Professional Documents
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Michigan Out-Of-Doors Fall 2016 Quarterly
Michigan Out-Of-Doors Fall 2016 Quarterly
Michigan Out-Of-Doors Fall 2016 Quarterly
Deer
Michigan
TOM NELSON
| Rule the rut
ToNY HANSEN
| be a better
bowhunter
Train to hunt
A NEW GENERATION OF HUNTERS
IS TAKING PREPARATION
TO THE NEXT LEVEL
MUCC
TM
25274 65461
www.michiganoutofdoors.com
Bears | pheasants
waterfowl | bass
firearm suppressors
hunting dogs | gear review
stickbait | conservation | MORE!
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bAsecamp
by Drew YoungeDyke, Editor
Michigan Out-of-Doors
PUBLISHER
DAN EICHINGER
EDITOR
DREW YOUNGEDYKE
editor@michiganoutofdoors.com
ART DESIGN & TEMPLATE
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PRESIDENT
THOMAS HERITIER
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
RON BURRIS
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GEORGE LINDQUIST
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JIM DECLERCK
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Michigan Out-of-Doors is the official publication of
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), 2101
Wood St., Lansing MI 48912, and is publicshed
quarterly. Telephone: 517.371.1041. Receipt of this
publication is through membership in MUCC. For
membership information, call 1.800.777.6720. Single
copies available to the public for $5.99 each. Periodicals
postage paid at Lansing, Michigan, and additional
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to Michigan Out-of-Doors, PO Box 30235, Lansing MI
48909. All advertising communications should be sent
to PO Box 30235. Views expressed by freelance writers
are their own and do not necessarily express those of
Michigan Out-of-Doors or Michigan United Conservation
Clubs. Copyright 2016 by Michigan United Conservation
Clubs (MUCC). The Copyright Act of 1976 prohibits the
reproduction of Michigan Out-of-Doors without written
permission from Michigan United Conservation Clubs.
MUCC members may reproduce one copy for personal
use without permission. For permission to reprint a
specific article, and for inquiries, contact the editor at
editor@michiganoutofdoors.com.
FALL 2016
48
20
DEPARTMENTS
16
60
54
31
FEATURES
Uniting citizens to
conserve, protect and enhance
Michigan's natural resources and
outdoor heritage since 1937
MUCC
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MICHIGAN UNITED
CONSERVATION CLUBS
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1937 by sportsmen's
clubs from around Michigan to protect conservation from politics. Representing over 50,000 members and
supporters and approximately 250 affiliated conservation clubs, MUCC is the largest state-based conservation
organization in the nation. MUCC members determine its conservation policies through a robust grassroots process,
which MUCC staff works to implement by working with elected officials, state and federal agencies, its members
and the public. MUCC has published Michigan Out-of-Doors since 1947 and operates the Michigan Out-of-Doors
Youth Camp in Chelsea, MI. Learn more about the full range of programs MUCC uses to advance conservation in
Michigan and become a member at www.mucc.org.
MUCC Staff
MUCC
TM
DAN EICHINGER
Executive Director
deichinger@mucc.org
AMY TROTTER
Deputy Director
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Michigan Out-of-Doors Editor
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ANNA MITTERLING
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SARAH TOPP
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TAYLOR RENTON
Gourmet Gone Wild Manager
SHAUN MCKEON
Education Coordinator
smckeon@mucc.org
LINDSAY ROCHEFORT
Membership Coordinator
llaserra@mucc.org
SUE PRIDE
Membership Relations&
Tracks Coordinator
spride@mucc.org
Director's Desk |
Many of our
organizations
by Dan Eichinger, Executive Director
offer all kinds of
Michigan United Conservation Clubs
programs, workshops
and events to get
WHEN I WAS A KID, we had a basketball hoop
people to hunt, to
nailed to the roof of our garage. I loved shooting
keep hunting, or
hoops. Id shoot hoops anytime of year, anytime
start hunting again.
