (not
Shads, are wiggling perfectly. That
is, not too fast so that they spin out of snap-swivel) to allow easy on and off
when changing lures, as well allowing
control, or, not too slowly and dont
the bait it maximum action. Too much
have any action at all.
hardware and the lures action will
When trolling upstream it may
be ruined.
feel as if youre nearly sitting staWhen trolling with more than
tionary, all the while the lure will be
In Its Place
one rod at a time, I like to place all

but the one I am hanging on to in rod
holders. But just because the rod is
cradled in the holder rather than my
hand does not mean I am not always
adjusting the amount of line thats out
at all times.
The reason for continually adjusting the length of line a rod has out is
I want my Rapalas to be running at
bottom, not on it. The moment I see
that the lures bouncing on bottom, I
reel in a few feet of line until the lure
stops ramming into it. And if my sonar
shows the water just got deeper, I will
let out just enough line until the lure
ticks the rivers floor and then reel in
a couple feet to make sure its in the
strike zone.
Pulling in the Flow
If you have a favorite river with

walleye in it, then by all means cover
water by trolling. Crankbaits fished
near bottom are always a great choice.
Just make sure your lures are running
true and at the right pace.
Mark Martin is a touring walleye
tournament professional, as well an
instructor with the Fishing vacation/schools, who lives in Michigans southwestern Lower Peninsula. Check out his website for more
information.n
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17
Big Changes To Regulations...
2016-17 waterfowl season dates
ts almost time to polish up the

shotgun, warm up the retriever
with some practice throws and
don camouflage as the season
nears for hunting ducks and
geese in Michigan. Area wildlife
managers have been working hard all
summer to make sure migrating waterfowl have great habitat conditions
in Michigans state game and wildlife
areas this fall.
Waterfowl hunting regulations and
bag limits can be found in the 2016-
2017 Michigan Waterfowl Hunting

Digest. Digests are available at DNR
Customer Service Centers, wildlife
field offices, license agents and online
at mi.gov/dnrdigests.
Big changes to regulations this
year include a liberalized Canada
goose hunting season with increased
bag limits. The daily bag limit is now
five geese per day during the entire
September season and three geese per
day October through February.
Canada goose season runs Sept.
1-30 and Oct. 1-Dec. 16 in the North

Zone. Middle Zone dates are Sept.
1-30 and Oct. 1-Dec. 14 with a Dec.
17-18 split weekend. In the South
Zone, dates run Sept. 1-25, Oct.
8-Dec. 4, Dec. 31-Jan. 1 and Jan. 21Feb.11. Saginaw and Tuscola County
goose management units (GMU) have
the same dates as the South Zone.
Designated goose management units
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have alternate dates. Information on
goose seasons in GMUs can be found
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Michigans experimental early teal
season will continue this year and will
be held statewide Sept. 1-7. This is the
third and final year of the experimental
season.
It is important to be aware that
the early teal season is experimental
for three years. The DNR is required
to measure the attempts and harvest
of non-target species to make sure
hunters are harvesting only teal and
not other species of ducks, like wood
ducks and mallards. If hunters attempt
to harvest or do harvest species other
than teal, this could be the last year for
the early teal season.
Duck seasons have been split
into two segments in all three of state
duck-hunting zones this year. Duck
hunting in the North Zone runs Sept.
24-Nov. 20 and Nov. 26-27. In the
Middle Zone, duck season is Oct.
1Nov. 27 and Dec. 17-18, and in
the South Zone, duck season is Oct.
8-Dec. 4 and Dec. 31-Jan 1.
Annual reports for the seven
Michigan Wetland Wonders also are
available on the DNR website. These
annual reports detail the 2015-2016
hunting season results, habitat management activities and weekly waterfowl counts at each Wetland Wonder
along with other important information. To find the annual reports, visit
www.michigan.gov/wetlandwonders.
Click on The 7 Wonders tab and then
the Updates and Counts tab.
Michigans Wetland Wonders
include the seven premier managed
waterfowl hunt areas in the state: Fennville Farm Unit at the Allegan State
Game Area (Allegan County), Fish
Point State Wildlife Area (Tuscola
County), St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area on Harsens Island (St. Clair
County), Muskegon County Wastewater Facility (Muskegon County),
Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area
(Bay County), Pointe Mouillee State
Game Area (Monroe and Wayne counties) and Shiawassee River State Game
Area (Saginaw County).
These Wetland Wonders, scattered
across the southern Lower Peninsula,
were created in the 1960s to provide
exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities, and are still managed today to
provide waterfowl habitat for nesting and migration and for the benefit
of other wetland-dependent wildlife.
Since the beginning, these areas have
been funded by hunting license fees,
but they are open for anyone to visit,
use and enjoy most of the year.
The Wetland Wonders campaign is
part of the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy, a 10-year, cooperative partnership to restore, conserve and celebrate
Michigans waterfowl, wetland and
waterfowl hunting community. The
initiative is a call to action to honor
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19
STALKING
shallow
water
KINGS
20
By Kenny Darwin
disappointing and Michigans world class salmon

reputation has gone tube city. However, big fish are
he main run of mature Chinook salmon hits still available and in order to succeed at catching
them you need to be very accurate on predicting
the pier heads and Michigans streams in
August, although last year the extreme heat, peak run.
It is a challenging task to determine exactly
warm water and lack of storms kept many
when salmon move from deep water lairs to the
fish from ascending streams until Septemskinny water and congregate near pier heads and
ber. My deadly strategy is to predict when
Great Lakes salmon congregate in the skinny water river outlets. Some kings are already showing in
the Little Manistee and the Big Manistee has some
and ambush them using stealth trolling tactics.
fish concentrated at the mouth of the Pine River
Im talking big adult 20-pound hawgs with silvery
flanks and black jaws filled with sharp teeth. I seek which provides cold water. The trick to determining when kings move shallow is water temperature
the kind of fish that smash lures, bend hooks, strip
related. Put simply, kings love 50 degree water
line off the reel like a runaway freight train and
provide fun filled adventures, exciting fishing action and they will begin their migration if Great Lakes
and hefty coolers. But with recent DNR cutbacks in temperatures hit the lower 60s. The stage is now set
for adult fish to charge the coast and it begins by
salmon stocking the returning numbers have been
schools gathering close to the surface of the Great
Lakes and roaming in the upper 50 feet of water.
This example is best described by the following
anecdote.
Howling winds from the northwest brought a
crashing surf and fierce undertow to Lake Michigan
beaches from Frankfort to South Haven. Frankfort
had 10 foot waves crashing over the breakwall, the
Ludington Coast Guard issued swimming warnings
because of the powerful undertow and Grand Haven
surface water temperatures went from the 70s to
50s overnight. Thats when I called my fishing
buddy Sammy, and we packed salmon gear and hurried to the coast in search of August kings. The sun
was touching the horizon as we cleared the Ludington pier head and headed into the open freshwater
sea when an in-line board signaled a strike. The
rod was already bent double as the big king salmon
slammed the lure and peeled line off the reel.
Sammy was smiling from ear to ear as he fought the
active fish. The battle lasted several minutes when
the silvery prize came to the surface and circled my
18 foot Stealth boat as I cleared lines and readied
the net. When the monster came close I netted the
big hog with silver scales and purple stripe mixed
with deep blue colors on its side and a bright white
belly.
This fish is fresh from the deep water of Lake
Michigan, I explained as we reset lines and made a
second pass near the lighthouse. We noticed a large
area where brownish Pere Marquette water mixed
with emerald greenish and dark blue water and the
The author prefers to ambush kings at river outlets
surface water temperature went from the 60s to
that congregate fish prior to running rivers to spawn.
around 55 degrees; which is ideal for salmon. The
He recommends online sources that provide weather
conditions, predict storms and changing water temper- kings were stacked like cord wood in a relatively
ature readings that indicate salmon are close to Great small area waiting, hundreds of them with huge
Lakes beaches, piers and gathering in skinny water.
black snapping jaws anxious to grab almost any
Don and Debbie Rust of Byron proudly

display a dandy king that smacked
a glow plug. When kings move into
shallow water they tend to strike plugs
better than spoons or attractor fly or
meat presentations.
offering. We circled the hot spot, hooked another
fish and in just a few hours my livewell was bulging
with adult kings.
That evening my friends Don and Debbie Rust
joined me as we trolled in the lower Pere Marquette
Lake where some kings were located. We hooked
a couple but the fishing was slow when the sun
touched the western horizon, announcing the end
of a beautiful summer day. Thats when Don began
changing lures and we took off spoons and attractor/fly combinations and replaced them with glow
plugs. I have a special selection of Silver Horde
glow plugs colored white or pearl with lime green
lateral lines, black ladderback and other assorted
colors salmon love to gobble when the daylight
diminishes. Long hours on the water in search of
monster kings have taught us to change to glow
plugs when the day ends. If the sun is touching the
horizon king salmon become active and for a short
period of time, less than two hours, they go bonkers
over glow plugs.
POW! A board jerks violently back and line
screams off the reel as Debbie holds desperately
to the bent double rod. For an instant the brute
sprinted for the open water of Lake Michigan, then
made an abrupt turn and charged the boat as Debbie
frantically reeled in slack line. We caught up to the
silvery prize as it made a jump out of the water like
a runaway steelhead, smashed loudly on the calm
lake surface and stripped another 100 feet straight
away from the boat. The wild fish made several
line stripping runs but eventually came peacefully
to Dons waiting net. I snapped photos of the mint
silver prize with the green backed lure still in its
gaping jaw as Don and Debbie enjoyed the fun
filled action as the sun touched the horizon.
The great thing about skinny water kings is
they fight like crazy in the shallows and their meat
is bright orange, hard as a rock and absolutely
delicious on an open grill after marinating in first
cold pressed olive oil and Montreal steak seasoning. But the trick to success hinges on how well
you understand the manner in which kings react to
weather and using that information to predict when
salmon will suddenly show in skinny water. If you
want to experience skinny water trolling at its best,
have adult salmon slashing at your lures and fill the
box with fresh fillets, you need to go fishing when
conditions are ideal. This requires you have your
boat and gear on standby and be prepared to blast
north at the drop of a hat when the salmon suddenly
arrive. Keep in mind that salmon will charge the
pier in early August and most do not run Michigan
streams.
Sammy with a beautiful 20 pound king that

smacked a Mag Lip Double eagle crankbait
trolled 120 feet behind a Church Walleye
Board. Kenny Darwin photos
low salmon catching machine, better than the rest

and I use some unique trolling tricks. First, no
downriggers because the huge cannonballs spook
wary big water fish confined to shallow water. I
replace downriggers with 1 pound lead weights.
I simply let plugs 50-100 feet behind the boat
and attach the weight using Church in-line board
clips.
Next I lower the ball 20 feet or to the depth
where fish are schooled. I use in-line planer boards
with clear 20 pound mono lines rigged with cranks.
My favorite crank is the Yakima Mag Lip because
it can be trolled slowly or fast, runs about 14 feet
deep and has a solid strong hook that can handle
the powerful battle of an adult king. My third most
productive tactic is super copper line with plugs. I
use the 20 pound walleye super copper by Blood
Run Tackle because it can be used on my small
Daiwa 27 line counter reels and it cuts through the
water like magic and gets lures in the strike zone.
Last year my hottest strategy was a pearl Silver
Horde off in-line boards using 80 feet of super
copper. When the weather turns calm and the seas
lay flat, in-line boards are the ticket to unlimited
salmon catches. The idea is to work the upper
water column because kings often suspend less
than 10 feet from the surface. Boards take presentations far from the noise, shadow and disturbance
of the moving boat and you slowly sneak close to
the schools and run your lures through groups of

unsuspecting monster salmon.
The whole idea behind stalking salmon is you
seek them in the skinny water. Wiggle lures past
unsuspecting fish staging in shallow water. The
wiggle and flash of a chrome lure is too much action for a big king to tolerate. Out of aggression,
territorialism or simply because they love gulping
baitfish the huge fish slam lures and you have the
opportunity to catch adult monster fish without
risking life or limb running miles offshore.
Another huge advantage of fishing river outlets
is you have the golden opportunity to catch fish that
are staging prior to spawning. Rather than covering
miles of open water in search of fish you can wait
until they travel toward natal streams, gather in
packs and offer excellent fishing. Kings that run in
fall tend to assault rivers, spend little time around
pier heads or drown river mouths and they have
spawning on their mind rather than feeding. August
kings are still putting on the feed bag in preparation
for future spawning runs. If you intercept early run
schools the action can be addictive.
Please go to www.ludingtonsalmonfishing.com
and review the information regarding the MDNR
salmon cutbacks and the disastrous economic impact it is having on Michigan charter boats, tourism
and the economy along with list of congressmen to
contactASAP!n
Then, once again when the weather goes crazy

the kings will charge the Lake Michigan ports and
be found in shallow water for only a short period,
and then they retire to the depths of the big lake.
Your task is to predict the main run and be there
when the fishing is red hot. And you can find fresh
run salmon and have a hot time catching fish by
predicting salmon runs from the comfort of your
computer room. Heres how.
By using online sources you can predict
salmon runs based on water temperature shifts. Put
simply, when the water temperature drops the kings
immediately show. I like to arrive at major ports
while storms are still raging and go fishing as the
seas calm and salmon are exploring shallows, pier
heads, river mouths, drowned river mouths and
black jaws are smashing lures. The idea is to not
schedule a trip but wait until conditions are ideal
and the bite is red hot. Ive used this strategy with
outstanding success on adult kings at Frankfort,
Manistee, Ludington Pentwater and Grand Haven.
Part of the key to success is to find which port has
ideal water conditions for incoming schools of
salmon. Sometimes they are congregated in large
schools at the Grand River pier heads, other times
the cold water of northern Lake Michigan is pooled
at Frankfort and the fishing is easy. Last year the
king fishing fizzled at Ludington, Manistee was
dismal at best, but Frankfort and Grand Haven had
excellent king numbers with some big fish mixed
in.
Begin by monitoring the weather. A super
strong east wind can push out warm surface water
and cause an upwelling that sucks deep cold water
to the beach and the salmon come when the water
gets cold. Strong northwest or north gale force
winds cause the Great Lakes to roll over cold water
and push salmon into skinny water. But you need
a blow that lasts several hours to impact fishing.
North westers are hated by charter captains because
they disturb ideal deep water trolling conditions but
they are responsible for most of the excellent pier
head fishing.
Use reliable online sources that provide accurate weather conditions and Great Lakes forecasts.
For Ludington I use www.ludingtonsalmonfishing.
com. This site not only gives updated fishing reports but the sidebar titled Weather serves to help
me predict salmon activity. Make certain you check
out Lake Surface Temperatures, Radar Views,
and Weather Station that gives Great Lakes buoys
offering wind speed, direction and water temperatures from the surface to 70 feet deep. Long Range
NOAA gives Great Lakes marine forecasts from
Sheboygan, WI to Pentwater listing wind speed,
wind direction and wave predictions. Big Sable
data will give you accurate data every 10 minutes
regarding wind speed, direction, gusts and more.
Combine this data and you can see the impact of
weather and how it can lower water temperature
and bring kings to river outlets at lightning speed.
Once you have determined the weather will
push kings into skinny water you want to hit the
water when schools arrive. Dont hesitate because
when the weather subsides and water gets warm
again the fish either run area rivers or back out into
the lake. Skinny water trolling requires a stealthy
approach. Ive perfected some deadly tactics over
decades of chasing salmon in skinny water. Thus
my boat name, Stealth, because my craft is a shal-
21
Going green
for early season geese
By Ryan Walker
n many hunting circles, as it is

with the group of avid hunters
that still claim me, Michigans
early Canada goose season marks
the official start to the falls hunting extravaganza. At the onset
of September, many tried and true
waterfowlers can be found sweating
profusely and swatting away mosquitoes while the hunters are stationed at
or near a body of water. Early Septembers high temperatures will convince
flocks of Canada geese to seek out
water sources in order to cool themselves down. Year in and year out, our
hunting party finds success setting out
decoy spreads in close proximity to
these sought after watering holes.
Last early goose season was no
exception as we followed our annual
tradition of hunting a large farm pond
on opening morning. Several flights of
geese passed us by that morning without even stopping for a quick drink.
They responded noisily to our calling
attempts which indicated that they
received the come and get it feeding
message, but they never veered from
their pre-determined flight path.
Around noon we grabbed some
sandwiches and shot the breeze, ironically it was the only thing we shot that
morning, with the land owner. He was
surprised we hadnt bagged any of the
nuisance geese that were frequenting the farm pond. Our hunting party
offered a number of valid reasons as
to where the birds were heading as
they skirted our set-up. We shrugged
our shoulders conceding the where-
Its impor tant to note that scouting and observing bird movement is essential when implementing any waterfowl tactic and dont forget about those green fields. Kenny Darwin photo
abouts of the geese as another of
natures mysteries. It was at that point
in the conversation that the landowner
chimed in, Its no mystery, they are
in my back alfalfa field. Theyve been
there all morning.
We had focused so intently on
our usual strategy that we had forgotten how green fields will draw early
season geese.
For use in this conversation, the
words green fields dont necessarily
reflect a technical term. Simply put,
any reference to a green field constitutes a piece of ground or an area in
which the vegetation is, well, green.
Examples could be alfalfa and clover
fields, early growth winter wheat, and
even mowed and/or manicure grass
areas. Any of these examples can
and will draw geese during the first

part of September, just ask a golfer
or golf course owner. Understanding
that green fields serve as a major food
source for geese gives early season
waterfowlers another option if traditional water decoy spreads arent
producing.
As with any aspect of hunting, the
following strategies wont guarantee
early season success. However, over
the years they have helped our hunting party bag birds on many different
occasions. Its important to note that
scouting and observing bird movement is essential when implementing
any waterfowl tactic. In addition,
being able to adapt and change on the
fly, pun intended, is also key to finding early season geese.
Alfalfa/Clover Fields
22
(lt-r t) Bob Walker of Kingston, Hugh Walker of Cass City, and Joe Bastien of Columbiaville with early season geese that were shot over an
alfalfa field decoy spread. Author photo
Alfalfa/clover fields can range in

size from a few acres to large tracts
of land. While Canada geese can be
found on small parcels of alfalfa or
clover, they tend to gravitate to large
fields. In part, they can use the vast
open area to view oncoming predators. Large flocks prefer large fields so
there is little completion for a limited
food source. Big alfalfa or clover
fields provide an unlimited amount of
food for multiple flocks of geese.
Unfortunately for hunters, geese
will often end up in the middle of
these vast areas of green goodness. It
has been noted by many experienced
waterfowlers that geese will seek
changes in the contours of the landscape when looking for a place to put
down. Slightly raised ridges provide
wary geese with a vantage point that
serves as a viable lookout. On the

other end of the spectrum, valleys or
slight depressions in a field can be
used as hiding places for geese seeking to disappear in their surroundings.
Once the group scouts out these
desired geographical features, the
next step is to locate enough cover to
conceal a few hunters. Most alfalfa
or clover fields are still surrounded
by fence rows, tree lines, or possibly
other types of agricultural offerings. A
favorite combination of ours is standing corn that parallels an alfalfa field.
A dozen or so decoys, ten of which
are feeding while two stand watch,
spread out in a half hook will draw the
attentive passing flocks. Feeding calls
provide a false sense of secure dining
that will convince dinner driven geese
to take a closer look.
Early Growth Winter Wheat

The same strategy implemented
for hunting alfalfa or clover fields can
be put in place when hunting over early growth winter wheat fields. Often,
the young, green wheat is growing
volunteer after the mature wheat has
been harvested. This means it will be
a smorgasbord for geese cruising the
area in September. Not only is the succulent, tender wheat a dining option,
but so is the leftover wheat grains that
litter the soil.
The biggest issue waterfowlers
have when hunting harvested wheat
fields is trying to find suitable cover.
Layout blinds stationed in the middle
of two to three dozen decoys can
provide exciting, close quarter shooting. Loud hailing calls will alert flying
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Hugh Walker of Cass City with a

pair of early season Canada geese
that were taken over a mowed
grass area spread. Author photo
Mowed Grass Areas

Of the three possible alternatives
to hunting a water source, hunting a
mowed grass area requires the most
scouting and planning. Obviously in
any hunting situation, land owner permission is a non-negotiable requirement. Laws and regulations in regards
to proximity to buildings while hunting are also major considerations that
must be addressed prior to executing any plan. Throughout Michigan
many land owners have farm ponds,
recreational ponds, and/or personal
camping areas that are surrounded by
several acres, if not more, of mowed
grass. These out of the way honey
holes can provide excellent early
goose hunting opportunities. A major
plus is these locales are often overlooked by other hunters, so geese feel
secure in returning to the locations on
a regular basis.
Small decoy spreads, usually
three to nine decoys, are preferred.
More decoys can create the illusion
of a packed restaurant that has no
additional room for guests. A few low
feeding calls can build the confidence
of apprehensive birds, but dont be
surprised if larger flocks ignore the
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small, groomed grass area in favor
of larger agricultural fields. Limited
space is a turn off to larger flocks
especially as the temperatures soar.
With that said; singles, doubles, and
triples seek smaller areas that include
a few other geese.
Finding cover that will properly
conceal hunters can be tricky in an
area meant to be open for human
enjoyment. Usually the well-groomed
area will have a few large trees, such
as pines, willows, or poplars that
can be used to break-up a hunters
silhouette. It is not out of the realm of
possibility that lay out blinds strategically positioned in the middle of
the open area can provide ideal wing
shooting chances. I have had success
locating lay out blinds at the border
of the mowed grass and longer field
grass, and then covering the blind
with natural field grass to further
blend in to the surroundings.
If water spreads arent working
out for you this early goose season,
perhaps going green will put more
birds in your proximity. Scout potential places prior to the season opener,
and be sure to observe bird movement
in the meantime. Its important to
check up on all rules and regulations
prior to any hunting season, early
goose included. As a reminder, if you
and your hunting party are invited
guests on someone elses property be
sure to respect their land, especially
the crops planted by a hard working farmer earlier in the spring that
are now drawing geese in the late
summer.n
FourTrax Rancher AT / FourTrax Rancher AT with EPShonda.com

UTILITY ATVs ARE RECOMMENDED ONLY FOR RIDERS 16 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. ATVs
CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO OPERATE. FOR YOUR SAFETY, BE RESPONSIBLE. READ THE OWNERS
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INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, ON PAVED SURFACES, ON PUBLIC ROADS, WITH PASSENGERS, OR AT EXCESSIVE SPEEDS. NO STUNT RIDING. RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT WHEN
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flocks of the presence of other geese,

and a series of feeding calls will seal
the dinner reservations.
Another option, if available, is
using bales of straw already left in the
field to construct a blind. A bonus is
that the geese would have had ample
time to become accustomed to the
structural intrusion in their feeding
grounds, and wouldnt see the natural
straw as possible danger. Square
bales can be constructed in a fashion
that creates a place for hunters to sit
comfortably out of the gazing ganders. A single round bale might be
large enough, depending on hunting
party size, for hunters to tuck in close
for natural concealment. Be sure
to check with the land owner and/
or farmer for permission to use their
bales before constructing any structures.
23
Woodcock banding
Volunteer efforts help keep Michigan the top banding state
Prepared By The MDNR
A freshly banded woodcock chick is shown. The bands around the birds legs help researchers learn about their
seasonal movements. MDNR photos
working. But his pastime yields information thatll
be helpful to biologists when it comes to managing
these migratory game birds.
In my mind, its all scientific data, said Riley,
who was exposed to woodcock banding nearly a
decade ago, but only started doing it on his own two
seasons ago. He studied under a couple of different
banders, got my setter to where I thought he was
good, and was certified as a Michigan woodcock
bander.
As a DNR worker it gives me a feel for whats
going on in the woods, Riley said. When the
bands get returned, we get good information. And
it doesnt cost the state a thing. Some guys put in
100 hours a year banding. Can you imagine what it
would cost if we were paying state wages?
Riley banded 10 woodcock chicks his first year,
12 the next. Hes hoping to improve on that this
year.
So I can start mentoring guys and get more
o the uninitiated, Tim Riley might appear

to be confused. Hes wandering through a
young aspen stand in the northern Lower
Peninsula with his English setter, but its
spring, not fall.
Hes wearing a hunting vest, but not carrying a shotgun.
However, Riley knows exactly what hes doing.
Hes looking for American woodcock, but not to
shoot them.
His vest carries the gear hell need for his mission: a notebook, pair of pliers, a mesh bag and a
string of small metal bands.
Riley is a woodcock bander, one of nearly 100
volunteers who explore the Michigan woodlots in
spring, hoping to find broods of recently hatched
woodcock chicks.
On this mid-May morning, Rileys day had been
uneventful until the beeper collar on Rioone of
Rileys settersstarted making noise.
It was a ways off, but when Rio didnt respond
to Rileys return calls, the young Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife technician went
looking for his dog.
He found him locked up on point.
Thoroughly surveying the real estate in front
of him, Riley spied what he was looking foran
adult woodcock, motionless, its belly pressed to the
ground.
As Riley slowly approached, the bird got up and
flew a few short yards away. Thats what he hoped
to see.
In short order, Riley spotted a woodcock chick,
then another. He picked them up, put them in the
mesh bag, and retrained his eye on the young forest
floor. He found a third chick. And then a fourth,
which meant hed found the whole brood.
Working quickly, Riley recorded the time and
date. Then one by one, he used the pliers to clamp
a small, numbered, metal band onto one leg of each
bird. Then he let the chicks go.
For Riley, woodcock banding is just another
outdoor pastime he enjoys for fun when he isnt
24
An adult American woodcock blends in well when it sits on the ground.
guys in the woods, he said. The more birds that

get banded the better.
Michigan is the leader among states with woodcock research programs, said Al Stewart, the upland
game bird specialist for the DNR.
We band more through this program with
our volunteers than anywhere else in the
world, Stewart said. We band upward of
2,000 annually.
The DNRs woodcock banding program has
been in effect since the 1960s when wildlife biologists banded chicks as part of the job.
Now its all volunteers, Stewart said. We
learned how to catch and band them as part of a
scientific study on heavy metals in woodcock. In the
late 1980s, we expanded the program.
Would-be woodcock banders must be trained
by a mentor, show that they understand how to do it
correctly, and prove their dogs are under sufficient
control not to harm the birds, before they are certified to band on their own.
The DNR holds training sessions every other
year with an emphasis on the health and welfare of
the birds.
The program has shown through band recoveries that the bulk of birds hatched in Michigan
Americas top woodcock production statewinter
in Louisiana and into East Texas.
Woodcock banding begins in mid-April and
runs through about June 10.
The peak hatching time is around the first of
May, Stewart said. They nest a little bit earlier in
southern Michigan, a little later in northern Michigan, around May 15, and even later in the Upper
Peninsula. In an early spring, birds will nest earlier.
In a later spring, a little bit later.
Woodcock are born with a bill 14 millimeters
long. These bills grow 2 millimeters a day, allowing
banders to reliably age the birds they find.
Woodcock lay four eggs, which mature in
about 14 days, Stewart said. The hens hatch the
Woodcock banding page 26
Live
25
Woodcock banding:
from page 24
eggs and the chicks are ready to begin feeding

quickly.
In another three weeks, they reach adult size. It
takes about two weeks after they hatch for the birds
to fly.
When you come across a female with chicks, a
lot of times shell feign like she has a broken wing
to lure you away from where the chicks are located,
kind of like a killdeer, Stewart said. Shell return
to her brood after the danger has moved off, and
chicks stay with their mothers for some time after
they can fly.
The chicks are very well camouflaged.
They look like the ground cover and the
leaves. Its kind of like trying to find Waldo in a
puzzle, Stewart said. The banders are trained to
look thoroughly before they even move around.
They do the woodcock shuffle; they dont even
pick up their feet and put them down so you dont
step on them.
Stewart said once you find one chick, you can
usually find all of them.
Your mind and eye seem to focus in on them,
Stewart said.
Data from woodcock banders is collected by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in much the same
way it collects data on banded ducks and geese.
Band recoveries come largely from hunters,
though occasionally people find woodcock that
have died from other causessuch as flying into a
buildingoften in urban areas.
The information allows us to confirm and learn
26
Volunteer Tim Riley approaches as his dog points to a woodcock.

more about woodcock migration, Stewart said.
We have been able to identify two different flywaysone for the New England birds and another
for Midwestern birds.
Stewart said that when the birds migrate, they
show some fidelity to where they are born.
We have had birds that were taken by hunters
the following years, sometimes in close proximity of where they were originally banded, Stewart
said.
Riley, who is 33 years old and takes vacation
days to band woodcock, said he cant wait until he

retires so he can spend more time banding woodcock.
And though hes an avid bird hunter, Riley
doesnt spend any time in the fall in the areas of
Crawford or Roscommon counties where he bands
woodcock along the edges of high-stem density
woodlots in the spring.
Its just one of those things, Riley said. You
kind of feel almost like youre a parent and theyre
your babies.n
MICHIGAN MARINE LAWS

PART II
Michigan leads the nation as the state

with the most registered boats. Michigan
has approximately 3,288 miles of Great
Lakes coastline; has more than 10,000
inland lakes and ponds; and is
interwoven by a 35,000-mile web of
freshwater, streams and wetlands...
MDNR.
As in part one, I am going to try to
explain Michigans marine laws that most
boaters deal with on an everyday basis.
Legal age for operation depends on size of your motor and
your age. Kids under 12 years of
age may operate a boat powered
by a motor of no more than six horsepower without
any restrictions. Or, kids under 12 years of age may
operate a boat powered by a motor of more than six
horsepower but no more than 35 horse only if they
By Jeff Pendergraff
Conservation Officer Ben McAteer doing a marine

safety inspection and checking boat registration
with Bob Dixon who was fishing on Lake Margrethe
in Crawford Co.
a PWC unless you have attended a boating safety
class. There are a lot of people who fall into this
group and are not aware of this law.
Other laws pertaining to PWC operation are as
follows: its illegal to operate one hour before sunset
to 8 am, operate with more passengers than the PWC
was designed for, operate other than slow no wake
within 200 feet of Great Lakes Shoreline or 100 feet
from a dock or raft or a stationary boat, or operate
without a lanyard attached. Its illegal to jump the
wake of another vessel unnecessarily close, weave
Michigan marine laws page 28
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in 2015 there were 25 fatal boat
accidents and 18 drownings according to Lt Tom Wanless of the
have been issued a boating safety certificate and have

it in their possession and are directly supervised on
board by a person at least 16 years of age. If they
are under 12 years of age they may not operate a
boat with a 35 horsepower motor or larger under any
condition.
One of the most common watercraft on Michigans waters is Personal Watercraft also known as Jet
Skies or PWCs. These types of watercraft became
very popular in the 1990s. When they first came out
they were generally designed for one person. Now
they make them so more than one person can ride
them.
In the 1990s there were several serious and some
fatal PWC accidents in southern Michigan. Because of this, new laws were passed to help
prevent these accidents from happening. A
strong enforcement action was taken with
PWC operators who violated the safety
laws. Some of those laws were that those
under 14 years of age couldnt operate a
PWC. Those between 14-15 years of age
could operate a PWC only if they obtained
a boating safety course certificate and was
accompanied on board by their
parents, legal guardian or by a
person at least 21 years of age.
Those at least 16 years of age
and born after December 31, 1978 may only operate
a PWC if they have attended a boating safety course.
Pay close attention to what you just read. If you were
born after December 31, 1978 you cant operate
27
Michigan marine laws:

from page 27
your PWC through congested traffic,
operate faster than slow-no wake if
crossing within 150 feet behind another vessel unless the other vessel is a
PWC and towing someone behind you
without having an observer on board
with you.
I have to share a story with you
about a young man operating PWC
in the North Channel of the St Clair
River in the 1990s. That part of the
river is marked slow no wake. As we
were driving by I saw this man doing
a hand-stand while operating his PWC
in this no wake area. We stopped him
and I noticed his three front teeth were
missing and I asked him how that
happened. He stated he hit a dock in
the river while operating his PWC and
doing, yes, a hand-stand!
There are several Slow-No Wake
Rules for the water. You cant exceed
slow - no- wake within 100 feet of
shore where the water is less than 3
feet. You cant exceed slow-no-wake
with a person riding on your bow or
with persons hanging over board.
You cant operate within 100 feet of a
dock, raft, swim area or a vessel that
is anchored if your speed is faster than
slow no wake. You are also legally

responsible for any damage that your
wake may cause.
Some of the Rules of the Road
while operating your boat. You must
give way to a sailboat under sail. You
must pass on the port (left) side when
overtaking. You must give way to
starboard (right) side vessel.
Operation at night is very important and can be dangerous if the
rules arent followed. If you are under
way (between sunset and sunrise) or
reduced visibility (such as fog) all
vessels must have and exhibit their
lights. When a vessel is underway it
must have red and green bow lights
visible from a distance of at least one
mile away and have a masthead (stern)
white light that must be higher than
the boat and able to be seen in a 360
degree area while under way.
If anchored during this time period
you must have a white masthead light
so you can be seen by other boaters. If
youre out in a kayak or a rowboat at
night you must have and use a white
light so other boaters can see you.
Its very important that boaters
recognize diver flags and understand
what they mean. Divers and snorkelers

are required to have one in the water
while they are diving. They are red
in color with a white diagonal stripe
in the middle. Divers and snorkelers
must stay within 100 feet of the vertical position of their flag. Vessels must
remain at least 200 feet away from the
flag.
Some boaters see this flag in the
water and think its just floating in
the water and I have actually seen
boaters try to pick them up and take
them. Keep in mind, not all divers are
using a boat. Some leave from shore
and place their flag in the water or are
actually dragging it attached to their
body and start their dive, so be careful.
The last thing you want to do is hit a
diver with your boat or get caught by
law enforcement boating within 200
feet of a dive flag.
Once you sell your boat you have
15 days to notify the secretary of state
that you sold your boat and you have
15 days to have the boat registered if
you buy it from another person. Just
because you buy a boat from someone
and it has a valid sticker on it, doesnt
mean you can keep using it while its
still registered in the previous owners
name.
Boating accidents: if you are in a
boating accident you are required to
stop and assist anyone who is injured
or in danger. If there is more than
$2000 in damages you must report the

accident without delay to the nearest
conservation officer, sheriff or nearest
state police post. It doesnt take much
damage to a boat to hit the $2000
threshold.
Equipment requirements normally
vary depending on the length of your
vessel. Vessels less than 16 feet in
length, 16 feet to less than 26 feet, 26
feet to less than 40 feet and 40 feet to
less than 65 feet in length. Owners/
operators must be aware of the laws as
pertains to their length of boat.
You need a PFD for everyone on
board. Vessels less than 16 feet in
length only need to have a throw able
devise for each person on board (like a
canoe). If over 16 in length you need
a wearable PFD for everyone and a
throwable PFD.
If your vessel doesnt have an area
on board to trap gas fumes (rowboats,
kayaks and canoes) you dont need to
have a fire extinguisher. For all other
vessels you are required to have at
least one and required to have certain
types of fire extinguishers depending
on the length of your vessel. I still suggest you have one regardless.
Sound-producing devices are
required on vessels 16 feet in length
and up to 26 feet. A whistle or horn
capable of producing a blast of two
seconds or more and audible for at
least one-half mile is required.
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Almost every Sheriffs Department in Michigan has a grant from the

state to maintain a marine safety law
enforcement program in their county.
This effort not only includes putting
officers on the water for law enforcement purposes, but many also offer
boater safety courses to the public.
The DNR spends approximately
43,000 hours on the water each year
with their marine safety enforcement
effort.
Yet, with all of this effort to keeping people safe on the water and trying
to educate boaters, we still are having too many fatal boat accidents and
drownings every year in Michigan
every year. Hopefully by going over
just a portion of Michigans Marine
Safety Laws it will help people better
understand the rules on the water. Its
about safety, not ruining someones
good time.
The DNR publishes a marine
safety handbook (which I used a lot
for these two articles) which covers a
lot of the rules in greater detail. They
are free for the asking. If you are
interested in signing up your child or
yourself for a marine safety course,
contact your sheriffs department for
more information.
Author is Jeff Pendergraff, a
retired Captain with the Law Enforcement Division of the DNR.n
M-13 LINWOOD, MI
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Vessels 26 feet and longer and under engine power are required to have
a devise capable of producing a blast
of two seconds or more and audible
for at least two miles. Whistles or boat
horns will normally fit these requirements.
Visual distress signals allow
boaters to signal for help in the event
of an emergency. They make some
for day use, night use and some for
both. Vessels on federally controlled
water such as the Great Lakes must be
equipped with visual distress signals
that are U.S. Coast Guard- approved,
in serviceable condition and readily
accessible. All vessels, regardless of
length or type, are required to carry
night signals when operating between
sunset and sunrise. Most vessels must
carry day signals; except recreational
vessels less than 16 feet in length,
non-motorized open sailboats that are
less than 26 feet in length or manually
propelled vessels.
There are several types of visual
distress signals. There are Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals, Orange
smoke-handheld, orange smokefloating that are used for daytime and
Red Meteor or a Red Flare used for
both night and day. Non-Pyrotechnic
Visual Distress Signals such as electric
light to be used at night and an Orange
Flag to be used during the day, just to
mention a few.
29
Catching a "living fossil"

The bowfin is one ornery creature, but a lot of fun to catch
hat if I were to tell you I caught

a fish that fought like a dinosaur,
barked like a dog, gulped air and
killed other fish for the fun of it?

Well, youd most likely think Id been
sipping a little too much goofy juice!
But most of it is true. Let me explain.
While fishing for smallmouth at the family
cottage in northern Michigan, I hooked a fish I
thought was just another very hefty smallmouth
the lake is known for. When it
didnt want to surface I knew it
wasnt a smallie. Maybe a pesky
pike, a big walleye or stubborn
bullhead?
It fought hard, strong rod
bending tugs and a lot of fun
to catch!

What ya got there?
By Randy Jorgensen
30
asked my fishing partner and brother-in-law,

Tom as he grabs the net. I battled the fish with
my light smallmouth equipment and #8 leech
clad hook to the surface, thats when we got a
good look at it. The distinctive tail told the story.

At first I thought perhaps I had caught a
burbot. The tail looked like a burbot but the head
of the fish surely didnt. Thats when Tom said,
You got a Dogfish!

Maybe not really a rare catch, but surely
an uncommon catch. Properly known as a bowfin in most the country but is also known as the
living fossil.

Wikipedia shed more light on this odd
looking freshwater fish I tussled with.

The bowfin is the only living representative of its family which dates back to the Jurassic Period some 150 million years ago. They are
a voracious fish native to the Great Lakes and
The bowfin has a skull of bony plates, a
southward to the Gulf of Mexico.
mouthful of teeth and are the last of their

The average length of a bowfin is 20
family which dates back to the Jurassic Period.
inches. Females are much larger than males

and are olive to brown in color. The bowfin
has a long, undulating dorsal fin running
from the middle of the back to the base of
the tail. They are agile, move quickly and
silently through the water, attacking prey
straight on in one swift movement. They
are well camouflaged with large bony plated
heads and a mouth full of extremely sharp
teeth. They often seek shelter under roots
and submerged logs, propelling themselves
out to attack passing small fish.

Some have said the bowfin will kill
for fun, which simply isnt true. They are
scavengers, elite ambush predators who can
easily stalk smaller fish, crawfish and aquatic
insects. Feeding mostly at night, the bowfin
has an appetite hard to satisfy.

Wikipedia explains bowfin as bimodal breathers which means they have the
capacity to breathe both water and air. Their
gills exchange gases in the water allowing
them to exploit oxygen for breathing, but
they also have a gas bladder that serves to
maintain buoyancy, and also allows them
to breathe air. They can break the surface to
gulp air, which allows them to survive conditions of aquatic hypoxia that would be lethal
to most other species.

I was told if you threw a bowfin on
shore, come back the next morning, put it
back into the water - it would swim off.

The fight the bowfin provided was
outstanding. It was a battle I wont soon
forget, a 28 inch, 8 pound fish fought like an
TriCountyEquipment.net
BAD AXE
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ornery looking creature with bad intentions.

And the battle wasnt over once I got the fish
in the boat.

Releasing a bowfin is no easy task.
In a small boat the slippery fish was as hard
to handle in the boat as it was in the water.
Getting a #8 hook from the jaws of this nasty
fish was difficult.

I grabbed him behind the gills and
squeezed to hold on as he tossed and threw
herself around like a pro-wrestler. I thought
for a while Id have to pull a rear naked
choke on this fish. Seriously though some
caution should be used when releasing this
fish back to the water.

For many years anglers felt the bowfin should not be released alive. The truth
is the bowfin is a native fish and plays an
important predator role in our lakes.

And they dont really bark, but they
do bite! The noise I suppose is from gulping
air. It does make you wonder what you are
hearing though.

The state record bowfin was caught
in 1981 by Michael Miller in southeast
Michigans Crooked Lake (Livingston
County) tipping the scales at 14 pounds.

Are they edible? I suppose so and
some have their favorite recipes. Most seem
to prefer them fried, boiled or made into
something a little like crabcakes. Ill stick
with walleye, trout, pike and perch for my
fish table fare.

I wouldnt mind tangling with another bowfin, its one tough critter.n
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Author with a 28 inch

nearly 8 pound bowfin,
also known as dogfish.
They are one ornery
fish and a battle in
and out of the water.
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31
Grunt bucks KISSIN close
Are you tired of boring whitetail hunts

where you sit endlessly in a treestand
or blind and seldom see a buck? Well,
its time you take matters into your own
hands and try aggressive buck hunting
tactics that bring deer to you...
32
erhaps the hottest tactic going is calling

bucks and the strategy is relatively simple
to learn and works from opener until late
gun season. Are you ready for bucks to
come your way this season? If so, then
listen up because Ive got tips outlining
this hot tactic that will change your deer hunting
success forever.
I love any kind of hunting where you attract
game using calls. Talkin turkey can be the secret to
consistently harvesting gobblers and ducks will cup
wings and dive for realistic calling. Id never get a
shot at a coyote if I didnt work them with seductive calls. But of all the calling tactics that guarantee success none is more rewarding than calling a
big buck into close range. In my opinion the simple
grunt call is the most important deer hunting tool
in the history of buck hunting. Truth is, there are a
variety of calls that will bring bucks into easy range
including doe sounds, rattling, snort wheeze sounds,
contact calls and more. The secret to success often
hinges on your knowledge of deer calls and most
importantly how and when to use them. If your
goal is to anchor a dandy buck this fall I suggest
you listen up because the following hunting secrets
will almost guarantee bucks will come kissin close.
This was the case when I burped at a buck that was
walking away from me.
After several treestand hunts with little buck
success I found myself slipping through tall grass
in search of a new hunting location when I spotted the buck. He was zig-zagging across the rolling southern Michigan hillside in search of fresh
doe scent, when I noticed his white antlers moving
through the canary grass and yellow golden rod.
Just one glimpse of antlers in easy bow range sent
an adrenalin rush through my veins and I immediately dropped to one knee and knocked a bolt tipped
with a NAP Spitfire broadhead. But the buck turned
and slowly slipped away from me offering no shot.
Thats when I gave out one grunt-like burp in a desperate effort to get the bucks attention and turn him
my way. The dandy deer heard the grunt, stopped,
lifted its head high over the tall grass and looked
directly at me. I hunkered motionless
and when the deer began walking away
again I gave him another burp. This time
he stopped, quickly turned and walked
directly at me.
At times I could only see the grass
moving and bits of white antler as the
critter quickly closed the distance. When
he was about 25 yards from where I was
hiding I shouldered the crossbow
and flipped the safety off. I expected him to circle downwind but he
remained on a course directly at me.
At 15 yards I did not have a clear shot at his body
concealed by grass. So, I gave him another soft
burp. He slammed on the brakes, jerked his head
Grunt calls will bring big bucks headed directly at you often with their head low to the ground,
ears cocked forward and eyes riveted on the calling location. Are you prepared to have a monster stalk you? Kenny Darwin photos
up and was staring directly into the 40mm Scorpion
Venom scope when I settled the cross hair on his
neck and touched the trigger. The broadhead made a
loud whack when it smashed through his spine and
the buck was down at lightning speed less
than 10 yards from where I was kneeling.
Moments later I admired the beautiful
buck and took time to reflect on the exciting hunt. Sure I was lucky to spot the deer
before he noticed me. Obviously my fully
camouflaged crossbow, face and entire
body had him fooled and there was no way
he recognized my human form. But it was
the grunt call that got his attention,
turned him 180 degrees and brought
him close enough so I could see
blood pumping through veins in his
neck through the scope. Thats when I came to the
realization that calling bucks into archery range has
been my deadliest hunting strategy for decades. Ive
By Kenny Darwin
got to tell you straight up this tactic is extremely

effective and works like a charm on big or small
whitetails. Heres why.
Come fall, deer are fired up in preparation for
the upcoming rut and calling is the hottest strategy
going to get their attention and bring them toward
you. Ive used calls many times while on camera
outings and had excellent success at bringing bucks
into easy camera range creating excellent photo opportunities. Once I discovered I could entice bucks,
I began calling just about all the bucks I encountered in the field whether hunting with crossbow,
gun or camera. The results were impressive. Fact is,
after a long relaxing summer bucks get a bit kinky
come fall, testosterone is raging through their veins
and the sound of another buck gets their attention
and draws them close for a peek. Even monster
bucks with huge racks will turn on a dime and come
to investigate calls and the tactic works under any
conditions like wind, rain, calm sunny weather and
Calling bucks using a grunt call is a deadly

strategy from early October through the first
few days of rifle season. The idea is to make a
grunt sound that mimics a buck making contact
with other animals or announcing his presence.
Dominant bucks often respond by approaching grunt calls in an effor t to run off satellite
bucks found on their home turf.
Author arrowed this dandy buck by using grunt calls to imitate an intruder deer. When the animal
heard the grunt he switched directions and walked directly toward the author through tall grass.
One shor t grunt stopped him at less than 10 yards.
is looking directly at you because it will see you,
detect the slightest motion, pin point the call and
the game is over. If a deer keeps walking away and
ignores your call thats when you increase volume
to maximum and make several loud short calls in
a desperate effort to bring the animal your way.
Once it starts coming put your call away and get
ready for the shot. In the wild bucks tend to make
a single grunt to make contact with other deer and
announce their presence. Very seldom do they bawl
or make multiple calls. The trick is to mimic wild
animals, convince them a buck is in the area calling
to does. Territorial monster deer are suckers for this
tactic because they are defending their turf and any
satellite bucks will bring them running to chase the
intruder off their home turf. Younger bucks will
also quickly respond because they are interested in
any rutting sound and anxious to investigate buck
calls. Spikes, six points and monster booner racked
deer all are going to check out a realistic grunt call,
period.
When you have a buck coming on a string be
very careful about body, hand, and head motion
because it is looking for another buck. Most come
with their head up, body tense, their profile is on
full alert. Some will sneak through the brush like a
cat stalking a mouse, with nose close to the ground,
tail tucked. Bucks coming to the call are sneaky
critters and they slip through the fallen leaves,
brush and forest; like a lion creeping close for the
kill. It is their intention to sneak up on the intruding
buck and it is amazing how quickly they glide into
easy archery range.
Drawing on an alerted big buck is extremely
hard. The trick is to get your weapon up and come
to full draw without being detected. This is best
accomplished by making your move when the buck
cannot see you move, when his vision is blocked
by brush, terrain or a large tree trunk or he stops
and looks the opposite direction. The idea is to
be fully ready to shoot when the buck comes into
range but dont draw too soon or too late. Nothing
is more frustrating than a big buck that has you
nailed down and he stalks you with head up and
eyes drilled on your position. Sometimes when you
call bucks they come so fast and directly at you and
you get stuck with the buck of a lifetime so close
you cant get your sights on him. Nothing is more

frustrating than a trophy buck so close you can see
his whiskers but you cant move and he eventually
slams on the brakes, stares you down, blows and
leaps the opposite direction. Such encounters create memories long remembered because the close
encounter is extra exciting and causes your body
to dump massive amounts of adrenalin into your
blood stream. This is hunting in the purist form. It
is said you always remember the big bucks that get
away. Well, when you become a full-fledged grunt
hunter and bring em kissin close the memories
of the exciting hunt are burned into your memory
forever.
You see with calling techniques you have to be
prepared for the unreal adrenalin rush caused by the
close encounter. It is shocking to your system to go
from a pleasant relaxing hunt to having a big buck
stalking you and coming kissin close. The trick is
to be prepared and control your level of excitement
and maintain coordination, keep thinking clearly
and use the rush to transform your leisurely hunt
into a killing adventure. Controlling your nerves is
very difficult because this style of hunting is much
more exciting than simply shooting at a deer that
has no idea you are in the area and you snipe him
from above as he passes by. When you call a buck
he comes looking for you on high alert and at lightning speed he gets ultra-close.
Of course this tactic is deadly while on stand
and you see a buck. Once you have eyes on him
start calling and bring him into your shooting zone.
Dont hesitate to call unless the deer is already
headed directly your way and will offer a shot.
Any deer at marginal range or out of range should
be enticed closer with seductive calls. If the buck
is relatively close keep the volume down. If he is
far away, upwind or in conditions where he cannot
hear you make certain to turn up the volume. Once
you learn the strategies regarding grunt calling you
will draw 9 out of 10 bucks into range.
If you are on stand and nothing is happening,
should you call? Absolutely! I refer to this tactic as
blind calling because you cannot see deer and you
Grunt buck kissin close page 34
certainly when the rut kicks into high gear. Best

time to grunt bucks is from October 10 through
November 28 when their activity level is high and
they are eager to investigate deer calls.
If you want to score on more and bigger bucks
it is my recommendation you use deer calls on
every outing. I gotta laugh when I see deer hunting programs and hunters allow booner monster
racked bucks slip past without making an effort to
grunt them into range. Rookies! They dont have
enough field time under their belt to understand
the importance and effectiveness of calling bucks.
Oh sure there are some deer that are chasing does,
following hot rutting scent trails and preoccupied
with chasing and will ignore calls. You will also
encounter bucks that are spooked or they smell you
or sense your presence and refuse to come to a call.
But it has been my experience I can call 8 out of 10
bucks into archery range. Heres how.
Im a buck grunting nut and anytime I see a
buck and want to coax him in my direction I give
him one short grunt. Thats it. Forget those long
bawls and multiple grunts that sound like a buck
chasing a doe and learn how to create a single
grunt that sounds like a wild deer. After you make
one call watch the deer and see how it reacts. If
it ignores your initial grunt give a second louder
grunt and wait. If the deer stops and looks around
but is not looking at you give him a third grunt.
The idea is to get the deer to zero-in on your location and come toward you. Never call when a deer
33
Grunt bucks kissin close:

from page 33
are simply randomly making grunt
calls. I make grunt calls every 20-40
minutes. Blow one, sometimes two,
relatively soft grunts and look for
bucks to approach from any direction.
Grunt calls will also bring in curious
does too, so be prepared for any deer
in the area to come your way.
Rookie hunters make the common
mistake of overcalling, they simply
call much too loud and too frequently,
again the goal is to mimic wild bucks.
This strategy works best if you restrict
the number and volume of calls. In
most hunting situations avoid loud
calling and making noises like a cow
in heat, thinking the loud calls and
endless bawling will bring bucks
running. Wrong! If you seek hunting
success concentrate on mild mannered
grunts, then watch, look all around
you and wait a few minutes before
you make more grunts. If you spot a
buck coming your direction dont call
again because he has already heard
you and is coming to investigate.
Big bucks tend to move more
slowly toward calls than immature
bucks with veins raging with testosterone. They frequently circle

downwind before heading directly at
the call. Some circle you by slinking
through the underbrush like a coyote
coming to a rabbit call and once they
get a sniff of your human scent they
blow out of Dodge at lightning speed.
Even monster dominant bucks will
slither kissin close in an attempt to
catch the intruder buck off guard. Few
thrills are more exciting yet frustrating than a giant buck crawling directly
at you in the thickest brush around,
you have him in the sights but the
brush prevents a clear shot and when
he is close enough to shake your hand
he gets your scent, blows loudly and
blasts the opposite direction like a
Polaris missile gone amok.
So, whats the best call to use?
Well, I have complete faith in calling
bucks by mouth using grunt sounds
formed by belching air and forming deer sounds with your lips. No
commercial call made of wood or
plastic can compete with the guttural
noise coming from your mouth. My
recommendation is to practice burping year round until you get the hang
of it. Start by belching after drinking
soda or other cold beverages, and
then learn how to ingest air and make
buck sounds with ease. When deer are
coming close you dont need to reach
for your call to make a toot to stop
them. Hey, everyone knows that once
that big buck is in range you make a
grunt, bleat or mouth noise to get his
attention, stop him and have a stationary target. Just one beep and a buck
will stop moving, toss his head up and
look directly at you while you concentrate on the shot. However, there are
several quality calls on the market and
my top recommendations are: Flextone, Rod Benson, Primos Revolver
and Illusion System. One advantage
commercial calls offer is increased
volume to draw critters from long
distances. But be careful to not keep
the volume cranked when bucks are
in easy hearing distance. If your call
sounds metallic or like a plastic tube
toss it and buy a quality grunt call that
sounds like a real buck.
Oh sure fawn bleats and doe
grunts and contact calls can attract
deer and rattlin will work too but my
choice is the simple grunt call. Some
hunters like to make snort wheeze
calls but I recommend you concentrate on learning how to attract deer
with various grunting sounds. Some

folks have good success with the Primos bleat you can turn upside down
and it sounds like a doe or fawn. My
recommendation is to mimic a buck,
sound like an intruding satellite buck
chasing a hot doe and the results can
be shocking. No sound brings bucks
faster, period.
There is a fast growing army
of Michigan deer hunters that have
discovered the effectiveness of calling while using a decoy. This is the
deadliest tactic going for mature
trophy bucks during the pre-rut and
rut phase. Use a buck decoy and
spray it down with Scent Stop Human Scent Eliminator to cut your
human odor. Next give it a touch
of Buck Stop Gland U-Lure or 200
proof Doe-In-Heat scents and crawl
into your blind. With this tactic you
can toot on your grunt call, rattle, and
bleat all you want. The idea is to get
the attention of Mr. Big and calling
is only used to draw his attention to
the decoy. Once he approaches stop
calling. It is a thrill to watch aggressive bucks posture for the decoy. Few
sights in nature are more intimidating
than a big buck with ears back, antlers
lowered, struttin toward the decoy
with his hair bristled to the max and
nostrils flared and ready to do battle.
But thats another story.n
WOODS-N-WATER NEWS OUTDOOR WEEKEND
34
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35
Smallmouth
wor th bragging about
ust about a year ago,