of day. But I wasnt a basketball player. Now how
could a tall kid who loved shooting hoops not be a What we need
basketball player? Its actually quite simple: I never to start doing is
took the next step to develop as one. I never learned recognizing which
programs are really
how to dribble well or play defense. I just kept
good at recruitment,
shooting hoops in the driveway.
which programs
are
really
good
at retention, and
Our communitys approach
which programs are really good
to recruitment, retention, and
at reactivation. At a summit
reactivation (R3) is a lot like my
in early August, organized by
basketball hoop on the top of our
Michigan United Conservation
garage. We might be really good
Clubs, Michigan State University
at one aspect of the R3 process,
and the Michigan Department of
but we dont know how to get
Natural Resources, we started to
someone to take the next step, the
look at those connections. The first
right step. Even more, for a lot of
challenge we have is understanding
years, we didnt even know that
where our current programs are
was the problem.Thanks to a new
succeeding and where along the R3
model that has been developed
pathway we are missing programs.
by Matt Dunfee of the Wildlife
Then we can move strategically
Management Institute, we have
with new programs or pivot current
some new insight that should
programs to meet those gaps.
improve our hunter recruitment,
retention, and reactivation
In other words, if all of our
programs. And we are putting it to
programs are teaching people how
good use here in Michigan.
to shoot hoops, but not how to
dribble, pass, or defend, then well
AROUND MICHIGAN
UP
On the east side of the Lower Peninsula, the DNR has entered into
agreements with federal officials
for projects involving oak, aspen
and mixed pine-hardwoods tracts.
Susan Thiel, the Grayling unit
manager for the DNR, said the
work on the east side of the state
is just getting under way. After
waiting for signed agreements and
paint delivery, crews are now set to
begin their work.
Thiel said DNR foresters out of the
Mio field office will be working on
about 400 acres in multiple stands.
They (the projects) range from
clear cuts to thinning, Thiel said.
Were managing for aspen
and were managing for oak.
Some of the oak (harvest) is for
regeneration, and thinnings are
to promote growth of the existing trees its the exact same
management as were doing
on the forests here except were
following the feds prescriptions. The sale will be administered
through our process.
DNR, MSU
MONITOR U.P.
FOR INVASIVE SPECIES
UP
interactions and are tame. Aerialwinter surveys show the population on Grosse Ile and
Humbug Marsh is grossly above the limits
required to maintain healthy natural areas.
SLP
NLP
Elk management
is a partnership
effort with the Department of Natural Resources.
Predictably, an animal rights organization from California was quoted in opposition to the plan, saying
In March, they commenced a joint
essentially that "coyotes would take
study with Michigan State Univercare of it."
sity under the leadership of Professor Rique Campa, of the DepartIn July, the U.S Fish and Wildlife
ment of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Service announce that Humbug
Marsh would be open for a limited
Researchers netted and fitted coldraw achery hunt. The drawing
lars to close to 40 elk both within
application period closed on Authe Pigeon River Country and
gust 15, but it is encouraging to
further east toward Atlanta.
see addditional federal public land
opened up for hunting opportuniThey also set trail cams and are
ties. Here is part of the USFWS's
conducting surveys to determine
statement announcing the hunting
the impact that recreational activopportunity:
ities, specifically mountain biking
and horseback riding, have on elk
The Humbug Marsh Unit of the Detroit River
International Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) has its movement.
fair share ofwhite-tailed deer. Todays herd
is so large that deer grazing is reducing the
quality of this natural area as conservation
land. Increasing deer will raise the risk of
deer-vehicle collisions along West Jefferson
Avenue. The beauty and mystique of whitetailed deer of which a sighting is a valuable part of a visitors experience is lost as
some have become accustomed to human
Clubs' On the Ground (OTG) program partnered to plant mast-bearing trees, like oak, around elk
clearings close to a mile from the
nearest open road.