I was introduced to a
special region of the
Great Lakes and smallmouth bass fishing worth
bragging about. Known
as the Whaleback Region of
Lake Huron, this unique fishery
is found along the north shore of
Lake Huron in Ontario waters.
Made up of a chain of islands
that buffers the Whaleback region
from the open and often unpredictable waters of Lake Huron,
this big water fishery, fishes
and feels more like an inland
lake. Our base camp was a place
called Brennan Harbour Resort.
This full service camp is right
on the water and has cottages,
boat docks with electric power,
fish cleaning facilities, American
Plan and Housekeep Plan lodging
options.
Most of the fishermen guests
who visit Brennan Harbour are
after walleye, northern pike and
the trophy muskie that thrive

here. On our trip, we had eyes
for only smallmouth bass. The
stories we heard prior to visiting this region of Lake Huron
made it abundantly obvious big
smallmouth bass live among the
countless islands of the Whaleback region.
Day One
Our trip was planned during
the dog days of August. On day
one expecting the smallmouth to
be holding in deep water, I spent
the majority of the day searching and drop shotting for fish on
deep water structure. It wasnt
until late on day one I slipped
into a rocky shoreline and started
casting crankbaits. Minutes later
I landed my first Whaleback
smallmouth, a fish about three
pounds. Little did I realize at the
time, this would turn out to be an
average fish!
By Mark Romanack
The author with a smallmouth bass of the Whaleback Region, which are beautifully
marked and wide in the shoulders. This region of Lake Huron produces the best average
size smallmouth bass the author has ever experienced. Mark Romanack photos
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Day Two
On day two, we concentrated
on pitching crankbaits and tube bait
along shallow rock structure and
the many patches of cabbage weeds
tucked up tight to the islands. My
strategy was simple, set the electric
motor on giddy up and cover as much
water as possible.
A nasty cold front had the
crankbait bite producing only fair to
midland action. The moment I tied on
a tube bait, the story took on a whole
different feeling. Slowing down a
touch and fishing motor oil colored
tubes proved to be exactly what the
smallmouth were looking for.
Crayfish are abundant in this
region of Lake Huron and tube baits
do a magnificent job of imitating
crayfish. A 1/2 ounce rattling jighead
and four inch tube bait proved to be
ideal for making long casts and working water from 10 to 15 feet deep
efficiently.
After making the adjustment from
crankbaits to tube baits, smallmouth
in the 18-20 inch range kept the action steady all afternoon long. Most
of the fish came from the tips of the
many islands where the rocky bottom

tapered quickly into deeper water.
Day Three
Day three dawned a little warmer
and with much less wind to deal with.
Convinced that tube baits were the
answer, I picked up the pace a little
and spent most of my time pitching
tubes to both ends of the islands and
also any prominent points protruding
from the islands.
I also sweetened my tubes by
filling them with Pro-Cure Super Gel
in the crayfish formula. This super
concentrated crayfish scent is ideal
for use with tubes and other soft
plastic grubs.
The fish cooperated and smallmouth from 20 to 22 inches became
the norm rather than the exception.
Only occasionally did a smaller two
pound fish find the courage to bite.
Most of the fish were adults in the
three to five pound range!
More Information
In visiting with several lodge
owners in the area, it became clear
that the Whaleback region offers
great smallmouth fishing all summer long. It also became apparent
that countless inland lakes in the area
also offer up world class smallmouth
fishing.
Inland lakes in the region tend to
warm up fairly quickly and summer
smallmouth are most often found in
20 to 40 feet of water. Meanwhile,
the Whaleback region is influenced
strongly by the ultra cool waters of
Lake Huron. Because the water is
much cooler all summer long, smallmouth tend to concentrate in water
from eight to 15 feet deep.
Also there are no lodges at the
west end of the Whaleback where it
connects back to Lake Huron. A 20
minute boat ride from Brennan Harbour Resort put us smack on world
class smallmouth and the only other
boats we encountered were cruisers
and sailboats coming and going from
Lake Huron.
The countless islands of the Whaleback region provide anglers protected waters to fish and unlimited habitat for smallmouth bass. The author found that the tips of these islands produced the best action where the rocky shoreline tapered
into deeper water.
If You Go
The best smallmouth bass fishing
in the Whaleback region takes place
in July after the fish have finished
spawning and into August and September. The Trans-Canada Highway
makes it easy to access this area from

Sault Ste., Marie.
Take along a good supply of tube
baits in three and four inch models and
natural color options. Tackle shops in
the region have only a limited selection and most of the lures focus on
walleye and pike fishing favorites.

This is also a place you wont
want to visit without a good camera.
The smallmouth of this region are
beautifully marked and fish up to six
pounds are just waiting to have their
picture taken.n
Anyone interested in visiting

this region will want to touch base
with the Algoma Kinniwabi Travel
Association located in Sault Ste.,
Marie, Ontario. The web address is
www.algomacountry.com. To contact
Brennan Harbour Resort, visit the site
www.brennanharbour.com for lodging packages.
Travel Information
37
Im kind of like a
WOODCOCK
... but I wont eat worms
osemary Conroy is an artist

living in Weare, New Hampshire, (www.rosemaryconroyart.com). Hers is probably the
most long-standing friendship
I have with someone Ive spent
so little time with. We met in the summer of 1997 as participants in the now
defunct Wildbranch writing workshop
in Craftsbury Common, in the part
of Vermont known as the Northeast
Kingdom.
Rosemary and I hit it off
immediately, becoming fast
friends. During the workshop,
we joined the same writing
section. I complimented her
on her notebook drawings.
She couldnt contain her horroror her laughterwhile
listening to my story about
the technical aspects of
shotgun balancing during
pit stops while grouse
hunting. We had six days
of face-to-face encounters. Took a drive
up to Ben and Jerrys ice cream store.
Then we visited a glass blowing place
along the road back to Craftsbury Common. Thats it. Nearly 20 years later, we
stay in touch through social media.
Ive long wanted to purchase one of
her colorful, semi-impressionistic pieces
of wildlife art, but I just dont have the
space for the huge ones of moose and
bears that really strike me. But I noticed
she has produced a Spirit Animal

series of close-up head portraits, mostly
of avian species like owls, raptors,
songbirds.
In the book, A Hunters Road, Jim
Fergus describes my late friend Les
Zimmerman, of Washington, Pennsylvania, as Mr. Grouse. Thats because
he was the most knowledgeable person
on the affairs of the ruffed grouse in the
area. But he also looked like one.
He had close-set, beady
eyes. A short, pointed nose
that resembled a beak. And
he was as fidgety as a grouse
tiptoeing over dry leaves on
a windy day. Like the grouse,
he seemed the king of his
uplands.
Its obvious what his spirit
animal would be. Not mine.
Let me know when
you do a woodcock, I
told Rosemary recently.
A woodcock would
be very interesting to try to paint like
that, she replied. We live on a place
that used to be called Woodcock Hill
Farm, and I see them often. Or I should
say they see me and spring up suddenly
and get my heart rate up. But spring is
really fun here because we have them
peenting every night.
Sweet! Its not often you run into
someone who knows what peent
means and can use it in easy conversa-
By Tom Carney
New for 2016!
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Locking Arm
easy to open & close
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An all new type of planer!
rch Tackle Co.

Chu
38
Easy to attach and remove.

Great for trolling in congested areas and more effective contour trolling along
drop offs contour lines, reef edges and weed lines in rivers, lakes or the ocean.
Effective for all species. Run more lines out the back of the boat by staggering
the Stern Planers. Run any distance from the boat yet maintain desired depth.
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Hole for drop weights

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Locator holes for

attaching to side-planers
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3/4 Wide
WE DIDNT INVENT CLIPS,

WE HAVE PERFECTED THEM!
Mini Lock-Jaw Original Lock-Jaw

The TX-44 is the first and the only in line planer to pull the large Divers, Lead Core,
Weighs 17 grams & 2 3/4 long
Weighs only 11 grams
Wire or Copper Lines and Heavy Weights. The size of the TX-44 makes it harder for
3/4 wide
1 7/8 long, wide
fish to pull the board under, however it is still easy to retrieve. The Vise Clip comes
standard with the TX-44; especially designed for lead core & copper, makes
30#test
30#test
accidental release almost impossible.
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TX-44 is now also available in a Tournament power pro
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Two sizes, 8 or 5 3/4 with many color combinations.

The unique fish like body design, 3D Eyes and flashy
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give the fly, spoon or cut-bait head more of a darting
action. 2 attachment holes on the fins deliver a wider
range of actions to choose from. Rotates 360 degrees.
Works great with the cut-bait heads like the Shock Wave
and with any lure, live or cut bait.
No fish can resist the Revelator
Lock-Jaw
Release
Prevention
Part# 30610 (14 x 4 1/4 x 7/8)
(7 long, weighs about 1.5 oz)
Locking Arm
easy to open & close
Adjustment
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TX-44 Super Planer
TX-007 Stern Planer & TX-005 Mini Stern Planer
The Revelator
tion.
But back to my question about the
painting.
No promises on when that might
happen, of course.
Thats fine. But its got to be a
woodcock. Thats my spirit animal.
A wooden medallion, about three
inches in circumference, hangs by a
necklace of common, cotton string from
the bow of the boat shelf in my office.
In 1999, at the DNRs RAM Center
at Higgins Lake, I sketched the image
currently on it during a workshop for
the Leopold Education Project, a school
curriculum based on essays in Aldo
Leopolds A Sand County Almanac.
Draw the animal that most represents you, the facilitator had told us.
Participants produced plenty of deer,
bears, eagles. A couple of butterflies and
a turtle. I drew a woodcock.
WE DIDNT INVENT THE PLANER BOARD, WE JUST PERFECTED IT!
Release
This clip may be mini but when it comes to holding power its second Hole for drop weights
Prevention
or other applications
only to its big brother, the original Lock-Jaw! Holds mono, super
braids, power pro, lead core or copper lines without damaging the line!
The Mini Lock-Jaw fits The Walleye Board, TX-44, TX-22, TX-12 & TX-6
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planer boards, but we recommend the full size Lock-Jaw for the TX-44.
Pad
1/2 Wide
The Mini Lock-Jaw is designed to fit other side planers, drop weights and
Locator holes for
works for many other applications.
attaching
to side-planers
Part# 40620, 2pk Color - yellow Replacement Pads part# 40701 6/pk
(10 1/4 long, weighs about 3 oz)
At an environmental education workshop in 1999, par ticipants were

asked to create a name tag that included their spirit animals. This one is
supposed to por tray a woodcock. Tailfeather Communications, LLC photo
The Shock Wave - Shock Wave cut-bait holder rotates for
better fish catching action. Three adjustment holes make it easy to

adjust leader length by simply pulling the line in or out. Available in
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Holds
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10#
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The hinged cover snaps shut easily then

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Please check with your local tackle shop first, if they dont carry our products visit us at www.churchtackle.com to view all
of our great American made fishing gear, or call us at 269-934-8528 to request a catalog.
10#
Like the woodcock, Ive learned

to be secretive. To stay away from the
crowds. Failing that, I hunch down and
try to blend in, unnoticed. The problem is that when I do draw attention
to myself, its often in the same manner that draws observers to crown the
woodcock as the clown prince of the
uplands. Also like the woodcock, in
form Im somewhat plump these days.
Rather spindly legs. And I have big
eyes, not size-wise but intent-wise. Like
the woodcock, the shorebird that has
migrated to the uplands, I often feel the
pull to live someplace else.
Now, to be sure, I do not peent in
spring. I dont sky dance for the ladies.
The closest I ever came to a courtship
dance was that one time back in 1975.
Dressed in plaid flair pants, a paisley
shirt and platform shoes with two-inch
heels. Oh yeah! Plus the sharks tooth
necklace dangling masterfully in the
space revealed by the shirts wide,
plunging neckline. Thats right. I was
on the loose in the game, looking for
chicks.
Leaning on the bar at a popular
and swingin club, I caught the eye of
a choice babe who was being bored
to death by an old guyhe must have
been in his forties. I gave her a nod,
toasted her with my scotch on the rocks,
lifted the glass to take a drink andthe
swizzle stick went straight up my nose!
In one move I tossed a fiver on the
bar, spun around to escape and launched
myself toward the exit. Therein lay the
problem.
Its impossible to run in high heels!
I rolled an ankle, stumbled, then fell
to the dance floor. I remember strobe
lights. And the Bee Gees singing, Jive
Talkin. As I gracefully descended past
her grasping for a handhold, a woman
dancing nearby said, Ow! In my hand
was a fall, a comb-attached hair extension no longer attached to the woman. I
slip-sprinted to the door.
In the parking lot, I jumped into my
VW Bug to escape and stalled it four
times until I realized I had jammed it
into third gear.
So, no. I dont peent and dance for
the ladies.
Not anymore.n
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Know The Difference... Prepared By MDNR
Invasive versus common carp

Theres a lot of talk around
the Great Lakes these days
about carp, especially
invasive or Asian carp. What
about common carp, those
monsters of Michigan waters
anglers love to battle with fly
rods? Are these fish one and
the same and whats the big
deal about carp anyway?
he issue can be confusing. To

better understand the important differences, its best to
start with a definition of what
an invasive species is.
Invasive species are
those species which are not native to
a particular areain this case Michiganand whose introduction causes
harm or would be likely to cause
harm to the states economy, human
health or environment, said Joanne
Foreman, communications coordinator for the Michigan Invasive Species
Program.
Just because a species is not native does not make it invasive.
Whether fruits, vegetables,
livestock or field crops, most nonnative species are not harmful and
many provide benefits to Michigan,
from boosting the economy to beautifying landscapes, said Nick Popoff,
head of the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources Aquatic Species
and Regulatory Affairs Unit. When
it comes to fish, some non-native species beneficial to Michigan, through
sportfishing enjoyment, have included
coho and chinook salmon and brown
40
A bighead carp, (bottom), and a silver carp are pictured. These two invasive carp species are of the biggest
concern to officials hoping to stop invasive carp from reaching the Great Lakes. Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee photo
and rainbow trout.
Invasive species are those particular non-natives that pose potential
harm.
As the name invasive suggests,
these species can out-compete native
species by reproducing and spreading
quickly in areas where they have no
natural predators, thereby changing
the balance of the ecosystems Michigan relies on for recreation, commerce, food and jobs.
Michigan, often by interesting means.

Some traveled here in the ballast
water of ships. Others escaped from
pet stores or were household pets let
go into the wild where they adapted to
local conditions. Still others hitched
rides on planes, trains and automobiles.
In the case of all carp species,
they intentionally were introduced to
North America.
Invasive Carp
There are four carp species that

are described as invasivebighead,
silver, grass and black.
In the 1970s, invasive carp were
brought to the U.S. from Asia, primarily to eat algae in the ponds of
aquaculture operations located in the
South. During flooding events, these
fish escaped into the Mississippi and
Illinois rivers and have been migrating
north toward Lake Michigan.
Because the invasive carp probCommon carp were brought to the
lem
is a binational and multi-state
United States during the late 1800s
From the emerald ash borer and
issue,
U.S. federal and state governas an esteemed food of European and
sea lamprey to rusty crayfish and
ments
are working together with
Asian
markets.
Native
to
Eurasia,
Eurasian watermilfoil, numerous inCanada on a resolution.
vasive species have found their way to common carp are found today in the
The U.S. Army Corps of EngiGreat Lakes, large inland lakes and
neers,
in a partnership with state and
reservoirs, small and large rivers,
federal
agencies, has erected electric
swamps, canals and drains. Many
barriers
in the Chicago Area Waterfrequent places where water quality is
way
System
and a berm in Indiana to
less than ideal.
try
to
keep
the
carp from reaching the
An increasing number of sport
Great Lakes.
anglers enjoy battling these fish and
The Michigan DNR is among
some charter operators now offer carp
the
leading
agencies advocating for
excursions.
additional
efforts
to stop the spread of
Common carp average 15 to
these
fish.
32 inches and 4 to 31 pounds. They
have triangular heads, blunt snouts
and small barbels (fleshy, whiskerlike filaments) at the corners of their
Michigan maintains a watch
mouths.
list for invasive species. Species on
Because they have been widely
the watch list have never been condistributed and their demand as a food firmed in the wild in the state or have
source has diminished, common carp very limited distribution. If they are
Black carp are the largest of the four invasive carp species, able to
sometimes are referred to as a nuiencountered, they should be reported
grow to over 6 feet long and weigh more than 150 pounds. Asian Carp
sance species. However, they are not
Regional Coordinating Committee photo
Carp page 42
considered invasive in Michigan.
Means Of Introduction
Common Carp
The Watch List
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Carp:
from page 41
as soon as possible.
Early detection and timely reporting of these species are crucial for
increasing the chances of preventing
establishment and limiting potential
ecological, social and economic impacts, Foreman said.
Bighead, silver, grass and black
carp are on the watch list. They also
are prohibited invasive species in
Michigan.
Prohibited And
Restricted Species
Some invasive species are legally
designated by the state of Michigan
as either prohibited or restricted,
making them unlawful to possess,
introduce, import, sell or offer for
sale as live organisms, except under
certain circumstances.
The term prohibited is used
for invasive species that are not
widely distributed in the state. Often,
management or control techniques for
prohibited species are not available.
The term restricted is applied
to invasive species that are established in the state. Management and
control practices usually are available
for restricted species.
Michigans Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Act (Part
413 of Act 451) established the list
of prohibited and restricted species,
which is regularly amended by Invasive Species Orders.
Bighead And Silver Carp

Of the four invasive carp species
on the watch list, bighead and silver
carp pose the most concern.
Bighead and silver carp are
spreading to lakes, rivers and streams
in the Mississippi River and Great
Lakes region. They have been moving steadily north, but are not yet
established in the Great Lakes, said
Seth Herbst, a fisheries biologist and
Silver carp, one species of invasive carp, are pictured leaping out of the water after being disturbed by a
passing boat. Great Lakes Fishery Commission photo
the DNR Fisheries Divisions aquatic
invasive species coordinator. These
two species like large lakes and
connecting rivers, and if introduced
would have the ability to adapt to
Michigans cold winters.
Biologists expect that if these
invasive carp make it to Michigan
waters, the fish will disrupt the food
chain that supports native fish of the
Great Lakes, such as walleye, yellow perch and lake whitefishwhich
could diminish fishing opportunities
for sport and commercial anglers.
Due to their large size and rapid
rate of reproduction, bighead and
silver carp pose a significant threat
to the ecosystem of the Great Lakes
Basin, said Tammy Newcomb,
DNR senior water policy advisor and
fisheries research biologist. Silver
carp leap high out of the water when
disturbed by watercraft. Boaters can
be and have been injured by these
leaping fish. Fear of injury could
diminish the desire for recreational
boating activities in areas inhabited
by these fish.
Bighead and silver carp have eyes
situated below their toothless mouths.

Silver carp may grow to longer than 3
feet and weigh up to 60 pounds,
while bighead carp are even larger
up to 5 feet long, weighing up to 90
pounds.
Adult bighead carp are dark gray,
with dark blotches. As the name
implies, silver carp are silver colored
with white bellies.
Black Carp
Black carp are the largest of the
four invasive carp species. They can
be over 6 feet long and weigh more
than 150 pounds. These fish have
blackish-brown-bluish scales and an
almost white belly.
So far, bighead, silver and black
carp have not been found in Michigan waters. There is no evidence that
these three carp species have colonized or are present in any numbers
in the Great Lakes.
Grass Carp
Grass carp have been detected in
low numbers in all the Great Lakes,
except Lake Superior, since the early

1980s (Lake Erie in particular) and
have historically been introduced into
waterways for aquatic nuisance vegetation control in some Great Lakes
states, Popoff said.
Grass carp can grow to more
than 5 feet long and weigh more than
80 pounds. They have eyes that sit
in line with their mouths, or slightly
above, and scales that look to be
crosshatched.
In the mid-1980s, a grass
carp sterilization program was put
in place to reduce the risk of introduced fish reproducing and reaching
nuisance levels that would result
in detrimental impacts, Herbst
said. The sterilization program has
worked to some extent, but fertile fish
are still being captured in locations
where only sterile fish introduction is
authorized.
Despite the reduced threat of
grass carp, Michigan is still taking a
proactive approach with regulations,
enforcement, and using a scientific
approach to increase the effectiveness
of control efforts.
Educating Ourselves
42
Grass carp, an invasive species, can grow to be more than 5 feet long and weigh more than 80 pounds. Asian
Carp Regional Coordinating Committee photo
Knowing the difference between

common and invasive carp is not as
difficult as it might seem at first, once
you know the facts.
Educating ourselves and others
on these species can go a long way in
the fight against the proliferation of
these non-native, invasive species of
carpfish that have the potential to
dramatically damage or destroy Great
Lakes ecosystems, causing untold
losses to Michigans economy and
world-class natural resources, Foreman said.
Report invasive (Asian) carp and
get more information on invasive species. Find out more about the history
of common carp in North America at
www.michigan.gov/invasives/.n
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43
The Hudson Bay Axe

The distinctive shape of the
Hudson Bay axe is well recognized
all across the North Country. This
highly respected woodsmans tool
still resembles the early trade
tomahawk that it evolved from...
istorically, the Hudsons Bay Company

imported tomahawks from Europe for
trade with the Natives at the many North
American fur trading posts. Basically, the
Hudson Bay axe came from the addition of
a flat poll on the back of a tomahawk. This
made it a much more useful tool, which could then
be used for pounding as well as chopping. The Hudson Bay style of axe head required the least amount
of expensive metal to make a suitable trade axe for
Native use. They soon became readily available to
hunters and trappers from remote Hudson Bay trading posts spread throughout the North Country.
The short handled axe was light to carry, easy
to pack, and handy to use with one hand. Woodsmen found the axe perfect for general camp chores
such as cutting poles for a shelter, gathering fire
wood, pounding tent stakes and splitting kindling.
Trappers used them daily for breaking ice, cutting
and debarking poles for making beaver sets, hooking trap chains for retrieving traps from
cold water, dispatching captured animals,
pounding trap stakes, removing beaver
feet in the skinning process, clearing
small brush from set locations, and clearing overhead brush when working from a
canoe.
The shape and style of the axe head allowed the user to choke up on the handle
to right behind the head to gain better
control of the blade when needed
for shaving, shaping, skinning, and
peeling work. Often called a trappers axe, the Hudson Bay axe became so popular
that there seemed to be one carried in every canoe
and pack basket in the North Country.
Eventually, well known tool and axe manufacturers entered the market to sell their own models
of the Hudson Bay style axe. Old catalogs from
Collins, Snow and Nealley, and Plum contain
advertisements for their Hudson Bay axes. Various
Often called the trappers axe, the Hudson Bay axe is well recognized all across the Nor th Country.
weights of axe heads from 1 to 2 pounds were
produced with handles from 12 to 24 inches long.
Collins Company was granted the government contract to produce the M-1950 Camp Axe for the
United States Army. This was a full sized axe made
in the Hudson Bay style.
This style of axe was generally produced as a light duty woodsmans tool,
not a heavy duty loggers tool. Although
they are excellent for bushcraft work, they
arent designed for heavy use such as felling large trees or chopping, bucking, and
splitting a winters supply of firewood.
The disadvantage of the design is that the
eye where the axe handle is inserted
into the axe head is shorter than on
heavy duty type axes. This shorter
eye puts more stress on the connection when used for heavy work or when prying out
a stuck axe by lifting and lowering the handle.
This stress may break the handle at the connection
to the axe head.
Markets are geared to fashions that buyers want
and perceptions of what buyers think they need.
The Hudson Bay axe is a good example of this. As
the northern trapping lifestyle waned in the 20th
By Darryl Quidort
century, the rugged, self-sufficient ideal became

more and more romanticized. The nostalgia and
allure of wielding an axe often associated with the
true woodsman appealed to the modern camper.
Companies like LL Bean and Abercrombie & Fitch
then offered well made, modern Hudson Bay axes
to the outdoor market.
Many outdoorsmen feel that the last, best,
American made bushcraft axe was the O. A. Norlund Hudson Bay model. These axes were produced
for Norlund by the Mann Edge Tool Company
in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. Before production
began, the president of the company traveled to
Scandinavia to learn axe making from a firm there
that had made similar axes. O. A. Norlund axes
and hatchets were marketed in both Canada and the
United States from 1968 through the mid-1980s.
These axes are still to be found at flea markets and
auction sales.
The romance of the Hudson Bay axe still
appeals to many outdoorsmen today. The
famous jack-of-all-trades Hudson Bay axe is
still included in well used camping kits and vehicle
tool boxes. Modern campers find it just as handy
and useful today as did those hardy trappers of days
gone by.n
HUNT WITH THE BEST, HUNT WITH A
THUMPER 450 BUSHMASTER
44
Rifle as shown: $1,875.00
***STARTING AT: $1,575.00***

***RIFLES IN STOCK***
Osprey chicks banded

in southeast Michigan
location efforts occurred over a span of 10 years. In
recent years, the DNR, along with volunteers from
Michigan Osprey, have identified over 50 active
nests in southern Michigana substantial increase
from the single active nest reported in 2002.
This is a true wildlife success story, said Julie
Oakes, DNR wildlife biologist. Each year we have
new nests, and we already have exceeded our original goal of 30 active nests by 2020. We have been
able to remove ospreys from the threatened species
list to a species of special concern and restore their
numbers in Michigan.
In addition to being banded, several osprey
chicks have been fitted with GPS units over the past
three years. These GPS backpacks allow scientists
to track in real time the migration and dispersal
habits of young ospreys. Most osprey chicks migrate to Central or South America and spend two to
three years there before returning to North America.
One of the osprey chicks outfitted with a GPS
backpack in 2014 has returned to North America.
Ozzie was given her GPS backpack on
in July 2014, in the Humphries Unit of Pointe
Mouillee State Game Area. She then spent two
years in Colombia and is currently venturing further
north into North America. She currently is near
Greenville, South Carolina.
Anyone can follow along and find out where
the birds are going, and have been, just by looking
at the Michigan Osprey website www.michigano-
TOTAL FOver
IR2,000EAGunsRinMStock
S
DNR wildlife biologist Zach Cooley holds a

young osprey chick that recently was banded at
Erie State Game Area. MDNR photo
sprey.org. Move the cursor along the route to see
GPS coordinates and time and date information for
each leg of the ospreys journey.
Those who observe a nesting pair of ospreys in
southeast Michigan are asked to contact Michigan
Osprey on the web at www.michiganosprey.org.n
National
Trappers
Association
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( Mile South of Holt, 127 to Cedar St. exit, North 2 Miles)
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Flint:
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480 Cleveland
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Host Hotel
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Four Points by Sheraton

269-385-3922 $109
Radisson Plaza Hotel
269-343-3333 $125
Comfort Inn
269-384-2800 $109
Country Inn & Suites

269-382-2303 $89
AmericInn & Suites
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Hampton Inn - Airport
269-343-0400 $109
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269-929-9112 $110
Super 8 Motel
269-345-0146 $70
Holiday Inn West
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More hotels available on NTA website
When making reservations let the hotel know you are there for the NTA Convention!
Contact Tamara Masterson, Convention Coordinator

248-568-5804 - masterson@nationaltrappers.com
www.nationaltrappers.com
Public Welcome!
early absent from much of Michigan due

to the effects of DDT, other pesticides and
habitat loss, Michigans osprey population
continues to rebound. In southeast Michigan, monitoring efforts are tracking the
revitalization of this species.
Each year in southeast Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources bands young osprey
chicks. At about four to five weeks of age and
before they can fly, osprey chicks are given two
bands on their legsone colorful band, denoting
the year the chick hatched, and a U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service band, usually silver and bearing a
serial number specific to that bird. These bands are
placed on young birds so that scientists can monitor
and track the dispersal, migration, life span, reproductive success, behavior and population growth of
the ospreys.
So far this month, more than a dozen young
ospreys have been banded at Pointe Mouillee State
Game Area, Erie State Game Area and Kensington
Metropark. Several other osprey chicks from area
nests will be banded before the chicks fledge, or develop the feathers necessary for flying, in mid-July.
In 1998, the DNR began to relocate ospreys
to southern Michigan. The program, supported by
donations to Michigans Nongame Wildlife Fund,
removed chicks from active nests in northern
Michigan and reared them in man-made towers in
southern Michigan, a process called hacking. Re-
45
Stowaways on historic South Manitou Island?
HOGNOSE
SNAKES
S
outh Manitou Island
was created by a cataclysmic event; the
slow-moving rock
and earth moving advance of the glaciers,
and then its retreat 11,000
years ago. The island is part
of chain of islands in northeastern Lake
Michigan that
extends north
into the Straits
of Mackinac. South Manitou Island,
and nearby North Manitou Island,
are now part of Sleeping Bear Dunes
National Lakeshore and most of both
islands are designated and protected
as wilderness areas. Hognose snakes
thrive in one area of South Manitou,
but to understand perhaps why, a bit
of history is needed first.

South Manitou has a
colorful past and became the
hub of commerce back in the
1830s and added to the importance of the eastern side
of Lake Michigan as a mariners travel route. The secret
of the island, what lured the
steamers and
schooners, was
Crescent Bay.
Crescent Bay
is the deepest natural port between
Chicago and Buffalo, and an excellent place to shelter from storms. And
most importantly, the steamers came
into the bay to cord; take on wood
for their boilers. A large scale lumbering/cord business soon flourished, and
schooners too sailed in for supplies
By Jonathan Schechter
46
An island hognose snake flattens its head and flicks its tongue as it assesses threat. Jonathan Schechter photos
and to shelter from the ship-sinking
treacherous waters that seemed to
appear without warning along the
Manitou Passage, the stretch of water
between the Michigan mainland and
the North and South Manitou Islands.
A bit of historical research revealed something else, South Manitou
Island was settled before the mainland
of present day Michigan. And Ill add
an editorial comment that is often
ignored: Anishinaabek natives settled
in the area almost 3,000 years ago and
were very much at home along the
Manitou Passage long before the sailing ships came to Crescent Bay.
The Manitou Passage is well
known as a graveyard for ships. At
least 50 shipwreck locations have
been plotted. In 1834 the first lighthouse was built in the SE corner of
the Crescent Bay to be replaced by another one in 1858. In 1871, the same
year as the Great Chicago Fire, the
third lighthouse, a beautiful 100 foot
structure that still stands today was
built and remained active until 1958.
And then in 1901 a U.S. Life Saving
Service Station was built near the site
of the present dock. The station was

manned by surfmen, men that rowed
out to rescue the crews and salvage
cargo of ships that ran aground. That
building remains today and now functions as the ranger station.
With that necessary introduction
out of the wayheres the rest of this
snake tale. In the third week of May
the National Park Service landing
craft, the Nahma, departed Leland,
heading for South Manitou. I was
on board. For the next five weeks I
would be the lighthouse keeper of
South Manitou Island. A quote from
Ralph Waldo Emerson came to mind
as I stepped ashore with my five week
food supply and the excitement of
little kid in a candy store, Live in the
sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the
wild air. Perhaps the quote should
have included, And look for really
big snakes.
On my third day on the island I
encountered my first hognose snake.
The snake and I watched each other
for about 15 minutes and when I
leaned in for a closer photo, it flattened its head and hissed before
The protected sandy habitat of South Manitou Island is perfect hognose habitat.
a side note there are no raccoons
and no deer on the island.) Hognose
snakes are apparently immune to poisons produced by toads, and are well
equipped with large teeth in the back
of their mouths that puncture inflated
toads so that they may be more easily
swallowed.
The island also has a great abundance of bold chipmunks, locally
known as Manitou Tigers for their
well-crafted ability to raid backpacks
and tents. I suspect chipmunks make
up a large part of the diet of these
protected and opportunist reptiles that
are rarely noticed by backpackers and
day visitors.
I corresponded with Jim Harding,
a herpetologist/naturalist affiliated
with Michigan State University about
the island hognose snakes. He noted
they all had similar gray coloration,
which indicated they may have a
common origin. And he confirmed the
eastern hognose snakes prefer woodland areas with sandy soil, farmlands
and coastal areas.
But he also told me there were no
records in the Michigan Herp Atlas
of hognose snakes on South Manitou
Island. Birdwatchers have something
of a proverb that applies well to that

fact, When the bird and the book
disagree, always believe the bird.
In this case, the facts on the ground
clearly indicated a sizable population
of this beautiful snake.
Its a long swim from the mainland of Michigan and we theorized
the hognose snakes were stowaways
on old wooden sailing ships and
steamers that came into the harbor,

or perhaps even shipwrecked close
to shore. And on protected South
Manitou Island, the living is good for
hognose snakes.
Jonathan Schechter is the nature
education writer for Oakland County
Government and a naturalist/paramedic/adventurer based in Brandon
Township. oaknature@aol.comn
RANDY'S HUNTING CENTER 24TH ANNUAL
USED GUN AUCTION

Make sure to mark your calendar for our
annual GUN AUCTION during the
Woods-N-Water News
Outdoor Weekend
at the Imlay City Eastern Michigan State Fairgrounds

Sunday, September 11TH, 2016
More Rifles
More Shotguns
More Pistols
BIGGER
&
BETTE
R
THAN
EVER!
Look for the complete listing of guns to be

sold in next months Woods-N-Water News
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL
RANDY'S HUNTING CENTER
eventually slithered off leaving a very

wide impressive snake trail in the fine
sand. How big a snake? Using the
size of known objects in the photo,
it was three and one half feet long
and that was not using a fishermans
ruler.
The eastern hognose snake
(Heterodon platirhinos) is a seldomseen, thick-bodied, non-venomous
Michigan species that is sometimes
unfortunately called a puff adder, for
they put on a cobra-like defensive
act show. These snakes are easily distinguished by their upturned
snouts, and their dramatic behavior
when they feel threatened. National
Park Service Wildlife Biologist Sue
Jennings, based on the mainland of
Sleeping Bear Dunes, put it this way
after seeing photos I sent her from the
island, Hognose snakes are fascinating creatures. Although they may act
fierce when puffing up, much like
a cobra, and feign striking, they are
very benign, and often will play dead
when threatened. And like all snakes,
observe from a distance so as to not
cause them undue stress.
My encounters with at least five
different hognose snakes in an area
of a few acres continued for almost
three weeks in the old historic village
before they dispersed as temperatures
rose, human activity increased and
toads seem to vanish.
I watched one on a daily basis
that lived under the old boat house,
while another big one often sunned
on what was once a root cellar. And
I had the privilege of two hognose
snakes living within the shadow of
my historic island house, and captured both in the same video on opposite sides of the porch. And hardly
a day passed when I did not see their
large slither marks across the sandy
areas and small dunes near my island
home. I was in hognose heaven.
Toads are their favorite entre,
and South Manitou has toads. (As
(989) 269-GUNS www.randyshuntingcenter.com 47
Char teror a boat

rent a boat?
hen visiting a seaport

or lake, most people
want to get on the water.
Fishermen are returning
with nice catches, families can be seen water
skiing, jet skiing, or tubing and the
waters infectious call tugs at them.
How to get out there is the question.
Choices are manyone is chartering. Charter boats offer rides to
offshore islands, fish and dive trips,
parasailing and much more. Another
choice is a rental boat. Small
rowboats, ski boats, sailboats, right up to 40 foot
live-aboard houseboats. All
may be hired for an hour, a
day or longer.
The first question to
enter most peoples minds
is, how much will it cost?
The entire answer and all its
consequences are
seldom considered.
If you elect to
charter, it may cost a few dollars more
for a family but advantages out-weigh
the difference in cost over renting a
boat. The first and most important of
which is experience. A charter captain
is required to pass rigid tests and obtain a license to operate his vessel.
In many areas, charter boats are
inspected by the Coast Guard or DNR.
They are required to carry specific
safety and navigational equipment.
They may also be required to have
knowledge of an area in which they
operate. Most charter boat captains
share information regarding fishing
or safety with one another while on
the water. This greatly enhances each
charter experience. Woods-N-Water
News issues often have a
charter directory you can
refer check out. Most people
know someone who has had
a successful charter trip and
you can ask them to share a
captains name with you.
Rentals also offer a
variety of options for enjoyment on the water if the
person renting
the watercraft is
knowledgeable. The
first knowledge required would be the
ability to operate the craft you wish
to rent. A ten-minute briefing from
the rental outlet is not sufficient. Just
knowing how to start the craft and go
By Capt. Fred Davis
Limberlost Farms
25 Years of fulfilling hunters dreams
If you char ter a boat, check it out before you go to be sure all safety
gear is aboard.
is a disaster waiting to happen.
I remember an occasion down in
the Florida Keys, I observed a rental
boat being operated by a person who
obviously had little or no knowledge
of boating. At a fork in the waterway
we were traveling, marked by a large
daymarker, the operator turned the
wrong way. Within seconds, he had
run hard aground and his passengers
had to jump in the mucky water to
push the boat off its grounding. I encountered the same boat a few hours
later. The operator was lost, could not
find his way back to the marina and
did not even know the direction back
to shore.
If you plan to charter or rent a
boat, a few tips may be helpful. If you
hire a charter boat, look for the captains license displayed in an accessible area. Look for life-jackets or their
containers clearly marked. Further
observation should reveal additional
safety and navigational equipment. If
you do not see a license or adequate
safety equipment, perhaps you should
look for a different charter, why take
a chance?
If you encounter a person offering
a charter that doesnt display a license
or show you one when you inquire,
you may wish to notify your local
Coast Guard, Sheriffs Department or
DNR COs. The operation of unlicensed charter vessels is illegal and
such vessels are usually not properly
inspected or equipped.
Should you decide to rent a watercraft, be sure you have knowledge of
the local area and are thoroughly instructed on handling and operating the
vessel you rent. Insist on instruction
for all safety equipment and, most important, inquire regarding where it is
stored aboard the vessel. Check safety

equipment operation before heading
out on the water. If you have doubts
about the condition of any equipment,
do not rent the boat.
After renting a boat, as you leave
the dock make mental notes of the
shoreline such as; lights, trees, radio
towers, high buildings, etc. Keep
looking back to the area you depart
making these mental notes. They will
be very helpful when you return to
shore.
People who own and operate their
own boats on small lakes or rivers
frequently fail to make these notes
as they head away from shore on a
strange body of water. After spending
a few hours fishing or boating, they
decide to head in. By not taking into
account wind, current or tide, a boater,
although capable of operating their
boat, may be totally confused as to
what heading will take them to their
point of departure. A close watch of
the compass, speed and time is also
very helpful in determining your position and distance from shore.
If you dont have a radio on
board, it is wise to stay in an area
where you can see other boats. Should
you encounter a problem, they may
assist you or relay a request for help
on your behalf.
Another reason to stay near other
boats is, if you do become disoriented,
you can get direction from them or
follow them to shore. If you become
lost, without other boats around, it
could be a long wait for help to arrive.
Carefully consider all your options before you decide whether to
rent or charter. Of utmost importance,
keep safety in mind and have a great
time on the water.n
SUCCESSFUL HUNTERS
GET YOUR
DEER & TURKEY
OFFICIALLY SCORED!
Offering our all

inclusive package hunts
September-October!
48
Our very popular one day hunts

130-145 SCI- $2300
145-160 SCI- $3395
160-175 SCI- $4595
For More Information

and Dates Call
989-785-4034
www.limberlostfarms.com
Go To:
www.buckfax.com
Commemorative Bucks of Michigan P.O. Box 307 Owosso, Michigan 48867 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
Nutrient requirements for
ANTLER GROWTH
oor nutrition is known to contribute to poor antler growth

in whitetail bucks. However,
the specific nutritional requirements for antler growth
are only poorly understood.
Logically, since antlers are regenerated bone, dietary factors that are
important to bone growth must also be
important to antler growth.
It would seem rather
simple to determine the
chemical composition of
deer antlers, then estimate
the nutrients required to
build such structures. Unfortunately antler mineral
composition varies according
to the stage of growth;
the composition of a
mineralized (hardened)
antler is much different from that of
an actively growing one.
Sharply contrasting seasonal patterns of food consumption by bucks
also complicate matters when trying
to determine nutrient requirements
for antler growth. Bucks feed heavily
during spring and summer, but they
fast during the autumn rut. Then, the
energy-costly rut is followed by the
harsh winter season when the quantity
of high-quality food is limited and
whitetails voluntarily restrict their
food consumption.
Protein requirements for basic
body maintenance of adult deer may
be as low as 6 to 10 percent. It is assumed that protein requirements for
antler growth are higherprobably
13 to 16 percentbut less than the 22
percent required for young male body
growth.
Although bucks do not achieve
their full skeletal size until two and
one-half years old, poor body growth
early in life is seldom made up later.
Typically, small yearling bucks develop into undersized mature bucks
with small antlers. Also, malnourished

adult bucks are among the last to
start antler growth and to shed antler
velvet, but the first to cast (drop) their
antlers.
As buck body size increases,
metabolic rate and feed intake per unit
of body weight decreases, but antler
size increases. Thus, the demands of
the antlers upon the available
nutrients seem to increase
sharply.
If a bucks body growth
takes precedence over its antler growth, and feed supplies
are limited, then the stunting
of antler growth should be
most obvious among larger
buckswhich simply
are not the case. To the
contrary, because yearlings need more nutrients for body
growth, as well as antler development,
they are more likely to grow stunted
antlers when nutritionally stressed.
Even so, the production of antlers
is presumed to be a tremendous drain
on the bucks system. According to
world famous antler researcher Dr.
Richard Goss, there are two ways that
growing antlers could affect mineral
balance in the bucks body: one
would be for the deer to consume extra quantities of salts during the period
when the antlers are growing, thereby
depositing materials directly into the
developing antlers. Alternately, such
minerals might be incorporated into
the other bones of the body, later to
be withdrawn and reutilized in antler
construction. Investigators have confirmed that the latter mechanism is the
method by which minerals are mobilized for antler growth.
Therefore, although mature bucks
do not store excess minerals in the
skeleton in anticipation of antler
growth, they do accelerate turnover of
such substancesespecially calcium
By John Ozoga
Hendrickson Waterfowl
Since antlers are regenerated bone, dietary factors that are impor tant to
bone growth must also be impor tant to antler growth. Kenny Darwin photo
and phosphorousduring the antlergrowing period. After the antlers
harden, the minerals lost from the
bones are replaced from the animals
diet.
As a result, blood levels of the
various minerals change only minimally on a seasonal basis. Even when

fed supplemental diets high in calcium
and phosphorus, bucks still undergo
mineral depletion in their bones while
growing antlers.n
Sauces
Spices & Marinades
Fresh Meats
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Our bacon & smoked meats are 1st place in the State of Michigan since 2009
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Ryan Hendrickson 906-298-1781
atm_hendrickson@hotmail.com Add Us On
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Slaughter House Hours Mon-Fri 9-5 Closed Daily from 12-1
810-378-5455 4470 S. Sandusky Peck, MI
RUDYARD,
MICHIGAN
49
Take advantage of late summer relatively warm water to snorkel...By Bill Ziegler
The shallow Munising Shipwrecks

T
he Munising Bay area (Alger

Underwater Preserve) has
several outstanding shallow
shipwrecks that provide a
unique experience to snorkel
divers with access to, at minimum, a 16 foot boat. Typically this
type of experience is only available
to SCUBA Divers equipped with wet
suits and dive equipment. Munising
Bay/Grand Island has several shallow
shipwrecks that are easily viewed up
close, by snorkel divers and boaters.
All three shallow wrecks are
buoyed and with Polaroid sunglasses
you can see the wrecks on the bottom
when you are at the buoy. The best
of these is the wreck of the Bermuda
in Murray Bay at the southern end of
Grand Island. The water in Murray
Bay can be surprisingly warm depending on recent conditions. When
we last went snorkel diving on these
Munising area shallow wrecks in early
August the surface water temperature
was 71 F. That is typically the summer
temperature for swimming in most
of our Upper Peninsula inland lakes.
This makes this a great late summer
place to make a short trip to Munising
Bay with your boat and snorkel gear
to view sights in part of the Pictured
Rocks National Lake Shore and Grand
Island.
Munising is one of the few dive
areas in the Great Lakes that has an
intact shipwreck; the Bermuda. The
best part is it is only 12 feet deep at
the deck. Our family consists of experienced SCUBA divers and novice
snorkel divers (without wet suits) and
all enjoy this snorkel dive on the Bermuda. This ship is a wooden schooner
that reportedly sank in 1870.
50
Erich Ziegler looking into the hold of the Bermuda in a southern bay of Grand Island. Author photo
There are two shallow shipwrecks
along the East side of Grand Island
between the Historical Lighthouse
(across from Sand Point) and Trout
Bay.
The Manhattan is the most southerly buoy along this part of Grand
Island. The wreck of the Manhattan
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is resting in 20 to 30 feet of water. A

snorkel dive is the best way to observe
this wreck although you can see it
from a boat with adequate visibility.
As in most of Lake Superior, water
visibility from the surface ranges between 25 to 40 feet in depth, depending on light conditions. This 250 foot
long wooden steamer reportedly was
wrecked in 1903 and burned to the
water line. Some varied machinery
and sections of the hull are visible on
the bottom.
The second wreck that is buoyed
in this East side of Grand Island area
is the Herman Hettler which is north
of the Manhattan and just southeast
of Trout Point, in about 25 to 40 feet
of water. The Hettler was a wooden
steamer over 200 feet in length that
struck the reef in November 1926 and
sunk. Divers can view part of the hull
and numerous pieces of equipment
including the boiler with the excellent
water visibility.
Another very scenic location to
visit is a small cove and waterfalls
about 4.5 miles up the west shore of
Grand Island from the old ferry landing at the south tip of the island. If
you have a safe wind forecast this spot
is a great place to swim with the water
falls pouring down on you from the
cliff above. A sea cave can be viewed
up close by heading about six miles
(from the old ferry landing) up the
East side of the island to the inside tip
of Trout Point in Trout Bay of Grand
Island.
There are two good shipwreck
reference books relating the details
of ship wrecks in the Munising area:
Munising Shipwrecks by Frederick
Stonehouse-1983 and The Divers
Guide to Michigan by Steve Harrington-1990. Both of these books are
typically carried by local book stores.
Another good source is the Alger
Underwater Preserve web site, www.
michiganpreserves.org/alger.htm,
which gives GPS coordinates and a
map of the major dive sites.
Remember the shipwrecks and
all the associated artifacts are all
protected from removal, so this is an
excellent place to use your underwater
Lecanium scales - affecting oak and maple trees
Map showing the wind protected Murray Bay on Munising Bays Grand Island with the
shipwreck Bermuda and shipwreck Manhattan.
camera. If you have additional questions you can stop in at the Pictured
Rocks National Lakeshore/ US Forest
Service Visitor Center on M-28 in

Munising or call them at 906-3873700.n
MDNR field offices have received a number of calls from concerned residents in Crawford, Otsego and Roscommon counties regarding Lecanium scale
infestations and resulting honeydew, a sugary substance secreted by the pests
as they feed on trees and plants. The Lecanium scale also may be active in other
areas of both the Upper and Lower peninsulas.
Lecanium scales are small, spherical insects often found on trees small
branches and twigs. Infestations first are detected in the spring and early summer
as eggs hatch and immature scales called crawlers seek feeding sites on the
undersides of leaves.
Repeated heavy Lecanium scale infestations can cause branch mortality or
crown dieback in trees. Honeydew often is mistaken for tree sap as it covers cars
and buildings under infested trees. Accumulation of honeydew also can lead to
the growth of black, sooty mold.
Both oak and maple trees are affected. Lecanium scales rarely kill mature
trees, but they can be harmful to young trees. Infestations often go unnoticed until either tree symptoms are present or people wonder why their oaks and maples
are dripping so much sap (e.g., honeydew). Ants crawling up and down trees are
also a sign of a Lecanium scale infestation. Ants feed on the sweet honeydew.
Watering infested trees during periods of drought will help maintain tree vigor.
Scale populations usually are kept below damaging numbers by natural
enemies, especially lady beetles and tiny parasitic wasps. However, there may
be times when biological control is not sufficient and scale numbers become
abundant, requiring management. Many entomologists suggest pesticide treatments be avoided unless absolutely necessary, in order to allow for the buildup
of predators and parasites.
The best time to treat scales is when the crawlers are feeding on the leaves,
as they are now in many areas. Once the crawlers return to the twigs and branches and become shell-like adults they are difficult to control.
Many garden variety insecticides are labeled for scales. Systemic insecticides
also can be effective. However, if using systemic insecticides, wait until after the
tree flowers to protect bees.
For folks who want to remove the honeydew coating their cars, according to
the University of Minnesota Extension, honeydew can be removed from vehicles
with a wax and grease remover. Other options include rubbing alcohol or WD40. For more information on Lecanium scales and the condition of Michigan's
forests, visit www.michigan.gov/foreshealth and click on the 2015 Forest Health
Highlights Report.
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51
Bass Anglers: To thine own self be true...
Just dont listen to that voice inside your head

This column is for tournament
anglers. Whether they compete in
salmon, bass or walleye tournaments,
many might be able to relate...
that plan shortly after the tournaments started. In

both, I hookedand lostbig bass within five
minutes of the tournaments start-time.
The worst case of this head-game happened at
our most recent event in mid-June on Lake Ovid
at Sleep Hollow State Park a bit north of Lansing. This is a super-weedy, shallow reservoir that
doesnt allow boats with motors to travel any faster
ong before the competitions started for the
than idle speed. Ovid is known for having good
new Michigan Kayak Series with the first
numbers of big largemouth and its a wonderful,
event back in May, I came up
wild place that is ideal for kayak fishing.
with a plan of attack for each
The Ovid tournament began with my
contest: Cast little finesse baits
game plan intact. I threw a Ned Rig on
until I recorded a five-fish limit
a 1/16-ounce head, light spinning tackle
on the camera, then switch to big-fish
spooled with 10-pound test braided line
baits to catch bigger bass to replace the
and an 8-pound leader of clear fluorocarsmaller ones.
bon. I pedaled my foot-powered Hobie
Although the Michigan size limit for
to where last year Id caught a 19-incher
largemouth and smallmouth bass is 14
and lost one just as big in an Ovid kayak
inches, our catch-photo-release kayak
tournament. My first cast plunked into
tournaments allow us to take pictures of
the mirror surface there at 7 a.m. On my
12-inchers, and those smaller fish jump
third cast, I felt a heavy thump and up
all over such things as a 2 -inch Ned
came a largemouth so big it could only
Rig, a small worm on a light jighead. My goal for
get its massive green head out of the water when
the season has been to do well enough in each event it tried to jump. It then pulled out drag and buried
to accumulate enough points to capture the Angler
itself in the weeds. And got off.
of the Year crownand the prize of a dandy new
Not a good way to start. I was quite shaken
kayak.
and shaking.
In both tournaments so far this season, I let the
Thats when the voice inside my head started
loud inner voice of self-doubt dissuade me from
screaming.
By Dave Mull
Ovid is too weedy for finesse tackle you big

dummy! You need to throw more traditional bass
tournament stuff!
And I heeded that voice, for the next five hours,
tossing a spinnerbait, a wake-bait (a jointed bluegill
imitation that wiggled just below the surface), a
-ounce football head jig, a Texas-rigged Missile
Baby D Bomb (a ribbed chunk of plastic with wiggly tails) and two different, favorite crankbaits.
After five hours of flinging those, I hadnt had
a bite, while all of the other kayak competitors I
talked to had at least a couple fishsome guys
already had their five bass limits.
So at noon, it was pretty easy to ignore that
voice. I put together a slightly modified Ned Rig
consisting of a 1/10-ounce jighead with the longer,
slimmer, Finesse ShadZ soft plastic. The combo
ran a bit deeper in the 4- 5-foot depths among
the sparser weeds on the edges of the thick mats.
Countless small bluegills were on this edge, providing easy prey for bass. The heavier jig head also enabled a faster, twitching retrieve that covered more
water than the normal 1/16-ounce head and stockier
T.R.D. Ned Rig worm could.
Almost as soon as I started throwing the ShadZ,
I landed a 14.25 inch fish.
Great! Im no longer in last place! I thought,
jubilantly. Then a 12.25-incher ate the lure and at
12:30, with three hours left in the tournament, I
needed just three more fishsuddenly an attainable
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Finesse lures such as the Ned

Rig with a 2 -inch T.R.D. worm
(left) and a 1/10-ounce jighead
with a Z-Man ShadZ are fish
catchers, but its tough to stick
with finesse when bass bury
themselves in weeds. Author,
Dave Mull found out its wor th
sticking with them anyway.
onto the lures tail with such tenacity that I lifted it
out of the water before it let go.
I decided I should try the spot where Id lost
the big one and finish the tournament closer to the
ramp.
In a perfect world, this story would end with
me hooking the lunker that had burrowed in the
weeds seven hours earlier and it would have been
big enough to win the $820 top prize. News flash:
This is not a perfect world. With about 10 minutes left, I took that one last cast and did catch a
12-incher that I quickly photographed and released.
I pedaled furiously in the 90-degree heat, wondering what kind of symptoms might signal cardiac
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arrest. I made it back in time, my catch totaling 71

inches, enough to finish 15th out of the 42 boats.
Jeff Sherwood, who runs the Summit Marine stores
in Michigan, won the event with 88.5 inches. I
did spend $20 on post-tournament raffle tickets
(proceeds of which go to St. Judes Childrens
Hospital) and won a new and needed cover for my
14-foot kayak.
To thine owns self be true, wrote Shakespeare in Hamlet. And thats what I plan to do,
sticking with finesse lures in the rest of the four
Michigan Kayak Series tournaments this season.
Until that first big fish gets off and the voice
inside my head starts screaming again.n
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goal. After five hours of no bites with the big lures,

Id caught two in 30 minutes.
The next bite resulted in a drag-squeaking
run anddj vuthe fish again buried itself in
weeds. My kayaks anchor down, I had no choice
but to apply steady, heavy pressure, eventually
tearing a wad of weeds off the shallow lake bottom.
As I brought the stringy, volley-ball-sized clump
of salad to the side of the Hobie, all I could see
was green morass, but once in the net, this mass of
greenery divulged a delightful, flopping bass in the
middlea 15.25-incher. Two hours left and two
fish to go.
After the next fish struck, I could see it was a
big one in the clear water as it tried to burrow into
the side of the dense weed bed. Despite worrying
about the knot strength between the braid and the
fluorocarbon I held the spinning reel spool with my
left hand to stop the fish short of the underwater
jungle. It barely reached the weedy fringe before
the pressure turned it back towards the boat. It
measured 17.25 inches.
Now with 90 minutes left, I needed one more.
All four of the bass had come from the outside
edge of the expansive weedy flat by the dam that
creates Lake Ovid. The day before Id used Google
Earth on my computer to determine different distances on the lake, and knew that spot was 8-tenths
of a mile from the ramp. Since my pedal-powered
cruising speed was 4 mph, Id need a little more
than 15 minutes to get back by 3:30. As fate would
have it, whatever bass remained in the area apparently left the ShadZ for the numerous little bluegills to attack. Aggressive little peckers, one held
53
By Mike Gnatkowski
Smallies
Feel the
burn using
crankbaits!
Some of the best bassin in the country

is taking place on Great Lakes bays,
estuaries and connecting waters.
Smallmouth numbers have exploded
and are producing incredible fishing...
54
ocations like Sturgeon Bay, Lake St. Clair,

the Thousand Islands and many other places.
While these locales are loaded with hefty
bass, they are also large bodies of water
and concentrations of bass can be hard to
find in these wide-open spaces. The best
way to eliminate water and find concentrations of
smallmouth is by burning crankbaits. You can cast
crankbaits a mile and speed-reel them back to the
boat while covering lots of water. Its a great way to
search and destroy.
Theres little doubt that burning crankbaits is
the best way to locate open-water smallmouths,
claimed bass pro and owner of Millennium Promotions (www.mpromoinc.com) Joe Balog. Right
from the pre-spawn though late summer, cranking
crankbaits is a great way of eliminating water and
contacting big smallmouths.
Bass spawn much later in these large, relatively
cold bodies of water. The spawn may take place
from late May into July. But without fail, once the
spawn is complete the bass will retreat to the first
weeds they can find to look for food. Smallmouths
typically collect around isolated patches of vegetation, advised Balog. Almost universally in the
north, these are sparse cabbage stands. Theyre not
huge weed beds and you wont find huge concentrations of bass on them, but each clump will hold a
few good fish. Initially, smallies will spawn and pig
out in the shallows, but they quickly move out and
relate to cabbage edges in 7 to 13 feet of water. At
that point, theyre very susceptible to jerkbaits and
crankbaits like the Rapala DT5.
Key is to locate known spawning areas and then
work the first grass you come to outside the spawning areas. Smallmouths like to move over slowly
sloping flats on their way to deeper water. Deep
might be 8 feet in some places or 12 to 14 feet in
others. The way to discover where the bass are recouping is by using a fast retrieve that occasionally
Ripping deep-diving crankbaits will catch smallmouth almost year round.

contacts and deflects off the weeds. The weeds can
be single strands of emerging cabbage or clumps.
Target the middle of the water column, advised
Balog. Smallmouths are not like largemouths. The
baits dont have to come in contact with the bottom
to trigger a strike, but deflecting off the grass is key.
Once your crankbait contacts the weeds and bait
hesitates, give it two or three sharp rips and hold

on.
Its important to target the middle of the water
column. With largemouths you need a crankbait
that dives 18 feet if youre fishing in 16 feet of water, offered Balog. The bait needs to occasionally
contact bottom to trigger strikes from largemouths.
Scott Dobson (lt) and Matt Straw burning crankbaits for Lake St. Clair smallmouths.
of a size 6 go to a size 5 or 4 and use a standard
strength, short-shanked treble. I use VMC hooks,
but others are good, too. Because smallmouth crash
a bait instead of inhaling it like a largemouth, you
hook and catch more of those fish.
Balog said he generally uses two baits when
burning cranks for smallies. Im a big fan of the
Rapala DT (Dives-To) series, admitted Balog.
I use mainly natural colors. The DT series has a
Joe Balog is a firm believer that you cant retrieve a crankbait too fast if a smallmouth bass
wants to eat it. Mike Gnatkowski photos
moderate wiggle with a rattle and casts like a bullet. The DT series comes in models from 4 to 16
meaning they will drive from 4 to 16 feet. The most
commonly used models for Balogs smallmouth
cranking are the 10, 14 and 16 models.
Another Balog favorite is the Strike King series
5, 5XD and 6. The Strike King Series 5 and 6
crankbaits are a little louder, a little gaudier. Just
match the size to the depth youre trying to achieve.
There are times when silent baits work best, baits
that dont rattle. Ive got some old C-Flash baits
that I resort to then.
Burning crankbaits is a technique that can work
all year long. Once water temperatures reach 50 degrees or more, bass will invade the shallows to feed
and stage for the pre-spawn. Shallow crankbaits and
suspending stickbaits excel then as well as spinnerbaits and plastics. Fast-cranking hardbaits can
help you cover more water. At some point in late
spring youre going to have bass coming and going.
Not all the bass spawn at the same time so theres
going to be a period when youll have pre-spawn,
spawning and post-spawn bass that are leaving the
shallows, especially when water temperatures are in
the 58 to 66 degree range.
Once the spawn is over, look for bass to begin
relating to the isolated weeds stands in 8 to 12 feet
of water and when the water inches into the 64 to
69 degree range. You wont find big concentration
of bass yet, but a good weed bed is capable of holding three or four trophy bass. Choose crankbaits
that are capable of running from 6 to 10 feet then.
Warming temperatures and consistent weather
patterns put smallies on full attach mode. Look for
schools of smallies relating to weeds in 12 to 16
feet of water once surface temperatures reach 70
degrees. There will be more and larger stands of
weeds to relate to then, but expect to find most bass
hunting near sparse, isolated stands of cabbage.
Burning cranks that can reach 10 to 16 feet and
making sure that they contact and deflect off weeds
will have 5-pound smallmouths jumping all over
them. The bite continues through late summer as
long as the bass stay inside of 20 feet.
A key to finding small pods of bass is locating
scattered weeds with my Humminbird Side Imaging graph, explained Balog. The graph will show
me where the weeds are, but equally important is
my Aqua-Vu camera. The camera is going to tell
me if those weeds are laying over because there is
current in the area. Smallies will always lay on the
down current side of the weeds and you want to
make sure that as you drift that youre retrieving the
crankbait up the current.n
Thats not the case with smallmouths. Smallies will

come up for a bait.
Balog admitted that hes refined the speedcranking technique over the years and much of what
hes discovered goes against conventional wisdom.
Smallmouths attack a crankbait rather than engulfing it the way a largemouth would, said Balog.
Smallmouths may just bump a lure a couple times
before smashing it. Or you might just feel them
bulge on it. Initially, they might not intend to eat
it. Without a moderate-action 100% graphite rod,
you wont feel that. That explains why oft times
you have smallmouths hooked on the outside of the
mouth or on just the front hook. Largemouths will
have the crankbait half way down their throat. Pros
used to promote glass rods with a parabolic bend
for crankbait fishing, but if you use a rod like that
for smallmouths, you wont hook a fraction of the
bass that hit.
Balog uses a 7-foot, 7-inch medium-action
Diawa Tatula casting rod. The rod has some backbone, claimed Balog, but with a more sensitive
tip. The rod is matched to a high-speed baitcasting
reel filled with 10- to 12-pound fluorocarbon.
Balog also advised making some subtle changes
to your lures to up your percentage of smallmouths
that get hooked. Change the hooks on your baits
to one or two sizes bigger, he advised. Instead
55
Head Upstream for More Room, More Fish
ome Michigan trout anglers

concentrate their efforts in
May and June, fishing only
the peak of the trout season,
but they could continue to
have good fishing all summer long, if they would look over
the upper portions of trout streams.
The headwaters generally have better
fishing later in the summer than the
lower stretches, for a variety
of reasons.
First, of course, is cooler
water. Many streams are fed
by springs and tiny rivulets
that rise in cool, dark cedar
swamps. The upper portions
of many streams are significantly cooler than lower
stretches of slower,
deeper water. Among
other things, this
means that the upper
sections have good mayfly hatches
later than the downstream sections.
Some streams are so cold that they
really dont have good hatches of
mayflies until late in June and into
July. The Jordan River, in Charlevoix
County, is a good example of that. The

Jordan is so cold that I usually dont
fish it at all until June and concentrate
my efforts, on that stream, in July and
August.
Upstream sections of rivers are
somewhat insulated from runoff,
especially if they are largely springfed. When lower sections run brown
and muddy, upstream sections are
often still clear and much
more fishable. For some
streams, fishing way upstream means a lower water
level and easier wading. If
your head-hackle is getting
a little sparse on top and the
knees are no longer wholly
trustworthy, you might want
to head for some of
that easier wading
upstream. On the other
hand, some upstream
sections will be narrow and brushy
and more difficult to fish but no
problem for those skilled with little fly
rods.
On some streams, heading way
upstream means getting away from
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From ice-out in March
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walleye action.
Upstream sections of Michigan trout streams, in mid-summer, offer easy wading, late hatches and a lot of room, relative to other anglers. Author photo
the competition. Years ago, a gang of
us from Flint used to fish the Platte,
near Honor. We usually went up
there for the weekend after Mothers
Day and always found good hatches
and fine fishing. That was before the
fishing became complicated with the
introduction of small coho salmon in
the stream, by accident or design. At
any rate, the fishing way back then
was largely for brown trout and the
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guy who caught the most and the largest always fished way upstream, beyond any of the rest of the group. The
stream was rather narrow and brushy
up there and difficult to fish, requiring
much more skill with the fly rod than
most of us possessed. The lesson was
clear, howeverif you want to get
away from the crowds and the beaten
path by the side of the stream, head
upriver, way upstream.
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DNR offers bear hunting clinics

in Cadillac this July and August
On some streams, getting way
upstream can result in an entirely
different character for the stream.
The Jordan and the Manistee are both
in that category. While the popular
downstream sections are broad, deep
and difficult to wade and are primarily brown and rainbow trout water,
the upper sections of both streams are
small, rather narrow in spots, easy to
wade and are mainly brook trout water. Before the upper sections of the
Manistee were fouled by oil and gas
development, I caught many native
brookies in the upper sections and
rarely saw even one other angler. The
upper reaches of the Jordan are an
absolute delight. Most of the fish are
brookies and mainly small brookies
at that, but they are always plentiful and willing to take your fly. The
upper sections of the stream are often
split and many of them are absolutely
full of downed trees and logs, making
wading difficult. These are relatively
clear stretches, however, and those
are pleasant to fish and those sections with all the obstructions provide
plenty of cover for fish, providing
compensation of a sort.
Another good reason to fish
upstream is the relative comfort of the
environment. While the big down-
stream sections are exposed to the hot

summer sun, fishing upstream, in a
shaded environment, is like fishing in
air conditioning. I remember fishing a stream or two on August days
when it was scorching in the sun yet
very comfortable, standing in shaded,
running crystal-clear water that was
below 50 degrees and catching and
releasing those ice-cold brown trout.
Upstream fishing generally calls
for a smaller, lighter rod. If you are
used to fishing with an eight or ninefoot rod, you will find it awkward in
tight cover. I have two rods rigged
for this fishingone is a seven-foot
graphite in a four weight and the
other is a rod a mere six and one-half
feet in length and that is a six-weight
glass rod, by Abercrombie and Fitch,
which tells you something of its age.
Fishing tight cover also calls for some
special presentations. The brush often
calls for a roll-cast and something I
call the slop cast made by letting
the line run out downstream and then
shooting it up to the cover. This cast
isnt pretty or accurate but it can be
useful.
If you want to fish for trout away
from the competition this summer and
look at some different water, consider
going way upstream.n
The Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Skills

Academy in Cadillac, Michigan, will offer bear hunting
clinics Saturday, July 30, Sunday, Aug. 7, and Saturday, Aug.
13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Students will learn the ins
and outs of bear hunting with
experienced hunters and DNR
educators. The class will cover
habitat, gear, stand placement,
baiting, rules and regulations,
carcass care and hide care.
Participants will spend
three to four hours in the
classroom and then hit the
trail to learn how to place a
stand and bait in the woods.
The fee for the class is $25,
which includes the clinic, door Phillip Berry successfully took this bear
using techniques learned in the DNR's bear
prizes, Michigan DNR bear
hunting clinic. MDNR photo
patch and lunch.
Registration for the clinics
is available on the Michigan e-store at Michigan.gov/estore.
For more information, or to register by phone or email, contact Ed
Shaw at 231-779-1321 or shawe@michigan.gov.
The clinics will be held at the Carl T. Johnson Hunt and Fish Center,
located in Mitchell State Park at 6087 E. M-115 in Cadillac. A Recreation
Passport is required for entry into the park.
Learn more about the Outdoor Skills Academy at michigan.gov/outdoorskills.
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57
Scout smart for early season opportunities

I
f I had a five-spot for every

time Ive heard a similar
story Id have enough to
buy a tricked out new bow.
Nobody can read a
deers mind and studies
done in captive environments or in areas where
hunting is nearly non-existent are relatively meaningless in shedding light
on deer behavior in heavily pressured
areas as most of Michigan is.
After 52 seasons of bowhunting
whitetails in many differing types of
areas including 100% timber/swamp, a
mix of timber/swamp and agriculture,
flat agricultural areas with minimal
timber, and just about every hunting
circumstance from a pressured standpoint, a behavioral pattern of how deer
and mature bucks in particular, react
to human intrusions has been firmly
established.
The most logical answer to the
I dont get it question is; the area
receives heavy consequential hunting
pressure and most of the other hunters
within that particular bucks core living
area improperly pre-season scouted
and prepared their locations prior to
season. And in heavily pressured areas
theres absolutely nothing you can do
about when and how the other hunters
in the area do what they do.
Lets Be Perfectly Honest

About Hunting Pressure
58
In large managed areas where

hunters dont engage bucks with life
threatening encounters until they
grow to a specific kill criterion, their
daytime survival instincts at avoiding
hunters is minimal when compared
to survival instincts of bucks in areas
where hunters target any legal antlered
buck and in many cases button bucks
assuming their does.
In managed areas where only
bucks of a specific age or antler criteria are targeted, no matter the amount
of hunters, their presence cant be
considered as consequential hunting
pressure, but rather just hunter presence. Its easily witnessed by watching
nearly any TV show or hunting video

where bucks that hunters from heavily pressured areas would hang on the
wall are allowed to pass by without
incident.
The reality is the overwhelming
vast majority of so-called TV and
video experts exclusively hunt on their
own large micro-managed properties,
leases, or pay to hunt ranches, and
some even hunt in fenced-in enclosures, all of which in no manner whatsoever, replicate hunting conditions
where the vast majority of hunters,
hunt.
Some so-called TV and video experts may be decent hunters, but in the
areas they hunt, the simple analogy is
they dont even have to be good to kill
monster bucks. Given the opportunity
to hunt the same properties as the TV
and video personalities, most of my
circle of hunting friends would easily
be as successful as the personalities.
One hundred percent wild, 100%
fair chase is TV and video terminology that is true but should be subject
to interpretation scrutiny just as the
loosely used term hunting pressure
should. Because terminology in hunting circles is so vague, to depict some
form of reality I came up with the term
heavy consequential hunting pressure (HCHP) to differentiate and add
clarity to the type of hunting pressure
most bowhunters deal with.
HCHP is defined as; an area with a
minimum of 10 bowhunters per square
mile and at least double that amount
of gun hunters and where most hunters
are targeting any legal antlered buck.
The section (640 acres) in zone 3 that I
hunt in every year on opening day has
at least 30 other bowhunters sitting in
trees and very few of them are fussy as
to what they might shoot.
HCHP directly influences; how
many bucks survive beyond their first
set of antlers, if or how much they
move during season during daylight
hours, the amount of transition or
perimeter security cover mature bucks
require for daytime movements, and
how severely they react to human
while scouting, cutting shooting lanes

and preparing trees and human odors
will dissipate quicker than during dry/
calm conditions.
If inclement weather is not in the
forecast, scout and prep between the
hours of 9am and 4pm when deer are
least likely to be up and moving. Try
to do all scouting and location preparation on a given property in a single
day as multiple pre-season intrusions
will lower the possibility of arrowing
an early season buck.
Wear a properly cared for activated carbon lined suit, gloves and
rubber boots to keep your odor to a
minimum. Activated carbon is used
by NASA in space suits, in every
chemical warfare suit in the world, in
hospitals and EMS units worldwide
for poison ingestion, and in multitudes
of industries for molecular capture
and filtration purposes because its the
most adsorptive substance known to
man, period!
COVER STORY....
By John Eberhar t
Where To Look
sightings, odor and intrusions of any

sort.
In HCHP areas some bucks will
survive wounds from consequential
encounters with hunters trying to kill
them. In my 52 Michigan seasons
of exclusively hunting public and
knock-on-doors for free permission
properties, only one of the many 3
year-old or older bucks Ive taken did
not have at least one wound caused
by a previous hunter encounter and a
couple had three wounds from different weapons. On the flip side, none of
the nineteen similar age class bucks
Ive taken on public, walk-on, and

properties in Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, or
Missouri had a wound from a previous
hunter encounter.
In HCHP areas, other than maybe
a brief flurry of spring turkey hunting
activity most properties remain unmolested through mid-August. Then an
exodus of bowhunters replicate what
theyve been programmed to do by the
many TV, video and media personalities, and make their annual pre-season
scouting and location preparation
intrusions.
Its obvious in HCHP areas that
pre-season scouting ventures by so
many hunters cause bucks that survived their first antlered season to become nearly totally nocturnal beyond
the confines of their secure core bedding areas before the season opener.
If pursuing a particular mature
buck in an HCHP area, if you replicate
how most TV and video personalities
hunt, most likely youll never see that
buck during season during daylight
hours. Mature bucks in HCHP areas
simply dont risk moving through
open timber or entering exposed vulnerable areas during daylight as bucks
in large managed areas do. They have
become much wiser than that, other-
wise they would be dead.
Scouting In HCHP Areas
Pre-season scouting in HCHP

areas should only focus on setting up a
couple locations for the first few days
of season. So how do you scout and
prepare locations without a mature
buck knowing of and reacting to your
intrusion into his home zone since
thats the only intrusion within his
core area that you have control over?
Watch the weather forecast and
wait for an inclement weather front
such as rain or strong winds. Inclement weather aids in masking noise
When you combine HCHP with

the natural survival instincts of whitetails, a natural by-product occurs.
Mature bucks gravitate to the best
security cover available or difficult to
access areas where few hunters will
make the effort to go. Quite often
these areas require waders, hip boots,
a canoe or boat to access.
The only cool thing about hunting
HCHP areas is that you dont have to
waste your time scouting open vulnerable areas as seen on TV and in
videos because hunting those types
of areas will rarely yield positive
results on mature bucks. This should
dramatically cut the amount of areas
you need to scout in and for me it has
oftentimes negated me hunting on a
given property altogether as there may
not have been an area I felt a mature
buck would feel safe moving through
during daylight hours. All the sign in
the world is meaningless if none of it
was made during shooting hours.
Food Sources
Early season is all about food. The

ideal early season location would be a
single or small group of trees that are
dropping preferred fruit or mast such
as apples and white oak acorns, and
have them located within perimeter
security cover with adequate transition
cover to a bedding area.
Search for small destination feeding locations, not large areas of the
same food source where deer can wander and feed out of range. The smaller
the destination area, the more likely
you are to receive a shot opportunity.

Deer prefer white oak acorns over
all others due to their low tannin levels (substance that makes them bitter),
so if there are lots of oaks, search for
the white oaks. White oaks are easily
identified by their rough bark up the
tree and out their branches and by the
rounded lobes on their leaves. If there
are no white oaks but are other oak
types and they offer the security cover
mentioned above, set up a location.
In HCHP areas, deer will feed on
less preferred sources such as browse
during daylight hours if the more
preferred food sources dont offer
adequate transition and perimeter
security cover. They will move into
more exposed feeding areas such as
open timber oaks or short crop fields
under the cover of darkness.
Scrape Areas
Scrapes are made at locations

where there is consistent doe traffic. Scrapes found prior to season are
dominance signposts started by mature
bucks with at least one breeding season under their belt, making them rare
finds in HCHP areas.
While rare, pre-season scrape
areas are most frequently found near
isolated food sources and are go-to
spots for opening day if protected by
perimeter security cover.
If a runway from a bedding to
feeding area has scrapes along it and it
offers transition security cover, it will
likely have an occasional rub as well
and be worthy of setting up a location.
Set up scrape locations within
shooting distance of the scrape with
the most utilized licking branches over
it because it is likely getting used the
most. Active scrapes near isolated
mast and fruit trees have consistently
proven to be my most productive locations throughout the season.
Rubs
Its difficult to determine the size

and shape of buck antlers by a rub,
however there are clues that indicate
antler characteristics and a bucks size.
The top portion of a subordinate
bucks rub will usually be no more than
32 inches off the ground but as bucks
age they become taller and their rubs
are higher off the ground. Because I
dont gun hunt, in 1997 I began traveling to the Midwest during Michigans
gun season to continue bowhunting.
In the Midwest 3 year old and older
bucks are common and it was difficult
relating to the rubs reaching heights of
Scout Smart page 60
"I dont get it? There were several deer coming

out into the soybean field every evening like
clockwork all summer, and one of the bucks
was a shooter. Then shortly after the big guy
rubbed out he seemingly dissipated into thin
air and I never saw him all season..."
59
Scout smart for early season opportunities

I
f I had a five-spot for every

time Ive heard a similar
story Id have enough to
buy a tricked out new bow.
Nobody can read a
deers mind and studies
done in captive environments or in areas where
hunting is nearly non-existent are relatively meaningless in shedding light
on deer behavior in heavily pressured
areas as most of Michigan is.
After 52 seasons of bowhunting
whitetails in many differing types of
areas including 100% timber/swamp, a
mix of timber/swamp and agriculture,
flat agricultural areas with minimal
timber, and just about every hunting
circumstance from a pressured standpoint, a behavioral pattern of how deer
and mature bucks in particular, react
to human intrusions has been firmly
established.
The most logical answer to the
I dont get it question is; the area
receives heavy consequential hunting
pressure and most of the other hunters
within that particular bucks core living
area improperly pre-season scouted
and prepared their locations prior to
season. And in heavily pressured areas
theres absolutely nothing you can do
about when and how the other hunters
in the area do what they do.
Lets Be Perfectly Honest

About Hunting Pressure
58
In large managed areas where

hunters dont engage bucks with life
threatening encounters until they
grow to a specific kill criterion, their
daytime survival instincts at avoiding
hunters is minimal when compared
to survival instincts of bucks in areas
where hunters target any legal antlered
buck and in many cases button bucks
assuming their does.
In managed areas where only
bucks of a specific age or antler criteria are targeted, no matter the amount
of hunters, their presence cant be
considered as consequential hunting
pressure, but rather just hunter presence. Its easily witnessed by watching
nearly any TV show or hunting video

where bucks that hunters from heavily pressured areas would hang on the
wall are allowed to pass by without
incident.
The reality is the overwhelming
vast majority of so-called TV and
video experts exclusively hunt on their
own large micro-managed properties,
leases, or pay to hunt ranches, and
some even hunt in fenced-in enclosures, all of which in no manner whatsoever, replicate hunting conditions
where the vast majority of hunters,
hunt.
Some so-called TV and video experts may be decent hunters, but in the
areas they hunt, the simple analogy is
they dont even have to be good to kill
monster bucks. Given the opportunity
to hunt the same properties as the TV
and video personalities, most of my
circle of hunting friends would easily
be as successful as the personalities.
One hundred percent wild, 100%
fair chase is TV and video terminology that is true but should be subject
to interpretation scrutiny just as the
loosely used term hunting pressure
should. Because terminology in hunting circles is so vague, to depict some
form of reality I came up with the term
heavy consequential hunting pressure (HCHP) to differentiate and add
clarity to the type of hunting pressure
most bowhunters deal with.
HCHP is defined as; an area with a
minimum of 10 bowhunters per square
mile and at least double that amount
of gun hunters and where most hunters
are targeting any legal antlered buck.
The section (640 acres) in zone 3 that I
hunt in every year on opening day has
at least 30 other bowhunters sitting in
trees and very few of them are fussy as
to what they might shoot.
HCHP directly influences; how
many bucks survive beyond their first
set of antlers, if or how much they
move during season during daylight
hours, the amount of transition or
perimeter security cover mature bucks
require for daytime movements, and
how severely they react to human
while scouting, cutting shooting lanes

and preparing trees and human odors
will dissipate quicker than during dry/
calm conditions.
If inclement weather is not in the
forecast, scout and prep between the
hours of 9am and 4pm when deer are
least likely to be up and moving. Try
to do all scouting and location preparation on a given property in a single
day as multiple pre-season intrusions
will lower the possibility of arrowing
an early season buck.
Wear a properly cared for activated carbon lined suit, gloves and
rubber boots to keep your odor to a
minimum. Activated carbon is used
by NASA in space suits, in every
chemical warfare suit in the world, in
hospitals and EMS units worldwide
for poison ingestion, and in multitudes
of industries for molecular capture
and filtration purposes because its the
most adsorptive substance known to
man, period!
COVER STORY....
By John Eberhar t
Where To Look
sightings, odor and intrusions of any

sort.
In HCHP areas some bucks will
survive wounds from consequential
encounters with hunters trying to kill
them. In my 52 Michigan seasons
of exclusively hunting public and
properties, only one of the many 3
year-old or older bucks Ive taken did
not have at least one wound caused
by a previous hunter encounter and a
couple had three wounds from different weapons. On the flip side, none of
the nineteen similar age class bucks
Ive taken on public, walk-on, and

properties in Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, or
Missouri had a wound from a previous
hunter encounter.
In HCHP areas, other than maybe
a brief flurry of spring turkey hunting
activity most properties remain unmolested through mid-August. Then an
exodus of bowhunters replicate what
theyve been programmed to do by the
many TV, video and media personalities, and make their annual pre-season
scouting and location preparation
intrusions.
Its obvious in HCHP areas that
pre-season scouting ventures by so
many hunters cause bucks that survived their first antlered season to become nearly totally nocturnal beyond
the confines of their secure core bedding areas before the season opener.
If pursuing a particular mature
buck in an HCHP area, if you replicate
how most TV and video personalities
hunt, most likely youll never see that
buck during season during daylight
hours. Mature bucks in HCHP areas
simply dont risk moving through
open timber or entering exposed vulnerable areas during daylight as bucks
in large managed areas do. They have
become much wiser than that, other-
wise they would be dead.
Scouting In HCHP Areas
Pre-season scouting in HCHP

areas should only focus on setting up a
couple locations for the first few days
of season. So how do you scout and
prepare locations without a mature
buck knowing of and reacting to your
intrusion into his home zone since
thats the only intrusion within his
core area that you have control over?
Watch the weather forecast and
wait for an inclement weather front
such as rain or strong winds. Inclement weather aids in masking noise
When you combine HCHP with

the natural survival instincts of whitetails, a natural by-product occurs.
Mature bucks gravitate to the best
security cover available or difficult to
access areas where few hunters will
make the effort to go. Quite often
these areas require waders, hip boots,
a canoe or boat to access.
The only cool thing about hunting
HCHP areas is that you dont have to
waste your time scouting open vulnerable areas as seen on TV and in
videos because hunting those types
of areas will rarely yield positive
results on mature bucks. This should
dramatically cut the amount of areas
you need to scout in and for me it has
oftentimes negated me hunting on a
given property altogether as there may
not have been an area I felt a mature
buck would feel safe moving through
during daylight hours. All the sign in
the world is meaningless if none of it
was made during shooting hours.
Food Sources
Early season is all about food. The

ideal early season location would be a
single or small group of trees that are
dropping preferred fruit or mast such
as apples and white oak acorns, and
have them located within perimeter
security cover with adequate transition
cover to a bedding area.
Search for small destination feeding locations, not large areas of the
same food source where deer can wander and feed out of range. The smaller
the destination area, the more likely
you are to receive a shot opportunity.

Deer prefer white oak acorns over
all others due to their low tannin levels (substance that makes them bitter),
so if there are lots of oaks, search for
the white oaks. White oaks are easily
identified by their rough bark up the
tree and out their branches and by the
rounded lobes on their leaves. If there
are no white oaks but are other oak
types and they offer the security cover
mentioned above, set up a location.
In HCHP areas, deer will feed on
less preferred sources such as browse
during daylight hours if the more
preferred food sources dont offer
adequate transition and perimeter
security cover. They will move into
more exposed feeding areas such as
open timber oaks or short crop fields
under the cover of darkness.
Scrape Areas
Scrapes are made at locations

where there is consistent doe traffic. Scrapes found prior to season are
dominance signposts started by mature
bucks with at least one breeding season under their belt, making them rare
finds in HCHP areas.
While rare, pre-season scrape
areas are most frequently found near
isolated food sources and are go-to
spots for opening day if protected by
perimeter security cover.
If a runway from a bedding to
feeding area has scrapes along it and it
offers transition security cover, it will
likely have an occasional rub as well
and be worthy of setting up a location.
Set up scrape locations within
shooting distance of the scrape with
the most utilized licking branches over
it because it is likely getting used the
most. Active scrapes near isolated
mast and fruit trees have consistently
proven to be my most productive locations throughout the season.
Rubs
Its difficult to determine the size

and shape of buck antlers by a rub,
however there are clues that indicate
antler characteristics and a bucks size.
The top portion of a subordinate
bucks rub will usually be no more than
32 inches off the ground but as bucks
age they become taller and their rubs
are higher off the ground. Because I
dont gun hunt, in 1997 I began traveling to the Midwest during Michigans
gun season to continue bowhunting.
In the Midwest 3 year old and older
bucks are common and it was difficult
relating to the rubs reaching heights of
Scout Smart page 60
"I dont get it? There were several deer coming

out into the soybean field every evening like
clockwork all summer, and one of the bucks
was a shooter. Then shortly after the big guy
rubbed out he seemingly dissipated into thin
air and I never saw him all season..."
59
Scout Smart for early season:

from page 59
48 inches as they were rare sightings
in Michigan.
Subordinate and mature bucks
will rub on small diameter saplings
and trees, but when you see rubs on
large diameter trees and the occasional bush thrashed until reduced to
bunch of busted stubs, the likelihood
a mature buck performed the destruction is extremely high.
Due to their weight and power
mature bucks also leave deeper tine
puncture marks into the meat of the
tree. Shredded bark in the main rub
area indicates a buck with heavily
pearling or small points near base of
his rack which is also a mature buck
characteristic.
Most mature bucks are rubbedout by September 5th so wait at least
a week after that date so youll have
rubs to verify buck activity at a location before setting it up. Scrapes and
or rubs should dictate which isolated
mast or fruit tree destination locations
you set up at.
Rub-lined runways or clusters of
rubs between bedding and feeding

areas are good locations if there is adequate security cover along the route
otherwise they were likely made during the security of darkness.
Secondary Findings
Just prior to season perimeters

of short crop fields such as wheat
stubble, hay, soybeans, and picked
corn may be sign-posted with occasional rubs and scrapes. While
monster bucks on TV and in videos
commonly get killed in short crop
fields and exposed areas, mature
bucks in HCHP areas rarely if ever
enter exposed vulnerable areas during
daylight. However, year-and-a-half
old bucks can be easily targeted along
short field edges.
If you locate tall rubs or an
occasional scrape along a runway
leading into a short crop field, set up
a minimum of 30 yards off the fields
edge. There is a slim chance a mature
buck may come in and stage within
security cover close to the field edge
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60
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prior to entering it after dark.

Sign-postings along the
perimeter of standing cornfields
are quite different. Standing corn
offers excellent security cover and
deer often bed in it and transition in
and out of it in areas where it butts
up to adequate transition cover. Set
up where the most sign is and be sure
youre close enough to the fields
edge to shoot into it. Mature bucks
often transition along the perimeter of
standing corn scent checking for early
estrous does that may have passed
through.
Its extremely rare that a buck
can be sighted and patterned from
a road without pre-season intervention from other hunters. However,
if the opportunity presents itself,
note the exact location where the
buck comes out and a few days prior
to season, make evening observations
to confirm hes consistently entering
the field.
Dressed in full properly cared
for Scent Lok, go in the day before
season during mid-day and set up as
close to the fields edge as possible
and clear just one subtle shooting
lane to the runway hes using.
Make your intrusion as scent-free
and quick as possible and get out
and hunt there on opening evening.

Again, preparing the location in
inclement weather is advised.
Conclusion
Dont overthink and overdo preseason scouting and once locations

are set up leave the area alone. Dont
even think about setting foot in the
area until season as additional visits
will alter patterns and likely any possible early season opportunity.
HCHP equates too many hunters
pursuing not only the same bucks, but
about every deer and you cant worry
about things others do that are out
of your control. Perform your preseason scouting regiment correctly
and maybe that buck will offer you an
early season opportunity.
John Eberhart is an accomplished
Michigan bow-hunter that specializes in heavy consequential hunting
pressure areas with 28 bucks listed in
CBMs recordbook from 19 different
properties in 10 different counties.
John produced a 3 volume instructional DVD series titled Bowhunting Pressured Whitetails and coauthored the books, Bowhunting
Pressured Whitetails, Precision
Bowhunting, and Bowhunting
Whitetails The Eberhart Way. They
are available at: www.deer-john.net.n
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Michigan Outdoor Writers... By Mark Sak
Outdoor
archives
part of the lifestyle for most because
many depended on the outdoors to
supplement the vegetables they grew
in the garden. No Kroger or Walmart
in town then, and newspapers were
one of the only ways to get news and
entertainment.
These pictures obviously had been
through many hands since 1944. It
was very strange that these historical
photos had been fatefully lost in a former members storage facility and not
placed with the majority of the organizations archives held by Don Ingle,
MOWAs former historian who died
tragically in a house fire in 2012 along
with his wife Jean and several boxes
of MOWAs past. I decided to go into
preservation mode immediately and
scanned them all so we could get
them on the MOWA website for all to
enjoy. Much to my surprise I ended
up scanning the flip side of many of
the pictures because there were lots
of interesting things written on the
back of many of the pictures. The one
that really made me smile was one
picture of George Pierrot holding four
harvested grouse, the back having a
short caption of George having told
someone he harvested all 4 pats in one
shot. A very typical quip from most
pictures taken during the organization
conferences even today.
A very interesting thing about
these pictures is they reflect the same
degree of silliness many members in
the association have today. There are
pictures of writers in action on their
manual typewriters in a very serious
pose, and other pictures when they
may have had one beverage too many
and are tackling their editor in a snow
bank in the U.P. There are pictures of
Mort Neff with his video camera in
a swale, which was his most popular
portrait, and there was even a picture
This MOWA photo is Outdoor Life Editor Ben East on Isle Royal.
of Fred Bear holding a trout. These
folks were the outdoor heroes of most
readers around our state. They were
able to write stories and work in the
outdoors full time. Interestingly, most
of these folks smoked pipe tobacco
and just looked more sophisticated
than the average Joe, until the next
page of pictures show the flip side of
the same person goofing off. Even
today all MOWANs are really good at
goofing off.
Feel free to check out what we have
loaded so far at www.MIOWA.net.
We have approximately half of the

pictures loaded as they have all needed a little trimming, brightening and
watermarks before going onto the site.
Click on the archives section once you
get to the page. I am sure you will enjoy them as much as most of us have.
It is a great look into our outdoor past
in Michigan. After we get our archives
preserved we will be looking for a
good home for this historical group of
pictures and documents so they may
be forever preserved. I certainly feel
they are priceless.n
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was recently contacted by a

former member of the Michigan
Outdoor Writers Association
(MOWA) and quite frankly it
seemed the gentleman was a little
embarrassed. Im really sorry
but I would like to return a couple of
photo albums I have had for the last
20 years that belong to MOWA, I was
cleaning out a storage facility I had
and found them.
I graciously thanked him and gave
him my address. About 10 days later
a box came to my door and when I
opened it I just couldnt believe it. A
treasure trove of pictures, mostly from
Michigan Outdoor Writer Association
conferences dating back to the 1940s.
There were pictures of Fred Bear,
Mort Neff, Ben East and George Pierrot in all their glory along with many
other prominent writers and videographers of Michigans rich outdoor
history. It was a blast into Michigans
outdoor past.
I spent several hours looking
through the two albums trying to
imagine what the U.P. was like back
in 1944 when three writers gathered in
Seney, Michigan to form the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association.
One thing became very evident very
quickly. Outdoor Writers in the 20th
century had clout, and there were a
great many of them. Almost every
newspaper had a full time outdoor
writer. The MOWA conferences often
convened with the Director of the
Michigan Conservation Service present which is now the Michigan DNR,
as well as many heads of Public Relation firms, outdoor industry manufacturers, and state government officials.
Even a young John Dingall shows up
in several photos as well as several
Governors.
Hunting and fishing was a huge
61
NEXT BITE...By Gary Parsons and Keith Kavajecz
Rev Up
lazy walleyes
e like going out to eat at

buffets. There are endless choices to put on our
plate and we can fill our
stomachs to the point of
having to loosen up the
belt a notch without having to put any
work into making the meal!
Walleye also like to take advantage of an effortless meal. Right now
the lakes are a buffet, full of natural
bait like bugs, larvae, and minnows.
With such easy pickings, the fish get
lazy and often need to be provoked to
strike the bait.
So to rev the fish up and get a
reactionary bite, we often have to
resort to more aggressive tactics.
Speed, sound and flash will often be
triggers to get an already full walleye
to take one more bite. Listed below
are variations on some common (and
some uncommon) techniques to fire
them up.
Jigs With Action Tails
62
Jigging is often thought of as

a finesse technique. But add in an
artificial action tail and it can trigger bites. While many anglers think
shallow when jigging, during the
summer this fishing is often done over
deep-water structure with 3/8oz-1/2oz
jigs. We like to tip the jig with a 3 or
3.5 Berkley Ripple Shad. The ripples
on the body of this bait give it a lot of
flexibility and a very attractive action.
For this bait to be most effective, it is
important to be sure that the body is
on the jig straight. You can achieve
this by sticking the hook through the
nose of the shad and having it exit
through the back on the seam that is
left from production.
Another great option is the larger
profile 3.5 Berkley Pro Shad. It
works differently than the Ripple
Shad in that the body stays almost stationary but the paddle tail moves with
the slightest jigging action.
In both cases, sweep the jig and
tail off the bottom 1-2 feet, then hold
the rod still and let the bait swim
back to the bottom. Often by using no
stretch line like Fireline or NanoFil
you will feel the vibration (buzz) of
the paddle tail. That vibration is what
will fire up walleyes.
Blade Baits
This is also a good time of year to

use blade baitswe like the Johnson
Thin Fishers. They are easy to fish
correctly because their vibration is

so easy to feel. Use no stretch 10lb
Berkley NanoFil and a two-foot
Berkley100% Fluorocarbon leader.
You will want to use a medium to
medium-heavy 6-7ft long rod, with a
lot of backbone such as the Bass Pro
Shops Walleye Angler WL70MS for
this type of fishing.
There are two ways to fish them.
The first way is to fish them vertically. Drop the lure to the bottom and
aggressively lift it up six to twelve
inches. On each stroke you will be
able to feel the vibration of the lure.
Let the fish tell you how much and
how aggressively to lift the bait. The
combination of flash and vibration
make blade baits hard for walleyes to
resist.
The second way is pitching them
out and working them back to the boat
with a lift and drop. On the liftsimilar to jiggingfeel for the vibration.
Once you get them back to the boat,
vertical jig them. Many times the fish
will follow them to the boat and then
strike when you change to a vertical
jigging action.
Shiver Minnows
One technique that has become

very popular in the past couple years
is Shivering with Moonshine Shiver
Minnows. We shivered our way
to first and second place at the NWT
tournament on Bays de Noc in 2014.
Up until that time, these minnow
shaped baits were primarily used for
ice fishing.
The best way to use a Shiver Minnow is to entice the walleye with a
walk-the-dog type motion, followed
by a glide. To accomplish this, work
the bait close to the bottom, but try to
avoid hitting the bottom a lot. Cast it
out and let it hit bottom. Follow this
by sweeping the rod up three feet,
almost to the point of snapping it up.
This makes the lure dart out to the
side. Then immediately drop the rod
tip to give it slack and let the bait turn
around and glide to center as you reel
up the slack line. Just before your
lure hits the bottom again, repeat the
cadence two to five times. On the last
rip, hold the rod tip up letting the bait
glide to the bottom. Almost all of the
bites will come on the glide, so be
ready to set the hook if you feel a bite
or if you feel weight when you go to
start the cadence again.
A #2 or #3 Shiver Minnow tends
Remember, walleyes are just like us! They like the easy meal when it is available,
but if they see something they cant resist, they will go after it even if they are full!
to work best for us. We alter the bait
by replacing the small ice fishing
treble hook on the belly of it with a
Mustad UltraPoint KVD Elite Triple
Grip Treble Hook (TG76BLN). Use
a #4 hook for the #3 Shiver Minnow
and a #6 on an O ring for the #2
Shiver Minnow. This bigger hook
has an inward bend that helps keep
the fish hooked, but a short shaft to
prevent foul hooking.
Contour Cranking
With the walleyes often spread

out on structure this time of year,
contour cranking on big structure,
such as shorelines and large reefs, is
another option for triggering bites. On
structure it is important to keep the
baits near bottom. Dont be afraid to
let them occasionally tick or even
bang the bottom too.
You will want to crank faster than

normal, pulling the lures at 2.2 mph2.5 mph. High action cranking usually
means using a bigger bait, such as
a #7 or #9 Berkley Flicker Shad.
Another good choice is the #9 or #11
Berkley Flicker Minnow, which has
an action with a bit of a kick. The
exception would be a #5 Flicker Minnow. Even though its small in size,
the #5 does great at higher speeds and
is flat out a fish catching machine.
Remember, walleyes are just
like us! They like the easy meal
when it is available, but if they see
something they cant resist, they will
go after it even if they are full! If you
present a subtle approach when they
are at the buffet line, you wont get
bit. Instead, use a more aggressive
style of fishing and make them
take The Next Bite!n
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63
Marquette County offers

great fishing diversity
k, so we all know about the

crazy cool town of Marquette. But what many of
you may not know about is
all the fantastic fishing that
Marquette County offers the
anglers.
Stannard Rock and Lake Superior have long been the destination of
Marquette bound fishing fanatics, and
for very good reason. Stannard Rock
is truly a bucket list fishing excursion. Located over 45 miles
due north into Lake Superiors cold dark waters, this
outcropping of rock holds
lake trout that are the stuff of
dreams. The current state record was caught at the rock
and fish over 30 pounds are
caught there every day that
the weather permits
fisherman to make this
amazing trip. I always
suggest a charter for
this trip and John at
Daybreak Charters is
one of the best in the
business.
If you chose to try the trip in
your own boat make sure you have
great weather and an assortment of
heavy jigs, 5 inch white plastics and
some suckers or herring to tip your
jigs with. A 7 foot medium-heavy
spinning rod with 20-30 pound braid
will work just fine. The graph will
tell you where on the rock to fish and
stay as vertical as possible during
your jigging. The fish will slam these

baits and remember to practice good
selective harvest on these brutes. The
waters around the rock are also great
for trolling but remember to give the
jiggers plenty of room if you do troll.
Greenwood Reservoir is one of
the hidden gems of Marquette County.
Pike, walleye and crappie are the
favorite pursuits of most anglers on
Greenwood. Summer pike are predictable and are very easily caught using
traditional live bait rigs or
minnows presented under
a bobber. Concentrate your
efforts around weed edges
and rocky points or drop offs.
This may seem simple but
the rewards will surprise you.
The walleye are found in
these same general areas with
just a few presentation
changes. For walleye
I prefer a leech over a
minnow. Slip bobbing
or slow rigging the
same types of structure will produce nice
average size walleye.
Crappies are also abundant on the
reservoir and they are caught in all
the regular ways a crappie guy fishes.
One tip for summer crappie is a small
beetle spin slow rolled in and around
weeds, they are very aggressive on
this pattern and walleye will also readStannard Rock is truly a bucket list fishing excursion. Located over 45
ily hit the beetle spins as well.
miles due nor th into Lake Superiors cold dark waters, this outcropping
Silver Lake Basin is one of the
of rock holds lake trout that are the stuff of dreams.
best kept secrets of this region. The
pike and walleye fishing on the basin a very remote fishing experience. This
are very solid both in numbers as well lake offers some trophy opportunity
as size. Let me tell you a few baits
for smallmouth bass as well as very
to get you going on the lake. Both
large northern pike. The smallmouth
walleye and pike are very susceptible bass are done spawning at this point
to casting the edges of weed beds
of the summer and can be taken on top
or slow trolling the open water just
water as well as subsurface presentaoutside the weeds. The baits of choice tions. There are many smallmouths in
here are Five of Diamonds spoons or
this lake that are in the 20 inch range,
large Mepps spinners if pike is what
a real trophy in most anglers eyes!
you fancy. The walleye can be caught Fishing evenings and early morning is
slow trolling spinner harnesses with
the best time to target these fish on top
crawlers or trolling 1/4 ounce Hot-N- water presentations. Typically, these
Tots in the open basin area, green and fish are still very shallow and both fly
silver is a good starting color. Great
rods as well as conventional gear are
fishing information and a large selec- productive.
tion of lures and bait are available at
For those that are interested in
Wilderness Sports in Ishpeming.
river fishing, the nearby Yellow Dog
Lake Independence in northern
River offers some great opportunity
Marquette County in Big Bay Michi- for rainbow trout, brook trout as well
gan is an attractive lake for many an- as brown trout. The Yellow Dog River
oppor tunity for rainbow trout, brook glers during the summer months. This receives annual stocking from the
is a short drive from Marquette and is Michigan DNR of these trout and
By John Bergsma
Host Great Lakes
Fishermans Digest
Yellow Dog River offers some great
64 trout as well as brown trout.
also has a population of wild trout

available. The river can be accessed
both off of County Road 550 as well
as County Road 510, this is all good
water for the wading angler.
Fly fisherman should use small
attractor patterns on the Yellow Dog,
this is very small water so being
stealthy with your wading is key to
catching fish. There can also be some
terrestrial Fly Fishing opportunities
on the Yellow Dog, try using ant and
grasshopper patterns. Fish tend to be
aggressive to these during the warmest part of the summer months when
these insects are available. The Yellow Dog is a classic UP Trout-stream,
its close proximity to the Marquette
area makes it a popular stream for local and visiting fisherman.
Visit www.riversnorth.net for
information on guided fishing outings in Michigans Upper Peninsula.
Thanks to Brad at Rivers North Guide
Service for his assistance.
John Bergsma is the host of the
television show Great Lakes Fishermans Digest and provides fishing
reports for Michigan on his website
www.fishermansdigest.com. For
Facebook fishing reports and recipes
follow John on his Facebook page.n
Lake Independence in nor thern Marquette County is a very remote fishing experience and offers some trophy
oppor tunity for large nor thern pike.
a
m
s
g
r
e
B
n
Joh
with your host
Visit our website and find out about . . .