The clearings provide elk refuge
and an open area where bulls like
to herd cows; the trees, when mature, will provide additional food
resources in that area. Volunteers
spread mulch around the trees, watered them, and installed fencing to
protect the saplings from elk rubs.
The project was organized by the
DNR's Huron Pines AmeriCorps
member Hunter Fodor, MUCC
Wildlife Volunteer Coordinator
Sarah Topp, and RMEF Michigan
State Chair Dan Johnson. It was the
third year in a row that RMEF and
MUCC teamed up for elk habitat in
the Pigeon River Country.
RMEF is hosting its State Rendezvous in the Pigeon River Country
September 9-11 at the Johnson's
Crossing campground, where they
will perform a yet-to-be-determined wildlife volunteer project on
Saturday, Sept. 10.
The January 2016 elk survey
yielded an estimate of 1,372 elk in
northern Michigan, well above its
500-900 elk goal in the Michigan
Elk Management Plan. Accordingly, the Natural Resources Commission increased the elk licenses
available this year.
11
Thank You!
WELL, ALRIGHT...
JUSTICE SERVED
THE BEST (OR WORST) OF THE BIWEEKLY DNR LAW ENFORCEMENT CONSERVATION OFFICER REPORTS
ON PATROL
IF YOU WANT TO GET YOUR NAME PUBLISHED IN MICHIGAN OUT-OF-DOORS, THIS IS NOT THE PLACE.
hearing impairment, said he couldnt
hear the tire dragging and then
told the COs, You guys are alright.
The tire was secured inside the car
and the man was sent on his way.
HOPE THEY DIDN"T HAVE CWD...
CO Chris Lynch and Mike Evink
conducted a POC facility inspection
on a facility that had let its license
expire. Through the inspection it was
discovered there were no deer at
the facility. Upon interviewing the
facility owner he stated all 28 of his
deer had escaped and he failed to
notify the proper personnel. Charges
are being sought through the Delta
County Prosecutors Office.
with the defendant was his unidentified accomplice in the original crime
and was there to testify on behalf of
the defendant. Unknown to the defense attorney, the accomplice was
never identified during the investigation of the crime and therefore was
never issued a ticket. The CO made
contact with the unidentified suspect
and obtained his information. When
questioned, the suspect admitted to
being with the defendant that night
and trespassing. A plea agreement
was then reached, and the defendant pled guilty to the original
charge and was assessed $700 in
fines and costs. The CO then had a
warrant issued for the second subject
and his court case is pending.
FIREARMS | SUPPRESSORS
Photo courtesy of the American Suppressor Association.
DISAPPOINTED: That would be the one word I use to
describe my first experience with a suppressor.
It was 2012, and I was conducting a range with our
Battalions Surveillance and Target Acquisition
platoon, more commonly known as Scout Snipers. The
platoon brought out their issued M4s with Surefire
suppressors and conducted a
familiarization range. Now,
weve all seen movies where
the actor screws on a silencer
and fires a gun without a sound.
In reality, that is simply not the
case. There was still a Bang
when you pulled the trigger.
by Scott Crawford
equation it alters the balance of your firearm which
may change your point of impact. The change in the
zero was the main purpose our Snipers conducted
their range that day, to find new hold overs where they
would know their point of aim and point of impact.
Despite inaccurate representations by Hollywood, a
suppressor does not directly turn an average shooter
into a more lethal and silent movie
assassin. Reality may prove the
opposite.
Fast forward to February 2016:
That D word I used earlier
instantly vanished and turned to
excitement. The Natural Resources
Commission voted 4-1 in favor of
allowing suppressors for hunting
in the state of Michigan. The
American Suppressor Association and the National
Rifle Association led the initiative with support from
the Congressional Sportsmens Foundation and the
Michigan Trapper and Predator Callers Association.