Destinations Fishing Reports
Our Show Cooks Corner
65
White robin interrupts my fishing time
Dear Fish Diary...
not finned, spiritual calling card you

might say.
complain because I dont get
So here I sit, waiting for that
enough fishing time these days,
dash
of 30-seconds or less where I
yet, its me thats to blame. Ive
will
have
to focus, adjust and shoot
reached a point in my life where I
inside
a
narrow
time frame where this
just cant seem to relax and I conbird
will
be
in
the
open long enough
stantly let things get in the way
for
me
to
get
a
shot
off. Im using a
of fishing. Honestly, that fishing time
combination
of
modern
technology to
is relaxing and for some reason lately
write
my
column
while
using
good old
relaxing is against my religion. Much
fashion
woods
skills
to not
of the time its household
only
find
this
bird,
but
track
priorities or work duties that
down
its
habits
and
routine
serve as my angling block,
to put myself in the best
but during my down time
possible position for a good
it really comes to choices
shot. Despite what people
and opportunity and how
might think, wildlife phoeasily my A.D.D. brain gets
tography isnt just walk out
sidetracked.
and shoot. The woods skills
My latest distraction
Ive developed by trying to
came in the form of a robin.
photograph wildlife
Not just any robin,
trumped everything I
a white robin. Being
had learned as a bow
an avid wildlife phohunter.
But
Im
sitting
and waiting,
tographer and childrens book author
much
like
Id
do
if
I
was
fishing, only
this opportunity to photograph such a
freak of nature probably wasnt going Im not wading or sitting in a boat.
I do know that my chances of catchto come around again. The fact that I
was currently working on a Michigan ing this robin is probably better than
catching anything in my boat so, here
book, and here is our state bird all
I go.
dressed in bridal attire, just seemed
First, is my white robin actually
all too coincidental. Like a winged,
By Ron St. Germain
The latest from
Tom Carney!
66
Award-winning nature and

outdoor writer Thomas
Carney returns to form
in his latest collection of
essays, Among the Aspens:
Stolen Moments in Secret
Coverts.
As with his previous
collections, Sun-Drenched
Days, Two-Blanket Nights;
and Bird Dogs and Betty
Cakes, Tom delivers a
variety of perspectives and
presentations as his writing
glides effortlessly across the
lines that delineate serious
writing, humor, nostalgia,
analysis, description and
storytelling. Different this
time around: Instead of
moving from activity to
activity as the seasons progress, Tom deals with a single form of outdoor
recreation: upland bird hunting.
To purchase: $34.95 (Michigan residents, please add $2.10 sales tax) plus
$5 postage/handling
Send check or money order to: Partridge Pointe Press, Box 71,
Belmont, Michigan 49306.
Purchase online at www.tomcarneywriter.com
This robin suffers from a condition known as leucism, which means it produces
natural pigments but cant deposit them into the feathers. Author photo
an albino? No, its eyes are not pink or
red. This robin suffers from a condition known as leucism, which means
it produces natural pigments but cant
deposit them into the feathers. Some
robins that suffer with leucism have
been seen with the orange red breasts,
or natural robin coloration and only
the head is white. Now that would be
a treat, but Im stuck with my rare find
of just having a nearly all white robin.
Dang my luck!!!
In the wild, true albino birds
rarely last to become adults. Because
of the loss of pigments in the eyes
they are highly susceptible to dangerous UV rays that can cause quick
blindness. They are also highly visible
to predators and lack strength in their
feathers which hinders their ability fly
with normal power and speed.
How rare is a white robin? I was
a bit saddened to learn that robins
have the highest degree of albinism or
partial albinism of any bird species.
About 1-in-30,000 robins can show
albinism or partial albinism. But I
have to look at it this way, Ive been
an active outdoorsman and wildlife
photographer for over 30-years and
Ive never seen one before. My best
guess would be most of you have
never seen one either. So to me, it was
worth a little missed fishing time to
pursue this bird for some good photos.
Most people ask me how I know
its a robin. Well its shaped like a
robin; chirps like a robin; flies like a
robin; bob, bob, bobs like a robin, so
it must be a robin. But for arguments
sake, I just call it a whobbin.
One thing I found odd about this
particular bird that kind of worked
into its favor was the fact that other
robins mainly left it alone. Robins
are extremely territorial and are often
seen doing winged warfare with each
other to protect their nesting or feed-
ing areas. If another robin zooms in

for a quick berry, the dominant robin
is quick to thwart its attempt. This
robin zooms right in under the radar
of the dominant robins and pretty
much comes and goes as it pleases.
Sometimes there is a hidden bonus to
being an outcast. Its much like me
protecting my fishing spot against
another fishermen, however, when an
eagle swoops in, I just kind of let the
eagle go and never think twice about
the fact it just stole my fish.
Its hard for someone like me to
pass up opportunities like this. I will
spend hours of woods time trying to
get a few good photos. You might take
a half of a second look at these photos
and never give it another thought.
But thats why I guess there is a little
white robin in all of us, we simply are
all a bit different. Some read, some
write. Some wouldnt pass up
a second of fishing time pursuing
an unusual bird. Others, like myself, have an addiction to getting up
close and personal with things most
people will never see and relishing
the challenge to do so. Hopefully you
didnt put too big of a dent in the fish
population while I was temporarily
sidetracked.
Funny Fish Stories Wanted
Send a short description of your
best or worst fishing day, or worst
fishing-related adventure to me. You
dont have to write the entire story,
just a brief outline of what happened.
If it has some humor to it Ill be getting in touch with you and well work
on the completed story together. Fishing isnt always fun you know.
Contact - Woods-n-Water News
columnist Ron St. Germain by calling
(517) 626-2814, emailing DaPhotoDude@aol.com. Visit the authors
Facebook page www.Facebook/BearwaveBooksn
Lake St. Clair kayak fishing
ake St. Clair is a popular location for bass anglers looking to

catch trophy-sized smallmouth,
but not many anglers fish it from
a little plastic boat. This can be
extremely rewarding when you
lift that 5 pound golden beauty from the
water after it pulls you around in your
kayak. Lake St. Clair is a very unique
lake for kayak anglers especially during
the spring.
Springtime kayak fishing on St.
Clair is a one of a kind experience. This
is when you can fish the pre spawn and
spawn without having to paddle far. The
smallmouth are stacked up in anywhere
from 4-8 feet of water. Wherever you
can find a rocky bottom, you can find
some big bronzebacks. My go-to baits
during the spring are jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, and tubes. The fish seem to not be
very picky during this time of the year,
but this is not the case for the summer
months.
A popular misconception about the
430 square mile lake is that when summer comes around, all of the smallies
move to deeper water. However, many
big fish do stay shallow in about 6-8
feet during the summer. This is good
news for kayak anglers because we
cannot launch from 9 mile and motor
out to the St. Clair Light to find those
deep summer smallmouth like bass boat
anglers can. What you can do is paddle
out to 8 feet of water and let the wind
push the kayak at a comfortable drifting
speed. This allows you to drag a tube,
dropshot, Carolina rig, or a jig.
As many St. Clair anglers know, the
wind can whip up in minutes. I have often times been out quite far on the lake,
and had the wind kick in. When this
happens, your day on the water does not
have to be over! All you have to do is
head in to the nearest canal to fish for
some largemouth. There are plenty of
big largemouth on St. Clair.
When the lake does become a little
bumpy, it is nice to have a stable kayak
The author understands safety and

kayak fishing! Author photo
you can feel comfortable on. My kayak
of choice is the Big Rig made by Jackson Kayak. It is 38 inches wide, making
it super stable. This kayak is not the
fastest, but it serves its purpose when it
comes to standability. Standing is important on a kayak if you are looking to
work a jerkbait, crankbait, or if you are
The
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Best black bear hunting book out there! ~ C. Ramirez

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By Noah OReilly
kayak. After all, you can flip over if you

are not careful. Plus I like to keep pliers,
fish grips, line cutters, and a knife on
my vest, so I can minimize scrambling
for any of that gear while fighting a fish.
Tie downs for all of your important
gear is vital. I use bungees to secure my
fishing crate in the back of my kayak.
Many anglers use rod floats just in case
they drop their rods over the side, they
are not losing their expensive combos.
Last but certainly not least a fish
finder is an awesome tool for a kayak
fisherman. I am not very skilled with
using fish finders, so I use mine
strictly for finding depth and seeing
what kind of structure is on the
bottom of the lake.
Kayak fishing has exploded in
popularity in the last few years. When
someone asks me why I like it so much,
organization are keys to successful I have three reasons. First, it is affordable. Second, you can take your kayak
targeting bedding fish. This platform is in remote places that boats cannot go.
Lastly, the fellowship of kayak anglers
also big enough to carry all of my gear
is second to none. All of the anglers
with me.
It is very important to have the right I know are very friendly. So much so
that they are willing to share their best
equipment with you on your kayak.
A life jacket is a must because of the
spots. We are all a tight-knit group,
potential of a rough day on the lake.
but of course new anglers are always
I always wear my life jacket on my
welcome.n
67
A Deadly Environment Is The Key Issue...
Oftentimes deer live dangerous lives
hite-tailed deer are

predisposed to a laundry list of plaguing
problems; any of which
could result in a tragic
ending. Survival of the
fittest, becomes natures password as
predation, disease, starvation, vehicledeer related accidents, natural causes,
hunting mortality, urban development,
farm country problems, wildfires
and poaching, serve to cull the weak,
underdeveloped, diseased,
crippled and careless members of the species.
Northern tier states
register a fairly constant deer
population; one that thrives
and increases during soft
winters, yet shows dramatic
downswings when severe
winters occur back-toback. It is interesting
to note that during the
winters of 1995-96-97
over 300,000 deer were lost across the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan alone.
Part of the problem is that reproduction ratios run high among ungu-
lates; estimates indicate that over a

10 year period, a single doe plus her
offspring is capable of producing 100
fawns. Reproduction levels coupled
with modern day wildlife management enable whitetail communities
to thrive. Nevertheless, free-ranging
deer daily face a host of trials and
tribulations...a mixed bag of fatal circumstances; for rarely is nature either
gentle or humane.
Predation
Predation is termed as
a natural culling process;
actually it is one of the basic
laws of nature. Wolves,
bears, coyotes, cougars
and feral dogs deserve top
predator billing. Bears kill
newborn fawns in springtime. Milk contained
in the fawns stomach
provides the incentive. A death by bear
may serve as a teaching tool for cubs,
resulting in a slow, agonizing fawnkilling procedure.
Wolves on the other hand, tend
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Diseases like CWD drives deer to water when close to death. MDNR photo
to negotiate clean kills...experienced
pack hunters, wolves kill to eat. During heavily snowed winters, these
natural predators take down adult
deer, yearlings and fawns of that year.
Wildlife biologists estimate a wolf
kills one adult deer approximately
every 18 days. Michigans Upper
Peninsula holds 630 wolves; a more
accurate count of 1200-1500 if the
pups are included.
It is claimed that coyotes often
settle for the taking of a fawn rather
than an adult deer. Nevertheless, in
big snow country, a winter-weakened
doe or buck will constitute easy
pickings for a hungry pair of yotes.
Wildlife researchers argue that coyotes take no more than their fair share,
scavenging winter-kill deer carcasses
far more than taking down live adult
whitetails.
Feral dogs represent the cruelest members of the predator family.
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calls to regional DNR offices report-
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ing dogs running deer. Pets or strays,

it makes no real difference, as once a
dog acquires a taste for blood, it will
kill again and again. They are known
to rarely execute a clean kill. Back
in the day...if a domestic dog killed
any of the farmers stock, it was immediately dispatched. An example:
Down the road from where I lived, a
farmers two dogs got in the barn and
killed over 100 rabbits the man was
raising to sell. Even though the dogs
were loved by the entire family, he put
them down so that they would not kill
again!
Disease
Whitetail deer face several chronic diseases; among them are Epizootic
Hemorrhagic disease, more commonly
called Blue Tongue, Bovine Tuberculosis and Chronic Wasting disease
regarded as CWD. All three exist in
the Lower Peninsula of Michigan
along with liver flukes and worms
that are not deadly but prove to be an
annoyance.
CWD takes years to claim its
victim. Near a deers death, it suffers thirst, and deer having died from
CWD are often found near a source of
water; a pond perhaps or slow moving
stream. A whitetail with Bovine TB
looks run down, ribs showing, little
energy.
My field camera showed two does
feeding during late spring, that were
so undernourished you could easily
see their ribs. We saw them again in
early July and they both had fawns
with them but they still appeared in
bad shape. I live in the Upper Peninsula and wondered if these two does
may have had CWD or Bovine TB
due to their condition...or perhaps it
was a case of near starvation following a rough winter.
Starvation
Vehicle-Deer Accidents
Vehicle-deer accidents in Michigan register some 40,000. While
related whitetail deaths seem high,
many more are seriously injured,
often crippled for life.
During which months are cardeer accidents the greatest? Drivers
should use extreme caution when
traveling during high risk months
such as October and November as
42% of all vehicle-deer accidents occur when deer are more active during
their annual rut and while moving to
winter deeryards.
Throughout the year, highway
medians and berms provide deer with
desirable rations from plants and
wildflowers during summer months to
road salt in winter. Animals in close
proximity to moving vehicles pose as
an accident waiting to happen.
Natural Causes
Deer are accident prone from
running into barbed-wire fences,
suffering traumatic falls, drowning,
hitting sharp-pointed objects and even
from time to time...curiosity. During
my lifetime, I witnessed two deerporcupine events; one ended in death;
the other resulted in a damaged eye.
The first occurred when a curious
yearling doe investigated a porcupine and came off second best with a
muzzle filled with quills. She was un-
During an average nor thern tier state winter, deer mor tality runs about 33%. Fawns
prove most vulnerable. Research indicates 8-10 month old youngsters may register
a 75% mor tality rate during heavy-snowed, extremely cold, stressful winters.
able to eat and months later we found
her carcass. She suffered a slow
death from starvation. The second
accounting happened when a young
fawn stopped to sniff a slow moving
porcupine and came away with a face
filled with quills, five quills punctured
its right eye causing blindness.
On a different note, a report
crossed my desk that a Michigan
DNR conservation officer reported
that a six-point buck had fallen into
an open manhole and was standing
in three foot of water. Rushing to the
accident scene, the officer rigged a
tripod and hoisted the animal out of
the sewer with a rope. The buck was
then wrestled to the ground so the
rope could be removed.
One winter a deer jumped a
chain-link fence entering a fenced
substation only to find he could not
get out as he jumped in off an incline.
The deer tried to dig its way under the
gate but got stuck and wore a platesized open area off its hide at its hip.
Conservation officers had to dig the
animal out of its predicament.
Furthermore, a bucks annual rut
period often proves to be a life and
death supremacy battle for sparring
well-antlered bucks. These mighty
monarchs of the Northwoods, gouge,
drown if fighting in water, antlerpierce, antler-lock, suffer devastating
falls and often end in sharp-hoofed
beatings. Many die; some are
maimed.
through the crusted snow. Wildlife

stayed on I-75 off ramps, driveways,
Michigan highways and other open
areas. Travelers often had to come to
a dead stop tooting a vehicles horn to
finally get the whitetails to move out
of their way.
Farm Country Problems

Tough choices regulate farm
country whitetail populations. Crop
damage losses require herds be
thinned. Agri-business terms cropeating whitetails that routinely raid
potato and grain fields as rats with
hooves. Where crop damage runs
high, special DNR permits are issued
to farmers to take deer where overcrowding exists.
Hay mowing time proves especially hazardous for young fawns

hidden from view as they await the
return of their doe-mom. Farmers
cant see them. As a result many are
killed or seriously injured.
Poaching
Poachers are not hunters. Poachers are criminals who afford hunters
a bad name, said a former Michigan
DNR Director, Michael Moore. When
hunters make phone calls to the Report All Poachers (RAP) line, poachers are the ones who get arrested. You
can help end the illegal killing of deer
and other wildlife by calling Michigans Rap line...1-800-292-7800.n
Hunting Mortality
Nearly 1.2 million licenses are
annually sold to 800,000 Michigan
deer hunters during archery, firearm
and muzzleloader seasons. On average, some 200,000 deer are harvested.
Upper Peninsula harvested deer
(hunters traveling south to the Lower
Peninsula) are counted at toll booths
at the Mackinac Bridge.
Unusual Weather & Other

Unexpected Happenings
We all understand that northern Michigan often holds extreme
winters. We have discussed snow
conditions but often times we forget
about how severe ice storms affect
deer. One remembered winter found
snow with an ice crust and deer suffered cuts to their legs when breaking
For the layman to understand natures way, one must learn that nature
is not a kind taskmaster. Life in the
wild remains a constant conflict. Severe winters push conflict to disaster.
For example, the winters of 199596-97 resulted in Michigans U.P.
losing 300,000 deer and an additional
59,000 died downstate in northern
Lower Michigan.
That particular winter got off to a
bad start with over 60 inches of snow
literally burying Sault Ste. Marie
during an early December weekend. Many deer were winter bound
in traditional deeryards earlier than
usual. All across the U.P. conservation clubs and private individuals
provided supplemental winter feed,
yet it proved to be one of Michigans largest deer kills. Deer were so
stressed that when seven whitetails
wandered out on a western Upper
Peninsula railroad track, they lacked
the strength to move for an approaching train; all were struck and killed by
the engine.
During an average northern tier
state winter, deer mortality runs about
33%. Fawns prove most vulnerable. Research indicates 8-10 month
old youngsters may register a 75%
mortality rate during heavy-snowed,
extremely cold, stressful winters.
69
Volunteers make a world of difference

to states woods, water and wildlife
To accomplish its mission, the
Michigan Department of Natural
Resources has been aided greatly by
enlisting the invaluable help of
volunteers. The states holdings are
too vast and the task is too big for
the agency to handle all on its own...
70
he DNR mission is the commitment to the

conservation, protection, management,
use and enjoyment of the states natural
and cultural resources for current and
future generations.
For many years, the DNR has welcomed volunteers to improve wildlife and fisheries habitat or to monitor rare or unusual species.
The DNR Parks and Recreation Division, for instance, has a well-organized system for recruiting
volunteers who want to help protect ecosystems
at many of Michigans state parks.
Laurel Malvitz-Draper coordinates the Volunteer Steward program for parks in southeast
Michigan. Shes chosen nine parks in seven counties for removal of invasive plant species, one of Volunteers engaged with Michigan Depar tment of Natural Resources staff in invasive plant reher main efforts.
moval at the Bald Mountain Recreation Area, near Lake Orion. MDNR photos
We prioritized those parks, choosing those
good shape in good shape.
ing volunteer opportunities at numerous parks
with quality ecosystems were trying to protect,
To that end, Malvitz-Draper schedules more
across the state. Parks and Recreation isnt the
she said. We want to keep the places that are in
than 100 workdays a year, usually two every
only DNR division that benefits from the help of
weekend, when volunteers help remove invasive volunteers.
plants.
The DNR Wildlife Division depends heavInvasive plants are those species that are
ily on volunteers to create habitat at many state
not native to Michigan and whose introduction
game and wildlife areas. But instead of asking for
causes harm or would be likely to cause harm to volunteers directly, the Wildlife Division enlists
the states economy, human health or environthe help of partner organizations to recruit them.
ment.
Groups such as Pheasants Forever, The National
Volunteers work year-round. Some invasive
Wild Turkey Federation and the Ruffed Grouse
species are more readily identified and removed
Society often team up with DNR staffers to plant
during particular seasons. The workers do every- mast-bearing shrubs and trees or improve grassthing from hand-pulling garlic mustard to cutting lands.
down invasive trees.
DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason
We attract more than 1,000 individuals anhas special praise for Michigan United Consernually, everyone from one-time volunteers with
vation Clubs On the Ground program, which
a school group or a Scout group, to people who
brings in volunteers for brush-pile building,
come out monthly to work at a park, she said.
hinge-cutting, invasive plant removal and other
A lot of our workdays focus on invasive plant
habitat efforts.
removal, but the approach is at an ecosystem
We have volunteerism going on at the local
levelwere doing native seed collecting and
level, yet the MUCC On the Ground program is
native planting and monitoring for birds and rare where our efforts are concentrated, Mason said.
insects too.
This year, MUCC has 13 projects under way
Malvitz-Draper says she trains individuaround the state. Sarah Topp, wildlife volunteer
als to serve as stewards who can lead workday
coordinator with MUCC, said the group uses
crews without DNR supervision. She has 15 to 20 social media, its website and its member clubs to
trained stewards and is constantly adding to the
attract volunteers. Sometimes, when its efforts
roll.
are highlighted by media, she gets inquiries about
The folks on the ground know the ins and
volunteering from non-members, who are always
outs of those parks better than I do in some
welcome.
cases, she said. Who better to learn from?
You dont have to be a member or affiliated
Volunteer Mar tha Gruelle helps out with invasive
The DNR Parks and Recreation Division
with MUCC in any way at all, Topp said. You
species plant removal at Belle Isle State Park.
maintains a calendar on the DNR website listcan just come out and volunteer.
A young hunter gets shooting instruction during Pheasants Forevers ringnecks program.
ter year, but some prefer to go out once and after
its cleaned up, hopefully, it stays cleaned up.
Takacs said volunteers clean up illegal dump
sites on both federal and state forests. The DNR
can help with disposal fees or by providing
dumpsters to dump sites.
Connect to those volunteer opportunities by
visiting cleanforests.org.
Were developing a mobile app so people
can report illegal dumps remotely from any
smart device, she said. Itll be out in the fall.
That ought to improve our program immensely.
Volunteers are integral to the DNR Law
Enforcement Divisions educational program as
well.
Absolutely, said Lt. Tom Wanless.
Eager learners gather around a Michigan conservation officer helping out at a Michigan Steelheaders Association-sponsored youth fishing clinic on Lake Lansing.
Theyre the heart of our program. We have

more than 3,000 volunteer hunter education
instructors alone. If they did not teach it, who
would? Our officers (would) and that would pull
them out of enforcement.
Volunteers also teach safety programs for
snowmobiles, off-road vehicles and marine
safety.
A lot of our marine safety instructors are
sheriffs deputies, but they still volunteer, Wanless said. And we have some that arent officersthey just teach.
Wanless said teacher certifications expired
this summer. When the Law Enforcement Division started contacting instructors to recertify,
they had 5,600 names in their database.
Time commitments for volunteers vary. For
Parks and Recreation stewardship events, it can
be as little as one morning.
Typically our workdays are about three
hours, Malvitz-Draper said. Its usually the
perfect amount of time. Some of the work, like
invasive shrub cutting, can be pretty energy demanding. After a workday like that, I dont feel
guilty sitting on the couch for the evening.
Sometimes volunteering is a day-long affair.
MUCCs On the Ground events often
include a lunch breaksome volunteers show up
just to do the cookingso the event can span the
morning and afternoon.
So who are the volunteers?
Some are folks who have particular skills,
such as licensed herbicide applicators or safety
instructors. Others show up just to provide labor,
digging up invasive plants or planting desirable
species of trees and shrubs.
I get a lot of feedback from volunteers,
Malvitz-Draper said. Many of them might have
wanted a career in natural resources at the DNR,
but they went in another direction. This is a great
opportunity to get involved in something that
they always wanted to be a part of, something
that seemed out of reach. Theres something for
everyone depending on their interests and abilities.
Get more information about these and other
www.michigan.gov/dnr.n
Last year more than 400 individuals volunteered for On the Ground workdays and this
year, participation is running at that same level,
Topp said.
Volunteers help the DNR Fisheries Division
on habitat improvement projects, too, such as
creating woody cover in streams or lakes. But
fisheries staff prefers to work with volunteers on
a local level.
When people call us to volunteer, we typically try to find out what theyre interested in
doing and where theyre interested in doing it
and then we put them in touch with the local
biologist or fisheries technician supervisor who
might have an appropriate project going, said
Tami Pattison, an administrative manager with
the Fisheries Division. We have them discuss it
with the local manager.
Pattison said the DNR gets a lot of requests
to volunteer from students.
We ask what theyre interested in; if they
want to volunteer at a fish hatchery, then we put
them in contact with the hatchery, she said.
The Fisheries Division often works with
local clubs on these projects and most clubs welcome non-members to their workdays.
Ada Takacs, who is the volunteer coordinator
for DNRs Forest Resources Division, says more
than 1,500 groups or individuals have helped
cleanup trash on public land in Michigan, especially at illegal dump sites.
In 2015 we had more than 800 volunteers
who reported 4,000 hours of time and they removed 407 truckloads of trash, she said. Some
groups adopt forests that they go back to year af-
71
Black Powder Shooting Sports...
A fitting tribute
to Bruce Robb
s that Bruces rifle? Leon

Dennis asked in a somber
tone. The long-barreled,
.45-caliber, Pennsylvaniastyle percussion rifle
rested on a gray wool gun
sleeve, corner to corner on the table.
Laurel Robb and her son, Randall,
both looked up.
Yes it is, Don Tilton said. Pick
it up and shoulder it.
No, I couldnt, came the quiet
reply.
Pick it up. Thats the rifle well
shoot at the fall rendezvous in Bruces
memory.
Well, Ill be there, and
I wont miss it. Ill shoot
Bruces rifle then, Dennis said as he nodded at
Mrs. Robb, then turned and
walked away.
Bruce Robb was a tall,
gentle man who sometimes
sported a trimmed gray
beard and moustache,
but always wore his
signature black top hat, the one with

the silver hatband adorned with either
a turkey tail feather or a faded red
ostrich plume. In colder weather he
donned a hooded, red-blanket capote
and a warm smile. Bruce Robb passed
away in August of 2014.
I told his friends I wanted them
to have a keepsake, Laurel Robb,
Bruces wife, said, something to
remember Bruce by. Bob (Fuller)
and Gary (Amrhein) felt uncomfortable until they realized I was serious.
This rifle, the gun he was working on
before he died, was in the vise.
Bob took the unfinished
gun. He found all the parts
and wanted to finish it. Bob
builds muzzleloading guns
and does high quality work.
I knew it would be beautiful,
Bruce loved the people at this club, Laurel Robb said, and he espeboth in the workmanship,
cially liked to shoot up at the primitive range. Robbs friends said he
but also in the sentiment.
got great enjoyment out of the woods walks. Robb family photo.
He was the one who came
sat in the shade of the front portico
up with the idea of holding
no stain. In September (2015) Bob
at the Lansing Muzzle Loading Gun
a memorial shoot,
took the rifle to Friendship, and Mike
Club, located at 8545 Garrison Road, Yasel engraved Bruce Robb MemoLaurel said as she
Laingsburg, Michigan.
rial Rifle on the lock plate.
Bruce Robb, Bob Fuller and Gary
Bruce and I discussed the layAmrhein were lifelong friends. The
out, Barry Bohnet said as he pulled
three met in the mid-1960s at Ball
up a chair. Its a Pennsylvania-style
State University in Muncie, Indiana.
gun, about 1810 to 1815. It would
All three were Industrial Arts Educa- have originally been a flintlock, contion majors, Bruce was metals and
verted to percussion about 1830. They
Bob and Gary taught woods. In
didnt think flint guns were any good
addition to teaching, the trio shared a anymore.
common love of muzzle-loading guns
Youll see this style patch box
and American history.
all the way out to Ohio and Indiana,
They built a rifling machine
but its a Pennsylvania box, Bohnet
together. It was a project Gary started, added. Patch boxes have a distinctive
but Gary, Bob and Bruce all worked
design that helps historians attribute
on it, Laurel Robb said. Gary did
a longrifle to a specific location. The
all the woodwork, and Bruce did the
flowing lines and overall style of the
metal parts on his lathe. All the parts
patch box Robb chose are identical
became a whole in Bobs shop. The
to those originally used in Somerset
machine is a replica of the machine in County, Pennsylvania, during the
the gunsmith shop at Colonial WilFederal Period (1780 to 1830).
liamsburg in Virginia. They used the
Bruce was an artist and a skilled
rifling machine many times at the
artisan who took pride in his work,
National Muzzle Loading Rifle Asso- Laurel continued as she touched the
ciations national shoots at Friendship, rifles patch box. This is not just a
Indiana.
gun; this is a piece of American art.
Bruce Robb started the rifle
All the finer longrifles of that
with a .45-caliber Numrich barrel
period were as much art as they were
blank, rifled with eight lands and
a tool for the frontier, Don Tilton
eight grooves. He chose a large Siler
added.
percussion lock and used nickel silver
Bruce brought a fowler he was
furniture, meaning the trigger guard, working on to a club meeting, which
butt plate, side plate, ramrod pipes,
is always a show and tell, Tilton
nose cap and patch box. Gorgeous
continued with a chuckle. Its a
figuring within the grain highlights the 12-gauge, smooth-bored with a long
maple stock.
barrel; the fowlers about six feet
The three of them used the rifling in length. Someone said, Thatll
machine to rifle the barrel, Laurel
take a real man to shoot, and after
said. The stock for this rifle came
that the gun was always called The
from Gary. Bruce had the barrel inlet
Manly Fowler. We shot at a lot of
and some of the parts inlet, but the
the round robins, which are all trade
stock was not finish sanded, and had
gun, smoothbores, and Bruce shot The
By Dennis Neely
72
he did was join this club. He was a

past president, donated a lot of time
and spent a lot of time shooting. His
interest in muzzleloading started with
a love for history. We went to Friendship, and the first thing Bruce said
was, I cant believe how many other
people there are who like muzzleloaders.
After Bruce Robbs death, donations to the club paid for a fine clock
that is mounted on the center post
under the clubs open-air pavilion,
two benches and a steel fire set at the
The LMLGCs Annual Fall Shoot

is scheduled for September 3 & 4,
2016. The Bruce Robb Memorial
Match will be held on Saturday from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friends, acquaintances and former students are invited
to come out and shoot Bruces rifle.
For more information about the shoot
or the match, contact J. B. Brotherton
at 517-393-2772 or Don Tilton at
517-651-7072.
Give the black powder shooting
sports a try, be safe and may God
bless you.n
Bruce Robb, wearing his signature top

hat and red-blanket capote, chuckled at
the good-natured kidding a fellow shooter
received prior to the start of the LMLGCs
Winter Woods Walk. Wild Rivertree photo.
Michigan State Muzzle Loading Association State Shoots

Aug. 4-7 -- 54th Annual Frontier Shoot: Grand Valley Cap n Ballers
616-681-0164 or 269-792-4384
Aug. 13 -- Muzzleloader & .22-caliber Woods Walk: White River Muzzleloaders
616-218-7037
Aug 13-14 -- Primitive Rendezvous: Columbiaville Sportsmans Club
989-761-7748
Aug. 14 -- Woods Walk: Clinton River Muzzle Loaders
Detroit Sportsman Congress: 586-731-6088
Aug. 18-21 -- MSMLA State Shotgun Championship: Grand Valley Cap n Ballers
269-370-0095 or 616-836-5760
Aug. 19-21 -- NMLRA Michigan Rifle/Pistol Territorial: Beaverton: 301-256-7784
Aug. 26-28 -- 30th Annual Rendezvous: Benzie Sportsman Club: 231-378-2145
Aug. 27-28 -- Ladies Rifle Frolic: Grand Valley Cap n Ballers: 269-624-7405
Always the teacher, Bruce Robb

(right) explained the workings of
a rifling machines cutting bit to
an interested guest on the front
porch of the Rand House at the
NMLRAs home grounds in Friendship, Indiana. Robb family photo.
primitive range, which was Robbs
favorite venue, and a nice picnic table
for the shotgun range.
Bruce considered himself lucky
to have made so many lifelong
friends through this hobby, Laurel
Robb said. He would be humbled by
this match in his honor, but he would
be happy that so many people will be
able to participate and enjoy this sport
with the gun named for him.
Bruce Robb (left), Bob Fuller (center) and Gary Amrhein (right) stopped
rifling a barrel blank at the NMLRA primitive camp demonstration area
long enough for a photo. The three friends handcrafted the replica of
the rifling machine used in the gunsmith shop at Colonial Williamsburg in
Virginia. Robb family photo.
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FIREWOOD BY T H E
SEMI-LOAD
Manly Fowler.
The Manly Fowler was an English style fowler, Bohnet said, out
of the Virginia, Delaware, Pittsburgh
area. They were called southern. It
was nicely done, well balanced and
shot well. If I recall, the barrel is 54
inches long. Bruce was well over six
feet tall, and he could manage that
barrel and the loading.
But I liked Bruces Manly
Fowler for a different reason than
most everyone else. He used a flint
lock made by Lott, which was one of
the poorest locks at that time, but he
made it function perfectly. Im still
curious as to how he fixed it. Id love
to take the lock off and see what he
did, Bohnet said as he nodded his
head.
Bruce and The Manly Fowler
were featured in a video segment on
Michigan Out of Doors Tilton said.
They showed the hammer falling in
slow motion. His only comment was,
I sure hope it doesnt really fall that
slow. Bruce didnt say much, but
when he spoke you knew it was well
thought out.
Once he came to shoot trap
dressed in bib overalls. At some point
he stood up and said I thought if I
dressed like Mike Beaty I could shoot
like him, but it didnt work out. He
had a wry sense of humor, very down
to earth.
We decided it was best to have
a member of the club (LMLGC) hold
the gun to make sure it is properly
maintained and cared for. Well bring
Bruces rifle out for the special match
at the fall shoot. Its a two shot match
using his gun, one shot at 25 yards
and one at 50 yards. The cost is $5
with re-entry permitted. Its a 50/50
split, half to the winner, half to the
club. The person with the highest
combined score will get his or her
picture taken with the rifle and that
picture will be posted on a plaque at
the club for the year, Tilton explained.
Bruce loved this gun club,
Laurel Robb said. The first year
we came to Michigan, the first thing
73
Stay safe in the
SUN
74
Guard, which
By Buck Mallory Sun
contains Tinosorb. This
kin doctors
say that the
sun is no longer the best friend of anglers
of all agesespecially the
older crowd. In fact, exposure to it can lead to several kinds of
skin cancer, some of which can kill
you.
Thats a pretty serious truth, so we
all better take protection against the
suns rays pretty seriously.
As Ben Franklin once said, An
ounce of prevention is worth a pound
of cure, and thats especially true
when it comes to dealing with solar
radiation.
With August, often the hottest,
sunniest month of the year, upon us,
lets take a look at the different forms
of prevention. All of us are going to
be out fishing under the relentless sun,
so best be prepared to avoid overexposure.
According to the experts at www.
skincancer.org (a site I highly recommend you visiting), clothing is the
first line of defense against the solar
radiation, the ultraviolet rays, that
cause sunburn and can cause skin
cells to mutate into cancer. Long
sleeves are better protection than short
sleeves, although some fellows insist
on short sleeves because they think
they are cooler. I used to think the
same thing until I tried some of the
long sleeve t-shirts made out of the
state-of-the-art fabrics and some of
the long sleeve shirts with vents that
keep the air circulating underneath.
I havent done any scientific studies,
but good long sleeve shirts that are
designed as sun-protective garments
actually seem to keep me cooler when
Im out fishing, especially white
ones that reflect more heat than they
absorb.
Now heres something I just
learned from doing a little research
on the internet: Not all those clothes
in your closet will do a good job of
keeping your skin from exposure to
those UV rays. In fact, according
to Dr. Cynthia Bailey, who has the
www.drbaileyskincare.com website,
lightweight, thin fabrics of cotton,
linen and rayon do little good for sun
protection, and the sun can burn your
skin right through them. However, she
does endorse a laundry product called
compound binds to
fabric fibers and absorbs the UV rays
before they get to your skin, and she
says she even tested it on fabrics at the
equator using beads that change color
when UV rays hit them. Under fabrics
washed in Sun Guard, the beads didnt
change color at all.
You can find a lot of state-ofthe-art clothing that has a UPF factor
rating, made specifically for wearing
in the sun. UPF measures the amount
of UV that penetrates clothing and
reaches your skin.
A broad-brim hat helps keep
faces, ears and necks in the shade
where fewer UV rays reach them. Of
course, bass anglers in particular have
a sort of macho image to uphold, and
most of us want to wear a manly sponsor ballcap. In this case, a buff (the
originals made by the Buff company)
has become the cool thing to wear,
even though it can make a bass fisherman look sort of like a Catholic nun.
Many guys head onto the water with
a Buff around their necks, and pull it
up to shield their mouths, cheeks, ears
and necks from the sun. The ball cap
holds the Buff up and in place, also
providing shade from its bill. Some
guys also cover their noses with it,
although this can cause your breath to
fog your sunglasses, which by the way
are another important piece of sunprotection gear that we will talk about.
A substitute for the Buff covering
the nose is a medium-thick layer of
white and creamy zinc oxide, available at pharmacies, on your schnozzle.
This stuff is impenetrable by the suns
raysbut you do have to reapply it
a couple-few times during the day
because its not actually a UV-ray
absorbing sunscreenits just blocks
those potentially deadly rays.
Instead of zinc oxide, you can
use a sunscreen with a high SPF (Sun
Protection Factor) on your nose and
other areas that the sun can hit, like
your hands, neck, wrists and legs if
you wear shorts. Its best to apply
this stuff before you even leave your
house to head to the water, and be
ready to reapply it if you sweat during
the day. Its a good idea to reapply it
after several hours on the water, even
setting an alarm on your phone to
A hat, a buff, a long-sleeve shir t designed for sun-protection, close-fitting sunglasses and sunscreen with high SPF all help you stay safe from
harmful solar radiation that can cause skin cancer.
remind you.
Watch for expiration dates on
these products, which seem to take
up residence in your boats glove box
for years. Once they expire, they quit
doing a good job of protection and its
time to buy another tube or bottle.
Incidentally, its a good idea to
rinse your fingers after you rub some
of this stuff on so that you dont leave
a glob of it on your lure when you tie
on a new one. The best salmon trollers
and catfish anglers in particular are
quite neurotic about this, as those two
species have a highly evolved sense
of smell and taste. While theres not
much evidence that the stuff repels
bass, why take a chance that a fish
will spit your lure sooner if it gets a
taste of it?
As we mentioned above, sunglasses are essential for protecting your
eyes from UV rays and some brands
advertise that they block UV rays. According to Dr. Cheryl Khanna of the
Mayo Clinic, UV radiation from the
sun can damage not only the skin of
your eyelid, but also the cornea, lens
and other parts of the eye and contribute to the growth of cataracts, growths
on the eye and possibly macular
degeneration.
Look for sunglasses that block
100 percent of UVA and UVB rays.
On the www.mayoclinic.org website,
Dr. Khanna says the color and degree
of darkness sunglasses have has nothing to do with the sunglasss ability to
block UV rays. She adds that the best
shades are wraparound or close-fitting
with wide lenses that protect your
eyes from every angle. Most bass fishermen already know that the designs
that achieve this light blockage are
also the best for sight fishing.
Two more things we should mention: Hands and lips. The easiest way
to protect your hands is with openfinger-tip sun gloves now available
from several different companies. The
backs of our hands often get lots of
sun exposure if we dont wear them.
Obviously, if you dont like the feel
of these gloves, you should make sure
you keep your hands well-covered
with sunscreen lotion.
As for lips, we often forget about
them when applying sunscreen because the stuff tastes nasty and probably isnt good for you if you ingest
any. Yet, skin cancer on lips, especially the bottom one, is becoming more
and more common.
Many bass anglers regularly
use ChapStick or a similar product
because just being out in the wind
and weather can result in lips that are
downright painful. Here again, you
can find a lot of lip-stick protective
products that have a high SPF rating.
They cost more, but here again, an
ounce of protection is worth a pound
of cure.
Sun protection really doesnt
cost a lot when you compare it to the
dough we spend on all out other bass
fishing gear. So for the rest of this
summer and in future seasons, make
sure you take the necessary precautions with the right clothing and other
products to protect yourself from the
sun.n
Make Camping A Power Trip.

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lights, TV or even a stove for all the fish youll reel in.
The EU Series features generators that are easy to

start, produce fewer emissions and are remarkably
quiet. Plus, theyre covered by our 3-Year Warranty.
Theyre the catch of the day. And thats no fish story.
gen.honda.com
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TROPHY PAGE
Jay Hartford of Port Sanilac took this

beautiful 6x5 Michigan elk during
the Dec. 2015 hunt near Atlanta.
Addison Clink, 6, a first

grader this fall caught this 23
inch red horse sucker fishing
the Cass River with her father. Her biggest fish so far!
Carol Brinks of Hamilton

took this strawberry blonde
bearded tom in Allegan Co.
April 19.
Sanilac
County
Triple on
opening day
(lt-rt);
Robert
Weller,
Gary
Weller,
and Ken
Watson.
Nice 8 pound walleye

caught by Ashley Johnston.
Grandpa
Jeff
Weingartz
of Imlay
City with
grandson
David
Swoish, 9
of Oxford
who took
this nice
tom with a
9" beard in
the rain!
76
Mike Bell from Spratt took this huge

bear with his crossbow Sept. 20 in Alcona Co. It weighed 539 pounds with a
skull measurement over 20 inches.
(Lt) Karen Yorks took this nice tom

with a 10" beard near Evart in April.
(Rt) Sharen Bity of Erie and Karen's
twin sister took her tom in May!
Kaden Geilhart, 14
took this big Tom,1"
beard and 1 1/4" spurs
on the last day of the
season.
Dennis Bzowka of Eastpointe took

this monster 9-ft. brown bear in Hoonah Alaska in May.
THREE GENERATIONS HAVE SUCCESSFUL HUNT: Dylan, 10 took his first deer, a
broken 8-pt. taken with a crossbow in late December, Dylans dad Bill took his first
buck on his new property, Nov. 11 with his crossbow and Bills dad, Ron; after 50
years of hunting state land finally on Nov. 15 shot a monster to be mounted.
Trevor Graves
of Vernon
took his best
buck on Nov
14, 2015
with bow
and arrow
in Shiawassee Co. Son,
Logon helps
dad with his
trophy 9-pt.
This spring he
took his first
long beard,
9.5" beard 1"
spurs.
Patrick
Valente
took his
tom on
state
land
and his
grandson
Andrew
took his
jake.
Patrick
mounted both
birds!
Aaron Stites of
Durand with a
Shiawassee Co. Tom
that couldn't resist
his calling and set
up.
Sophia Akin, 10, took her first buck

taken with her brand new single barrel
20 gauge on Nov. 15 in Gratiot Co.
Sofia's cousin Jacob Akin, 11 got his first
buck opening morning this past season
too accompanied by his dad Josh and
younger brother Jared, a Gratiot Co.
8-pt.
A Man of the Wilderness

G
off the elements).

He also used a wool Mackinaw blanket-bag
which was a blanket folded over and the edges
sewn together, and with the ends left open (I believe
this was the forerunner of todays sleeping bag). He
also used a 6 by 8 feet waterproofed cotton sheet to
use over the blanket bag or as a shelter to stay dry.
For extended stays in the wilderness, Nessmuk only
carried an extra wool shirt, one set of drawers and
one pair of socks. The extra clothes, blanket-bag
and cotton sheet only weighed 8 pounds and weight
was critical to Nessmuk when everything he needed
for wilderness survival was carried on his back in a
specially designed waterproof canvas knapsack (he
disdained the popular pack-baskets).
Nessmuk knew how to survive off the land and
besides a variety of compact tackle for fishing, he
counted on a Billinghurst muzzleloader for hunting, despite the fact metallic
cartridge-using firearms were readily
available during the latter quarter of the
19th Century. In the wilderness at that
time, extra cartridges might not be all
that available, and a muzzleloader suited
Nessmuks needs, and he carried his own
bullet-mold to make more lead round
balls if he needed them. As was the case
for his day he doesnt state the caliber of
his muzzleloader, but instead says
a pound of lead made 60 round
balls for it. By doing some simple
math, Im calculating it was a .42 or .43 caliber rifle
(gun makers back then offered all kinds of calibers
we might think unusual today, and their muzzleloaders usually featured custom bullet-molds to
match them).
A favorite chapter for me in Woodcraft is
about when Nessmuk traveled to Michigan to visit
a couple longtime friends hed been getting letters
from and inviting him. Pete Williams, with his wife
and two young sons, was hewing out a farm in the
wilds near Saginaw and Joe Davis was operating a
sawmill near the other side of the state in the pine
forest on the Muskegon River. Im guessing Nessmuks Michigan visit occurred during the 1870s,
because he mentions accomplishing matters before
the big forest fires, which he believes if they had
occurred in his vicinity when he was in the middle
of nowhere, could have spelled his doom.
His travel from Pennsylvania to Michigan
began first by train and then by propeller boat and
he disembarked on the Lower Saginaw. This was
followed by a half day buckboard ride to reach the
clearing of Pete Williams. Nessmuk had brought
fruit and melons for the Williams family because
the last letter he had received stated that both the
young boys were ague-stricken (malaria was not
an uncommon affliction for Michigan pioneers).
Wildlife in the Saginaw wilderness was as plentiful as Pete Williams had written, but Nessmuk
refrained from hunting and simply enjoyed a 10-day
visit with the family.
Once again sensing his wanderlust besetting
him, Nessmuk sought the advice of a local and well
noted backwoodsman in the Saginaw area named
Bill Hance. Hance had made round trips across the
state and had helped and guided surveying parties.
As a rule, most folks didnt try to hike across the
state because it was a formidable wilderness, but it
was Nessmuks desire to do so in order to visit Joe
Davis on the Muskegon. According to Hance, it was
By Tom Lounsbury
First published in 1884, Woodcraft and Camping by Nessmuk, is a classic how-to book that is
still in print and readily available.
about a 3-day hike if you kept up a good pace and
followed an Indian trail. With a few days rations
in his knapsack, Nessmuk bid the Williams family a
sad farewell and headed off into the dense forest.
The Indian trail Hance had directed him to
quickly faded then completely petered out and
Nessmuk was happy to just do what he knew best,
which was to follow his nose and his compass. He
had a map, but in those days maps were a bit vague,
often with a lot of gray areas in the middle, and
this was certainly the case in the Michigan wilderness that Nessmuk described as being the wildest
country he had ever ventured in. Nessmuk soon
discovered due to detours around countless bogs
and rough country, for every 15 miles he hiked, he
only covered about 6 miles in the westerly direction
he wanted to go. Despite the first frosts of autumn
already occurring, he was blessed with splendid
weather for the entire trip that would take 10 days
instead of 3.
Nessmuk encountered more deer than he had
ever seen before, and at times he had more than he
could count in view, and all acting unafraid of him.
He also saw black bears every day, countless wild
turkeys, grouse, quail and large flocks of passenger
pigeons were everywhere. The woods also had a
large bounty of nuts for all. Nessmuk carried only
12 round balls for his rifle and would fire only 3
shots on his journey and kill 3 young deer. He
lamented at the waste because he would only cut off
what he could carry, and eat before it spoiled, in order to survive. The rest of the carcass was set upon
by wolves before he could get out of earshot.
Nessmuk eventually reached what he knew to
be the Muskegon River, and due to the lumbering
activity he discovered on its banks, he guessed the
sawmill was most likely downstream. He constructed a raft and set out with the current. Before
nightfall, he had a happy reunion with his friend Joe
Davis. Upon reflection, he was quite satisfied with
his hike across Michigan, but admits he wouldnt
want to try it again.
Nessmuk would pass away at his home in
Pennsylvania in 1890 (a mountain near there is
named after him). However his words of woodcraft
wisdom he wrote down to share with all, remain
quite viable today and are fortunately still in print.
Nessmuk was truly a man of the wilderness.n
eorge Washington Sears was born in 1821

in Massachusetts and was the eldest of 10
children. While still a child, Sears had to
work in a factory, and due to that experience, he enjoyed reading Charles Dickens
novels, and grew to not care much for the
urban experience. Somewhere along the line he was
befriended by a Native American named Nessmuk
who taught him a lot about the outdoors.
At age twelve, he went to work for commercial
fishermen on Cape Cod, and in 1841 signed up for
a three year whaling voyage to the South Pacific
(Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick would
sail out of the same port and in the same year on a
similar whaling voyage).
When Sears returned from his whaling voyage, he moved with his family to Pennsylvania,
where he lived the rest of his life. Being
5 feet, 3 inches tall and weighing only
103 pounds, Sears wasnt a large man,
and had developed consumption (a
combination of tuberculosis and asthma),
so he was also a bit frail. Due to this ailment, he would head for the wilderness
at every opportunity because he knew the
atmosphere would assist in his healthy
wellbeing.
Sears clearly had a bucket list
because he would have plenty
of adventures in the Adirondack
wilderness, as well as in Ontario
and even made a couple trips to the West Indies and
Brazil (where he explored a tributary of the Amazon River). Throughout all this experience he would
quite literally become a very knowledgeable and
diversified outdoorsman. I do believe it is a blessing
Sears began to write about his adventures and how
to do matters.
He wrote articles under the pen name Nessmuk (in honor of his Native American friend) for
Forest and Stream magazine during the 1880s, and
in 1884 wrote his book Woodcraft that is still
popular and remains in print today (its now called
Woodcraft and Camping and a paperback version is
available on amazon.com for about $5). I first discovered this book in the school library when I was
in the ninth grade, eventually had to have my own
and I have been rereading and referring to it ever
since. Nessmuks wonderful writing style makes it
seem like he is actually talking to you, and giving
clear how-to instructions (albeit in the lingo of his
day).
He was a stickler about his outdoor clothing and
gear, and actually created some of his own, because
what was commercially available didnt suit his
needs. An example is his specially designed doublebitted pocket axe that had a course edge for heavy
duty work, and a fine edge for everything else. He
also had a hunting knife custom made to his specs
and he believed in a two-bladed pocket knife for
typical cutting chores. That entailed his entire cutlery in the field.
He believed in wearing mid-weight, soft
woolen garments involving drawers (union suit
underwear), socks, shirt, pants, vest and jacket that
had to be in earth tone colors of gray or brown to
blend in with the forest. The hat had to be of soft
felt and have a relatively low crown and broad brim
and of the same color as the garments (this is why I
usually wear a felt fedora, which sure beats todays
popular ball cap in regards to effectively warding
77
Hot Topics, My Thoughts, My Views...
DNR, Michigan Tree Farm System host program

to help fund transportation for forest field trips
Nature Deficit Disorder
Nature Deficit Disorder describes how children are disconnected from nature because they
spend most of their time inside with smartphones,
television and computers instead of playing outside
with their friends, classmates and families. Author
Richard Louv popularized the term in his 2005
book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder. This is true of
both urban and rural children and getting worse as
more children have smartphones instead of hiking
sticks. However, many organizations are working
hard to get children outside to discover Michigans
beautiful forests.
Wheels to Woods
Wheels to Woods, hosted by the Michigan Tree

Farm System in partnership with the DNR Forest
Resources Division, works to do just that. School
field trips are a great way to get students outside
to learn about the forest, but many schools in
Michigan do not have adequate funding for transportation. Through Wheels to Woods, foresters are
providing up to $1,000 per school to help teachers
with transportation costs for educational field trips
to any forest.
In the first half of 2016, Wheels to Woods funded 75 field trips that brought 6,145 students, 250
teachers, and 991 parents outside into the forest.
Students have studied Great Lakes coastal forests,
wetlands, forest management, invasive plants, endangered species, maple syrup, birds, predators and
even explored the forest by canoe. Students have
gone to nature centers, county parks, state parks,
family forests, national forests and forests owned
by their school. Most of the first 75 trips have been
urban schools in the southern Lower Peninsula,
although all schools in Michigan are eligible.
Wheels to Woods is supported by generous
Fifty-five first-grade students from Beechview Elementary in Farmington explore the forest at the Farmington
Hills Nature Center May 5. MDNR photo
donations from the United States Forest Service,
DNR Forest Stewardship Program, Michigan Tree
Farm System, American Forest Foundation, Michigan Forest Products Council, Michigan Association
of Timbermen, Great Lakes Timber Professionals
Association, Michigan Forest Foundation, Michigan Project Learning Tree, Michigan Society of
American Foresters and other foresters and forestproduct companies. Wheels to Woods has obligated
85 percent of its available funds and needs to raise
more funds to offer grants to schools in the fall.
The first 75 trips have cost only $4.50 per student.
What Can You Do?
There are a variety of things you can do to help

get students outside and into a forest.
1) Volunteer with a local scout, church or other
youth group to go hiking or camping in the woods
this summer.
2) If you own forest land, offer to host an educational field trip this fall for a nearby school.
3) Like the Michigan Tree Farm System
Facebook page to see students outside exploring
the forest.
4) Share the news about Wheels to Woods
funding with teachers at local schools. The one
page application form is available at www.TreeFarmSystem.org/School-Forests.
5) Donate to the Michigan Tree Farm System to
help offer Wheels to Woods again this fall. Donations are tax deductible, and all funds are used for
the schools. Send a check payable to the Michigan
Tree Farm Committee, with Wheels to Woods
on the memo line, to 110 West Michigan Avenue,
Suite 100, Lansing, MI 48933.
Forest Facts
Did you know that Michigans Project Learning
Tree has trained more than 3,000 teachers and informal educators in outdoor education curriculum?
Project Learning Tree is sponsored by the American Forest Foundation, the same national organization hosting the American Tree Farm System.
Impor tant Dates
August 19-20: Michigan Forest Association Annual meeting in Livonia for landowners
September 1: deadline to apply for the Qualified Forest program for a property tax break
Questions?
To learn more about Wheels to Woods, contact

Mike Smalligan, DNR Forest Stewardship Coordinator, at smalliganm@michigan.gov or 517-2845884. To learn more about programs available to
assist private forest landowners, or to find the DNR
service forester in your area, go to www.Michigan.
gov/PrivateForestLand.n
NSSFs names Oakland County Board of Commissioners

S.A.F.E. Summer Local Champion in Firearm Safety
T
78
he National Shooting Sports Foundation

(NSSF) has recognized the Oakland
County Board of Commissioners as a Local Champion for its efforts to promote
firearm safety in the region. The recognition
comes as NSSF launches its fourth annual
Project ChildSafe S.A.F.E. Summer campaign to
emphasize the importance of responsible firearm
storageparticularly while children are home from
school and more likely to be unattended.
Following its Third Annual Gun Safety Awareness Day, The Oakland County Board of Commissioners was recognized for its multi-faceted efforts
to address gun safety and firearms misuse, including
implementation of two wide-reaching programs
the Gun Safety Lock Giveaway and LOCK-IT-UP,
introduced earlier this month.
The Board has developed partnerships with
more than 30 local law enforcement agencies (including Oakland County Sheriff) as well as local
businesses and organizations such as Crime Stoppers. The Board has conducted a series of informational sessions on gun violence prevention and mental health first-aid training for peace officers and the
public. In addition, the Board aired firearm safety
public service announcements featuring broadcast
personalities Diana Lewis and Mojo in the Morning
on local radio and television stations including ABC
7, CBS 62 and CW 50.
Our goal is to continue to create various
outreach efforts from developing public service
announcements to holding our annual free gun lock
giveaway, says Oakland County Commissioner Bill
Dwyer, Chair of the Public Services Committee and
itss Study Group on Gun Violence. We want to
encourage gun owners to be responsible as well as
help to protect our children and our community by
locking up and properly storing firearms when not in
use.
We want to encourage and ensure that the
conversation about gun safety is ongoing, says

Oakland County Commissioner Marcia Gershenson.
We encourage the public to follow our efforts on
social media and visit our website at www.oakgov.
com/boc.
S.A.F.E. Summer is an extension of NSSFs
Project ChildSafe campaign. Consistent with Project
ChildSafes overarching message of Own It? Respect It. Secure It, the S.A.F.E. Summer effort is a
reminder that proper firearm storage is the number
one way to help prevent firearm accidents, theft and
misuse.
S.A.F.E. serves as an acronym for Store your
firearms responsibly when not in use; Be Aware of
those around you who should not have unauthorized
access to guns; Focus on your responsibility as a
firearm owner and Educate yourself and others about
safe firearm handling and storage. The effort is
focused on providing education and tools that helps
Oakland County Awarded page 80
My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions...
December Archery Data Lacking:
Michigans late archery deer season is shrouded in mystery

know the figures that apply to each.
Intuitively, we know participation
in the early archery season is much
higher than the late and the harvest
is much higher early than late, but
exactly how much is unknown.
Brian Frawley is the DNR statistician who compiles annual harvest
reports for most species that are
hunted and trapped in Michigan and
he does a terrific job. Data for archery
seasons has been lumped together for
so long and it has been accepted that
way for so long that it is easy to leave
it that way. Why change data collection now?
There is a small group of hunters
in the UP who do not bowhunt
and who would like UP deer
hunting to end for the year
when the muzzleloader season
is over. So far, their efforts
have failed because most hunters, DNR personnel and the
Natural Resources Commission recognizes
that participation
in the late archery
season in the
UP is low and so is the late season
harvest. Opponents of the late archery
season in the UP claim participation
and harvest are higher than most suspect. They are also strongly opposed
to legalization of crossbows during
the late archery season in the UP for
the same reason.
It is currently illegal to hunt deer
By Richard P. Smith
December archery data page 81
The DNR does not currently know how many bowhunters par ticipate in either
the early or late bow deer seasons or how many deer are bagged during each
hunt. The numbers for both seasons are lumped together. Author photo
Dog days of Summer...By Lane Walker
ts hot and hunting season seems

like it will never return.
Hanging out at the beach
is cool, but I often find myself
looking at nearby trees wondering how a treestand would look.
Fishing is fun, but pales in
comparison to a cold fall day in the
woods.
What is a hunter to do during the
summer months?
I take advantage of the down
time by shooting my bow. It is a
hobby my entire family enjoys. We
wait until about an hour before dark
so the temperature drops and we
avoid the sweltering heat. This summer prep has helped more times than
I can count during bow season. It

also provides hours of entertainment
and gives me a chance to invest in
my children. This is something that
my dad passed down to my brother
and me.
Reflecting back, I remember
being in the back yard shooting at a
bale of hay and a paper deer cut out.
Those were the days when you either
shot fingers or used No-Gloves. One
had to be careful when pulling out
aluminum arrows, one wrong turn
and they would bend ruining them
forever. At a young age, the excitement of the upcoming fall made
summer prep a tradition. Today even
with all the technology and social
media, shooting archery in your backyard with

your family is still one of the most
soothing, relaxing summer traditions.
Another fun summer activity
is preseason scouting using deer
cameras. The outdoor industry has
come so far with technology and its
application to the outdoors. I remember the first deer camera I ever
purchased. Back then, you had to use
35 mm film. The very first time I put
the camera out, I left it there for a
week. When I returned, the camera
was full. I was excited as I waited in
the store and paid extra for one-hour
Dog days of summer page 81
or many years, it has been

legal for state bowhunters to
hunt whitetails from December 1 through January 1. But
if you ask the DNR how many
bowhunters participate in that
season, how many deer they tag and
their rate of success their response is,
We dont know.
Ive been getting that same
answer for years and I think it is time
for that to change. I know the DNR
is capable of collecting that information. The annual Michigan Deer
Harvest Survey Report that the state
agency publishes contains all kinds of
information on 2-day and 10-day deer
hunts. They certainly should
be able to produce similar
information on a long-standing
31-day hunt.
The 2014 Deer Harvest
Report, for instance, has all
kinds of statistics about the
2-day Liberty and 4-day Independence Hunts.
An estimated
20,516 hunters
participated in
the 2014 Liberty Hunt compared
to 21,011 during 2013. And those
hunters harvested an estimated 5,725
whitetails (4,079 antlered bucks) in
2014 compared to 7,981 during 2013,
5,285 of which were antlered bucks.
Similar information is available
for the Independence Hunt where participation is even lower. Only 2,309
hunters took part in that 4-day hunt
during 2014, according to DNR estimates, versus 1,975 in 2013. Those
hunters only harvested an estimated
288 whitetails last fall compared to
292 the year before.
The same information can be
found in the report for the 10-day
muzzleloader season, the 2-week
firearms deer season and the late
antlerless deer hunt, which is limited
to private land in certain parts of the
state. When it comes to archery deer
season, however, even though Michigan has two distinct archery deer
seasons, the data for both are lumped
together. The early archery deer
season is from October 1 through November 14 and the late season starts
December 1. The early archery season is 45 days in length compared to
31 for the late season, both of which
are long enough to deserve separate
data collection.
So the late archery deer season is
not the only one cloaked in mystery.
So is the early bow season. Since
participation and harvest for both are
lumped together, it is impossible to
79
Hot Topics, My Thoughts, My Views...
Government biofuel mandates dont work for boaters
None of these higher-blend fuels are safe for boats and outdoor power equipment...
housands of families will

make their way to the Lakes
this summer. But when boaters
go to fill up their tanks on the
way to the water, they may be
in for an unwelcome surprise.
The EPA recently proposed blending higher volumes of ethanol and
other biofuels into Americas fuel
supply in 2017700 million more
gallons than in 2016, to be exact, despite evidence showing the U.S. might
not even be able to meet this years
obligations.
The governments plan to force
more ethanol into the fuel supply
comes courtesy of the Renewable
Fuel Standard (RFS), a Washington
mandate that requires increasing
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amounts of biofuels to be blended

into gasoline. More ethanol in the fuel
supply is leading to fuels such as E15,
which contains 15 percent ethanol,
and higher ethanol-blend flex fuels
popping up at more gas stations across
the Midwesteven though NONE of
these higher-blend fuels is safe for use
in boats, motorcycles, outdoor power
equipment or car models older than
2001.
Due in part to increased ethanol
blending brought on by the RFS, 95
percent of the fuel sold in America is
already E10, meaning it contains 10
percent ethanol. As the mandates grow
and force larger volumes of ethanol
into our fuel supply, E15 and higher
blends must make up a greater share
of overall fueland as a result, E0
fuel will make up less of it, leaving
boaters, bikers and others who want
ethanol-free fuel in a tough position to
try and find it.
This change in fuel-type availability will have a significant impact in
Michigan, one of Americas top-three
boating states with more than 895,000
recreational boats registered. Nationally, hundreds of thousands of boaters are in search of E0 fuelin fact,
BoatU.S. informal surveys show 95
percent of boaters prefer it. Still, the
government mandates turn a blind eye
to consumers choice to fill up with
ethanol-free fuel.
Further complicating the problem is the fact that many consumers
are unaware of the damage E15 and
higher ethanol-blend fuels can have
on their engines. According to a recent

Outdoor Power Equipment Institute
Survey only 36 percent of Americans
understand that fuels like E15 are
harmful or illegal to use in certain
engines.
Boat dealers are seeing firsthand
the problems associated with misfuelling. In a recent survey from Boating Industry magazine, 87 percent of
respondents reported that their boating
businesses had seen engine damage
caused by ethanol. Consumers are
paying the price for it. As one New
York boat dealer and survey respondent sadly acknowledged: Ethanol
makes us money it sucks for the
consumer. The last thing the boating industry wants is for folks to be
deterred from enjoying life out on the
water.
All told, numerous studies suggest
that the forced introduction of higher
ethanol blends by the RFS, despite
limited demand, leaves less room for
Oakland County Awarded:

gun owners take responsible action to
keep their families and communities
safer.
We support Project ChildSafe
because of its exceptional work to
educate the public on firearm safety,
says Oakland County Commissioner
Janet Jackson. Project ChildSafe
has been an outstanding partner and a
No Electricity? Keep Your Food Cold!
80
ethanol-free fuel and saddles boaters

with an increased risk of using fuels
that can hurt their engines, compromise their safety and drain their wallets from repair costs.
A short-term solution to the dangers of misfuelling is for boaters to
educate themselves on proper fueling,
take note of higher risks associated
with blender pumps, and keep track of
local gas stations where approved E10
and harder-to-find E0 fuel is offered.
Still, a longer-term solution is
needed to limit the damage caused
by the broken RFS beyond 2017. Its
crucial for boaters to call on Congress
to reform the RFS mandates now to
ensure that fuel choice is preserved for
Michigan boaters and every American
consumer for years to come.
For more information please go to
www.SmarterFuelFuture.com.
Written by Jim Adams, Board
Director of the Michigan Boating
Industries Association.n
With A Propane Fridge You Can

Keep it Cold. Anywhere.
And Relax.
No Electricity Required!
For more information call 866.825.4013
Diamond Refrigerators, 7295 50th Ave., Sears MI 49679
www.diamondrefrigerators.com
from page 78
wonderful resource as we address this

multi-layer issue.
Sharing this sentiment, Oakland
County Board Vice Chairman Michael
Spisz stated, When I envisioned the
free gun lock giveaway effort and the
partnership with the National Shooting
Sports Foundations Project ChildSafe,
I hoped for success, but my expectations have been exceeded. We have
been able to giveaway nearly 10,000
free safety gun locks since 2014 as a
result of our collaborative effort.
Were very grateful for the
work of people like those who serve
as members of the Oakland County
Board of Commissioners, said NSSF
President and CEO Steve Sanetti.
They are great examples of how the
firearms-owning community is committed to safety and personal responsibility, and their work is instrumental in
helping reduce firearm accidents.
NSSF launched Project ChildSafe
in 1999 (prior to 2003 the program
was called Project HomeSafe) as a
nationwide initiative to promote firearms responsibility and provide safety
education to all gun owners. While
children are a focus, Project ChildSafe
is intended to help young people and
adults practice greater firearm safety
as well. Through partnerships with
more than 15,000 law enforcement
agencies, the program has provided
more than 37 million free firearm safety kits to gun owners in all 50 states
and the five U.S. territories. Thats in
addition to the more than 70 million
free locking devices manufacturers
have included with new firearms sold
since 1998 and continue to do today.n
My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions... Continued

with a crossbow in the UP during
December even though crossbows are
legal during the late bow season in the
rest of the state.
The only way to find out who
is correct is to collect the information. Modifying deer hunter surveys
to differentiate between participation and success during each of the
states two archery seasons can do
that. Such a change in data collection
will help provide valuable information about archery seasons statewide,
not just in the UP. Its about time that
the mystery surrounding early and
late archery seasons in the state are
eliminated.
I agree that it is important to
know the relative impact of participation and harvest in each season,
DNR deer specialist Chad Stewart
responded via email. The one limiting factor with our surveys is we
must keep them from becoming too
long, as length of a survey will affect
participation rates. From my experience in Indiana, the late archery
season had little to no impact on the
statewide harvest, and simply served
as additional recreational opportunity. I suspect the same is likely for
Michigan.n
Dog days of summer... from page 79

photo printing. I paced around dreaming about the huge buck I was going
to see on camera. I was a little disappointed to find 22 pictures of weeds
and a raccoons butt. Not what I expected, but from there I was hooked
and still enjoy preseason scouting and
using trail cameras.
The start of one of my greatest
memories started during the summer.
I remember it like it was yesterday,
it was June 27, 2008. I had just put
my two-year old twins down for a
nap while my wife ran to the grocery
store. While sitting on the couch, I
remembered that this was the day
that elk licenses were announced. I
grabbed my laptop and went to the
DNR website. I always checked the
drawing results online. I was so accustomed to seeing the words sorry
pop up on the screen. I entered my
drivers license number, when the
screen came up, I quickly exited out.
I paused, did I see the words congratulations? I went back and re-logged
in. Sure enough, congratulations, I
had confirmation on the website that
I had been issued a bull elk tag in
Michigan. I couldnt believe it!
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I called my brother and dad and

told them to get ready for a December elk hunt. It seemed like the
months that followed dragged on
even slower and summer couldnt end
fast enough. Typically, I would want
to stretch summer out and enjoy the
break. But that year, my mind was on
bagging a bull. Summer finally turned
into fall, fall into winter and December arrived. We headed up to north,
to Atlanta on December 15. That
night we were hit with a snowstorm,
which dropped over 12-inches of
snow. The beauty of the next morning combined with the excitement
of hunting a Michigan bull elk was
intoxicating. That afternoon, I shot a
nice 6 x 6 bull elk in the snow with
my dad. It will forever be one of my
most memorable hunting adventures.
To think, it all started on a balmy, hot
summer day.
So while outdoorsmen/women
might complain about the summer
months, there are still a lot of good
outdoor related activities available. It
will never compete with the fall, but
Michigans summers are a great time
to prepare, plan and dream.n
Be sure to
check out the
Woods-N-Water News
OUTDOOR
WEEKEND
Sept. 9-10-11, 2016
Located Northeastern Lower Michigan

(Near Hillman)
Contact: Jon 989.464.4093

WWW.MICHIGANBEARBAITMAN.COM
Open By Appointment Only!
NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
Eastern Michigan
State Fairgrounds
Imlay City
I thought we were fighting invasives
Dear Woods-N-Water News:
My Friends, all the DNRs want to reduce the salmon plants

lake-wide by 62 percent, in order to save the alewives? Given the
facts the last thing we need is more invasive species, but it appears thats what theyre gonna do. Twenty pounds of alewives per
pound of salmon is a lot of alewives, but thats the goal. Anyway
you slice it...they are trying to increase an invasive species.
I thought we were supposed to be fighting invasive species not
helping them! Why are we spending millions in tax/license dollars
fighting invasive species, when the DNR is trying to save one?
Tom Matych
Twin Lake, MI
My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions

Share your thoughts, views, opinions or short stories with
Woods-N-Water News readers by emailing
wnw@pageone-inc.com or mail to
Woods-N-Water News, PO Box 278, Imlay City, MI 48444
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contact our office Mon. - Fri. 8 am-5 pm 810-724-0254,
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Modern & Traditional Archery Equip.
Guns & Ammo
Muzzleloading
Fishing Supplies
20 Yard Indoor & 3-D Outdoor
Ranges with 7 Towers
810-686-6494
CX Whitetail Bolts - 6pck $2599

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with purchase of game cameras, you will receive a FREE SD card

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with purchase of all crossbows, you will receive a FREE
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STORE HOURS: Monday-Saturday 8am-7pm Sunday 8am-6pm
December archery data lacking: from page 79
WWW.EDSARCHERY.COM 81
Readers Choice Trail Cam Contest
Visit our website (www.woods-n-waternews.com) to vote for your favorite trail cam photo each
month. The photo with the most votes will receive a Woods-N-Water News mock Cover featuring
their photo. Once we have twelve monthly winners from our website, well ask you to choose the
Grand Prize winner which will get a new Stealth Cam.
Send your photos to: wnw@pageone-inc.com (please submit in jpeg format)
www.woods-n-waternews.com
Whats he
doing?
Tim King of
Vestaburg
sent us this
Montcalm
County turkey trail cam
photo. Great
photo and
caption.
Kraig Staples captures this

trail cam photo of a bull elk
near his Millerburg property.
Kraig Staples, a regular in our trail

cam contest, got this photo of a
badger near Millerburg. He mentions it is only the second badger he
has seen in all his years in the outdoors.
Richard Perry
of Grand
Rapids got
this trail cam
of a raccoon being
an acrobat.
Richard also
captured
this picture
to the right
of a healthy
fawn, in Kent
County.
82
Larry Piotrowski got this

trail cam of what looks like
a real nice Oakland County
buck.
Lauren Trainor sent us this early July trail cam photo (above
left) of a monster buck near Bellevue. She also sent us this
nice picture (above right) of triplets on the same property.
Jim Green of Vandalia captured this outstanding trail

cam photo of a pair of coyotes.
VOLUNTEER for WILDLIFE

with
UPCOMING PROJECTS
August 7: Grayling State Forest
Pruning apple trees to promote soft mast food
sources for game .
August 27: Shingleton State Forest

Planting trees and shrubs in the Garden Grade
Grouse Enhanced Management System for
upland birds.
September 2016: Allegan State Game Area
Removing fencing and building brush piles for
small game.
September 2016: Gourdneck State Game Area
Building brush piles for small game.
Fall 2016: Traverse City State Forest
Building brush piles and planting trees
Learn more at www.mucc.org
Volunteer to improve public land

wildlife habitat with
Michigan United Conservation
Clubs! Through hunter, trapper
and angler-funded wildlife
habitat grants from the
Michigan Department of
Natural Resources, MUCC
organizes multiple wildlife
habitat volunteer workdays on
public hunting land throughout
Michigan. Sign up for one of our
upcoming projects at
ww.mucc.org/ontheground!
August 13: Barry State Game Area

Cutting black locust trees to open forest canopy
and build brush piles for small game.
83
Sporting Collectibles...
By Terry McBurney
Early
automatic
REELS
84
hen we were first married, my wife

and I stayed at a cottage in northern
Wisconsin. After unpacking, I found
an old reel and rod stashed way back
in a dark corner next to the dresser. I
pulled it out and was amazed at the
size of the reel. The contraption was oval in shape,
had exposed big-tooth gears, weighed an amazing
three pounds, and clearly was some sort of very
old automatic reel. It was filled with a gummed-up
silk fly line that I peeled off. I cleaned the reel and
discovered that it was made by the Martin Novelty
Works of Ilion, New York (later to become the
Martin Automatic Fish Reel Company and then the
Martin Reel Company). My best guess was that it
was made sometime in the late nineteenth century.
Unfortunately, I was not interested in old tackle
back then, so I left the reel and rod in that WisconStyle A was their smallest Automatic-Combination Reel. Shown sitting on Yawmans 1899 patent,
sin fishing cabin!
it shows the key-wind, the slide that changed the reel from free spool to automatic and the
Several years ago, I found another early automatic reel. It was bigger than any reel I had handled brake. Author photo.
before, measuring 4 -inches in diameter by 1
or brought to hand without loss of time (and) be as
than one pound. The boxs label read, The Au-inches wide and weighing in at slightly more
tomatic-Combination Reel, Style C Aluminum, Car- rapid in its action as a game fish is rapidtaking up
the slack line or letting it out with a proper stop or
ries 600 ft. of Line, Winds Automatically 150 feet
tension at all times on the line.
(Without Re-winding). It was made by the HorLoomis improved his patent design within a
rocks-Ibbotson Company of Utica, New York. The
information across its head plate identified the reel year and assigned half of the rights to his new partner, James Plumb, of nearby Syracuse, NY. Their
as Yawman and Erbe Mfg. Co. Rochester, NY,
new venture, Loomis, Plumb and Company, set up
as well as two patents dates 1888 and 1891. The
reel intrigued me, especially the part where it would shop in the basement of the Onondaga Saving Comretrieve more than 150 feet without rewinding, so I pany Bank Building in Syracuse, and introduced
their Automatic Reels during 1881. According to
bought it for my collection and started researching
its historyand thought back to the old Martin reel information published in Syracuse as a Business
Center, published in 1883, the company met with
I had discovered forty-plus years ago.
I worked my way back through Horrocks-Ibbotson, Martin, and Yauman and Erbe to discover that
the first patent for an automatic reel was taken out
by Francis A. Loomis of Onondaga, NY on March
1, 1880 and granted on December 7, 1880. His
patent #235157, for a Fishermans Reel, featured
a helical spring, a friction brake which prevented
the spool from turning, and a four-gear train. He
claimed that his automatic reel was an improvement
over the fly reels of his day that required a crank to
bring in the line or to fight a fish. Most fly fisherman of that period used inexpensive single action
crank reels or low-priced 2:1 multipliers that were
primarily used to store the fly line.
Loomis went on to declare that cranked reels
were especially vexatious and worrisome to the
fisherman, from the frequent fouling of the flies and
hooks when casting. He further stated that the
strain is uneven and irregular, thus endangering its
loss and objectionable because of its slowness,
An early ad featured Yawman & Erbes Autoenabling the fish to gain slack line and thus escape. The Loomis, Plumb & Company Automatic Reel
was the first spring-driven reel patented in the
His automatic reel solved these problems by promatic Reels and their new slogan The little
U.S. American Angler , 1882
viding a reel(where)the flies may be recovered
finger does it Recreation , 1898)
All three sizes of the HorrocksIbbotson Y & E Automatic-Combination Reels for size comparison Jerry.
Shemechko collection
about 1920. The Automatic Reel was offered in a
variety of materials and plate finishes lacquered
brass, nickel-plated brass, bronze finish over brass,
hard rubber and eventually aluminum to keep the
weight down especially in the largest model.
Things changed dramatically when a third
patent, #629842 was issued on August 1, 1899.
This time, Yawman made two major changes in the
reels design. It added a manual clutch to control
the spool release and a key wind to the reel.
Production actually started the year before with the
introduction of the Y & E Automatic-Combination
Reel Free Spooling Self-Winding Reel or the key
wind model in the October 2, 1897 edition of
Harpers Weekly. It combined the Loomis reels
features with Yawmans continued refinements
and added a free running feature and a method
of rewinding the reels mainspring whenever
tension was lost on the spring. Before adding the
key wind there was no easy way to rewind the
spring without removing your fishing line and lure.
The Automatic-Combination Reel was made in
three sizes and only manufactured with aluminum
plates...
Style A: holds 125 feet of #5 silk line, 50 ft.
rewound without re-winding, spool diameter of 2
-inch, and weighed 7 -oz.
Style B: holds 300 feet of #5 silk line, 90 ft.
-inch, and weighed 11-oz.
Style C: holds 600 feet of #5 silk line, 150 ft.
-inch and weighed, 16-oz.
The Automatic-Combination Reels directions
are a little confusing without having one of the
reels in hand. Basically, the line is wound by a
spring whose action is controlled by a brake operated by the little finger of the hand holding the rod.
But, here goes
Attaching The Line
1. After attaching the reel to the rod with the
trigger above the reel, run the line through the
reels line guide and then through the line hole in
the upper disk of the spool. Tie a knot at the end so
the line will not be drawn back.
2. Wind the spring by turning the key in the
direction the arrow points [counter clockwise].
3. Make the reel automatic by pressing the slide
toward the outside of the spool.
4. Hold the line and press the brake [lever] up
with the hand holding the rod and let the line run
gently and evenly into the reel winding the line until the spring runs down and the tension decreases.
Repeat the process until the reel is filled.
Casting Press the slide down towards the
center, which puts the reel into free spool. Make
your cast.
Retrieving The Line Press the slide toward
the outside of the spool and hold the brake lever in
rewinding the line to get ready for another cast.
Fighting A Fish - The instant a strike is made,

press the slide toward the outside of the spool,
which makes the reel automatic. The brake should
be raised by closing the little finger over it. This
rewinds any slack line and keeps the line under tension tiring the fish until it is landed.
Like any technical task, it took the early angler
practice to master controlling the line or fighting a
fish, but once the skill was learned, slack line was a
thing of the past with The Little Finger Does It.
Yawman and Erbe continued making their standard Automatic Reels and Automatic-Combination
Reels until 1909 when they decided to concentrate
their main efforts on their core business, making
office equipment. They sold the reel division to
The Style C reel,

called the Tarpon
Automatic, was
their largest Automatic-Combination
Reel - mounted on
a Thomas Chub
casting rod. Karen
McBurney photo
Horrocks-Ibbotson, which was located 150 miles
east in Utica, New York. H-I launched a major
ad campaign and introduced the Utica Maid to
promote their new line of reels. They continued
manufacturing both series of reels at least through
1935, which is the last H-I catalog I have been able
to find.
Thanks to Jerry Shemechko for allowing me
to photograph his collection of Y & E AutomaticCombination Reels. A special acknowledgement
goes to Phil White for his article Francis A. Loomis, Reel Man in the winter 2000 issue of the ORCA
(Old Reel Collectors Association) Reel News and
his booklet Yauman & Erbe Automatic Reels The
Little Finger Does It published in 2004.
Feel free to contact the author at antiquefishing@comcast.net with your questions. Photographs
are important, so please send them. They help me
with identification and give me an idea of the condition of the item. Terry McBurney will also be at
the Woods-N-Water News Outdoor Weekend Sept.
9-11 at the Eastern Michigan Fairgrounds in Imlay
City. Bring in your old fishing tackle and equipment and have an informal discussion withTerry.n
immediate demand from skilled anglers and manufactured several sizes and finishes at prices ranging
from $6 to $18 per reel.
At the same time as Loomis was busy inventing his fishing reel, two partners, 41 year old Philip
Yawman and 28 year old Gustav Erbe, started
their new partnership just ninety miles away in
Rochester, New York. Yawman was a machinist
who worked for a number of manufacturers before
joining Bausch and Lomb in 1877 where he was a
master mechanic and tool maker in charge of the
companys machinery. It was at Bausch and Lomb
in Rochester where he met Gustav Erbe, his future
partner. Erbes specialty was precision optical
work, which he learned making microscopes for
the optical company. He soon moved up to Department Foreman where he came into almost daily
contact with Philip Yawman. Soon, the two men
decided to start their own business with the $6,000
they had saved between them.
The Yawman and Erbe Manufacturing Company was founded in 1880 and soon was manufacturing quality mathematical, optical and surveying
instruments. Production quickly grew as their reputation spread, and before long they were making
specialty objects under contract for other manufacturers curling iron heaters, bicycle luggage racks,
metal match boxes, cigarette cases, and mail chutes
to name a few.
Their business took a major step forward in
1883 when they formed a relationship with George
Eastman and began making the first version film
rollers for Eastman-Kodak. Their Eastman business
grew significantly in 1884 when Y & E received
the metal fabrication contract for the first model
#1 Kodak camera. They continued making all the
Eastmans metal work until sometime in 1885
when Eastman was able to move all metal fabrication in-house.
Y & E also started manufacturing Shannon
Arch Files under contract in 1883. These were
metal business files used for letters, bills and other
documents and the precursor of most modern business filing systems and the fore-runner of Yawman
and Erbes main business down the road. Y & E
became one of the leading U.S. manufacturers of
office products of all kinds.
The two partners also bought out Loomis,
Plumb and Company in late 1883 and moved all of
the tooling for the Automatic Reel from Syracuse
to their four-story factory at 344 St. Paul Street in
Rochester, New York. They started producing reels
immediately, which were identical to the Loomis,
Plumb and Company reels. National advertising
soon started in outdoor publications and emphasized what would soon become their slogan The
Little Finger Does It showing an anglers hand
holding the Automatic Reel mounted on a fly rod
with the anglers little finger grasping the reels
trigger. They also entered the Automatic Reels in
several international expositions where they won
numerous honors.
There were, however, several inherent problems
discovered in the Loomis design. Gears stripped
and it proved difficult to keep the brake lever in
good contact with the revolving spool, so Yawman
went to work to solve these challenges. Patent
#378565 improving the gear system was issued on
February 28, 1888, and Patent #454319 solving
the brake lever difficulties was granted on June 16,
1891. Other improvements in design were made to
the Loomis design starting in 1884 and continued
changes were made throughout production through
85
The Buckley Bear on my back porch
had a visit from an old friend

very early this morning -- the
Buckley Bear! Weve been
friends since I first encountered
him in the woods on Oct. 27,
2009 at 5:13 pm. I had him up
close and personal again on Oct. 1,
2011. I also have pictures of him in
my backyard at my deer feed station.
Weve crossed paths a number of
times in the woods when I didnt get
photos. This large male boar
bear is 500 plus pounds now
and seems to like my company!
Early on the morning of
June 24, 2016 at 2:46 am, he
paid me another visit. This
time it was real up close and
personal. I was up late again
after one of my Vietnam War
flash-back episodes. I
opened the patio door to
get some fresh air while
sitting at our dining room
table less than two feet from the door,
only the screen was closed to keep
bugs out.
The lights were out and I was
just sitting there thinking and getting
myself back together. Our guard dog,
Bear was sleeping in our front guest

room as was our other dog Brendle.
Our cat, Flower was in the house
somewhere. My back was toward the
screen door when I heard scratching
and heavy breathing behind me. I
turned my head and saw a big black
thing looking at me through the
screen. It stepped off the porch and
headed toward a bird feeder hanging
from a tree less than 30 feet out into
the yard. I immediately knew
it was the Buckley Bear.
I slowly got up and went
for my camera in my writing
room. The moon was up and
I could see him near the now
pulled down bird feeder. He
saw me too! I took a photo
through the closed screen
at 2:43 am. The flash from
my camera didnt faze
him a bit! -- He purposefully started slowly back
toward me. My wife,
Yvonna had cooked fresh-caught
fish -- including one nice bullhead
grandson Randle had caught fishing
with me yesterday on Green Lake
near Interlochen. You could still smell
fish in the house. The Buckley bear
By Joe Lunkas
MAKE YOUR OWN WILD GAME

SUMMER SAUSAGE AND SALAMI !
We have everything you need to process your meat into

delicious sausage right in your own home.
A photo of the Buckley Bear the author took a few years ago.
destroyed the bird feeder I had hanging off a shepherds hook next to the
porch while I sat there; he came on
the porch and again put his big nose
against the screen less than one foot
from me and my camera.
As he sniffed the fishy air and
exhaled, surprisingly his breath didnt
smell all that bad! I slowly raised my
camera and took a point-blank picture. Again the flash had no effect on
my visitor. He simply turned and

stepped off the porch leaving a large
wet foot print on the lower step. I
photographed it after my friend had
walked off toward the woods. No
more feeding birds for a while.
Unfortunately, the photos taken
with flash through the closed metal
screen are lousy. If you use your
imagination a bit, you can see The
Buckley Bears large head, eye, and
KNOW A KID WHO WANTS A

GOOD START IN HUNTING?
Send them to SCIs State Hunter Apprentice Program!