Scott Crawford
I was born in the Capital City (Lansing) but raised
in a small town just south of town. Family traditions
set in early as I was in a tree stand or box blind
before I started school. When I turned five I received my first firearm; a Weatherby chambered in
.270 Winchester. Although it was taller than me I
still had to wait a few years to shoot it.
In the meantime, my curiosity took me to the
outdoors. I spent as much time as I could with a
BB gun and my buddies walking the woods and
having shooting competitions. Competition lead
me to dive deep into sports where I lettered in four
sports by junior year. After high school, I continued
the family tradition of becoming a United States
Marine. While on active duty I had the privilege
to earn the title of Grunt. My primary job was
employing machine guns but I also became a
marksmanship instructor, martial arts instructor,
and designated marksman.
Since returning from active duty, I found a part
time job working behind the gun counter. This opportunity let me enjoy a passion for firearms and
passing on knowledge or experience. I currently
work for a nonprofit called Zero Day. At Zero Day,
I have the pleasure of working hand in hand with
the DNR and other conservation organizations
through Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors
(MiOFO).
DIS
by Jeff Lichon
ABILITY
in the Out-of-Doors
EQUIPMENT
I have had the opportunity to test
out a number of different types of
adaptive equipment (AE) that were
designed specifically for taking
PWDs into the woods or marshes.
You may think of it like shoes
different shoes are required for
different purposes. Running shoes
are for running; boots are for snow
or mud. Different wheelchairs
exist for wheelchair tennis, rugby
or basketball. Hockey sleds are
designed for chasing pucks on the
ice. Not one piece of equipment is
practical for every sport and there
are even different types required
for the various terrain one might
encounter hunting different species
depending on the habitat in which
they live.
The metaphor between shoes
and adaptive equipment paints a
picture to show that not one size
fits all, but it stops short when
you start talking price. While it is
true that some designer shoes Im
sure cost more than some lower
MiOFO activities are centered around DNRmanaged Sharonville State Game Area. The
property is near several population centers:
Ann Arbor, Jackson, Lansing, and Detroit.
The partners in this effort include the
Department of Natural Resources (DNR),
Brain Injury Association, Zero-Day, the
Passing Along The Heritage (PATH)
Foundation, the Eisenhower Center, Safari
Club International (SCI) Foundation, Michigan
Building and Construction Trades Council,
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC),
Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American
Legion, and others.
ASSISTIVE RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR
USE:
TRACKED WHEELCHAIR RESERVATIONS
- Limited number of chairs available for use at
Sharonville State Game Area and other areas as
arranged
Accessible Hunting Blind Reservations Limited number of accessible blinds on public
land available
HUNTING GUIDE TO ASSIST
OUTDOORSPEOPLE - MiOFO certified
volunteer helpers are available on scheduled
days to provide one-on-one assistance
Contact Tom Jones, MiOFO Project
Coordinator, to inquire about availability
of services and resources from events to
individual outdoor opportunities. Call 734-6126677, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(unavailable on state holidays).
The
Hunter
Athletes
BY DREW YOUNGEDYKE
A NEW GENERATION
OF HUNTERS IS TAKING
PREPARATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out
how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds
could have done them better. The credit belongs to the
man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred
by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who
errs, who comes short again and again, because there
is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does
actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy
cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high
achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails
while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with
those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor
defeat. - Theodore Roosevelt, April 23, 1910
Train To Hunt Challenge contestants at Ambridge Sportsmens Club in Baden, Pennsylvania. (Schuler)
This might make sense for western elk hunters packing out of
the mountains, by why would
Midwestern whitetail hunters go
through all this?
Some people dont like to work
out, and thats fine, said Bickel. I
think its going to help, I honestly
do. You know, being under pressure, getting your heart rate up. I
mean, you get in your treestand,
just climbing to the top of your
treestand, and then you have this
CG Schuler, from Texas and stationed in Virginia, takes aim during the 3D Shoot. (Schuler)
Ali May Kelly, of New Jersey, celebrates completing the meat pack...
...while her dad and teammate John Zeiselmeijer expresses how most of us felt!
ACCURACY
MATTERED
EVEN MORE
IN THE
CHALLENGE
COURSE
The hunter-athlete movement is
having a positive impact on the
image of hunters, though.
As we try to move hunting, and
the image of hunting, I think this is
where it needs to go, said Cerrano.
I think a lot of antis whatever,
you dont have to hunt, I understand that but they just picture
Jerry Orlovski of Pennsylvania races Ray Bickel to the finish line of the Train To Hunt Challenge Course (Schuler)
.com
Subscribe, become a member, and get MUCC and Michigan Out-of-Doors gear at
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Out-of-Doors Hat: $20
Bullseye? Gotta shoot it!
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Member hat:
$500
Pokemon?
Can't help you!
by Tom Nelson
Full Draw
warm
weather
WHITETAILS
Tom Nelson, host of Cabelas American Archer on the Outdoor Channel, with a warm-weather buck.
I SHOULD HAVE STAYED HOME, I TOLD MYSELF.
The heat was more akin to a July or an August day, not
early October in Michigan. I was clad in a camo t-shirt
and thin camo pants, but I was still overly warm as the
last of the setting suns rays tried their best to make me
uncomfortable. If I was hot and uneasy, I was sure the
local deer were feeling the same. Looking at the small
thermometer that is always attached to my pack, I was
not the least bit surprised to see the mercury pushing
75 degrees. I really was not expecting to see any deer
movement until well after the sun had set. With this
thought in mind I really was not paying that much attention and not at all observant. It was the barely audible
sound of water splashing that drew my attention. 25
yards off to my left was a small creek and wading right
down the middle of it was a young forked antlered buck.
He seemed completely comfortable as he slowly walked
through the knee deep water. As he entered my first
shooting lane he was a mere 18 yards away and totally unaware of my presence high in a maple tree above
him. It was at this point that he stopped and glanced
back behind him down the creek. He stood staring down
stream for some time then once again proceeded forward. Although I could not see anything coming with the
32 MICHIGAN OUT-OF-DOORS | FALL 2016
When the
Mercury
Rises, deer
activity drops.
s
It was over a decade ago when the thought hit me. I
was in Wyoming bow hunting pronghorn antelope. It
was early September and the weather was hot and dry.
Our method of bow hunting was to erect a blind near a
waterhole and ambush the antelope as they came in for
a drink. It worked to perfection. As the mercury rose
so did the antelopes need for water.
Rule The
RUT
by Tom Nelson
This was my first time sitting in this particular ladder
stand. It had been erected into place just prior to Labor
Day weekend. I had spent the time to trim shooting
lanes at the same time thus prepping this stand well in
advance of bow season. With shooting light waning, I
was beginning to think that the action was over for this
stand inaugural hunt.
Glancing to my right, I caught sight of white antlers
coming over a rise in the hay field not 60 yards away.
The rolling terrain had hidden the bucks approach.
Without taking my eyes off the approaching deer,
I attached my release to my bowstring. Unlike the
previous bucks I had seen this evening, this guy was
by himself and walking down the fence line with a
purpose.
As he neared I drew my bow as he went under a few
sparse branches. I held my breath hopeful he would
not spot me drawing back. The buck was now a mere
15 yards away and broadside. I debated on voice
grunting to stop him but he was so close I elected
Tom Nelson, host of Cabelas American Archer, with a North Dakota buck.
BDR
Farm Services
Johannesburg, Michigan
Contact: Kellen YoungeDyke
989.370.8721 | kyoungedyke@gmail.com
Food Plots|Excavating
Custom Deer Blinds
Clearing|Shooting Lanes
FALL 2016 | MICHIGAN OUT-OF-DOORS 35
ways to be a
better
bowhunter
1 | KNOW THE
DEER YOU HUNT
by Tony Hansen
2 | BE READY
Im not talking about preseason
weight training or conditioning.