WHAT IS S.H.A.P.?
The State Hunter Apprentice Program is a 3-day youth camp sponsored by

local chapters of Safari Club International for boys and girls ages 11 to 15. In the
period of a long weekend, kids can earn both their Michigan DNR Hunter Safety
Certificate and International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP) Certificate.
State
Hunter
Apprentice
Program
Aug. 12 - 14, 2016

S.H.A.P. YOUTH CAMP
Echo Grove Camp on Lakeville Lake in Leonard, Michigan

SPONSORED BY
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Call 1-800-521-3188
www.butcher-packer.com
Safari Club International
SE Michigan Bowhunters Chapter & Detroit Chapter
GO TO SCIBOWHUNTERS.COM FOR MORE INFO OR

TO DOWNLOAD YOUR STUDENT APPLICATION!
REGISTRATION: The cost is only $90 per student for the entire three-day weekend. It
includes lodging, all meals & snacks, course instruction & materials, and special handouts.
Local sponsoring chapters of Safari Club International will underwrite the remainder of the
cost. To receive an application, please write to: SCI-SHAP, 32045 Dequindre Rd.,
Madison Heights, MI 48071 or call or email Colleen at: (248) 585-4863, or colleene@
eastlind.com Successful SHAP applicants will receive necessary maps, itinerary, consent
forms and a complete list of things to bring. Camp is limited to the first 60 students, so
please dont delay!
Safari Club International is a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving

our wildlife, woods & water, and preserving our great American heritage ...
THE RIGHT TO HUNT
nose. Too bad I didnt have my Trail

Cam mounted on my porch. I would
have gotten some real clear shots. After the horrendous things I had seen
during my nightmare, this experience was not that unsettling. Yvonna,
however was a bit freaked out when
I woke her to tell her what had just
happened. She chastised me for being
so careless in the presence of this
large wild bear. I calmly explained
that, I was just visiting with my old
friend! Life continues to be good for
this Aging Michigan Outdoorsman in
his great wild outdoors.
The Buckley Bear has been a welcome friend of mine for almost seven
years now. During this time we have
visited each other occasionally in
our respective homes in our great
wild outdoors. I will surely miss him
when he is gone. I know this is bound
to happen someday. He is just too
familiar with humans and could pose
a real threat under the right circumstances. At present, he is my welcome
friend. Had it not been for that flimsy
screen on my patio door that morning I have no doubt that he would
have followed his nose and walked
The damaged bird feeder and the screen door where the author heard
scratching and heavy breathing with a big black bear looking at him
through the screen. Below left, the wet paw print of a very big bear left
on the step. Author photos
right into our house. That would
not have been good for either of us.
After the encounter, I will have my
12 gauge Mossberg slug gun ready
and mounted above my patio doors. I
have a Red Dot illuminated sight on
this short gun that I use when stalking
through cornfields on windy days for
bedded deer. Many have ended up in
my freezer. If forced to do so -- I will
use this weapon on the Buckley bear
without hesitation. I the meantime I
will continue to enjoy his company
and he will continue to enjoy mine.
To read more about the authors

experiences with The Buckley bear
and other notable wild inhabitants in
the great wild Michigan outdoors;
Reference my Fifty Years of Lessons
Learned of a Michigan Outdoorsman Book Trilogy. Google my
name for book descriptions, author
information, and book availability
and purchasing options. I am retired,
self-funded, and always shoot, talk,
and write straight while consistently
accomplishing my personal missions
and objectives.n
Visit our booth

at the 30th
Annual Outdoor Weekend!
87
Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve in

southern Michigan becomes 103rd state park
he MDNR announced, in late

June, a $2.9 million purchase
of 717 acres of land in Norvell
Township, Jackson County.
Combined with 405 acres of
contiguous land owned by the
Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission in Manchester
Township, the property will become
the 1,122-acre Watkins Lake State Park
and County Preserve.
The DNR property will become
Michigans 103rd state park and will
be the first state park in Michigan to be
jointly managed with a county recreation agency. Adoption of a formal
management plan to guide the development of the park will take place
following a series of yet to be scheduled public input meetings. The parks
planned recreational offerings include
hiking, bird watching, upland hunting,
mountain biking and other activities.
It is very rare that theres an opportunity to increase the public land
portfolio in southern Michigan, said
DNR Parks and Recreation Chief Ron
Olson. The DNR places a priority on
providing additional opportunities for
outdoor and history-based recreation
and protecting valuable natural resources and wildlife habitat, especially

in this part of the state. We believe that
Watkins Lake State Park and County
Preserve will be popular with outdoor
enthusiasts and an excellent waterfowl
refuge and birding destination.
The park is now open to the public
but with limited parking. The DNR and
Washtenaw County will collaborate
to create multiple public access points
this summer and fall.
The property features beautiful
rolling land covered in a mixture of
open meadow, mixed hardwoods, low
wetland areas and open water. Watkins
Lake is the parks most prominent
natural feature. As a popular watchable wildlife destination, Watkins Lake
holds large numbers of waterfowl during the spring and fall migration.
It is one of the best inland lakes
to observe canvasback ducks. Pending
the adoption of a management plan,
Watkins Lake will become a seasonal
waterfowl refuge, said Olson. The
remainder of the park has diverse habitat that attracts white-tailed deer, wild
turkeys, pheasants, cottontail rabbits
and songbirds.
n
e
J
k
i
n
n
e
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L
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The property includes a 4.5-mile

former rail corridor that traverses the
property from east to west. The trail
will link state and county parcels and
has the potential to be developed into a
non-motorized multi-use trail, wellsuited for hikers, mountain bikers and
equestrians. There also is the strong
possibility of expanding the trail to
connect the villages of Manchester and
Brooklyn.
The park is rich in history, too.
Royal and Sally Carpenter Watkins,
who first farmed the land, played a
key role in the Underground Railroad.
Their well-documented history provides an interesting opportunity for
historical interpretation at the site as
well.
Funding for the $2.9 million DNR
purchase came from the Michigan
Natural Resources Trust Fund, which
helps acquire and develop public
recreation lands. The Trust Fund was
created with revenue from the development of state-owned minerals, primarily oil and gas.
The purchase of the county land
was made possible through the Washtenaw County Natural Areas Preservation Program, which facilitates the
acquisition of land featuring multiple conservation values, said Coy
Vaughn, deputy director of the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation
Commission. The Commission is
pleased to work hand-in-hand with the
DNR to create Michigans 103rd state
park. Throughout the coming months,
we will work together to engage the
public in a planning process to help
determine the appropriate uses and
physical improvements for this exciting new state park.
A grant from the Enbridge Mitigation Fund helped with Washtenaw
Countys acquisition. In partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, the Enbridge Mitigation Fund
provides technical assistance and funding for mitigation of impacts caused by
the construction and maintenance of
the Enbridge 6B Pipeline.
According to Olson, both parcels
of property were purchased from G.T.
Ranch, LLC, and the Legacy Land
Conservancy played an important role
in the coordination of the land purchase.
Because this property represents
one of the final opportunities to add
significant public land holdings in eastern Jackson and western Washtenaw
counties, the Legacy Land Conservancy and our conservation partners have
been working for more than a decade
to help this project come to fruition,
said Susan Lackey, executive director
of Legacy Land Conservancy.
The purchase of these properties helps create a nearly contiguous
swath of publicly accessible lands

from Hayes State Park to northern
Oakland County, Lackey said. This
Emerald Arc of land provides varied
and extensive recreational land easily accessible to the nearly 5 million
Michigan residents living within 90
minutes of the location. It bolsters our
ability to promote southern Michigan
as the world-class recreation destination that it is.
Watkins Lake State Park and
County Preserve joins other state parks
and recreation areas in the Washtenaw/
Jackson County area, including Waterloo and Pinckney recreation areas.
Visit michigan.gov/stateparks for more
information.
The DNR is encouraging people
who are enthused about this new state
park to contact James OBrien, park
supervisor, at 517-467-7401 to assist in forming a friends group for the
park. Visit www.michigan.gov/dnr to
subscribe now.
Learn more about how the Recreation Passport gains you access to
Michigan state parks, including Wilderness State Park, and more at www.
michigan.gov/recreationpassport.n
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Romeo, MI 48065
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Dog/puppy planning and training

on board when it comes to doing what
is best for the old dog. I understand not
wanting to face this difficult time and
especially when you are still celebrating
getting the new pup.
The three main reasons I
hear for ending an old dogs
life are, pain, biting and going
to the bathroom in the house.
An old dog in pain should be
helped with meds and if the
pain is intense and meds dont
help... Soiling the house may
be signs of kidney problems or
even dementia. Biting
could also be a sign of
dementia or that a dog
is in pain especially if he was a happy,
friendly companion and not crabby
before old age set in. The bottom line is
that it is your responsibility to do what
is best for your dog at the end of its life.
Please dont allow your dog to suffer
because you cannot face the facts.
Q) Why dont you have a column running every month? We enjoy reading
it and look forward to hearing your
answers to peoples questions.
Tom and Lilly K. Grand Rapids
A) Thank you for the kind words and
maybe I should try harder to submit
more. The truth is I am living the life
of a trainer every day and have for over
twenty five years. My work day starts

at 6:30 a.m. and sometimes runs past
dark. So by the end of my day I dont
feel much like talking dogs or training.
Dont get me wrong I love my job but
sometimes there are just not
enough hours in a day to do
all that I would want.
Q) I have an unusual breed
and am looking for a trainer
who has worked with many
different breeds. I have a
Braque du Bourbonnais.
Have you ever heard of this
breed?
Albert R.
Windsor, Ontario
A) Yes Albert I have. I have trained a
few over the years. As well as a Braque
du Francias and a Braque du Verne. Not
sure if I spelled that right but we work
with many different breeds. I have in
now for training two wirehaired pointing Griffons, a vizsla, a Weimaraner,
a pointing Lab, a Brittany spaniel, a
Boykin spaniel and a regular Lab.
Q) What can I do with a young German
shorthair pointer who hard mouths his
birds?
Rick F. Bay City
A) I react as if it hurts me. Ill holler
Ouch when he bites down and tell
him to be nice. Start with a small live
By Charlie Linblade
Visit our booth at the

30th Annual Woods-N-Water
Outdoor Weekend
Help Manage Your Land
Help You Hunt Your Land
Help You Harvest Your Land
Contact Scott for land consultations at 734-717-1862
bird, quail/pidgeon. Use gloves and

keep the bird in your hand so when
he tries to kill it you can stop him. It
may take several tries but this method
has worked for me many times. Hard
mouth is when a dog chews up the bird
when retrieving it.
Q) My young Lab always breaks on the
retrieve and wont stay until I send him.
He is fourteen months old and used to
stay pretty well.
Mike S. Warren
A) Adolescence or the teenage time can
be problematic. The dog has new confidence and is feeling his strength but
his youthful vigor is getting in the way.
I would slow everything down and tie
him so he cant break. Then after the
throw I would make him sit and release
him to go. After four or five of these
leave him off the secured leash and try
again. If he breaks again put him back
on the leash for a few more throws then
quit. It may take several days but he
will get the idea that if he isnt steady
he will be leashed.
Stop by the Woods-N-Water New
Outdoor Weekend September 9-11
at the Eastern Michigan State Fairgrounds in Imlay City and Ill answer
your questions in person and have
demonstrations on how to correct
your problem dogs.n
James Ferrari and Sons, Inc. strives for customer satisfaction and the ideal customer experience. We are
hunters and processors ourselves and we know what supplies you need so you can process your own game.
Casings & Accessories
Meat Saws and Blades
Cutlery (knives)
Meat Tenderizers
Cutting Boards
Netting & Twine
Food Preparation
Paper & Paper Cutters
Gloves, & Aprons
Sausage Making Kits
High Temp Cheese
Sausage Seasonings
Jerky Seasonings
Sausage Stuffers and Accessories
Jerky Supplies
Scales
Knife Sharpening Equipment
Sealers and Accessories
Marinades and Brines
Smokehouse & Supplies
Meat Curing Supplies
Spices
Meat Grinders and Accessories
Gift Certificates
Available
Meat Mixers
Stop by and see us the the Woods-N-Water News Outdoor Weekend

Sept. 9, 10 & 11 at the Eastern Michigan State Fairgrounds in Imlay City
James Ferrari & Sons

148 North Groesbeck Mount Clemens, MI 48043
Phone:
586 790 1800
Fax: 586 790 5917
hen you buy that new

pup the last thing on your
mind is the final stages of
that pups life. Depending on how many dogs
you have owned prior
to the pup you will be looking at dog
bowls, beds, crates, toys and vet bills.
But the truth of the matter is that dogs
dont live that long. Ten to fourteen
years would be the expected life span of
most bird hunters and retrievers. Sure
we have heard of the Brittany that lived
to be 16 and it is true the smaller breeds
tend to live longer than larger breeds
but overall, 10 to 12 years is what you
should expect. And with most dogs,
their tenth year brings reduced capabilities as they enter their golden years.
Why do I mention this now?
Time flies, especially when you are
having fun and before you know it, old
Bowser is having trouble getting up after a long run. Maybe he needs to sleep
for a couple days after a hunt or take an
aspirin to relieve his pain and stiffness.
I believe it is best to have a plan in
place or at least start thinking about end
of life issues before they are staring you
in the face. Talk it over with your vet
and with the family ahead of time. The
vet should give you a clear view of your
responsibility and the family needs to be
Order online: www.ferrariandsons.com 89
Putting It All Together - Fishing For Answers Series...
Anglings other sweet spot
t hadnt taken long after the televised bass tournament had begun
when already it had become evident that one participant had put
a handle on a winning presentation. Repeating super long casts,
undoubtedly that contributed considerably to the way in which he was
lighting up the scoreboard. However,
another key factor which Ive found
all too often overlooked is where he
had chosen to begin casting to.
Instead of relying on his electric
kicker to propel him while casting
ahead out front, once in place he
went straight to casting. And yes, in
allowing the light chop to usher him
along and making those super long
casts into the breeze, this meant that
each of these fish being taken had just
been passed over by his boat. And if
you know anything about fish that
just doesnt seem to stand to reason.
But then again, what is it that youve
ever found while in route to
matching wits with fish; that
does?
Introduced to angling
on those super clear little
Michigan streams it hadnt
taken long to establish that
fish are not overly fond of us.
Sneak up to the stream edge
and about all we can hope to
find anyway are those
puffs of silt (where the
fish used to be). And
later while fishing from boat the same
proved true. Although the fish may be
found feeding with seemingly reckless
abandon on the surface, not even can a
canoe be slipped near the area without
the bite going dead.
With everything suggesting now
that an area just passed over by the
boat would be the poorest spot to cast
to, not surprisingly when first beginning to drift and cast from boat the
results seemed to prove that true. And
had it not been for becoming addicted
to drifting and trolling the natural
foods for walleye, odds are that line
of thinking would have continued to
steer me astray.
Having eventually established
beyond any question that drifting produced fish far more consistently than
trolling, that proved to be the turning
point. At least now there was no doubt
that drifting produced fish better under
a wider range of feeding activity, and
with less hassle to boot. We could all
but count on it to see us through even
when the most precise trolling techniques were failing. And bent now on
pinpointing the specific reasons why,
well, to say that we were in for a wild
ride - that would be to understate the
challenges considerably!
So seemingly insignificant were
some of the findings that to believe

that they could have an impact on the
outcome seemed, well, a mite unlikely.
First of all, there was little doubt
that whatever type motor is used at
times the added disturbance does adversely affect the bite. And certainly,
if this holds true while trolling, its
bound to produce like results while
drifting and casting. However, be that
as it may, to put a finger on the chief
reasons why drifting produces fish
more consistently its within those
differences which make these drifted
baits appear to be more vulnerable.
One thing for sure - whether that
predator may be sporting, fur, fins,
feathers, or fancy clothes, all come
preprogrammed to recognize and
take advantage of a floundering prey
specie. And what it amounts to is that
trolled baits simply do not fit that
mold and criteria. Appearing to be
healthy, theres less incentive for the fish to make their
move on them. In direct contrast, while drifting both of
these negative aspects of the
presentation are addressed.
Years past before the
results of the extensive and
intensive testing made it
possible to feel justified in
having taken on the
challenge. First of all,
(most days) the less
the rods are held the better. Propped
up instead against the gunnel here
the rocking of the boat imparts to the
baits a pause and go, more tempting
motion. Undulating more in tune with
the movement of the water right at the
level of the fish, theres less for them
to become suspicious about. Using
rod holders expect the bite to drop off
drastically!
Sometimes, even at what angle the
rods are set against the gunnel wakes
the difference between having walleye
for dinner, or stopping off to pick up
some hot dogs. (And where theres
nothing better than a hot dog cooked
over a nice crackling campfire, theres
not a whole lot of challenge in catching them).
Set at say, about a 10 degree angle
against the gunnel theres less action
imparted to the baits, going up to 45
degrees theres much more. And yes,
at times youll find it does make a
difference. And the best place of all to
set rods - thats one each straight off
the bow and stern!
Finding this to hold true while
drifting with the live baits for walleye,
later the same was found to hold true
of casting the fake baits. Not overly
interested in being passed over by
the boat, yes, a good deal of them in
By Larry Walter
90
The bulk of long casts are made from the bow and stern.
the shallower water will step aside
off to the bow and stern. However,
not wanting to risk racing off some
distance where another predator may
be waiting to take advantage of them,
they line up just outside the ends of
the boat. The walleye bite on Lake
St Clair being no longer near what
it once was, for about the last two
decades its been these two rods that
time and time again has come through
putting food on the table. Even when
the bite is fair, with say a limit of 18
walleye taken, and although upwards
of six rods may be used - on the average this stern and bow rod accounts
for 12 to 14 of them.
With seeing fish being taken now
day in and day out right in the drift
pattern of the boat, slowly but surely
these factors were trusted and adapted
to casting the fake baits. Right off the
ends of the boat is where we were
taking more fish while drifting the
natural foods - and right in these
same spots we were experiencing
the same favorable results with the
fake baits. One factor to bear in
mind, however, is the way in which
the various species differ in respect to
their offensive and defensive needs.
For example, with bass being far less
defensively driven, casting right in the
drift pattern of the boat may still find
them highly receptive. On the other
hand, when targeting the more defensively talented species such as the
catfish, trout, and yes those walleye,
concentrating the casts off the bow
and stern may be the best option - if
not the only option.
Of course, while under power of
the wind not always does the direction of the drift coincide with that of
the structure. For example, should the
shelf run north/south, the wind east/
west, heres where the expertise with
operating the electric motor pays off.
Spotting the rabbit run over on the
country road, the crow swoops down

to take advantage. Detecting another
vehicle approaching, it calmly flits
back off to the shoulder of the road.
Then, waiting patiently until confident
that the threat if gone, it returns to the
rabbit to dine.
Thats the way it works. That
the fish react defensively when approached by us is one matter, relieved
as they are to find us departing, quite
another.
Walts Ways
If youre looking to a sure meal

of supersized stream trout, trust to
this same principal to up your odds.
Casting natural foods out to set in a
deep pool or where there is otherwise
ample habitat, the rods are then set
down. Slipping back now out of the
sight plane of the stream, all further
noise is avoided. Then, after a few
minutes, a second angler who has
been waiting (preferably) downstream
wades nosily upstream. Passing by
where the baits are setting and not exiting the water until a minimum of 50
yards upstream, the stage is now set.
Convinced that the coast is clear, its
amazing how consistently, and how
quickly, these fish move on the baits.
While whitetail hunting we
use a similar approach. Two hunters
walking out to the same blind,
the one pauses for a moment, then
retreats back out. Kicking up leaves,
breaking twigs and whatnot, weve
had deer flow right into the area
of the stand with little concern. This
decoy hunter passing between the
bedding and feeding areas (where the
sitter has already taken up position)
sometimes it makes the deer confident
to move while yet light enough to
shoot.
For a live explanation of
our services call 586-781-5777,
9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Sat.n
Gun Chat: Custom shotgun?

Ive read that with different ways
of cutting the forcing cone its possible to reduce shotgun recoil. Ive
heard that there are ways to make
chokes pattern more tightly, or to add
chokes to barrels that had been damaged and cut back afterward. I havent
needed any of these things done to
my guns. They just keep working
like shotguns are supposed to, throwing shot where they are pointed, and
bringing down game. Decorations
might be added, I suppose, but I hunt
with my shotguns. Inlays or more
charging handle, because it is a pump.

I own a slightly modified Remington
1100 which Ive used, to good effect,
in a three-gun match and in plinking
at cans and milk jugs. (Some thrown,
some not.) My first good shotgun was
a used Winchester Model 12 in 16
gauge. I had a Mossberg 500 pump
before the 590, and used my dads
12 gauge Model 12 to hunt turkeys
a few times. Those experiences left
me generally preferring pumps, if the
shotgun isnt an over and under, or
side by side.
engraving than
the minimal
amount my
over and
under 20
already
has,
would just get worn from carrying,
or scratched while I wandered around
in the briars. If I wanted a looking
shotgun, rather than a hunting one,
I might think differently about this
subject. Thats not likely to happen, at
least not as long as I still can hunt.n
By Lee Arten
ED'S NEW DVD
ULTIMATE
CORN-BASED
DEER KILL PLOTS
Takes you to a new concept of deer attraction.
Deer will freely enter your kill plot during daylight due
to the security and endless variety of forage deer prefer
ORDER
YOUR
COPY
TODAY!
Send Check or Money Order

Made Out to:
Edward Spinazzola
815 Sleeth Rd.
Commerce, MI 48382
New DVD ~ $25 includes shipping

Name
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone #
ULTIMATE LAND MANAGEMENT FORAGE & COVER SEED FOR MICHIGAN PLOTS
Tony Lapratt and associate Chris Pierson
with new associate Ed Spinazzola
WEBSITE -- tonysulm.com
ULTIMATE DEER FOOD PLOTS

BOOK & DVD
ORDER YOUR
COPY TODAY
Send Check or Money Order
Made Out to:
Book $25
DVD $20
Includes
Check the Following:
DEER ATTRACTION
then mail to:
Deer Attraction
815 Sleeth Rd.
Commerce, MI 48382
Book @ $25 each
DVD @ $20 each
Name
Phone #
OR CALL ED AT 586-784-8090 FOR MORE INFORMATION

Seed
Cost
# Bags
(6lbs)
$25
Michigan's Ultimate Blend

(6lbs)
$35
Wildlife Cover and

Forage Blend (6lbs)
$50
Shipping and handling

Lower Peninsula Michigan
$11.00 first bag $7.00

each additional bag
Shipping and handling

Upper Peninsula and the
rest of the Continental US
$12.00 first bag $8.00

each additional bag
TOTAL
REMIT BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
Ed Spinazzola 24150 31 Mile Road, Ray Twp, MI 48096

WEBSITE: deerattraction.com
Address
State
Zip
Total
Michigan Brassica Blend
Name
Address
City
The Brassica Blend provides both summer feed and winter forage. The Ultimate Blend is
an excellent mix that includes both annual and perennials. The Wildlife Cover and Forage Blend
is designed to keep deer on your property by providing them a bedding area and food in close
proximity. Go to deerattraction.com for a full list of ingredients and detailed planting instructions.
City
Phone #
State
Zip
ne of the first custom shotguns I handled was a Remington 1100. Set up for
bowling pin shooting, it had
a large charging handle, a
longer magazine, and rifle
sights. If I had seen it earlier in the
match I might own it. But, by the time
I handled it, my cash had mostly been
spent on side matches, gun parts, rifle
magazines, and the occasional aftermatch Dove bar from the BP station
across from my motel.
The next custom shotgun I handled
was a French fowler. A flintlock, it
seemed awfully long to me, till I put it
to my shoulder. After seeing how well
it went into alignment and feeling
how alive it was, I wanted to take it
and go grouse hunting immediately.
(Unfortunately, it was summer at
the time.) The hand-built fowler was
light, perfectly balanced and felt like
it had been made for a fine October
day in the woods. The maker had put
it together for his father so it wasnt
on the market. If it had been...
Custom guns have been a pillar
of the English gun making trade for
years. Matched pairs of bespoke
side by sides for red grouse hunts, and
Colonial-era elephant guns (also used
on Cape buffalo, lion, and other tough
critters) were made by Boss, Purdy
and other British firms. The Italians,
French, and Germans got into the
game as well. Ive always liked the
look of Merkel guns from Germany,
particularly the over and unders.
I have one custom semi-automatic
pistol, and may get another. Id like a
custom revolver with a hard chrome
finish, a good trigger, and fine wood
grips. A custom rifle in .250 Savage is also on the list. An M1A in
.250 would be an interesting rifle
and should feed from standard .308
magazines.
The gun Im least likely to have
customized is a shotgun. Buying a
custom shotgun, made for someone
else, is not out of the question. Ive
heard there are sometimes (relative)
bargains available on those.
If Im not in a hurry to customize a shotgun myself its because Im
well satisfied with my factory guns.
Standard factory stocks fit me well.
My most-used grouse gun is an Italian
over and under 20 gauge. It has a little
figure in the stock, and some checkering and engraving. It has short barrels
and the light weight I like for grouse
and rabbits. For a while I wanted a 28
gauge but I think that particular brush
fire is now out. The 20 does fine for
me.
My Mossberg 590 is equipped
almost the same as the Remington
1100 that I started this piece discussing. It came with an extended magazine and ghost ring peep sights from
the factory. It doesnt need a bigger
91
In the market to purchase

a new fishing rod and reel?
hese days, it usually isnt a

simple matter to buy a new
fishing rod or tackle due to
the many variations in brands,
styles, materials, lengths and
yes, even down to what the
rod is designed to be used for. And
somewhere in all of those choices
comes cost, a definite consideration.
If youre in the market to buy a
new fishing rod and reel, take your
time, look around and get some advice
before making that purchase. With
the proper selection, you will fish
that rod and reel for years. Similar to
buying a new car or SUV, there are
many choices. With a vehicle you
turn the key on, the engine starts then
you drive from point A to point B. In
between you have choices like seat
warmers, air conditioning and enough
sound options to make it seem like
your sitting in Carnegie Hall. Rods
and reels are similar with options from
tip sensitivity, length, backbone, rod
length and uses specific to types of
fishing and lures used. You can go for
a combination (combo) rod and reel
100" -250" Bucks

Also, Doe Hunt
Available
Bow, Pistol, Rifle

or Shotgun Hunts
Available
No License
Required
Weather Proof
Heated Blinds
Available
Guaranteed
Trophy or
No Pay
Group Discounts
Free-Range Hunts
Available
Lodging Available
$20 Cleaning Fee
Per Person Per Day
92
in the $50 range. Price goes upwards

to several hundreds of dollars based
largely on components.
All manufactures will advertise
their rods are made with graphite
blanks, porcelain rod guides, cork
handles and stainless reel
seats. Reels, like rods, are
talked about in terms of ball
bearings. The idea is the
more bearings the smoother
the cast and the longer the
reel last. More bearings or
graphite translates into more
dollars to the consumer. Just
like cars are promised everything to
the consumer but fly,
rods and reels may
induce a potential buyer by claiming
to be able to feel this or throw that
particular bait with great accuracy.
Whether its cars or fishing equipment, much depends on the person
and experience doing the operating.
Having said that though, some rods
and reels are easier to use than others.
Many of my rods and reels are very
basic. A true, experienced tournament

angler wouldnt have them on the
boat.
Recently, I spent a day fishing
smallmouth bass with pal John Mini
Maniaci. Ask Mini a question and
hell either have an opinion
or an answer on the topic.
Ive frequently found him to
be correct and knowledgeable in his answers. Mini
makes his living in another
field but in nearly all of his
off time he can be found on
the front deck of his boat,
rod in hand and foot
on the trolling motor
either fun fishing or
in a tournament.
With 30-plus years throwing baits
and targeting fish, this Lews pro
staffer knows a thing or two about the
equipment he uses.
Lews builds rod styles for various levels, types of fishing and price,
Mini said. You do get what you pay
for.
These days, equipment is built to
By Roger Beukema
be as light as possible while remaining

durable enough to withstand the dayto-day continued rough use a tournament angler puts them through.
Lighter, Faster, Stronger is the
Lews motto, he said. From the use
of stainless steel wire for spinning reel
bails to the addition of golfs Winn
grips on certain model rod handles,
this equipment is space age.
Why use golf grips on fishing
rods?
Winn grips come with the Custom Speed Stick and T-P-1 series. The
Winn grip gets tacky even when wet,
he said. Standard grips get slippery
when wet. The T-P-1 rod series are all
purpose rods created for all types of
fishing with tournament performance.
The Mach 1 model, voted best of
show for a rod during the 2015 I-Cast
fishing show is a great, introductory
match.
Most people think you fish for
bass with broomsticks. Thats not
accurate. You need a softer tip for
finesse or moving baits. A strong
backbone is need for hooks to pen-
Elysian Fields
HUNTING PRESERVE
WHITETAIL DEER HUNTS
in Bellevue, Michigan
For the Best Deal on a

Deer Hunt Contact Us . . .
Specials
NOW!
Call For a Deal"
(517) 803-9893 (517) 881-7088

www.elysianwhitetails.com
US State Foreign Custom

Military ISO Message Ribbon
Residential & Commercial Poles
810.969.4063
Home of the red,
and blue
Taxidermy Truly an Art

etrate into the tough mouth of a bass.
Rods with a soft tip detect weeds,
and structure. The slightest bump felt
on a good rod means its time to set
the hook. Finally, casting accuracy is
greatly improved.
Mini handed me one of his Lews
rods to use. Believe me the difference
was similar to William Tell shooting
an apple with a stick bow to that of
world-class long bow shooter Byron
Ferguson putting an arrow through
his wifes wedding ring in an exhibition for the Japanese Emperor. I got
the sense that anywhere I wanted to
throw I could. It was almost a meeting or melding of mind and equipment. And smooth. Line flew off
the reel and through the rods eyes
slicker than a harpooned hippo on a
banana tree. And my arm didnt feel
like it needed a rest after several casts
because of the lighter equipment.
Reels have a lot to do with casting accuracy and a good one helps
deliver the bait where you want it
to go. Lews baitcasters have finely
machined holes built into the reels
body making them a little lighter and
giving them a smart look. Those that
fish with braid need not add backing
or mono on the reels arbor before
spooling on braid. Reels today come
with a factory installed rubber ring
enclosing the entire arbor. Newer
Lews reels are being built with
knurled arbors-a series of small holes
machined into the arbor-that give
braid a grip.
For more information visit lews.
com.
Lews is a major sponsor of the
American Hero Series benefitting
returning veterans and pledges the
following:
The Lews American Hero series
is more than just rods and reels; it is
our promise. With a sincere respect
for and in genuine honor of our
American veterans, Lews pledges
a portion of profits from the sale of
every American Hero rod, along with
select other Lews products, for the
purpose of supporting and helping
organized programs that benefit the

mind, spirit, soul and body of our
veterans in their return to enjoying
recreational opportunities outdoors,
such as fishing.
Our support is focused on organizations that include a fishing element
within their regular programs that are
designed to assist veterans, especially
wounded veterans, who are transitioning back into civilian life.
(Lews provides rods for vets to
use and keep following their tournaments. The program has been ongoing for four years.)
While a sincere thank you will
always be on our lips, it is from our
hearts that we pledge a portion of our
profits from specially identified Lews
products to help with select programs
that benefit the mind, spirit, soul and
body of these American Heroes so
that they too can experience the same
enjoyment outdoors.
Fishing is an important part of
our FOCUS Marines Foundation
classes dedicate to helping wounded
Marines and Corpsmen make successful and rewarding transitions
from military to civilian life. Lews
donation of rods, reels and line is a
great help in the healing process of
our students during and after our sessions, Ted Kretschmar, Vice President of Operations, FOCUS Marines
Foundation said.
The American Hero rod is one of
several Lews products that partial
proceeds go toward returning veterans programs.
You can email Roger Beukema at
dutchbeuk12@gmail.com.n
By Tricia Auten- Pretty Hunters
I have had the pleasure of getting to know a husband and wife team grow a taxidermy business over
the past couple of years. Their passion for articulating bones shines through and they do an amazing
job. I wanted to dig a little deeper into the process
after having two gorgeous European skulls done
with them.
Randy and Kim Jidas started Skull Masters Taxidermy only three
years ago, they have been very successful in acquiring new customers
and retaining them, both retail and wholesale. I can attest to their customer service and the superior pieces they produce. The couple takes
pride in their work, and they should all the way from their dedication
to the final product to the process itself using nature to do what it was
created to do. They use beetles to clean their skulls. All of us who
hunt have seen a skull or two that looks not so white, well that is never
the case when Skull Masters processes skulls. They have built a building solely dedicated to the beetles.
Randy tells me that caring for beetles is a 24 hour commitment,
similar to running a farm. He also believes using the beetles far exceeds the results from boiling skulls, and that beetles are the preferred
method by museums as well. Now comes the question on pricing,
their pricing is as competitive as all others out there, with better
results. So before us hunters want to cut a couple corners, save a few
bucks, consider using a professional taxidermy service such as Skull
Masters. Randy also mentioned he has periodic customers that have
done the before mentioned and well, they need Skull Masters to fix
it.
Beyond making some amazing European skulls for the hunters,
they also do another form of art with bones, which is articulating them!
See the picture of the Red Fox that they did. Randy and Kim believe
in using every part of the animal that they can and they do! Check out
the Pheasant Wing fan with bone beads & leather, it has a mirror on the
back, for the Renaissance Festival. Randy and Kim are quite the team,
he does the processing and Kim brings the artistic flair to the business.
To further diversify their business they have done coyote skull painting
nights. I can again, attest that being fun! Who knew that coyote painting could become the new book club?!
If you are interested in acquiring Skull Masters Taxidermys services, hunt them down at 248-632-2803, they are in the Clarkston area.
Andys Tackle Box

(313) 388-FISH (3474)
Monday-Friday: 10am-6pm.
Saturday: 10am-5pm
Closed Sunday
Open Year Round

Full Line of Tackle
Assortment of Materials For The
Do-It-Your-Selfer
Live Bait
Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Fly-Tying Supplies
Helping Michigans Fisherman Since 1959
WILDERNESS CUSTOM BLINDS

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Single Pivot: $20.00
Double Tree: $40.00
Triple Tree w/Large Base: $50.00
Triple Tree w/Small Base: $60.00
Swivel Base: Add $12.00
Caps: $3.50
Track: $12.00 per ft.
MADS ALSO CARRIES
DOCKS &BOAT
ACCESSORIES
17485 Dix-Toledo Rd (at Oakwood)

Melvindale, MI 48122
93
Summer food plots

It has been a dry, hot and plant
killing early summer in many
areas this year. I have several
damaged areas so...
what to do, what to do?
a clover blend or a combination blend

of clovers, chicory, alfalfa and trefoil.
Also, most weeds and grasses while
young are beneficial to wildlife, and
this includes deer.
Deer are not cattle, which can
thrive on grass alone. If all deer had to
eat was grass yearround, they would
irst, it is wise to have a good
all die. They both have four stomachs,
percentage of your total food
but not the same digestive efficiency.
plot area, (up to 40 percent)
Cattle can create all the proteins,
dedicated for later seeding,
amino acids and vitamins their body
(called summer seeding). This requires. Deer demand and need a
thinking is not due
large variety of forage for
to insurance in case early
their survival. So, think seedplots fail, this thinking is the
ing a blend of forage whether
right thing to do period. The
it is a perennial or annual.
above failed spring seeded
Other pluses for summer
kill plot can be reseeded as a
seeding is the fact that rains
summer kill plot. When you
normally start to be more
seed in early August you are
frequent the second half of
taking advantage of a host of
summer and early fall. It can
positive events. When you
be 90 degrees in September
seed in mid-summer,
but expect a cool
weeds will surely
night with dew. The
arrive along with the
conditions are more
desired forage, but these weeds in
conducive for food plot success versus
most cases will not develop mature
spring seeding.
seeds due to the short growing season. Creating The Summer Kill Plot
Expect a cleaner field void of weeds
One primary reason for summer
the second year of growth when seed- seeding is for the early bow season.
ing perennials in early August such as One hears the old story about the
By Ed Spinazzola
4th ANNUAL NORTHERN TRAILS ANTLER

& SPORTING GOODS AUCTION
**SATURDAY, AUGUST 13TH @ 9:00 AM **
BUY IT NOW STARTS AT 8:00 AM
We will be accepting consignments August 12 from 8am - 8pm
LOCATION: SHERIDAN COMMUNITY CENTER, 205 ST. CLAIR ST., SHERIDAN, MI (8
miles South of Stanton on M-66 to St. Clair St., East mile to auction site.)
CONSIGNMENTS WANTED Guns, bows, mounts, moose, deer, elk, caribou
antlers, hunting & fishing-related items, cabin & camping items, rustic dcor, snowshoes, canoes &
kayaks. ALREADY CONSIGNED Guns: Hammer 12 ga. Double barrel singleshot, 12 ga. Stevenson,
Marlin Lever Action 41 Cal. Rem Mag. Model #1894S Serial #16053254, 2-50-Cal. Muzzleloaders. Expecting 20-30 Guns. Bows: Assorted Recurves, Silverhawk Compound Bow. Expecting more
bows! Mounts: 10 Deer Mounts 10 Pts. & better, 1 Albino Mount, Deer & Mule Mounts, Turkey
Mount, Boar Mount, Dall Sheep, Caribou, Bear, Fox, Bobcat Rug, Kudu & Nyala Mount, Impala, Bush &
Spring Buck Mount. Expecting more mounts! Antlers: 3-Moose sets on skull, Moose Sheds & Cutoffs,
Assorted Deer Sheds & Cutoffs, Asst. Elk Sheds, Wild MI Elk Sheds, Large 8 pts. Rack & More! Sporting
Goods: Vortex Razor HD 10x42 Binoculars, Leupold RX650 Digital Laser RangeFinder, SK-1 Ventana Leupold Spotting Scope, New 10x42 Bushnell Binoculars, Leupold Scope, Turkey Vest Full of Calls, Fishing Rods & Reels, Loaded Tackle Boxes, Hunting Clothes, Hunting Boots & Shoes, Lots of Nice Waders,
New Fly Fishing Reel, 4 Doz. New 110 Conibear Traps, Goose Blind, Pop-up Blinds, Treestand, Eskimo
Propane Ice Auger Like New, Hunting Gear, Gun Cases, Bow Cases, Back Packs, and Much More! Cabins
& Camping Gear: Tents, Chairs, Stoves, Smokers, Grinders, Meat Slicers, Vacuum Sealers, Dehydrators,
Red Cedar 16x42 Coffee Table w/Antlers, 3ft. & 4ft. Antler Shelfs, Miniature Rustic Outhouse & More!
94
For Pictures, see AuctionZip.com I.D. #2701

AUCTIONEERS BILL MARTIN AND WILLIS YODER
For more details call 989.291.5556
Terms of Sale: Cash or approved check with proper ID. Nothing is to be removed until settled for. Everything is SOLD as-is. There are no
guarantees or warranties, and not responsible for items after sold. Statements made day of auction take precedence over printed matter.
Not responsible for accidents. Auctioneers not responsible for no shows. Lunch wagon & restroom facilities available on grounds. Visa,
Mastercard and Debit accepted with a 3% Handling fee. Out of state buyers must have a Bank Letter of Credit. 6% MI Sales Tax on all
purchases unless buyer has MI Sales Tax on all purchases unless buyer has a MI Sales Tax License. All gun buyers subject to a $15 transfer
fee per gun. Also subject to background check unless you have a F.F.I or C.P.L..
Please call about new commission rates!
You can create a lush young food plot near your bow blind by planting in August.
of clovers, two alfalfas, chicory,
early bow season right up to the first
birdsfoot trefoil and a brassica nurse
phase of the rut as being a waste of
forage, which is also a large blend for
time. Yes, there is some truth to that
reasons noted above. It is important
for deer are more active for forage at
that all land management programs
night than daytime during that time
period. Yet, if you can reach the deers include a legume perennial forage
blend and its not a bad idea to include
stomach with forage they cannot refuse the situation reverses. One forage at least a strip of this forage in each
deer cannot refuse is young and grow- kill plot within the land management.
ing soybeans, which should be seeded Perennial legume forage does not
at 30 pounds per acre from mid-July
need to more than 25 percent of the
to early August. On October the first
total forage of the land management
they are still growing lush leaves,
plan unless we are talking a small area
which are the deers first choice over
of forty acres or less. Annuals work
anything else (except sweet corn),
better as an attractant, (note the above
even acorns.
soy set up) plus seeding corn as cover,
The mid-May seeded soybeans
forage or attractant is sure fire.
leaves are turning brown and ripening
Your plot is prepped, the PH is
the bean pods on October first. The
fine and the soil is a medium loam. All
deer will still visit them but not like
signs are so think the first of August
in early July. So, for more deer action for the seeding date for the entire
in early October think seeding soys
lower. Start a week earlier in the UP.
in mid-July to early August. If you
The starting date is important, if you
seeded Roundup Ready (RR) soys in
start later and a have a freeze in early
mid-July wait three weeks then spray October you may experience a plot
RR herbicide for weed control. The
failure. Perennials generally have a
same day broadcast a brassica blend at slow start in the above soil forage
no more than two pounds per acre. For growth. The plants are concentrating
easy spreading add some clay based
on the development of their root struckitty litter to the brassica blend or add ture first and need six weeks for their
buckwheat at five pounds per acre.
proper growth. If the root structure is
Come the first of September
not adequate a normal winter freeze
broadcast a grain blend of oats, winter will lift the top part of the plant and
rye grain and wheat at a total of no
may snap the root, (creating a failed
more than 30 pounds per acre. For in- crop). A healthy fat root will not snap.
sured opening bow day action do the
So take no chances, seed early rather
sweetening thing starting in mid-Sep- than late.
tember, see our web site, wwwdeeratWe emphasize, to satisfy the
traction.com for more information.
deers nutritional needs, seed a large
Soys cannot take a freeze, but if the
variety of forage for all food plots
sweetening thing is seriously applied
expect the soys to take a freeze down whether its an annual or perennial
to 28 degrees. We have created a fine forage blend. See our web site wwearly bow season kill plot and the later wdeerattraction.com for examples of a
seasons even with the lack of soys, for preferred brassica or perennial blend.
we added attractive cool season forage The basic blend has turnips, kale,
that can take a serious frost and actu- winter canola and dwarf Essex rape in
addition to several brassica from New
ally grow during the winter.
Zeeland, designed for their red deer.
The kill plot we just created is an
The perennial legume has the same
annual food plot. To create a perenbrassica blend as a nurse crop along
nial forage summer seeded kill plot
the soil prepping can be created by the with five clovers, chicory, two grazing
type alfalfas and birdsfoot trefoil.
practice of summer fallow, which is
Keep the fun in hunting!
tilling the site every ten days starting
Ed Spinazzola is an Associate with
in mid-May until seeding time. SprayTony LaPratts Ultimate Land Maning RR three times from mid-May to
agement. For more information check
July first, then broadcasting fertilizer
our web site, wwwtonysulm.com or
and tilling in mid-July.
wwwdeerattraction.com or call 586Seed a perennial legume kill plot
that has a blend of at least four types
784-8090.n
MICHIGAN'S
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Be sure to listen to Mike

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on one of the following
radio stations each week!
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95
DNR shooting ranges improve to

keep pace with target shooting trends
t used to be that to check the precision of your aim when practicing

at a shooting range, you had to
walk downrange and look at your
target. Today theres a Smartphone application for that.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has introduced Bullseye Camera Systems at all five of its
staffed shooting ranges at Dansville
(Ingham County), Ortonville (Lapeer County), Pontiac Lake (Oakland
County), Rose Lake (Clinton County)
and Sharonville (Jackson County).
These cameras give you the ability to track your shots right from your
Smartphone, tablet or laptop, with a
free app downloaded to your device
and a connection to the cameras Wi-Fi
signal, said Charlie Brauer, who runs
the DNRs Ortonville Shooting Range
and who had the idea to install the
cameras at the end of the ranges longrange shooting stations.
Brauer said theres no more need
to have lengthy target checks due to
shooters walking out and back from
the 100- or 200-yard targets or shooters wondering where their bullets are
hitting.
Pretty cool, right? Brauer said.
Brauer said the new remote sighting systems not only will help those
with mobility challenges enjoy the
shooting sports, butalso will offer a
fun, techie experience for the ranges
younger customers.
And thats just one example of how
the DNR shooting ranges are evolving
to meet the needs of a growing and
changing group of shooting-sports
enthusiasts.
Trajectory And Trends

The number of target shooting participants in the United States increased
from 34.4 million in 2009 to 51.2
million in 2014 almost a 50-percent
jump according to a National Shooting Sports Foundation report on sport
shooting participation published in
2015.
The visitor traffic at the DNRs
staffed ranges reflects the growing
popularity of the pastime as well, with

the total number of shooters at all the
ranges (excepting Dansville, which
did not open as a staffed range until
November 2014) increasing by 44 percent in the same five-year period, from
about 29,000 in 2009 to about 42,000
in 2014.
The foundation report also indicates the largest upturn in participation
more than 50 percent over the last
five years was in handgun shooting.
One of the fastest-growing segments of the target-shooting population
is women, expanding by 60 percent
from 2001 to 2013, as reported by the
National Sporting Goods Association
as part of its annual studies of sports
participation.
And in a 2013 foundation survey,
firearms retailers estimated that 20
percent of their shooting- and huntingrelated sales were attributed to women,
up from 15 percent in 2010.
Observations from DNR staff
members bear out these national
trends.
Weve seen more women and
children over the past few years, with a
gaining interest in handgun shooting,
said Aiden McLearon, who oversees all
of the DNRs staffed shooting ranges.
Shooting range officers like Richard Phillips at Pontiac Lake echoed
McLearons comments about more
handgun customers at the ranges.
Julee Hasbany takes aim on a pistol

range at the Michigan Depar tment of
Natural Resources Rose Lake Shooting
Range in Clinton County.
Grass Lake, opened in late 2015 thanks

in part to a $25,000 grant from the
National Rifle Association.
After installing the new handgun
range, I have noticed more women
coming to shoot for their first time,
said Joe Presgrove, shooting range officer at Sharonville. This is great for
the future of shooting sports, because
hopefully those individuals will introduce others to shooting as well.
Another recent upgrade that makes
the DNR shooting ranges more userfriendly and inviting to shooters is the
addition of modern restrooms at Ortonville, Pontiac Lake and Sharonville.
At Rose Lake, an education buildKeeping Pace
ing that will include not only restThe DNR has been improving and rooms but also classrooms that can be
upgrading facilities at the ranges to
used for hunter education, youth and
keep pace with these trends.
conservation groups and DNR activiMichigan has approximately
ties is under construction and set to
850,000 people who participate in
open this fall.
shooting sports, said Dennis Fox,
Other efforts to make the DNR
manager of the DNR Recruitment and shooting ranges more family-friendly
Retention Section. Nationally, shoot- include things like a pavilion and
ing sports particularly handgun
grill available for visitors to use at
shooting is a growing sport, and
the Sharonville range and events like
our recently added 10-yard ranges will Demonstration Days where kids can
provide opportunities for the increasing learn about and safely try out different
demand.
types of child-sized firearms and arAll of the DNR-managed shooting chery equipment that the ranges have
facilities now have handgun ranges.
hosted in recent years.
The newest, at the Sharonville range in
The feedback we hear from the
customers is excellent, Presgrove
said. Most customers are happy that
the DNR is making the effort to meet
the needs of the growing interest in
shooting sports and providing a safe
facility to shoot at with family and
friends.
Getting Star ted
Pontiac Lake Shooting Range officer Warren Silverstein assists a young
96 man with a .22-caliber youth model rifle.
For those interested in getting

started in the shooting sports, but not
sure of the best way to begin, Phillips
suggests, Buy a gun and come on
out. For those who prefer to only dip
a toe in the water at first, Presgrove
suggests a gradual approach.
Learn from someone with a lot
of experience and start with a smaller
caliber/gauge, Presgrove said. Pull-
ing the trigger for the first time can

be both exciting and scary for some,
so its important to start at a comfortable level in terms of gun size. Once
you feel comfortable shooting with the
smaller calibers/gauges, you can move
up in size.
McLearon also recommends visiting your local shooting ranges and
firearms retailers to learn more about
the sport and whats offered.
As for the DNR shooting ranges,
McLearon said, The DNR is dedicated to providing safe, friendly, familyoriented facilities for all to enjoy. Our
staff is knowledgeable about firearm
safety, and were always willing to
work with new shooters.
Because of the DNRs commitment
to its hunter safety education programs
with more than 3,000 volunteer instructors lending their valuable expertise Michigans hunter safety record
continues to improve.
For the second year in a row,
Michigan recorded no fatalities in
2015 during all hunting seasons. That
continued improvement is part of an
overall trend toward fewer huntingrelated fatalities and injuries over the
past several decades.
The downward fatality and accident
trend began in 1988 when completion
of a hunter education class became
mandatory for all first-time hunters
born after Jan. 1, 1960.
In addition to its five staffed shooting ranges, the DNR also contracts
with Michigan Shooting Centers, Inc.
to operate and maintain the Island Lake
(Brighton) and Bald Mountain (Lake
Orion) shooting ranges.
Michigan Shooting Centers owner
Pat Lieske, shooting professional and
sporting clays Hall of Fame inductee,
offers shooting instruction at the
ranges.
Learn more about the DNR shooting ranges including offerings,
locations and hours or to search for
other ranges around the state at www.
michigan.gov/dnr.n
?
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What
Organizing your specialized stuff for
river steelhead, panfish, bass and ice
fishing and then storing it in separate
containers make more sense than
cramming and jamming everything
into one box.
I should take my own advice. A fellow I sometimes fish with for
bedded bluegills totes a flat
plastic container full of rubber
spiders, colorful tiny lures,
miniature lead weights and a
fingernail clipper.
If the gills wont hit
these, he says sagely, while
patting his back pocket and
frowning over the plugs,
spoons, spinners, fake
night crawlers and
imitation minnows that
spill forth from my
suitcase-sized tackle
box, they wont hit at all. How do
you find a teardrop in all that stuff you
bring?
In truth, I dont. I borrow from him
whatever the bluegills want.
Pass me a perch-colored Husky
Jerk, another friend asks while we are
trolling Saginaw Bay for walleye.
Come again?
Theyre in the third plastic box
on the left side of the plug cabinet.
His boat is a floating tackle shop,
and it is always unnerving that he
knows exactly where everything is and
can find it immediately. Maybe thats
why he catches far more fish than I do.
A ream or two has been written

about tacklewhat to buy and how
and when to use it. Nothing, of course,
beats hands-on experience, and most
of us have to learn from our mistakes.
Years ago, for example, my 12-yearold son and I prepared to fish Yellowstone Lake out West for
cutthroat trout. I had packed
Great Lakes trolling gear and
had it sprawled all over the
dock at Grant Village near
the South Entrance to Yellowstone Park.
Oh, I dont think theyll
hit those, a returning angler
said, gravely nodding at our
half-dozen, bright-colored lake trout dodgers
and cowbells I tried
neatly arrange along
the planks. Theyre
bite this much better, And with that he
showed me a tiny jointed Rapala. Of
course, I didnt have one. Of course,
the local tackle shop was sold out.
Another time at the boat launch
in Grindstone City on Lake Huron,
I rigged a couple of trolling lines for
lakers and browns. A friendly veteran
had been giving helpful tips on what to
catch the fish on. Then the inevitable
question:
You mean you dont have a
Huron Herring out of all that stuff in
there? he wondered.
Nope. Got a Northport Nailer,
though. Think thatll work?
Michigan Meanders
By Tom Huggler
Maybe. If you cant find it in all

that stuff you brought.
Look, deeply, into a fishing mans
tackle box and you may discover inner,
closely guarded secrets about his personality. Three of every four psychologists agree, for example that:
Initials etched on the plastic fins of
Rapalas suggest, at best, control issues;
at worst, paranoia.
Childhood deprivation could result
in the hoarding of Little Gremlin splitshot sinkers.
Distress flares and a small package
containing an inflatable life raft for one
adult, hidden in the bottom of a tackle
box, intimates the owner is selfish and
a compulsive worrier.
Finding your lures in his tackle box
could be simple jealousy but smacks
of kleptomania and possible analretentiveness.
A filthy tackle box with scrambled
contents not only points to unclean
habits but also to irritable bowel syndrome.
And a near-empty tackle box
(wives take note) hints at diverted
interests. Listen carefully for repeated
alibis.
The angler whose tackle box is
white-glove clean and is perfectly
organized may point to obsessivecompulsive disorder. In truth, however,
it is also clear evidence the owner is a
successful angler.
This much I suspect: He catches
more fish than I do.n
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f you are downstream from age

50, you probably remember those
old metal fishing tackle boxes. A
dull green or brown in color, they
were as heavy as cement blocks
and came with nail-breaking locks
you sometimes needed a screwdriver
to pry open. The older the box, the
more rust they carried, both inside and
out. I say goodbye and good riddance.
Today we have durable, seethrough plastic and rust-free aluminum, simple flip fasteners, creative
dividers and a rainbow of colors. Life
is good if youre an angler and like to
organize your fishing gear. And there
certainly is a lot of stuff to organize
these days.
Not so in Grandpas day. His onelayer tackle box spawned a couple
red-and-white Dardevles, a Flatfish or
two and a Creek Chub. You could find
a pencil bobber and a round bobber, a
half-dozen hooks and a pair of bellshaped sinkers. Grandpa might have
tossed a rope stringer inside and glued
a wooden classroom ruler to the lid.
Then he went fishing and probably
caught as many pike as you and I do.
Todays angler has tough decisions
to make. Should he buy a huge, gaping
tackle box with tiered double drawers
to accommodate all his sundry fishing
needs? Or should he copy the fly fisherman who keeps his dries, nymphs,
streamers and support tackle in small,
separate containers that neatly slide
into the pockets of his fishing vest?
97
The Twin Cedars Cup kayak bass tourney
your biggest fish

By Dan Russell bring
to the dock for weigh
athers Day in
Trout Lake was
fairly warm for
the U.P. Temperatures in the
low 70s but a 25-35 mile per
hour wind raising some major
white caps on Frenchmans Lake. Bob
and Meghan Klave had their First
Annual Kayaking Bass tournament
scheduled for 4 p.m. As owners of
the Twin Cedars Resort they introduced kayaking on the lake which has
proved to be very popular. Adding a
bass fishing contest to kayaking then
throwing in a 35 mph wind is like
playing golf with bent clubs and an
oblong ball!
The rules are simple artificial
bait only no net after four hours
in no type of motor,
just the paddle/pedal can be used a
life jacket is mandatory and a safety
boat at the ready to assist anyone who
had a problem. If your fish isnt alive
at weigh in a one pound deduction is
incurred.
The fisherman with the biggest
fish wins it all. A ten dollar entry
fee insures its more about fun and a
bunch of laughs than about the money.
Plus some side bets concerning adult
beverages were added to the exciteWindy conditions made the bassing from kayaks a little tougher. Karen Russell photos
ment.
headed for some hot bass spots while pound 8 ounce largemouth.
At promptly 4 p.m. starter Karen
new kayakers splashed themselves
All fish were released back into
Russell sounded the horn to release
into the weeds. More splashing
the lake after weigh in and there was
the boats experienced paddlers
paddling cursing; the weed-bound
much talk about next years tournafishermen got their boats free and off ment. In a lake with an abundance of
they went. The wind was relentless. At smallmouth and largemouth bass com8:15 p.m., timekeeper Karen got them bining fishing skills with kayaking is
headed back to the dock for the weigh great fun!
in and it was a struggle to paddle
For information on next years
back.
tournament contact Bob or Meghan at
Dan Green from Southeast, Ohio
www.The TwinCedars.com/contact
and Matt Russell from Terre Haute,
You can bring your own kayak or may
Indiana traveled the furthest to be
rent one from the resort be ready for
there, while John Newland lives in
Trout Lake and Bob Klave of course, a lot of laughs a good work out and
owns the resort! Several other fisher- the camaraderie of enjoying the great
outdoors with likeminded people. You
men from Northern Michigan also
could find your name engraved on the
participated. John Newland checked
The Twin Cedars Cup.n
The kayaking bass anglers head out to their favorite hot spot.
in with the heaviest fish a nice 4
Positive environmental factors for your dog
N
Top Performance More Than Luck...
98
Drainage Are
your grounds free of
stagnant standing water
which supports mosquitoes, flies and
bacteria? Good drainage is particularly important in areas plagued by
heart-worm since it limits mosquito
breeding places.
Internal and External Parasites
Are you careful to rid your dog
of worms, fleas and ticks? No dog
should play host to parasites because
of owner neglect. Maintaining high
environmental standards will do much
to minimize the adverse effects of
parasites.
Vectors Are you inadvertently
providing harborage for undesirable
animals which could be carriers of
disease? For instance, sloppy dog
food handling and feeding practices
could result in rat and mouse infestation of your kennel facilities. Also,
poor disposal of dog excrement and
soiled food could result in excessive
harborage of flies. The careful use of
rodenticides and insecticides might be
necessary, although your first defense
against infestation is sanitation.
Communicable Diseases Is
your dog properly immunized against
distemper, parainfluenza, parvo virus,
hepatitis, leptospirosis and rabies?
There is no excuse for your dog hav-
By Len Jenkins
The dish itself should

be free of algae growth,
o sportsman can expect
mud and debris.
to be in the best health