Sure, I suppose there is some level
of value to that but Im active
year-round and tend to do plenty
of physical labor as part of my
everyday life. When bow season
comes in, Ill walk plenty of miles,
usually with a couple of treestands
and climbing sticks on my back.
And, thus far, Ive been up to the
task.
But Im much more interested in
preparing myself mentally.
When bow season opens, the real
3 | KNOW YOU
CAN SHOOT
I get to talk with and interact with
a lot of bowhunters over the course
of a year. And they can usually
be put into one of two categories:
Those who kill deer and those who
talk about it.
The difference?
The most consistent bowhunters I
know are not overly technical when
it comes to their bowhunting setup.
They choose quality equipment that
works.
They can shoot and know it.
That level of confidence cant be
understated.
4 | DONT BELIEVE
THE HYPE
If I have learned anything over
Affiliate club
archery events
SAGINAW FIELD & STREAM
CONSERVATION CLUB
1296 N Gleaner Rd, Saginaw, MI
September 10 | Rinehart 100
www.r100.org
TOMAHAWK ARCHERS
2085 W. Erie, Temperance, MI
September 11 | Whitetail Warmup
www.tomahawkarchers.com
5 | INVEST
THE TIME
This is arguably the most difficult
lesson to put into practice.
If you truly want to be a better
bowhunter, you need to spend
more time doing it. There are no
shortcuts. There are no secrets.
Ive learned what Ive learned by
screwing up. A lot.
You cant screw up enough to
improve if you only spend a few
days in the woods each fall.
Trust me, I understand just how
hectic life is. Finding the time to
hunt can be a real challenge. I face
the same challenge. The difference:
I refuse to let it stop me.
Ill work long into the evening to
free up a few hours the following
morning.
I stockpile as much completed
work as I possibly can in the
summer months so that I can steal
a few extra hours during the fall.
Ill hunt the most productive days
based on weather conditions and sit
out those that arent quite as good
and on those days I pack as much
work in as I can so that when the
right weather hits, I might be able
to go.
The very best learning happens on
the fly. So get out there and start
learning.
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Professional
25
mistakes that
will kill your
season
by Darin Potter
1 | Tardiness
With bow in hand I began the
long journey towards one of my
treestands, which was located in
a stand of hardwoods. Along the
way I reached a small three acre
alfalfa field where I bumped three
deer that had likely been feeding
during the early morning hours.
The deer quickly exited the field
leaving me disgusted and doubtful
of seeing any deer while on stand.
Have you ever found yourself in
a similar situation, pushing deer
out of an area while traveling to
your stand wishing that you left
earlier? Unfortunately, Ive spoken
with many other bowhunters who
have made me feel a little less
embarrassed when they tell me that
it has happened to them as well.
The good news is this problem can
be easily remedied.
The solution: arrive at your
treestand one to two hours before
daylight. You might be thinking
that this is way too early, however
2 | BLAME IT ON
THE RAIN
Its cold, raining, and you would
rather stay home and sit on the
couch and drink coffee in the
comfort of your home than be
exposed to the elements. I may
sound like a motivational speaker,
but dont be a fair-weather
3 | WRONG STAND,
WRONG TIME
Another frequent mistake made
by bowhunters is hunting from a
treestand during the wrong part
of the season. There are specific
treestands on the property where
I hunt that I reserve strictly for
the rut. These locations typically
have active scrapes and numerous
rubs, which bucks visit during this
timeframe.
The last thing I want to do is burn
out one of these treestands before
they have a chance to blossom.
Doing so can drive does out of the
area and take with them any mature
bucks in the vicinity. The same
goes for my early stands, which are
located near some type of seasonal
food source such as an apple or
oak tree. I take advantage of these
stands by hunting them during the
first week of archery season when
these food sources have produced
mast.