Food Is your dog fed a raand physically capable of
tion sufficiently high in protein and
strenuous sport if his body
suitable for his lifestyle? If this food
is constantly wracked by
is moldy or contaminated, it should be
environmental stress. If a
discarded.
place of human habitation does not
Shelter Does your dogs house
provide the environment required for provide him protection from environdecent, healthful living, the occupants mental forces such as wind, snow, rain
suffer and a public agency might con- and heat? Bedding should be clean
demn the structure as unfit for human and changed from time to time.
habitation. Yet many sportsmen, while
Exercise Area Is your dogs run
concerned for their personal environ- clean and free of excessive amounts
mental quality, do not pay close atten- of excrement? Runs should be raked,
tion to the environmental quality of
shoveled, rinsed or otherwise cleaned
their dogs place of habitation. These daily. A good chlorine disinfectant
same sportsmen, however, expect
should be used periodically.
optimal performance from their dogs
Safety Is your dogs kenneling
in the field.
area free of potential hazards such as
What environmental conditions
projecting nails or wire as well as deshould be met to keep your dog
bris which could cause physical injury
healthy, strong and happy? Though
in some way? If so, all safety hazards
no public agency will condemn your
should be eliminated to protect your
kennel as unfit for canine habitation,
dogs health and save you a potensome self-evaluation might be in order tially heavy veterinary expense.
to help your dog work to his fullest
Sunlight/Shade Does sunlight
potential for you. The following enpenetrate to your dogs living quarvironmental considerations will help
ters? While sunlight is a good natural
achieve this:
disinfectant as well as a source of
Water Is your dog supplied
pleasure for your dog, he should also
with fresh water daily? This water
have access to some shade in case the
sun and heat become too intense.
should be safe for his consumption.
Bryan, owned by Matt and Jessica Dickinson of Montgomery

Michigan, does not suffer from any
environmental stress.
ing these diseases since effective immunizations are available and should
be administered on a regular schedule.
Your dog is a good friend who is
asks for little while working hard for
you. Since he will give you his best
efforts in the uplands, doesnt it make
sense for you to ensure that he can
work up to his full potential? This potential cannot be reached if his system
is splayed by environmental stress
you can control. A little preventative
environmental maintenance will result
in maximum sport and pleasure afield.
Both you and your dog deserve each
others best!n
Studying the Science

of catching more walleye
Deer Private Land

Assistance Network grant
application period opens
The Michigan Department of
Natural Resources announced that the
application period is now open for the
Deer Private Land Assistance Network (Deer PLAN) grant program.
A total of $50,000 is available,
through a competitive grant process,
to support private-land deer habitat
improvement projects in the northern
Lower Peninsula. The focus area for
2017 will include Alcona, Alpena,
Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda and
Presque Isle counties.
The focus area concentrates
habitat projects in a region to provide
greater benefits to deer hunters in
areas where habitat issues have been
identified, said DNR Deer Program
biologist Ashley Autenrieth.
Deer PLAN funding results in
immediate, on-the-ground efforts to
improve deer habitat. Funds will be
given across these six counties based
on a competitive grant application
scoring process.
For 2017, two new criteria will
be added for additional points toward
final score:
Form or join a cooperative, or
create partnerships with neighbors.
This includes having at least two

properties with at least 150 acres combined in the application.
Deer management: harvesting
deer, especially antlerless, having deer
tested for bovine tuberculosis, and
completing a deer camp survey on the
applicants property.
The new changes will encourage more partnerships and increase
the amount of habitat work in the
area, said DNR wildlife biologist
Shelby Hiestand. The deer management criteria will help to decrease the
prevalence of bovine tuberculosis,
which is a top priority for this area of
the state.
Grant proposals for $2,000 to
$10,000 will be considered for deer
habitat improvement projects on
private land. A 25-percent match of
funds is required in the form of any
one or more of the following: financial match, cost share, volunteer labor,
material contributions or other in-kind
support.
Project applications are due by
Sept. 1, and successful applicants
will be notified by Oct. 1. Proposed
projects will be evaluated and com-
Six-year-old takes huge muskie

Six-Year-Old Jason (Jay) Thomas of New Lothrop, Michigan had
often fished off the dock at his grandfather's cabin at Raber in the eastern
Upper Peninsula; but earlier this summer, he pulled in a perch or two or
three, but had never fished from the boat for larger fish. His big moment
came, 10 minutes after he and grandpa began trolling for walleye in the
St. Marys River. It was there his granddad had pulled in his huge 52
inch trophy muskie. Bud had bought Jay and his two other grand boys,
fish poles and tackle boxes the previous Christmas.
Little Jason was using that $7.99 on sale plastic fishing pole, the
day he took his first monster muskie! You would think that would be
impossible for a six-year-old youngster, but Jason handled the situation
well using a double-bladed crawler-harness as bait, then reeling the big
fish in until the muskie came alongside the boat and danced in the water
allowing Jason to comment, Papa, I think I need some help!
At first, Bud Thomas thought his grandson had hit the button and
let out more line and having commented on that problem, he suddenly
realized that was not what was taking place. Young Jason had actually
caught a large muskie evidently as soon as his lure hit the water. What a
thrill for a young boy!
It was not an easy fish to land. The muskie went under the boat several times and each trip, Bud put the rod down right down to the water.
Another time the line almost got hung up at the back of the boat. Bud
added, I could not horse the fish; not with a cheap $7.99 plastic fish
pole that the boy got as a Christmas gift.
"I tried five times to net that fish," Bud recalled. "The one good
thing going for us was that the wind was blowing us out instead of in.
Finally, I landed the fish; it measured 42 inches and weighed 20 pounds.
Once I saw the muskie alongside the boat, I realized that I would have to
help little Jay land it. As we settled down, Jason remarked, Papa now
we can quit fishing until tomorrow, then we can try to get some perch.
They are good to eat!
Bud said, That afternoon we took the big fish to the taxidermist who
told the boy that he had never caught a muskie that big...In a child's eye,
that muskie must have appeared huge!
It looks as though some day another Pike Man will fish the St.
Marys River for northern pike and muskie. Yes indeed, that childs
plastic fishing rod and reel that sold on sale for $7.99 was certainly put
to the ultimate test bringing in that trophy fish for the young angler.
By Betty Sodders
A Deer PLAN grant funds immediate habitat work on private land within
the program focus area in the nor theastern Lower Peninsula.
petitively scored on a range of criteria
by a selection committee.
The Deer PLAN is funded by the
states Deer Range Improvement Pro-
gram funds. To learn more and apply,

visit www.michigan.gov/dnr-grants
and follow the Deer PLAN link at the
bottom of the page.n
To be successful in any battle it is crucial to know your opponent.

Their behaviors, strengths and weaknessesand fishing is no different.
To consistently be a successful walleye angler you must understand your
target---the wily walleye!
The TeachinFishin.com Science Conference will help anglers understand everything needed to become a smarter, and more successful
walleye angler. Experts in walleye behavior and fishing, including NPAA
members Lance Valentine (#101), Ali Shakoor (#403), Ohio DNR Biologist Travis Hartman and Precision Trolling author Mark Romanack
will be speaking on topics such as basic walleye biology, spawning habits, seasonal migrations, food requirements, how walleye see and hear,
and much more.
Teaching the science of walleye and walleye fishing is something
that has been missed, stated Teachinfishin.com contributor Lance
Valentine. We have done a good job of educating anglers on the how of
fishing, and this will be a hard look at the why. Understanding how your
prey acts and reacts to its environment will help all anglers catch more
fish.
Seminars will also focus on the science of UV lure coatings, the
science behind Precision depth control, how to add walleye attracting
sounds to your spread and ways to apply knowledge of walleye behavior
every time on the water to help you catch more walleye.
The TeachinFishin.com Science Conference will be held on August 27 and 28 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Novi, Michigan. Seats are
limited to 100 attendees and lunch will be served each day. Signup and
conference information can be found at http://www.teachinfishin.com/
fishing-science-weekend.html.
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact
Lance Valentine at 810-965-3960 or email at teachinfishin@gmail.com.
99
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Woods-N-WaterNews Classified Section

MISC
FOR SALE
BOATS
FISHING
HUNTING
HUNTING
A TEMPUR-PEDIC MEMORY
FOAM MATTRESS SET.
Clean. Never used. As seen on TV.
Cost $1700. Sell for $695. 989-8322401. M-4-14-TFN
................................................
AN
AMISH
LOG
HEADBOARD AND QUEEN
pillowtop mattress set. New. Sell all
for $275. 989-923-1278.
M-4-14-TFN
................................................
AMISH LOG BEDS, ANY
SIZE $199. 5 drawer log chest
$199. Good quality. Lowest prices in
Michigan. 989-839-4846. M-4-14TFN
................................................
LOG BUNK BEDS. $495. Amish
lodge furniture. Call Dan 989-8321866. M-4-14-TFN
................................................
DOG
KENNEL/TRAILER
FOR SALE 3 runs, 3 coops, storage, new tires and new wires
$900.00 Tim 231-750-1510 FS-8-1
................................................
16 FT. 1996 SEA RAYDER

JET BOAT, 120 hp $3,000 o.b.o
Great for tubing holds 4 people. Call
810-627-3504. B-8-1
................................................
WANTED
FISHING
BUYING
VINTAGE
ARCHERY
RECURVE
BOWS arrows, quivers,
broadheads, etc. anywhere
in Michigan. Call/text Andy at
1(586)215-1481. Will pick up.
W-5-3
POND SUPPLIES: Live gamefish for stocking. Large selection of

lake, pond and water garden supplies. Free catalog! Stoney Creek,
Inc., Grant MI, (800) 448-3873,
www.stoneycreekequip.com F-4-7
................................................
CANADIAN
FISHING
TRIP. Want to go fishing?
Book early and save. One of
Ontario's best multiple fish
lakes, fish for Walleye, Northern, Small Mouth, Lake Trout,
Perch and other fish. Well
spaced out log & framed cabins, boats have electric start 15
hp Yamaha 4 stroke motors,
depth finders and swivel seats.
$399 U.S. funds if booked before March with a group of 4 or
more (2 people per boat) www.
northernwalleyelodge.com or
toll free 1-877-434-2440. F11-TFN
ONE BUCK HUNTING CLUB

MEMBERSHIP
IN
NORTHEASTERN MICHIGAN
Quality club, camp and facilities (also
turkey, small game) West Branch Hale area. Tremendous value and
opportunity. Stag. $1375 per year. See:
dynamicra.com or phone
Dan 989-893-5819. H-7-3
................................................
BEAR HUNTS: Cameron &

Sons years of experience and
licensed with the State offer
baited hunts in Newberry area.
We have acres of private and
public tracks to hunt for your
pleasure 1st and 2nd season
only. Limited hunts available.
Guaranteed active baits. Many
references available upon
request. www.ccameron.biz or
visit us on our Facebook! Call
Kevin at 906-293-8550 or 906630-1034 or Clarence at 407414-7622.
H-5-4
(810) 724-0254
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Classifieds
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(810) 724-0254
HUNTING
2016 MICHIGAN BEAR
HUNTS: Newberry/Gwinn.
Just outside of Seney Wlidlife
Refuge. High success rate.
32 years. State and Federal licensed and experienced. Guaranteed active baits. 6 nights, 5
day hunt includes lodging and
meals. Start at $750. Bow and
rifle deer hunts. $125 per day.
906-439-5242. www.buckspportinglodge.com. H-5-6
ARCHERY AND FIREARM
HUNTS available in big buck country of South Central Ohio. Your semiguided deer hunt will take place on
over 6500 private acres in Pike,
Jackson and Scioto Counties. We
only take a limited number of hunters,
allowing for little to no pressure on
your hunting ground, ensuring high
success rates. Please call Anthony
Best 810-223-4587 heartlandhuntingconsultants.com H-8-3
................................................
ATTENTION U.P. BEAR
HUNTERS: Top of the Line
Guide Service offers excellent
hunting opportunity for black
bear hunters in Newberry management area. Fully licensed
guide offers unlimited day hunting. Lodging available. High
success rate. For information
or references call Bruce at 906477-6983 or 616-566-0183.
H-7-3
BERGLAND UNIT. Guided bear
hunts over bait. State and federal
licensed bear guide. Call Rich 715663-0459 or www.upbearhunt.com
H-6-3
................................................
CAMERONS LITTLE TWO

HEART
BEAR
GUIDE
SERVICE Dog and Bait hunts in the
Newberry area only. We hunt in the
area where we live. We have been
guiding for over 45 years and will
provide references upon request.
Contact Kip at 906-293-5650. H-8-1
................................................
BEAR GUIDES: Newberry
Unit. We hunt all season, food
and lodging included in price.
Call us for your next hunt.
231-620-0398.
updeerandbearguideservice.com
H-7-3
RAY'S U.P. HUNTING Over
25 years experience guiding for deer
and bear. Baited stands in Amasa,
Baraga, and Bergland Units. Lodging
Available. Call Ray at 906-265-9420
or cell (906) 284-2216. Licensed and
Insured. H-3-6
................................................
TROPHY BULL ELK
HUNTS available at The
Valhalla Lodge in Lupton, MI!
Come hunt the Rocky Mountain
elk during the rut and enjoy the
experience of a life time. Your
hunt takes place on over 750
acres of rolling hardwoods,
creek bottoms and vast green
meadows. Bring a guest to
share in this moment of your all
inclusive 3.5 day World Class
Hunt! Contact Anthony Best
810-223-4587 H-8-3
NORTHERN
ONTARIO
BEAR HUNTS: Booking now for
Spring and Fall of 2016. Includes
comfortable cabin, boat and motor,
baited stands. Very experienced
guides. High success rate. 3 hours
from the Soo. References on request.
$960 U.S. 705-869-3272 www.texasandsons.com H-10-12-15
................................................
WEST KENTUCKY HUNTS
Thousand acre private farms, great
hunting, lodging stands, big bucks.
$795.00 Call 270-213-0528 H-8-1
DEVILS CREEK HUNTING LODGE, in YOOPER

country, UPPER PENINSULA
of Michigan still has availability for semi-guided whitetail
archery, muzzle loader and rifle
hunts in 2016. Hunts include
overnight
accommodations,
continental breakfast and dinner meals. Hunt on a private
free range 400-acre parcel in
beautiful and bountiful Menominee County. Call 906-241-9653
or 313-410-2204 or visit our
website www.whitetailhuntingdeerlodge.com. See our display ad. H-8-4
GONZO BEAR CAMP - Bear
Specialist - We had 80% success.
Baraga, Gwen and Amasa Units Modular hunts start at $895. 7 days
lodging included. Write for more
information on how to apply for bear
permits on May 1st - 2730 S. Dort
Hwy., Flint, MI 48507 or call Dale at
(810) 814-8936 days 9-4 or evenings
John at (989) 257-2725 for more
information www.gonzobearcamp.
com. Like us on Facebook. H-5-4
................................................
BEAR GUIDE Merv 5 day
hunt in 98 sq miles. Room and
board $1500 US mervrinta@
gmail.com See website www.
bearguidemerv.com H-8-8
MEAD CREEK GUIDE

SERVICE - Bear hunt for
Newberry unit. 7 day hunt with
room and board. We hunt over
bait on mostly private property.
We hunt from ladder stands or
box blinds. Last year we went
11 for 13 on kills. Have been
guiding for 25 years. We do the
work, so you don't have to.
Bows and guns are welcome, 2
baits per hunter. Give us a shot,
we'll give you one. Call John
Bahn 906-586-3047 H-7-3
ALBERTS BEAR GUIDE
SERVICE. Bergland and Baraga
units. Federal license, 24 years
experience. Cell 906-231-9136,
Home 906-827-3731. H-6-4
................................................
More Classifieds
Next Page
Subscribe Today!
2016 MICHIGAN BLACK

BEAR HUNTS. Newberry/
Gwinn B.M.U. 1st, 2nd, 3rd seasons. Seven day hunt/lodging/
stands/skinning/tag/sealing
bear. Year around lodge. Great
area for fishing, grouse hunting
and 4-wheeling. Convenience
store, 39 years of business.
State and Federally licensed.
Contact: Tom Losiewski, North
Country Hunting Adventures.
1-269-330-0480. Like us on
Facebook. H-4-5
101
Woods-N-WaterNews Classified Section

HUNTING
HUNTING LEASE
REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATE
DOGS
MEAD CREEK GUIDE

SERVICE - Bear hunt for
Newberry unit. 7 day hunt with
room and board. We hunt area
bait on mostly private property.
We hunt from ladder stands or
box blinds. Last year we went
11 for 13 on kills. Have been
guiding for 25 years. We do the
work, so you don't have to.
Bows and guns are welcome, 2
baits per hunter. Give us a shot,
we'll give you one. Call John
Rahn 906-586-3047 H-6-3
PRIME DEER HUNTING

LAND: 80 acres, Iosco County. Call
650-283-5900. HL-8-1
................................................
HUNTER LAKE CHALET,

GLADWIN MI: Stunning 3 BR,
2.5 Bath WF home, Scottish Hills w/
shared access to 881 acres association share land for hunting, fishing,
etc. Ivie of Kehoe Realty 989-4260664. RE-8-2
................................................
REAL ESTATE
123 ACRES, THICK DEER

COVER, Surrounded by Woods
& Farm Land 1329 x 4043, 95%
Wooded Camp Area with 36 5th
Wheel Paris Township, Huron County
$299,000 Just Land Sales 586-4196716 JustLandSales.com RE-8-1
...............................................
139 ACRES WOODED, Pine
River Flows thru the Center, 3 Acre
Pond, Rolling, Big Oaks, Maples 90%
Wooded, West of Pt. Huron St Clair
County. $278,000 Just Land Sales
586-419-6716 facebook.com/justlandsales RE-8-1
...............................................
108 ACRES, ROLLING &
BEAUTIFUL Wide variety of
Trees, 5 Acre 12 Deep Pond & 24 x
30 Garage. 2304x1320 irreg 60%
Wooded Koylton Twp Tuscola
County $329,000 Just Land Sales
586-419-6716 JustLandSales.com
RE-8-1
................................................
17.48 ACRES, GOOD HUNTING With 100% Woods. Backs
up to Farmland. Paved Rd. 1322 x
739 Irregular Ellington Twp Tuscola County $62,000 Just Land Sales
586-419-6716 JustLandSales.com
RE-8-1
................................................
40
SQUARE
WOODED
ACRES, Excellent Hunting, a
Creek. & 2 Rd. Frontages 1320 x
1320 90% Wooded Burnside Twp,
Lapeer County $102,000 Just Land
Sales 586-419-6716 facebook.com/
justlandsales RE-8-1
................................................
2.25 ACRES, PAVED RD.
80% WOODED. Mixed Trees.
Residentiall
Property
Triangle
Shaped Lot Emmett Twp St Clair
County $19,000 Home Sales of Just
Land Sales 586-206-0118 facebook.
com/homesales.justlandsales RE8-1
................................................
MEMBERSHIP FOR SALE IN
640 ACRE northeast Michigan
hunt club, 2 lakes, very nice 4000 sq.
ft. modern lodge, private bedrooms,
excellent hunting and fishing.
$76,000 for membership which is
transferrable, dues are $3670.
Excellent club for the professional
that wants everything taken care of.
989-369-9696. RE-7-2
................................................
GERMAN SHORTHAIR
POINTER PUPS: Males
and females available. Excellent hunting dogs and superb
family pets. Close working dogs
with strong point and retrieve
instincts. Reasonably priced for
the sporting family. Money back
guarantee. Eulenhof Kennels,
Gladwin, MI.
http://www.eulenhof.com
989-426-4884 D-8-2
BEAR HUNTS: Baraga

Unit. Be our guest at AA
LODGE. All inclusive. 5 day
hunts. $1000 - $1500. Call Roy
810-691-3373. H-8-1
U.P. 15 ACRE HUNTING

CABIN, deep water well. All plumbing, kitchen, bath, two bedrooms and
living room. $65,000 land contract.
313-286-4845 or 313-429-9688.
RE-8-1
................................................
40 WOODED ACRES - Newer
furnished camp, very private.
Excellent property that has ridges,
swamps and blinds. CFA land on two
sides. Delta County. MLS#1086649
$85,000 Pine Tree Realty 906-2802586 - 906-280-4815 RE-8-1
................................................
VERY NICE 67 ACRE PARCEL OUTSIDE OF EATON
RAPIDS. This property has 38
rolling tillable acres and 29 acres +/of wooded hunting land with deer and
turkeys. $301,500. Call Doug at
Faust Real Estate, LLC 517-2602939. F-623 RE-8-1
................................................
EXECUTIVE HOUSE AND 27
ACRES, NEAR GRAND
RAPIDS, MI, Property includes
3,800 square ft. home, 1,250 square
ft. guest house and 24 x 36 Pole
Barn. A hunters paradise, 27 wooded acres, private pond and Wabasis
Creek winding throughout. Quality
smallmouth bass fishing. Exquisite
hunting for turkey, wood duck and
harvest trophy white tail bucks. Creek
flows through state game land, excellent canoeing and kayaking.
$695,000 Call Brian at 616-8942821. RE-7-2
................................................
BAIT
BEAR BAIT/FEED Year Round
Sales. Gummy Candy, Dry Cereal,
Cherry Pie Filling, Pretzels, Cherry
Syrup, Chips & Cookies. Small quantities to semi loads available. We also
sell a cattle and hog feed. All product
blend, 13% protein. Call 616 862
0122 for all info and feed analysis.
BT-7-3
................................................
FOR SALE: GRANOLA
FOR BEAR BAIT. Average
over 1500 lbs per tote. This is
the most desirable bait to use
as recommended by outfitters.
Call for price and delivery.
Jerry Brower, 616-240-1557.
B-7-2
BAIT SITES AVAILABLE for all
Red Oak tag holders, specializing in
black bears and October Whitetail.
989-448-1938. BT-8-1
................................................
RESORTS/RENT
SEASONAL-ONLY CAMPING
Private, gated paradise on Big
Manistee River offers large, wooded
sites, full hook-ups, easy access to
Lake Michigan beaches. Long season. Gorgeous newly built sites!
Coho Bend - 231-723-7321 www.
cohobend.com R/R-4-7
................................................
PICKEREL
LAKESIDE
CAMPGROUND
AND
COTTAGES Baldwin area
1,425 all sport lake frontage, 45
semi-rustic sites, four clean modern
cottages. www.lakecamp-cottages.
com 231-745-7268.
RR-4-6
................................................
HUNTING LEASE
102
PRIME DEER HUNTING

LAND: 120 acres, Iosco County.
Call 650-283-5900. HL-8-1
................................................
380 ACRES OF HUNTING
LAND IN U.P. Good hunting land,
borders creek. 517-304-6127.
HL-8-2
WANT TO LEASE
RESPONSIBLE AND ETHICAL HUNTER looking for land
to lease for the 2016 deer season,
or beyond. Location, land size, year
leases, and price are all considered.
Jay 248.396.8322 or jwarrington2@
att.net WL-6-3
................................................
HUNTERS PARADISE 160

Wooded Acres on Sugar Island / Build
your Dream Home, 2,540 SQ. - 6401
E 1-1/2 Mile Rd. Sault Ste. Marie,
MI 49783. Wide range of all hunting,
moose, bear, duck, deer. Surrounded
by water: St. Marys, Lake George,
Lake Superior. $1,100.00/Acre.
Property Number-17-013-011-014-00
Property Described as: 29 1217/90
1217/89-DC 826/43 682/79 SEC 11
T47N R1E SE 1/4. 160 A. call Jody
Sparks 586-215-9903/ or jhsgrinding@gmail.com RE-8-1
................................................
40 ACRES TO HUNT OR
FARM. Remodeled home, 2
garages, 36x56 pole barn with
horse stalls, pasture area. Great
country yard; Bear Creek runs
through property. Deer and turkey haven. Wood burning stone
fireplace in home. Large deck
too! 30 miles north of Lansing,
MI $450,000 Call Lance 989763-7358. RE-7-2
HUNTING CAMP - 70 ACRES.
Unique 70 acre parcel tucked into the
middle of a section of land in Missaukee County. Butterfield Creek, a little
bit of swamp and plenty of mature
woods making it ideal for wildlife. Two
wife pleasing cabins, well, septic and
electric run in from the outside world.
Deeded access on abandon railroad
right of way. Price $270,000. Michland Properties (231)826-3700 RE8-1
................................................
OWN 27 ACRES WITH A
3 BED 2 BATH HOME and
36 x 48 Pole Barn in the Heart
of the Manistee National Forest.
Text 48043 to 25678 for home
details and photos 24/7!
Coldwell Banker Schmidt
REALTOR Annbria Marquard
231.598.2025 RE-8-1
HUNTERS PARADISE - A
MUST SEE! SANILAC COUNTY, 57
ACRES, 2 PONDS, 3 BEDROOMS &
2 LOFT STYLE-1 1/2 BATH. Call
586-707-0370. RE-8-4
................................................
BUYING OR SELLING?
Farms, vacant land or recreational
parcels throughout Michigan. Call
Doug Beasley at Faust Real Estate,
LLC 517-260-2939. RE-8-1
YOUR OWN PRIVATE

51 ACRE LAKE nested in
170 acres of rolling wooded
property in Kalkaska County,
$950,000. Include large log
home for $1,200,000. Also five
acres with 250 feet on North
Branch of Boardman River,
$41,000. Call Al at EXIT North
Shores Realty, Kalkaska, 231258-0927. RE-8-1
CABIN WITH 40 ACRES FOR
SALE, $69,900. Cabin is 16x28
with a 4 foot porch and 20 foot loft
inside. Located west of Paradise, MI.
Amish built, has well with water storage tank, indoor bathroom, wired for
electricity. Powered by generator.
Very well insulated 2 x 12 rafters, 16
inch centers, side walls 2x6, 16 inch
centers, propane heat, fully furnished. Outbuildings include generator shed and storage shed. Snowmobile Trail 452 runs through property.
Close to light houses and Lake Superior. Off grid. 616-914-4079 ask for
Paul. RE-8-3
................................................
BEAVER ISLAND: 10.01 acres
wooded with a mature northern
Michigan forest, ideal rustic camping
- recreation spot. Located in the
central interior of the island. Short
drive to Lake Michigan and Fox Lake.
Driveway, cleared site, no power.
Situated on a private dirt road, but
easily accessible. $24,900, $1,000
down, $310/mo 11% land contract,
www.northernlandco.com, Northern
Land Co 231-258-5100 RE-6-3
................................................
15.68 ACRES, PINE-FILLED
FRONT, Sits High, Over-looking a
Wildlife Bog 50 % Wooded 518 x
1332 Goodland Twp Lapeer County
$64,000 Just Land Sales 586-4196716 facebook.com/justlandsales
RE8-1
................................................
134 ACRES CAPAC AREA,
is Leased for Farming, the Other
is Deer country. Huge Sanctuary, Lots of Ambush Funnels 2640 x
2219- 40% Wooded MusseyTwp St
Clair County $419,000 Just Land
Sales 586-419-6716 JustLandSales.
com RE-8-1
................................................
TUSCOLA CO: 40 acres w/mix of
woods, thickets, and fields. Has a
pond, barn w/electric, 3 elevated
hunting blinds. Big bucks, lots of
smaller game. $120,000. 586-7132895. RE-7-2
................................................
78.8 ACRES OF HUNTING
LAND
&
BEAUTIFUL
CUSTOM LOG HOME WITH
RIVER PRICED TO SELL LOCATED
4626 W SHEPHERD RD JASPER
TOWNSHIP, MIDLAND COUNTY,
MI. CALL DEB MORRIS COLDWELL
BANKER MPR 989-621-8912 FOR
APPT. $339,900. RE-7-2
20 ACRES ON HUNTERS CREEK ROAD,

IMLAY CITY currently being
farmed. Could be developed,
split would available natural
gas. $200,000. Call Rob 586873-8588 RE-8-1
3 - 50 ACRE FARMS IN
NOTHERN
OAKLAND
COUNTY. Each partially wooded
$325K, $200K, $200K. For homesite
or hunting. Call Mark at 810-3480503.
mark@coopercom.com
RE-7-2
................................................
HOUSE AND 78 ACRES near
Mt. Pleasant, MI - Prime hunting
property, mature bucks harvested
this year. Brick ranch, horse barn,
woods, farm land. Asking
$165,000. Call John 810-445-6811
RE-7-2
................................................
74 ACRES HUNTING LAND
WITH LOG HOME IN JASPER
TOWNSHIP MIDLAND COUNTY
OFFERS FULL LOG 10 AND SALT
RIVER, BARN AND PRIVACY
LOCATED AT 5761 W BRADFORD
ROAD SHEPHERD MI. CALL DEB
MORRIS COLDWELL BANKER
MPR 989-621-8912 $244,000
RE-7-2
................................................
19.24 ACRES, ROLLING
MATURE
HARDWOODS.
Build your Home in Front the & Hunt
the Back 90% Wooded - 660 x 1310
Attica Twp Lapeer County $129,900
Just Land Sales 586-419-6716
Justlandsales.com RE-8-1
...............................................
DOGS
BORN JULY 10 LITTERS
OF YELLOW POINTING
LABRADOR PUPPIES 3
males, 5 females. Excellent
bloodlines. 4 time Grand
Master Hall of Famer. Health
checks complete. Ready to go
September 10. Call Ryan
Snabes 248-910-0997, Dave
Snabes 248-910-1759 D-8-1
BIRD DOG TRAINING: by

world record holder and Hall of
Famer David Grubb. Only trainer in
history to win all 5 gun dog championships. (did it twice). All breeds
Special Spring rates $500 per month.
Dog training book for sale and stud
service. 248-860-1009. D-6-TFN
................................................
CHESAPEAKE
BAY
RETRIEVER PUPS can be seen
Saturday-Sunday - Joy's in Clare.
Wednesday - Grayling Sportsman
Club. Thursday - Saginaw Gun Club.
Friday - Cabela's Dundee. Call
before you travel 810-280-8597
D-8-1
................................................
GUN DOG TRAINING AT
ITS BEST! by Paul
Rheaume. Over 30 years
experience with pointing and
flushing breeds. All inclusive 4
week class that is customized
to meet your dog's needs.
Excellent for young dogs starting out, for experienced dogs
tuning up, or for dogs with
issues. $600. Find us on
Facebook or online http://gundogtraining.webs.com.
Rheaume's Kennel. (989) 8648606. D-3-7
Classifieds
work!
(810) 724-0254
MondayFriday
9am-5pm
or try our
website
woods-n-waternews.com
Subscribe Today!
810.724.0254
email: wnw@pageone-inc.com website: www.woods-n-waternews.com
103 - 113
Barton City
160 Acres With Hunting Lodge
Additional 3 parcels 80, 40 and

40-acres bordering Federal Land.
Call Barbara at 989-590-0238

A n J State Wide Real Estate
430 S US 23, Harrisville, MI
40 WOODED ACRES IN THE EASTERN UPPER PENINSULA OF

MICHIGAN. THIS IMMACULATE CONDITION 4 BEDROOM, 2 FULL
BATH HOME IS A HUNTERS DREAM. SPACIOUS 2 1/2 CAR ATTACHED
GARAGE PLUS A 30 X 40 DETACHED GARAGE WITH A 10' LEAN TOO.
VERY CLEAN DEEP FLOWING POND THAT DOES HAVE FISH IN IT. YOU
WILL APPRECIATE THE TONGUE & GROOVE INTERIOR, HARDWOOD
FLOORS, CENTRAL AIR & FREESTANDING GAS FIREPLACE. THIS
YEAR-ROUND HOME IS NOT VISIBLE FROM THE ROAD WHICH
ASSURE YOU PLENTY OF PRIVACY. A GREAT HUNTING AREA WITH
ADDITIONAL STATE LAND ACROSS THE ROAD.
THIS IS TRULY A RARE FIND HOME & PROPERTY.
ASKING $229,900.00 MLS#16-693.
CALL TODAY AND PLEASE ASK FOR LISTING AGENT
CYNTHIA COLLINS AT 906-440-5744 OR 906-647-1118
RE/MAX NorthStar Realty

2000 Ashmun St.
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
906.635.1000
VACANT LOT
100 Foot of frontage on

LAKE NEPESSING.
All Sports Lake. Build your
dream home or cottage!
Call for more details!
Sandra Hall
586-792-8000 ext. 4263.
Sandrahall@remax.net
www.callsandyhall.com
Proud member of two

multiple listings services
Non-Franchised-locally
owned & managed.
NO ADMIN/
MAINTENANCE FEES!!!!!
120 E. Main, Edmore MI 48829

www.eaglerealtymi.com
888.967.4140
Experience & Expertise We will Work for You

OPENING DOORS TO THE AMERICAN DREAM!!
103
5271 Ostrom Rd. Attica, MI 4812
Hunters paradise, Homestead, Retreat or Family Hunting lodge and

live off the grid. A truly unique 45 acre property. Features include a
2400 sq. ft. Monolithic Dome house (needs finishing), well & septic,
an off-grid electrical system with a Wind turbine, Sine Wave power
panel, 24 deep cycle batteries and Generac generator. Homestead is
situated 1000+ feet off the road. Property consists of 45 acres, with
10 acres of farmland and the rest is made up of rolling hills, woods
with trails & ponds. WILDLIFE ABOUNDS. Beautiful wild flowers,
dogwood trees, wisteria, etc. Large vegetable garden & utility shed.
Land Contract terms available with good down payment.
Stunning Cape Cod Home

& Hunt Club Membership
For Sale! 3 Bedroom, 3 full baths lake front home (1700 sq ft first
floor & 900 sq ft second floor) with finished basement & membership to MidForest Lodge Club located just minutes from Houghton
Lake. The home is beautifully decorated with a lodge-look including all pine and cedar walls and ceilings throughout with 2 stone
fireplaces & island in kitchen and many extra features including
attached 2-car garage & a 3-car garage & potting shed.
MidForest Lodge Club was incorporated in 1937 & has over 18,000
acres (28 sq miles) of natural wilderness including 9 lakes, deer,
bear, turkey, duck & grouse hunting, fishing, ATV & snowmobiling
on over 40 miles of trails. The Club employs a full time Forester/Biologist to manage the habitat for wild game, the lakes and forest.
A Club Membership is required to purchase this home.
Visit www.monolithic.org/domes for more info

on Monolithic domes and wind energy.
David Tietz
810.650.4485
davidtietz10@gmail.com
454 S. Main St., Lapeer MI 48446
www.homesmiplus.com
Call David Tietz with any questions

Cell: 810.650.4485
CLUB MEMBERSHIP $55,000

HOME $319,000
For more info call (989) 366-9894
or (989) 233-7112
PLUS
500 Acres of Prime Hunting

Land at an Affordable Price
B U I LT E X C L U S I V E LY B Y W O O D H AV E N L O G & L U M B E R
Your perfect getaway from the real world. 5 ponds, 1 behind

house (largest & stocked with panfish) & windmill that bubbles
the water. Immaculate log cabin. MB with master bath-jetted tub
on upper floor. 6 basement with sump pump, 28x36 garage has
1000 sq. ft. man cave, heated, full bath, wet bar. 30x50 pole barn,
24x24 workshp, both have electric. 12x12 pump house-electric &
water, used to service heavy equip. Ideal for hunters, several 5&10
acre scattered food plots. Backs up to Huron Natl Forest. 4800
airplane landing strip, equipped with gas. Airport identifier is 6
delta 9. Paved driveway. Very secluded Yet Within a couple miles
fo town & beautiful Lake Huron. Snowmobile & ORV Trails. Sale
includes parcels 031-011-200-001-00 and 031-002-300-01-00 totaling 500 acres. Motivated Seller! Make An Offer! $1,050,000
Whether you want a cabin

thats a step up from roughing
it or a truly private retreat
to get away from it all,
WoodHaven has the answer
tiny rustic cabins built inside
and out with superior-quality
WoodHaven log siding,
knotty pine paneling and
barn wood products.
Colleen Strader
248-840-9624
IG RIVER
PROPERTIES
40 ACRES 8832 N. JOHNSON ROAD IRONS This year around home is located on 40
acres of land. There is a mixture of hardwood and open land. The 2215 sq foot home features
3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 7x12 walk in closet in the master bedroom. The kitchen has lots of
oak cupboards and a pass through bar to the open living room and dining area. The laundry
room and entry area leads out to one of the covered decks. The other deck on the front of the
house offers great views of the Westerly sky so you can watch the beautiful sunsets and
meticulous landscaped yard. Both decks are treks for easy year around maintenance. Some of
the utilities have been updated over the years including the water heater, furnace, central air,
and bladder on the well. There are 5 outbuildings 24x40 workshop/garage with a bath,
furnace, wood stove, dry walled and insulated; 30x52 pole barn; 16x20 garage; 10x20 lien
too; and a 10x10 shed. So much to list you must see this property! $259,900 (EDM)
LITTLE MANISTEE RIVER - 8674 W. RIVER ROAD IRONS You wont find a nicer site of the
Little Manistee River!! This year around cabin has 265 frontage on this pristine river. The cabin
features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and an open floor plan for the kitchen, dining area and living
room. There is a fieldstone fireplace with a hand carved mantel and large sliders that lead out
to the patio which you can sit and enjoy the views of the river and the beautiful landscaping.
There is also a summer room with lots of windows overlooking the river. The cabin was
originally built in the 1950s but has had many updates over the years adding to its charm.
There is an 18x20 detached garage, a storage shed and a wood shed. Make an appointment
to see this cabin today while the flowers are in bloom and the Browns are in the river. There is
a great log jam in front of the house so the salmon and steelhead are sure to stop by!
$179,000 (LAN)
BIG STAR LAKE ACCESS 7312 W. ECHO LAKE DRIVE BALDWIN Big Star and Echo Lake
access! This quality built, spacious, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home has cottage charm (cedar cathedral ceiling, modern, real hardwood floors, stone gas burning fireplace and adorable 3 season
porch) and all the modern amenities (washer/dryer, dishwasher, air conditioning and security
system). Home has a new roof just put on in 2016 and a finished basement offering 2 other
potential bedrooms and large family room. Large workshop out back! Fronts on a paved road
but driveway is just around the corner on dirt road. $129,900 (MUS)
104
Financing is Available
Tiny Cabins are available in sizes of 12x12 up to 12x30 and
come with an open floor plan or you may choose from five of
our turn key floor plans. View our brochure on our website.
Fully insulated, wired to code with generator

hookup, LP hookup and finished off with
WoodHavens log siding and interior paneling.
IMAGINE WHAT YOU CAN DO.
WoodHavens handcrafted log siding, knotty pine paneling and accessories can help
your dreams come true with your existing home, cabin or new project.
10 ACRES - 7290 N. JAMES ROAD IRONS This 10 acre parcel is across from USA land is
perfect for privacy and hunting. The home features 1 story, 3 bedrooms, 1 bath and another
upstairs room intended for a future second bath. There is utility room with enough room for a
washer and dryer. The kitchen and living room have high ceilings with an open floor plan. The
propane wall heater and wood stove keep the whole house perfectly heated. There is a large
screened in porch with plenty of room for large family gatherings. An 8x12 shed for storing
outside equipment gives you extra storage space. Close to the snowmobile and ORV trails,
Little Manistee River, and 100s of acres of USA and State land. $109,900 (DeB)
1.888.988.PINE (7463)
Hunters Call for our Acreage Parcels
FINANCING AVAILABLE
5963 W. 10-1/2 Mile Rd. Irons, Michigan

231-266-8288 877-88-NORTH
www.BigRiverVentures.com Info@BigRiverVentures.com
woodhavenlog.com
888.988.PINE (7463)
Call us toll-free for a

sample kit or to schedule
a visit to our mill:
1284 Mapes Road | PO Box 964

Mio, MI 48647
Phone: 989.826.8300
www.woodhavenlog.com
231-652-7000
- or -
231-250-8200
WE NEED LISTINGS 40+ ACRES AND LARGER

783+/- ACRES,
IOSCO
COUNTY
1 Mile Frontage Tawas
Lake, Kunze River
Crosses Property, 5
Bedroom Log Lodge, 3 $
Miles from East Tawas
1,250,000
399,000
240 ACRES,
NEWAYGO
COUNTY
Adjacent to State
Land, Good Trail
System Food
Plots, High Deer
Population
NG
D
OL
I
ND
E
P
240 Acres, Alcona

County - House, Barns, Pond, Stream, Food Plots
Alpena County, 316+/- Acres, Good Trails

Lodge sleeps 10, Professionally Managed Forest
$499,900
$439,000
Arenac County, 146 Acres Rifle River &

Saginaw Bay Access, Tri-Level House
$399,999
Calhoun County, 70+/- Acres

Delta County, 39.6 Acres
House, Pole Barn, Pond, River, Elevated Blind 1,000+ ft Frontage Lake Michigan
$299,000
$79,000
NG
I
ND
E
P
L
SO
Jackson Co, 47 Acres,

2000 ft. Grand River Frontage,
2 bedroom Home, Pole Barn
$244,900
Jackson County, 54+/- Acres, 2,000 ft

Grand River Frontage, Trail System
$179,900
Kalkaska County, 40 Acres

Good Trails, Adjacent to State Land
$56,000
Missaukee Co, 40 Acres, Good

Trail System, Excellent Hunting
$62,900
Missaukee County, 77 Acres, Rough

Country, Big Bucks, Trout Stream
$77,000
NG
Iosco County, 52.51 Acres

Food Plots, Trail System, Elevated
Blinds, Pond & Shed
$94,000
Isabella County, 156 acres

5,000 ft on Trout Stream, Good
Trails, 30 Ac Tillable
$590,000
Lake Co, 5 Acres, 1,200 ft. Middle Branch Lake County, 330 Acres, Good Trail
Mason County, 35+/- Acres
Pere Marquette River, Rustic Cabin
System, Food Plots, Sm Creek
Farm Land on 2 Sides, Heavy Bedding Cover
$49,500
$399,000
$52,500
I
ND
E
P
Newaygo County, 5+/- Acres

557 ft White River Frontage, 1/2
Open, 1/2 Wooded
$50,000
Newaygo County, 36+/- Acres

Farm Land, M-37 Frontage, 1000s of
acres Public Land 1/2 mile Away
$50,400
Newaygo County, 125 Acres, Three

Osceola Co, 94+/- Acres, 1,000 ft.
Newaygo County, 160 Acres
Newaygo County, 240 Acres
Osceola County, 2+/- Acres
spring fed lakes, Excellent Deer, Frontage on 9 Mile Rd & Cottonwood Rd, Adjacent to National Forest, Good 105 ft Muskegon River, 3 Bed, 2 Bath All Sports Goose Lake, Older Farm
House, Excellent Hunting.
Turkey and Waterfowl hunting
Adjacent to National Forest
Trails, Abundant Wildlife
Home, Nice Wooded Lot
Seller will devide.
$375,000
$480,000
$399,000
$335,000
$89,000
Presque Isle Co, 63+/- Ac

Carp Creek, Food Plots, Hunting Blinds
$75,600
Newaygo Co, 99 Acres,

Planted Pines, Great Cover,
County Road Frontage
$198,000
Schoolcraft County, 554+/- Acres

Raw undeveloped hunting land.
$163,430
WildLifeRealty.com
www.
Mecosta County, 40 Acre

Private Lake, 5,000 sq ft House
$399,000
105
HOT PROPERTIES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Lori Gamble
989.339.0611
PARTY STORE on popular All Sport

lake with all appropriate Beer, wine
and Liquor licenses. Owners want to
retire after 25 years. $229,900.
Well kept secret in quiet area on
a private fishing lake, Farwell area.
2 homes for sale; one on water and
one w/ lake access on 13 acres, plus
several vacant lots and addl 10 acre
parcel available. Convenient location
clos to x-way. Call now!
Lily Lake access! with 5 bedrooms,
2 baths, wood burner supplemental
heat, part basement and pole barn.
$79,900.
YEAR ROUND GETAWAY - Water
front home on three lots. Anxious
owner 2 bedrooms, garage, sun porch
too. REDUCED to $79,000
Sears-Super sharp well maintained
cottage/year round home located on
a beautiful private no wake lake. If
fishing and bird watching are your
passion, look now to own this summer! $99,900
Harrison-Fabulous large home on
crystal clear Arnold Lake, in upscale
Woodshaw Estates. This home has
all the bells and whistles! Paved road
$359,000
Heritage
House
RealtyPC
989.205.0680
Sears- NICE 3 BR home on a quiet

private no wake lake. 118 of water
frontage! $114,900
Harrison-NEW Cute and completely
remodeled 2BR chalet on wooded lot
with access to Lily Lake - affordable
getaway only $59,900.
Farwell-Clean well maintained
cottage/year round home on beautiful
Five Lakes. Paved Road! Breath
taking views of the lake $154,900.
That UP NORTH FEEL on pristine
Wahl Lake 2 bedrooms, 2 baths,
fireplace, guest house too. This one
is a must see for the artist in you!
$79,000
LAND CONTRACT TERMS
OFFERED!! Adorable getaway with
lake access too!! Open floor plan,
natural gas heat. $37,000
Eight Point Lake year-round home.
$239,900 2 bedrooms, part bsmt, 1.5
baths. HUGE POLE barn fireplace too.
Owners say, Lets make a deal!
Littlefield Lake Access! Year
round home. Private wooded setting.
Beach just down the road! $99,900
Exclusive Marketing Agents for Northeast

Michigan Properties
Personalized Service is the Difference
106
Sandi Jeffery
Located in the Heart of the Huron National Forest, on the

Shores of Lake Huron and the banks of the AuSable River
70+ Acres Camp Country

This
first
time
offering
includes exquisite hunting,
several out buildings, one
with a classy bar, shooting
range, modern chalet with
furnishings, 3 bedrooms, 1
bath, trail system, food plots,
Flynn Valley Road $279,000
217 Acre Hunters Paradise

Andrews Road, Mikado with
14oo house/camp, pond.
Trail system, blinds, deck
and tons of white tail deer,
bear, grouse and turkey.
Pine River flows through
property so add trout to
the list. Only $399,000
Black River frontage, with

deck and steps to waters
edge. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths,
1232 sf, One Acre. Canoe,
Kayak, fish or float to the big
lake Includes appliances, 2
car garage, privacy fence.
This unique riverfront home is
priced at only $90,000
2015 N Beaver Court..;;,

Barton City, 10 acres with
access to 2 private lakes,
private parks, and 1000s of
acres of Federal Forest.
Turn Key 3 bedroom 1 bath
home. Dead end road, hilly
wooded terrain, cold water
creek, New Listing $69,900
991 N Verner Dr, Barton

City - View of Jewel Lake, 3
bedrooms 2 baths with over
2.5 acre site. Appliances
stay, finished garage and
this one comes with a Home
Warranty. New
on the
market with a super price of
only $120,000
Seller Financing on all

sports Vaughn Lake!. one
of a kind 3 bedroom 2 bath
with pride and craftsmanship
throughout the home - very
unique and inviting. From the
kitchen to the Volkswagen
beetle bar to the hot tub on
the lakefront deck $199,000
3305 W F-30, Glennie, 40

acres with 1200 sf, 3
bedroom, 2 bath home with
a full finished basement.
Large deck, paved drive,
den and fireplace. Hardwood
forest with isolated ponds,
fruit trees, hunting blinds and
trails. New listing - $194,500
1649 Sunrise, Greenbush

100 of gorgeous Lake
Huron with 3 bedrooms 2
baths. Finished walk out
basement, attached garage,
Furnishings and appliances
stay. Enjoy the views and
the sound of the waves. New
on the market at $199,900
Van Ettan Lk Front Home

Best value on the lake!!! Dip
your toes in over 50 feet of
luxurious sand beach. Enjoy
a breathtaking view from the
large deck, screened porch,
or thru one of many lakeside
windows. 3 BR, 2.5 baths,
basement & only $149,900
334 acres in Doctors Club

area, prime hunting property
awaits you. A portion of land
is a cattail swamp with Robb
Creek. There is 2 beat up
cabins on property with
electric and flowing well.
This would be a great group
investment. $499,500
201 Fourth St, Harrisville

Ranch style home with large
decks, pond, family room,
open
concept
kitchen,
dining, living room. Pergo
flooring, carpet and attached
2 car garage that is finished.
Walk to town and harbor.
New on the market $123,950
3011 Lake Shore, Glennie,

2 bedroom 1 bath, knotty
pine interior, 2 car garage, 3
lots on North Lake!. Bonus
room over garage, most
furnishings stay. Enclosed 3
season
porch.
Fantastic
lakefront opportunity at a
great price of only $111,000
Call 800-650-5566 - Glennie or 800-982-0102 - Harrisville - www.HeritageHouseRealty.com
WEST BRANCH
M-33/M-55 OFFICE
1953 S. M-33
West Branch, MI 48661
HALE
OFFICE
ALE
S
R
O
3160 North M-65

Hale, MI48739
10 miles north of I-75 exit 202
Local: 989-345-2662
Toll Free: 800-535-6520
WEST BRANCH
LOOP OFFICE
ALE
S
R
O
2575 S. I-75 Business Loop,

West Branch, MI 48661
Gateway to Huron National Forest
www.CAHANES.com
Local: 989-728-2540
Toll Free: 800-495-2540
1 mile north of I-75 Exit 212
www.CAHANES.com
Local: 989-345-0315
Toll Free: 866-345-0315
YOUR UP NORTH HOMES AND GETAWAYS!!

1817558
1816316
NEAR RIFLE
RIVER REC
PARK!!
GORGEOUS
LAKEFRONT!!
COMPLETELY
REMODELED!!
Fantastic hunting property with 30x40 polebarn/

garage and move-in ready ranch-style home
with some appliances and some furnishings &
LC terms available!!
Cozy 2-bdrm, mostly furnished, on 5 WOODED

ACRES with detached garage w/wood stove,
rear deck with fantastic views, firepit, pond 7
more!!
Spacious 4-bdrm on all sports Lk Ogemaw on

half acre w/garage, full walkout bsmt w/2nd
kitchen area, family room, SS appliances and
wrap-around deck!!
Cute home near Bush Lake with loft area for extra sleeping, fenced yard for pets, storage and
laundry sheds and perfect Up North vacation
getaway!!
Immaculate, year round 2-bdrm w/over 175 on lake

and 317 feet on canal, beautiful panoramic views
newer roof & furnace, sandy beach, patio & more!!
$249,900
$37,900
$219,000
$37,900
$215,000
70+
ACRES!!
1817048
1818996
BREATHTAKING
VIEWS!!
Over 10 ACRES w/spacious 3-bdrm, 1.7 bath
w/garage & pole bldg. Perfect place for horses,
mostly cleared and there is horse barn, elec
fence & frost-free hydrants! Deck, stunning
views, above-ground pool & more!!
$164,900
SPECTACULAR
COUNTRY
SETTING!!
Spacious, custom-built 3-bdrm, 4 ba, with
CANAL AND
LAKEFRONT!!
1816667
1812240
1819066
ALL SPORTS
GEORGE
LAKE!!
420 ACRE
LAKE!!
HENDERSON
LAKE!!
garage on 3 ACRES, beautiful views, gazebo, sunroom, porch, FP, marble counters & much much more!!
Walk to lake from this cottage in need

of TLC, with log siding on 4 lots, mostly
furnished FP, loft area, 3 storage sheds.
Would make excellent getaway!!
4-bdrm home, full walkout bsmt, garage,

open floor plan, large deck w/great views,
laminate floors, tons of closet space, sandy beach, dock & so much more!!
4-bdrm waterfront home on 171 acre all sports lake!

Fantastic views, wood floors, wall -to-wall windows, full
finished walkout bsmt, large deck, garage, nicely landscaped, shed at water's edge and boat dock!
$172,500
$42,900
$159,900
$179,000
1815363
1816105
21 MOSTLY
WOODED
ACRES!!
1798185
AFFORDABLE
LAKEFRONT!!
1817650
1815356
1799166
VICTORIAN
WEST
BRANCH!!
ELNI LAKE
WATERFRONT
HOME!!
REMODELED
LAKE ACCESS!!
Super clean 3-bdrm home in perfect rural location, trails thru-out, front deck w/
beautiful views, garage and great year
round home or hunt camp!!
Cute waterfront cottage w/frontage on all

sports lake, FP, garage, mostly furnished,
enclosed porch, rear patio, views, built-in
bunks & pontoon boat!!
Move-in ready 2 bedroom home near

parks, restaurants and beautiful Irons
Park. Garage and basement for storage
and great 11x16 enclosed porch!!
Spacious 3-bdrm home w/154 water frontage on all sports lake, lots of windows, open
floor plan, FP, garage, deck, patio & gorgeous views!!
This 3-bdrm home has 2 car garage,

blacktop drive, newer carpet, fresh paint,
full bsmt w/family room and half bath & is
near two all sports lakes!!
$144,900
$54,900
$59,000
$129,900
$68,500
1813413
POPULAR SAGE
LAKE!!
1802657
1798555
GORGEOUS
SANDY
FRONTAGE!!
NO WAKE
LAKE!!
FISHING
AT YOUR
DOORSTEP!!
1816699
1818975
LONG LAKE
ACCESS!!
Cozy getaway w/frontage on 785 all

sports lake, newer laminate floors & carpet, newer roof, enclosed porch, loft area,
knotty pine, FP & much more!!
Enjoy access to 493 all sports lake w/move-in

ready 3-bdrm w/open floor plan, most appliances, front and back porches plus furnishings
& household items!!
3-bdrm, 1.7 bath home on 2 lots w/frontage on 471 acre

all sports Loon Lake. Covered deck, wonderful views,
garage and the perfect home for fishing, boating, swimming & year round recreational fun!!
2-bdrm home w/frnt on Wallin Lake and 13

ACRES!! Two garages, newer roof & septic,
some furnishings & appliances, FP, covered
porch, views & lakeside deck!!
3-bdrm mobile w/large addition, partly

furnished, garage, spacious deck, 82 frnt
on TITTABAWASSEE RIVER, boat dock,
boat, trailer & boat hoist!!
$129,900
$69,900
$179,900
$125,000
$84,000
1817508
1816094
1816415
1799930
FOREST
LAKE WATERFRONT!!
SPACIOUS
YEAR
ROUND!!
UPDATED
LAKEFRONT
HOME!!
NICE
COUNTRY
SETTING!!
BEAUTIFUL
VIEWS ALL
AROUND!!
Very nice 3-bdrm w/171 on all sports

lake, full bsmt, extensive decking, lots of
windows, views, FP, garage, paved drive
& super subdivision!!
Nice 3-bdrm chalet w/garage on paved

road with 4.67 WOODED ACRES, appliances, a bath in each floor, beautiful
views, near lakes & acres of State land!!
Spacious 3-bdrm w/123 frnt on Big Williams Lake, large deck w/gorgeous views,
newer steel roof, AC, modern kitchen &
bath, boat dock & 2 boats!!
Well-maintained 3-bdrm on 5 ACRES,

two garages, apple trees, newer shingles, furnace and well, plus a rear deck
w/beautiful views, all not far from town!!
3-bdrm nestled among 13 WOODED

ACRES for privacy, lots of beautiful
wildlife in the area, rear deck & covered
porch, oversized garage & 3 sheds!!!
$119,900
$94,900
$114,500
$100,000
$116,000
1808082
1799233
1814604
1817489
1799155
1809226
QUAINT UP
NORTH
GETAWAY!
NESTLED
IN THE
WOODS!!
AFFORDABLE
COTTAGE!!
IMMACULATE
LAKEFRONT!!
1244
SQUARE
FEET!!
You can walk to all sports lake from this

cute cabin with newer roof, some furnishings and appliances plus a 24x24 garage
for lots of storage!
Log-sided 2-bdrm home full walkout

bsmt, 10 WOODED ACRES, large outbldg, knotty pine, wood stove, family
room, wood plank floors, deck & more!!
Cozy cabin in great recreational area,

mostly furnished, with loft for sleeping,
nice deck for enjoying the outdoors and a
large shed for more storage space!!
3-bdrm, 4 ba home, full walkout bsmt,

garage, two FP, custom work thru-out,
family room, AC, lakeside deck, covered
porch, sandy beach & 2 boat docks!!
3-bedroom on large lot with garage and

2 sheds, family room, wood floors, newer
plumbing , boiler and roof, and not far
from many lakes and hunting land!!
$21,900
$149,900
$34,900
$269,900
$36,000
FOR MORE LISTINGS

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
WWW.CAHANES.COM
1816945
1816928
107
795 N 1st St
P.O. Box 499
Harrison MI 48625
Use your smart phone and a QR Code

Reader App to see all of our listings
989-539-2261
And
229 Lake George Ave
Lake George, MI 48633
989-588-6171
CLARE COUNTY, MICHIGAN

WHERE THE NORTH BEGINS...
Open 7 Days * Established in 1953
4714-4718 CLARE AVE 2rentals
(auto shop - 2BD home) income while
your family enjoys this nice 3BD 2BA
home with carport $122,000
For Photos Text P237787 to 85377
www.harrison-realty.com
www.buyhr.co
E-mail: office@harrison-realty.com
ATTenTIon, SPoRTSMen!
Beautiful home on 158 acres
with some of the best trophy wildlife in the state!
4,990 SF, 5 BR, 3.5 BA, open floor plan, beautifully remodeled and
updated. Hip roof barn, pole barn, pasture, woods, fruit trees, wildlife
galore, outdoor furnace, outdoor decks with amazing views.
ONLINE ONLY AUCTION

Thursday, August 25
1441 COOK AVENUE A hunting

LOT 387 BIRCHWOOD 60x175ft
PEASLEY
Trail wooded wooded lot in Lake of the Pines to
woodsy paradise: 1400sf, 2 Bd +loft, NHN
hunting,
camping
lot
near
the
lakes
covered porch on 80A backs to state
build on or use for all the recreational
land. New roof & furnace. $179,900 and recreational areas. $24,000
amenities. $2,200
For
Photos
Text
P695386
To
85377
For photos Text P721264 to 85377
For photos Text P885682 To 85377
NHN
BALL
AVENUE 10.10 2511 SURREY STREET 2 Bed 2 BA 2551 HARDING 80 acres abuts Kitty
wooded acreage close to town, lakes, WF home w/3 season room, fireplace, Kurtis Farms, 30x40 polebarn with
and state land, Great camping or laundry, level lot, sandy beach, chain heated workshop & 14ft lean to.
of lakes. New Roof 2014. $72,900
1760sf, 3BD, 2.5BA. $235,000
building location. $25,000
For photos Text: T537878 To: 85377 For photos Text T1519297To: 853777 For Photos Text P949552 To 85377
Inspections: Thur, July 14 & August 11 (12-1pm) and Wednesday, August 24 (9-10am)
2787 S Pease Rd
Bellevue, MI 49021
Property currently enrolled
in PA260 and a CRP program.
See more photos and details online!
(517) 676-9800
SheridanAuctionService.com
MUSKEGON Hilltop
hide
10620 CRANBERRY LAKE RD 6.5 80A CLARE AVENUE great price 1005
Acres w/1150'Cedar River along 2 for all around hunting. Plenty of away with renovated 1188sf, 2 BD
sides, secluded chalet has lots of light wildlife and has some low areas.. home has den for desk or bunk beds,
Trees are a good MIX. $96,000
26x32 garage on 11.53 acres $99,000
+ garage & pole barn. $202,400
For Photos Text: 876736 To: 85377 ForPhotos Text: t101213Tto: 85377 For photos Text: P234148 To: 85377
Woods N Water News

August
1/4 page = $310
xs 1 run(s) = $310
THOUSANDS OF
ACRES AVAILABLE
FROM $11,000 TO $575,000
108
2 Bdrm, 1 bth Gooseneck Lk cabin. All sports.

Swim, boat, hunt, fish, ATV. Wetmore
2 Bdrm, 1 bth, 22 acres. Cabin built in 2010. Hardwood Impoundment frtg. Great fishing. Hardwood.
2 Bdrm Camp. 40 Acres. Elec, well, mobile home.

Very good hunting. Watson.
$74,900 1095436
$89,000 1094330
$59,000 1095123
3 Bdrm, 2 bth one level Lake Home.

Updated. Stevens Lk. 24x40 Pole bldg.
Nice! Wetmore.
80 Acres. Hunting property with camp. Great

room and fireplace. Arnold.
1 Bdrm, 1 bth home. Near Fox Park. 200 Ft

on Lk Michigan. Cedar River.
$239,900 1092875
$99,900 1095253
$109,000 1093343
3 Bdrm, 3 bth home. 100 on Whitefish River.

Two car gar, deck, shed. Rapid River.
3 Bdrm, 1 bth ranch. Round Lk beautiful home. 2

Acres. 249 of shoreline. Dock, private area. Wetmore.
2/3 Bdrm, 2 bth home-camp. 120 Acres. 26

Acre lake with fish. Great home too! Daggett.
$135,000 1093061
$285,000 1094602
$259,000 1095255
2 Bdrm, 1 bth camp. 288 Acres. Well. Septic.

Owned since 1969. LaBranch.
2 Bdrm, 1 bth camp. Clean, hunting ready. Adjoins

Federal. Lanes, field and shed. Rapid River.
2 Bdrm 1 Bth Ranch on Escanaba River. Cottage with

Garage. The River is Wide & has Rapids. Cornell.
$259,900 1095661
$79,000 1095884
$89,000 1094924
ARENAC
REALTY CO.
CHAPPLE REALTY INC.
240 ACRES HEARTSONG

SANCTUARY has well groomed
trails, several ponds, elevated deer
blinds, strategically placed duck blinds
& wildlife galore. Bordered on 3 sides
by Huron Natl Forest near Hale.
Large bunk house, newer pole bldg.
& custom one-room A-frame retreat
cabin. $475,000. (Great package deal if
you purchase this AND sellers 6000 SF
home w/guest house on
Lake Huron near Tawas!)
YOUR LAKE AND RECREATIONAL PROPERTY CONNECTION!
www.WESTMICHIGANLAKES.com
(269) 623-4058
118 E Orchard St. Delton MI 49046
48 ACRES - Gorgeous Wooded 48 acres which includes a private lake (Caruthers Lake). 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Ranch Walkout with spectacular views of the lake and natural beauty surrounding
property. Desirable location for hunting, fishing, bird watching or just to enjoy nature. This property is
30 min from either Kalamazoo or Grand Rapids Area. Priced @ $249,900 (15056002) Call Drew
Chapple 269-207-3280 or Steve Monroe 269-650-6023
48 ACRES - Pristine 48 acres of woods, water, hills and some tillable land. Spectacular views from this 3
bedroom, 3 bath Chalet home. Home has an abundance of closets and storage, 6 sliders to let in the natural
light, main floor laundry, finished walk-out basement and Jacuzzi tub in the master bath. 32 x 40 Pole barn with
separate 200 amp underground service and tall enough to store your RV in the winter. Priced @ 329,000
(16015882) Call Jane Drewyor 269-317-7994
Contact Barb Hilborn

Sales Associate
Office: 989-876-8171
Cell: 989.903.5344
ARENAC REALTY CO.

Pete Stanley & Assoc.
314 E. Huron (US-23)

AuGres, MI 48703
269-207-3280
Drew Chapple Associate Broker
VACANT LAND
68 ACRES, Barry Co., Baltimore Twp, Sportspersons Paradise! Pond & Creek frontage, Woods & Tillable $349,900
10 ACRES, Barry Co., Barry Twp, Beautifully wooded with a 24x40 Pole Barn $69,900
18 ACRES, Barry Co., Hope Twp, Wooded w/4 Lot splits & road installed. $129,900
LITTLE CEDAR LAKE, Barry Co., Hope Twp, 2 Acres w/200 of Lake front. Great Fishing Camp. $59,900
FISHERMAN! DUCK
HUNTERS! This is your
dream cottage on
Saginaw Bay. Two bedroom one bath knotty pine
interior has many updates.
Saganing Casino just down
the road. Steel seawall with dock. Truly a sportsman's
dream. Motivated sellers!
12.85 Acres
across from Secord
Lake. Abuts 1,000
acres of State
Land. Includes 46'x
52' Pole Barn. RV
Hookup 200 AMP
Service. No well or septic. Natural Gas at street.
The Kempf Team Realty

Sue Maziarz
(989)-876-1010
sue1253@yahoo.com
Whitetail Realty,
Lake City, MI
231-839-8142 or
office@lakecityrealestate.com
lakecitymirealestate.com
N. Missaukee MLS3 21119336 $99,000

50 acres of recreational & hunting property

Rustic Cabin w/electric & propane heat
Well, outdoor shower, generator included
Open area and wooded area
Close to State land & Trails
E. Missaukee MLS# 21121041 $299,000

3 Bedroom 2 Story Country home
Full Basement, Wrap around Porch
24 x 24 Detached Garage, Hardwood Flrs
140 Acres, some tillable most wooded
Land loans you

can escape to...
Enjoy the freedom of owning a slice of the
great outdoors. GreenStone can finance the
right property for you. Whether it is 10, 20 or
even 100 acres, we have the experts to help.
To learn more, contact a lending expert
at one of our 36 offices today!
800-444-3276
North Missaukee MLS# 21115322 $104,000
Manton Area MLS# 21118448 $93,000

3 Bedroom Home on the Manistee River
100 of frontage on the river
Large Detached 24 x 32 Garage
Surround by state land on all sides
Houghton Lake MLS# 21121068 $29,900
100 x 100 wooded corner lot
Deeded access to Houghton Lake
Shared dock and beach
www.greenstonefcs.com
80 wooded acres on blacktop road

Property adjoins state land on north side
109
Prime Hunting Location
UNIQUE, LUXURY & LARGE RECREATIONAL PROPERTIES

DEER + NATURE LOVERS DREAM PROPERTIES
LAKE OGEMAW
MARINA
$650,000
AVALON PONTOON DEALER 600-ACRE PRIVATE ALL-SPORTS LAKE

2 Large Storage Buildings
16 Boat Slips
ALCONA COUNTY
156.66 ACRES
$329,800
CLARE
COUNTY
$310,000
121.5 ACRES
Hunting, Hiking, Fishing, Kayaking, Camping, Tubing.

Amazing Family Retreat.
4 Cabins, Water & Electricity.
GENESEE COUNTY
775,000
108 ACRES
PRICE REDUCED
PINE RIVER
Over one mile on Shiawassee Lake and Shiawassee River.
4-BR cabin overlooking Pine River, New Roof!
217 Acres in Alcona County Family Has Owned and Maintained

Hunting Camp Over 20 years for Successful Hunting. Move In
Ready Lodging With Modern Conveniences, 3 BR 2 Bath,
Fireplace, Year Around Use. Deck overlooks Aerated Stocked
Pond, Groomed RV Trails, Food Plots and Pine River borders
property. Michigan Out Of Doors TV show filmed Deer and
Turkey hunts from this property.
Call Louella Shellenbarger for your personal tour 989-370-5918
ST. CLAIR COUNTY $450,000

PRICED TO SELL
154 ACRES
LAPEER COUNTY
$395,000
$219,900
ST. MARYS RIVER
30 ACRES
AWESOME HUNTING CABIN OVERLOOKING MILL CREEK
Cozy log cabin.

Amazing Barn Home
Over mile on St. Marys River. + 2nd Home Rental.
Ranch home, 3 pole barns + barns.
LAPEER COUNTY
CLARE COUNTY
$389,000
$219,000
Louella Shellenbarger Sales Associate

Heritage House Realty PC
234 S. Huron Harrisville, MI 48740
Cell# 989-370-5918
Office 989-724-5800
Fax 989-724-6656
CHIPPEWA COUNTY
210 ACRES
OSCODA COUNTY
20 ACRES
SANILAC COUNTY
80 ACRES
$279,000
$275,000
520 ACRES
28 ACRES
Enjoy 520 acres. 1/20th ownerHuge Log Home & Pool.
Deer Hunter & Nature Lovers! ship. 100ft. on Bass Lake.
Call Randy Minto
www.RandyMinto.C21.com
Email: rminto@c21metrobrokers.com
www.MIDREAMPROPERTIES.com
3900 sq ft Amazing Log

Interior. Abuts 500+ acres
Federal Land (land locked).
1/2 Mile from Lake Huron.

2 streams, 90% wooded.
RANDY MINTO
Always Working Hard for You!
Direct:
810.449.1286
REALTOR
Office:
810.653.4500
9326 S. M-37 | P.O. Box 843

Baldwin, MI 49304
www.cbnwr.com
231-745-4646
720 Pere Marquette River

2 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 15044756 $79,900
2900 Pere Marquette River

13 Acres 2 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 15043282 $174,900
233 Loon Lake

2 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 15044508 $149,900
166 Jenks Lake

3 Bed 2 Bath
MLS 16010264 $139,900
206 All Sports Bitely Lake

1 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 16010716 $114,900
100 All Sports Bitely Lake

2 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 16008505 $149,900
75 Harper Lake
4 Bed 2 Bath
MLS 16017898 $159,900
80 Orchard Lake
2 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 16025817 $72,250
70 Big Twin Lake

3 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 14031767 $69,900
100 Isaac Lake

3 Bed 2 Bath
MLS 15041794 $64,000
175 Jenks Lake

2 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 15043570 $83,000
75 Little Star Lake

2 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 16016273 $129,900
Middle Branch Of The Pere Marquette River. This Quite Parcel Offers 155 Of Private
Frontage, Great Fishing And Hunting Out The Door. Property Is Approximately 2.4 Acres,
All Wooded, Utilities Available, And Walking Distance To Federal Land. This Is A Very
Quiet Area With No Canoe Traffic and On A Dead End County Road . Land Contract
terms available with $3,000 down, $300 a month, 8% interest, 5 year balloon. MLS
12056963 $34,900
110
Lilly Township. PARCELs A&B Great Recreational Hunting Acreage Parcel. Almost
17 acres sitting on both sides of this quiet stream offering great hunting, small stream
fishing, large woods and 2 really nice building sites, one on each side of the creek. Great
location for a week-end retreat or a year around home. Underground electric is on the
north side of creek with a great camp location. The south side of the creek is rolling hardwoods which borders state land. Just down the trail are thousands of acres of federal
land. Great find. Low Down Land Contract terms available MLS 15059911 $42,500
Beautifully wooded 41 acres with Federal Land on 2 sides. Access is through a Federal
Forest Road 6262. Great hunting and trails, secluded but not far from town. Great location! MLS 15056995 $59,9000
Hunters!!!! This IS it!! 20 wooded beautiful acres with a 1996 Camper with a roof over,
well, septic, electric for AND set up with water and power for 2 other campers. Deluxe
Deer Blind included! Truly a nice set up for family fun. MLS 15056631 $49,900
Very unique property with thousands of acres of Federal land to the west and north,
variety of woods,hills, low land, and ponds terrific hunting and camping area. Low down
land contract terms available. Seller is a licensed Real Estate Broker. 6.71 Acres MLS
16021694 $17,900
Vacant Big Star Lake Front Lot. 85 of pure lake fun for all your all sports needs. Nice
beach, great building spot for a walkout basement. Private easement for seclusion but
easy access. Great views of the lake and great fun!! MLS 15064100 $127,500
Very secluded 10 acres across the street from thousands of acres of a hunting club
and federal land and not far from Gleasons Landing off Jenks Rd for Pere Marquette
River access and there is already electric on the land This would make a great hunting
camp or build your dream home or cabin on it . MLS 16025881 $23,900
Very unique property with thousands of acres of Federal land to the west and north,
variety of woods, hills, low land, and ponds terrific hunting and camping area. Low down
land contract terms available. Seller is a licensed Real Estate Broker. 4.33 Acres MLS
16021738 $14,900
HUNTING LAND FOR SALE
BRANDON CROPSEY
Broker, Land Specialist
Michigan
(269) 816-3010
CHUCK KEEFER
Agent, Land Specialist

Central Michigan
(989) 600-4112
JAKE EHLINGER

Southeast Michigan
(517) 937-2118
SHAD WOODRUFF

West Central Michigan
(989) 330-4032
CONTACT AN AGENT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BUYING AND

SELLING HUNTING, FARMLAND AND TIMBERLAND
w hi t e ta il pr ope rt ie s . com
Whitetail Properties Real Estate, LLC | dba Whitetail Properties | In the State of Nebraska DBA Whitetail Trophy Properties Real Estate LLC. | Dan Perez, Broker - LIC in IL, IA, KS, KY,
MO, NE, OK | Jeff Evans, Broker - LIC in AR, CO, GA, IL, MN, TN, WI | John Boyken, Broker - LIC in IN | Kirk Gilbert, Broker - LIC in OH | Johnny Ball, Broker - LIC in AR | Bob Powers,
Broker - LIC in TN | Brandon Cropsey, Broker - LIC in MI | Chris Wakefield, Broker - LIC in TN | Sybil Stewart, Broker - LIC in AL, MS, LA | Joey Bellington, Broker - LIC in TX
111
MI_WNW_ad_9.83x13.indd 1
6/23/16 1:45 PM
VERY RARE LAKE FRONT - On Hillview Lake, east of Big Rapids, 23 acres,
cabin and 1700+ feet of waterfront. Family, Corporate, Development potential. $449,000
AMAZING MICHIGAN
PROPERTIES
Melanie Lovati
Cell: 810.650.4349
Office: 586.263.8220
Melanie@MelanieLovati.com
MUSKEGON RIVER SOUTH OF BIG RAPIDS - THE VIEW worth 10x the price,
great boating. Newly renovated. This is a Knock-Out Waterfront property. $149,900
20 ACRES - Wooded building sites and open land. Paved road 1/2 mile from 5000 acres of
Manistee National Forest, 7 miles west of Big Rapids, close to Hungerford Lake. $60,000
CORNER 20 ACRES - 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, home with finished work shop in garage
plus 48x44 pole barn, Quality construction. $249,000
82.46 ACRES - Great hunting land not far from Hawkins, Barton Twp. Newaygo Co.
Nicely wooded and rolling. Shack sleeps 12. Buck Pole in place. $135,000
Jack Frizzell
(231)598-6700
7317 Dyke Clay Twp.
9551 MUD HEN Hwy Clay Twp.

Duck Hunter Heaven! Located in one of the best duck
hunting spots in the Flats. The privacy and views from
this location are incredible. 4 Bdrm Cottage is perfect for
family and friends to enjoy. Large Double lot, boat hoist
and awesome TIKI bar! Pontoon Boat negotiable!
15155 Belle River Berlin Twp.

Horsemans and Hunters paradise! 17 Acre Farm is
RD eligible ZERO DP!! The farmhouse is well over 100
years old but has had significant improvements such
as well, septic, siding, front porch, roof, windows new
furnaces, H2o heater, plumbing, electrical and newer
kitchen cabinets, wood floors on 1st floor, newer bath
on 1st floor, updated 2nd floor bath with claw foot tub!
The horse barn has been freshly painted, new doors,
maintenance-free soffits and 7 newer paddocks. Sellers
reserve crop rights on Hay Field till 2019. $205,000
50000 Taylor New Baltimore
112
4711 Indian Trail China Twp

Log cabin on 14.87 Acres. Beautiful Log cabin this
home will be love at first site. 3 bdrm 2.1 bath plus
an in-law quarter in the finished basement with kitchen,
bath, and separate entrance. Total living space 4287 Sq.
ft. Soaring ceilings in the great room, doorwall to deck,
large wrap around country porch plus an 8 car garage
with 1000 sq. ft bonus room!!! Pond. $474,899.00
ALL OFFERS WELCOME!!!
CANADIAN WATERFRONT AND

RECREATIONAL PROPERTY.
CLOSE TO SAULT STE. MARIE,
MICHIGAN BORDER
*LAND CONTRACTS
AVAILABLE O.A.C.*
SPRING BEAR SEASON IS
BACK ON
FALL BEAR SEASON OPENS
AUG. 15 TILL OCT. 30
GOOSE SEPT. 1
DUCK SEPT. 10
SMALL GAME SEPT. 15
MOOSE & DEER SEASON
FOLLOWS
ALL PROPERTIES ARE IN

TROPHY DEER & BEAR AREA
WITH GREAT FISHING!!!
NO GUIDE OR OUTFITTER
REQUIRED IF YOU BUY
PROPERTY IN ONTARIO!
Land Management and
Maintenance Also Available
Brokers and sales agents
welcomed and protected.
LAJAMBE
ENTERPRISESINC.
715 Finns Bay Road
Echo Bay, Ontario CAN
POS 1C0
TELEPHONE:
(705) 248-9663
FAX:
(705) 248-1110
CONTACT:
Frank Lajambe
EMAIL:
flajambe@lajambe.com
WEBSITE:
www.lajambe.com
*Prices subject to change.
WATERFALLS PROPERTY: 160 acre parcel 45 min from

International Bridge. Waterfalls & Brook Trout River running
across property. Rugged, well treed, hunting, and recreational property with government land on 2 sides. Only 1 mile
off a year round maintained road. This won't be on the market
for long so act now. Dont delay, asking $84,900.00 as is or
make an offer. Standing timber value is $30,000 plus.
EXECUTIVE WATER FRONT HOME ON LAKE HURON
FOR SALE: This four bedroom home is situated less than 30
miles from the US/Canadian border in a private country setting, in a quiet bay. The lot is 200x750. This property has
unequaled sunsets facing southwest with deep water for
pleasure craft boating on Lake Huron in the North Channel.
$725,000.00.
PRINCE PROPERTY: 287 acres of hardwood and softwood
forest with a creek flowing thru. Year-round access. Existing
windmill generates approx. $5,500/yr. Deer, Bear, and small
game on property. Located 30 minutes from the International
Bridge. $84,900
MACDONALD PROPERTY: 759 acres with hunting camp, 25
miles east of Sault St. Marie Ontario, property is gated, isolated and wooded, with a four bedroom, two-story pole barn.
20-acre lake and 2 streams. Great Bear Hunting! Two Deer
plots! Five deeds, no guide required, underpriced at $274,000.
($361 per acre) Terms available, excellent buy!
400 ACRES OF ROLLING HARD-AND SOFTWOOD HILLS:
Large beaver pond and creek runs thru property, next to
above property if more acreage is required. Property is great
for bear hunting, white tail and grouse. Four miles off yearround maintained road. $124,900
EXCLUSIVE LAKE HURON WATERFRONT & WATERVIEW ESTATE LOTS LOCATED IN THESSALON, ONTARIO
50 MILES EAST OF SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO ON
HIGHWAY 17 EAST: Lighthouse Point serviced with hydro,
telephone, sewer, water, gas, cable on paved street. Airport,
marina and hospital in area. No time limit for building.
Waterfront lots 100 478 frontage, waterview lots 80 frontage. Prices from $15,900.00 and up.
REILLY PROPERTY: 2 - 80 acre parcels with beaver pond,
hardwood and softwood mixed forestland 30 minutes from
International Bridge. NORTH PROPERTY: Priced to sell at
$19,900.00 or $250 per acre. SOUTH PROPERTY: Priced to
sell at $15,900.00 or $186 per acre.
TWO 10 ACRE SAND BEACH LOTS (these lots have it all):
60 miles east of Sault Ste. Marie each lot has 300 frontage on
Bright Lake near highway 17 East (lake area approx. 24
square miles), year round access with power to property. This
inland lake has perch, bass, walleye and northern pike.
Priced to sell at $99,900.00 (lot #2) and $109,900.00 (lot #3).
LOG CABIN WITH LOFT AND 162 ACRES: Trails and tree
stands ready for the avid hunter or nature lover. Mixed hardwood and softwood bush with some water on the property and
a magnificent mountain scenic view of a large walleye and
pike lake awaiting the angler. Only 45 minutes from the
International Bridge. Asking price 138,900.
5 ACRES - Waterfront on outflow river from Desbarats Lake.
Year-round access with power. Driveway and building site
ready. Excellent Walleye, Pike and Bass fishing. 30 miles from
International border. Excellent bear and deer hunting. $39,900
160 ACRES Timberland surrounded by government land, 40
min. east of Soo International border. Timber value $30,000
plus. Asking price $79,900.
LOOKING FOR OFFERS!!! DISCOUNTED PRICES!
Exceptional location for an Executive Retreat! YearRound waterfront action in this amazing property
Lakefront Luxury Living. This home is magazine worth
with architectural detail and design that is incomparable
to anything on the market! 7700 sq. ft. the specifications of this home are amazing. The journey begins as
you enter the 3-story foyer you are entranced by the
underwater mural and custom designed staircase with
a hint of art deco flare, the 2-story great room offers a
fireplace and floor to ceiling Pella windows with the most
incredible view of Anchor Bay. The chefs kitchen has
custom cabinetry, backsplash and granite countertops,
the commercial elevator services all 3 floors, 1st floor
master suite has a bay sitting area, incredible walk-in
closet with built-in shelves, drawers and hanging area,
master bath offers a steam shower, whirlpool tub, dual
sinks and custom cabinets. Game room above garage
plus bonus room, 8-car attached gar, 30,0000 lb. boat
hoist, Trex boardwalk, radiant heated floors plus zoned
HVAC & more. See the associated documents for a
complete spec list. $1,900,000.00
LOOKING FOR OFFERS!!! DISCOUNTED PRICES!
Best Walleye, bass, Sturgeon Fishing ANYWHERE!!

Once in a lifetime opportunity. This summer cottage/
island is located in the Flats! Located on premier waters
there is over 300' of steel seawall with the most amazing
view you have ever seen! Great fishing, Great Boat
Traffic and literally a 5 minute boat ride to pick up and
drop off guests from the mainland at Decker's.
Wonderful boathouse is the "Garage" storage shed, 4
bedrooms, open concept. This cottage has been in 1
family for 75 years it IS that special place. Did we
mention how good the fishing is? $249,900.00
WOW CHECK THIS OUT! DISCOUNTED PRICES!
DONT BE SHY MAKE AN OFFER ALL PROPERTIES MUST BE SOLD
8715 North Channel Clay Twp.
http://jackfrizzell.fivestarmichigan.com
DONT BE SHY MAKE AN OFFER ALL PROPERTIES MUST BE SOLD
PRICED TO SELL!!! 2965 feet of water frontage!! This

ISLAND is a one of a kind opportunity zoned
commercial it would be an ideal spot for a private club,
Bar/Rest/Marina has multiple possible uses. Incredible
location on sandy Munchies Bay this is PURE
Michigan!! City water and Sewer located on
M29 /Dyke Rd. See survey online for dimensions of
island 19 + Acres includes bottom lands, this is a once
in a lifetime opportunity!
OTHER PROPERTIES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Offices Serving Lower &

Upper Michigan
VACANT LAND
1320 ft X 3960 ft.
Call Sharon @ 810-441-6002 or 810-798-8591
121 ACRES IN FREMONT TOWNSHIP, WEST OF
CROSWELL, EAST OF M-19 ON BURNS LINE
RD AT THE NW CORNER OF BROWN RD.
Bringing people and places together since 1945
VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY!
statewiderealestate.net
$3,800 an acre
Sharon LaFrance
810-441-6002
Im not #1, you are.
MAINSTREET
844 Van Dyke ALMONT
VACANT LAND
ALBERTA NEW LISTING 40 Acres on the east end of Plumbago Lake/Alberta-Ford

Reservoir. Very nice thinned hardwoods, higher elevations, awesome woods. Behind a
locked gate--easy access. $59,000
1089895 AMASA This remote, off the grid 40 acre MI CFA parcel is a deer or duck
hunter's paradise. It is accessed via the private Triangle Ranch Road. The road in is
largely sandy, and there is a latched yellow gate about a 1.5 miles back from the parcel.
$25,500
1089888 AMASA This 80 acre parcel is perfect for the hunter looking for waterfowl
and deer habitat. It's back in the marsh, off the grid, and accessed from Premo Dam Road.
The very south end of the parcel would be a likely spot to build a cabin. $46,000
1089883 AMASA This remote, off the grid 120 acres is a deer and duck hunter's
paradise. It is accessed from Triangle Ranch Road. Triangle Ranch Road is largely sandy,
and there is a latched gate about 1.5 miles from the subject MI CFA 120. $87,000
1093613 ATLANTIC MINE This close to town 23 acre m/l Michigan CFA parcel offers
a lot. The parcel on Obenhoff Road has a beautiful mix of trees comprised of 15 acres of
red pine, and other natural generation. Build or development a small neighborhood.
$34,000
1080184 ATLANTIC MINE Stunning views over 30 acres/700+ feet of Lake Superior
waterfront with privacy, seclusion & close proximity to Houghton; 6 divisions available w/
potential for 2 additional splits. Private easements in place for phone, power, & road
access. Road is currently seasonal. $350,000
1082141 ATLANTIC MINE Over 360 gorgeous feet of Lake Superior property. Enjoy
stunning sunsets from the home of your dreams you can build on this property! Power to
lot, easy private road access. There is a 20 foot camper trailer included with the property.
$126,999
1093616 ATLANTIC MINE This close to town 27 acre m/l Michigan CFA parcel offers
a lot. It would be easy to make this a hunting/recreation parcel, or the parcel is a beautiful
25 acres m/l of thinned maple forest on Obenhoff Road for custom homes. $42,500
1093600 BARAGA This rural, appealing 80 acre MI CFA parcel feels rather remote
and private for the hunter and recreational user, yet it is still only about 10 minutes from
Baraga. The parcel is just past the end of the pavement on Baraga Plains Rd. $83,600
1068557 BARAGA This diverse 485 acre Baraga/Chassell Twp parcel has direct legal
access off Highway US-41 with utilities on the Highway or on the west boundary! It has a
private gated entry point that opens up to a young red pine plantation. $539,500
1071877 COPPER HARBOR This 23 acre waterfront parcel is surrounded by State
of Michigan land east of Copper Harbor! It is waterfront at it's finest, w/sunrises overlooking Manitou Island. Access is from the Highrock Bay Road. This parcel is nicely wooded
& has a rocky/pebble shoreline. $295,000
1071876 COPPER HARBOR ''ON GOLDEN POND is the only way to describe
this remote CFR 40 w/higner ground overlooking a beautiful active beaver pond to the
south. Very private w/State of Michigan land on 3 sides. Ideal get-away site for hunting,
eagle watching, & etc. $59,500
1071878 COPPER HARBOR This parcel is the very tip of the Keweenaw
Peninsula! It is Keweenaw waterfront at it's finest, w/sunrises over Manitou Island & Gull
Rock Lighthouse; also, great southern & western views. Access from the Highrock Bay
Road, then south along the shoreline. $500,000
1080180 COPPER HARBOR Fully wooded 40 acres w/panoramic views of Lake
Superior & Copper Harbor! Access multiple building sites from M-26 & Brockway Mt. Drive,
with phone & power on M-26. A perfect site for your home or get away cabin. Adjacent 40
available. $135,000
1083935 COVINGTON This northwoods CFA 80 acres is just past the Net River Dam,
and about 3/4 of a mile off US-41, about 8.5 miles south of Covington. Its off-the-grid for
power in a sparsely populated area. The 80 was recently harvested by the seller.
$80,000
1093595 CRYSTAL FALLS This 40 acre parcel is approx 16 miles NE of US-141,
and about 5 miles north of the Michigamme Reservoir. Access is via the seasonal WPA
and Deerfoot Lodge Roads. The parcel was logged and replanted with red pine about 10
years ago. $43,500
1091059 EAGLE HARBOR Tall pines and year round access with phone & power
are the prime features of this rare 2.84 acre lot on the west edge of Eagle Harbor, close
to Mt. Bohemia for winter skiing & only 0.8 miles from the beach in Eagle Harbor.
$27,500
1042541 GREENLAND Located along M26 about 1.5 miles north of M38 in
Greenland Township--wooded 80 acre rolling riverfront parcel! Nearly one half mile of the
west branch of the Firesteel River crosses the parcel! Awesome woods and hunting!
$106,900
1083994 IRON RIVER This off the grid, remote CFA 120 acre parcel offers a hunter
or fisherperson a lot to choose from in its features. Both sides of the Perch River are on
the land--shoreline is primarily vegetation, sand and rock in spots, other areas are steeper.
$130,000
1083984 IRON RIVER This off the grid, remote 40 acre parcel offers hunting and
fishing, plus an old trailer & shed. Both sides of the Perch River are on the land, with a
snowmobile bridge for a river crossing, and a rather nice little river rapids on it. $57,500
1084361 L'ANSE This 80 acre parcel is perfect for a hunter who wants an out of town
feeling in the woods and camp, but still only minutes from downtown L'Anse. It has great
access directly from Indian Road; seller recently thinned the parcel. $93,500
1089896 L'ANSE This beautiful 80 acre parcel offers something for everyone in the woods
near L'Anse. It's 10 minutes from downtown L'Anse, and yet it offers a very remote and private
feeling for the hunter and recreational user. Access is via a recorded easement. $120,000
1066896 L'ANSE This 40 acre off-grid parcel offers a buyer the chance to own almost
all of an 8 acre lake bordered by a higher ridge on the east side with an awesome building
site. Parcel is about two miles off of US-41. $74,500
1066908 L'ANSE This fully wooded 40 acre m/l parcel offers wonderful access from
two roads in the woods. The parcel is located about 6 miles east of Herman in the high
country (1,800 ft about sea level). Areas were select cut. $38,500
1090426 LAKE LINDEN 80 acres located in Jacobsville with red pine, spruce, &
balsam plantations. The first pine plantation was sewn in 1906-64 and has diameters of
12 to 18 inches and 35' to 40' long. The 2nd plantation in 1968 have diameters between
8 and 10 inches. $72,000
1087498 MASS CITY 117 acres m/l of rolling upper peninsula forest perfect for your
cabin and outstanding hunting. Property is accessible via Juno Road. Property was
thinned 10 plus years ago. The property has an outstanding deer population, and is also
known as a winter deer yarding area. $93,600
1083948 NESTORIA This 125 acre parcel along US-41 in Nestoria is very unique. It's
a great spot to build a cabin right off the Herman Nestoria Road just north of US-41. Its
mainly lower land, offer long view distances for hunting. $110,000
1083946 NESTORIA This 125 acre m/l CFR parcel is bounded by US-41 on the north
and the flowage of the Lateral Creek and State of MI land to the south. Parcel would make
a great hunting parcel for deer and waterfowl--it's higher and dry along the highway.
$126,500
1092883 ONTONAGON Here's a beautiful, mix, 73 acre m/l vacant land parcel that
fronts on both year round Townline Road and the seasonal two-track Quartz Road. Town
Line Creek moves in and out along the back (west) boundary. Power, phone, septic & well
on the parcel. $51,000
1083603 ONTONAGON This 40 acre CFA parcel has not been available to the
public previously. It has direct access to the year round and paved Norwich Road. The 40
was recently thinned by its owner, leaving some trees and cover to support the hunter.
$38,500
1080167 ONTONAGON This parcel offers great hunting and spring steel head fishing opportunities, or just a place to get away from it all. 37+ spectacular acres with over
1000' of Duck Creek frontage! Very private and a terrific location for your getaway cabin.
$48,000
1083439 PELKIE 60 acres of some of the highest ground along Papin Road with great
high views to the south. Parcel is a combination of rising and flat high ground, probably old
pasture, that has been grown over with some mature trees and an old apple orchard.
$75,000
1094285 PELKIE Great price on this 160 acre parcel that truly has it all! Year round
access with power & phone available on Pine Creek Road. Property has some nice
hayfields, and the majority property is nicely wooded with aspen, maple, birch, spruce, fir,
pine and more! $149,000
1093419 REDRIDGE 110' of Sandy Lake Superior shoreline. Great spot for that
seasonal getaway or year round home. Located about 15 minutes SW of Houghton. Year
round access stops about 300' from property, however the two track could easily be
improved to allow for a private road. $79,000
1089891 ROCKLAND This remote 40 acre CFA parcel is back in the woods over a
mile off Woodspur Road. 40 acres that was harvested a few years ago. There is still some
timber on it, and it would make a great off the grid hunting parcel. $34,000
1093603 ROCKLAND This 80 acre MI CFA remote parcel features seasonal access
about 5 miles west of the old Town of Victoria off the Multipurpose Trail and the Victoria
Roads. Michigan snowmobile trail #101 is on the parcel and makes for easy access in the
winter. $52,500
1090368 ROCKLAND This 248 m/l acre Rockland Township parcel has the Deer Lick
Creek in it and frontage on the E. Branch of the Ontonagon River! It has gated access off
Highway M45 over a half mile private easement. This property has dramatic topography
changes. $252,000
1012727 ROCKLAND Nearly a half mile of highway frontage on this 120 acre parcel,
it is partially wooded with year-round access for recrreation. It is comprised of open areas
w/ woodlots; adjoining parcel is CFA land. Utilities are available at the highway. $71,500
1089893 ROCKLAND This 80 acre MI CFA parcel features seasonal access in about
1/2 mile on the Victoria Road, with significant elevation changes and views over the
Victoria Reservoir. There is over 200 feet of elevation change. It's off the grid but close to
good roads. $124,256
1050297 ROCKLAND This never before offered to the public 320+/- acre Rockland
Township parcel has year round gated access off Highway M45! This property has topography like you've never seen, from flat to rolling high ground with a substantial internal road
system. $290,500
1062459 SKANEE Backwoods Arvon Twp 40 with the west branch of the Huron River
crossing the property. Property is a mixture of timber types, including rolling hardwoods
and conifers to aspen stands. Plenty of locations to build. $49,900
1075861 TAPIOLA Recreational opportunity awaits you on this 80 acre parcel. The
parcel has been selectively cut within the last 15 years. There is excellent growing stock
remaining. The parcel was cruised recently and another selective harvest is recommended within the next few years. $99,000
1080182 TOIVOLA Great 79 acres with hundreds of feet of highway frontage, phone
& power, a nice gravel trail to a very private hunting camp where the deer, bear, & grouse
abound! The camp is rough condition but could be restored for hunting or getaways.
$115,000
State Wide Real Estate of Houghton

500 Shelden Avenue, Houghton, MI 49931
906-370-4440 CELL statewideofhoughton.com
Kevin P. Liimatta
Associate Broker
Houghton
Marquette
Curtis
Manistique
Escanaba
Powers
Menominee
Marinette
Newberry
Fife Lake
Onaway
Hawks
Hillman
Alpena
Atlanta
Harrisville
Mio
Skidway Lake
Clare
Almont
Linden
Howell
Contact Your Nearest State Wide Real

Estate Office To Buy or Sell In Michigan
ALPENA
1100 W. Chisholm, 49707
email: alpswre@speednetllc.com
989-356-2142 Fax: 989-356-2144
HAWKS
8383 Hwy. 451, 49743
email: rita8383@yahoo.com
989-734-4846
MARQUETTE
856 W. Washington, 49855
email: sw@statewiderealestate.org
906-228-9312 Fax: 906-228-8069
ALMONT
844 Van Dyke Road
lafrancesharon@yahoo.com
810-798-8591 Fax: 810-798-8079
HILLMAN
14938 State Street, P.O. Box 98, 49746
email: statewidehillman@yahoo.com
989-742-4523 800-228-7856
Fax: 989-742-3931
MENOMINEE
3631 10th Street, 49858
email: statewideone@newbc.rr.com
906-863-9905
Fax: 906-863-7935
CLARE
308 E. 5th Street, 48617
email: statewideclare@voyager.net
989-386-3396 Fax: 989-386-3800
CURTIS/NEWBERRY
Main Street, P.O. Box 305, 49820
email: swcurtis@sbcglobal.net
906-586-9606 Fax: 906-586-9607
HOUGHTON
500 Shelden Ave., 49931
email: dick@statewideofhoughton.com
906-482-6955 800-676-6323
Fax: 906-482-7699
HOWELL/LINDEN
1285 S. Michigan Ave., Howell, MI 48843
email: statewid@earthlink.net
517-546-9060 800-531-4449
Fax: 517-546-9148
ESCANABA
2209 Ludington Street, 49829
IRON MOUNTAIN - KINGSFORD
email: escanaba@statewiderealestate.net
112 S. Carpenter Ave., Kingsford, 49802
906-786-1308 800-900-0777
906-828-9079
Fax: 906-786-1388
FIFE LAKE
127 State Street, P.O. Box 190, 49633
email: swfife@charterinternet.com
231-879-4471 Fax: 231-879-4362
MANISTIQUE
10 N. State Highway M-149
Cooks, MI 49817
906-644-2304
email: dekeysermary@yahoo.com
HARRISVILLE
430 S. US-23, 48740
email: sold@anjstatewide.com
989-724-5711 800-655-5735
Fax: 989-724-6833
MARINETTE, WISCONSIN
1460 Marinette Ave., 54143
email: statewidemarinette@yahoo.com
715-735-9964 Fax: 715-732-1107
MIO
102 West 8th St., P.O. Box 395, 48647
email: info@statewidemio.com
989-826-3292
Fax: 989-826-2108
ONAWAY
M-33 & M-68,
P.O. Box 478, 49765
email: bigdan@frontier.com
989-733-6522
Fax: 989-733-2427
POWERS
W3776 US2 & 41, 49874
906-497-4190
Fax: 906-497-5328
holly@statewiderealestate.net
SKIDWAY LAKE
2228 Greenwood Rd.,
Prescott, 48756
email: atlas@m33access.com
989-873-3601
Fax: 989-873-6914
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Phone (586) 296-2360

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Sat: 10am-4pm; Closed Sunday
Michi-GUN
Available at:
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AUGUST 2016

CWD Area Expanded!

Invasive vs. Common Carp Burning Crankbaits for Smallmouths

July 22 - 31, 2016

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Open All Year Pike and walleye season on

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AUGUST 2016 - WNW NEWS

Ryan Walker page 22

Mark Martin page 16

Betty Sodders page 68

Summer food plots

George Rowe page 56

The Next Bite...

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John Bergsma page 64

Jim Felgenauer page 8

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Noah O'Reilly page 67

AUGUST 2016 - WNW NEWS

Robert Stupp page 14

Osprey chicks banded

Bear hunting clinics

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The Hudson Bay Axe

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Larry Walters page 90

In the market for