If you are unsure when deer are
using a specific location, attach
a trail camera to a nearby tree
overlooking a scrape or runway.
This will remove the guesswork
and allow you to choose the best
time and place to hunt a particular
stand.
4 | TRAILING Deer
TOO EARLY
When I was fourteen years old
(my third bow season) I made the
mistake of getting down from my
stand after five minutes of shooting
a buck. As I was lowering my
bow to the ground I bumped a
five gallon pail that I used as a
seat, spooking the deer, which had
bedded down a short distance from
where I had shot it. My dad and
I spent several hours on the blood
trail that evening and the next
morning, however we were unable
to recover the buck.
Twenty-two years later I still think
of this hunt every time I connect
with a deer. This was a valuable
lesson that Im glad I learned early
on in my bowhunting pursuits,
which has helped me to avoid
repeating this frustrating scenario.
After the shot pay careful attention
to how the deer reacts, where the
deer was standing, and where it
was last seen before disappearing.
These three things are critical in the
5 | NOT
PRACTICING
ENOUGH DURING
SEASON
Hundreds if not thousands of
arrows are sent down range
during summer practice sessions
in preparation for the upcoming
archery season. Why is it then
that so many hunters lessen their
practice shots once the season
begins? Dont worry, I have been
guilty of this one, too.
Even though youve been placing
arrows in a tight group prior
to the season, it is essential
that you continue to shoot
throughout archery season to
keep your shooting skills sharp.
Whenever possible I make it part
of my routine to take at least
one shot while wearing all of
my bowhunting clothes before
heading out on an evening hunt.
This allows me to get the feel of
releasing an arrow with bulkier
clothes on opposed to a shortsleeved shirt during summer
practice sessions and keeps my
shot sequence in tune.
In the deer woods rarely are you
offered a second shot at the same
deer so this is the reason I like
to take just one practice shot
beforehand and try my best to
make it count.
You
by Tony Hansen
TAKE AIM
800-444-3276
www.greenstonefcs.com
by Drew YoungeDyke
When Youre
already carrying
a 100-pound pack,
every ounce
counts.
As I continue to improve as a
bowhunter, Im confident that my quiver won't be an
issue this season. Its just one small part of the whole
mix of scouting, training, preparation, practice, fieldcraft and equipment that goes into hunting, but every
ounce counts, including the ounces that arent there.
The Kwikee Air is light, secure, quiet and can handle
Michigans nastiest weather.
FALL 2016 | MICHIGAN OUT-OF-DOORS 47
The CAMPFIRe
what was wrong with him and why he had changed his
mind so suddenly. After about 15 minutes of talking
to him and finding out about his test anxiety, the nurse
decided she would give him the chance to answer a
few questions.
She decided she would proctor the test and asked
the questions to him out loud instead of him having
to read them. The nurse asked the camper three test
questions and he answered all three of them correct
with no problem. After this boost to his confidence
the camper and the nurse made a deal. They decided
the nurse would read the questions and the camper
agreed to take the test.
An hour into the test, I heard a shout from the medical
office. The nurse had just told the camper he scored a
94% on his test and was now officially a hunter safety
graduate! The best part of this story is two weeks
He will be out in the woods this fall rowdy group during the week
hunting rabbits with his family and and there was a lot of bickering
couldnt be more excited about it.
between campers during the
day. Since this is a team building
Our next story comes from week
activity, as well as a survival skill,
three and our group of primitive
the counselors were expecting
skills campers. The bulk of our
to have to deal with a lot of sass
primitive skills camp revolves
and attitude once this activity was
around wilderness survival.
introduced.
A prime skill to have during a
survival situation is being able to
find or create shelter. So during
this program we split our campers
up into groups of 3-5 and send
them off into the woods to create
a survival shelter. The goal is to
create a shelter out of only things
RAISING A
HUNTING DOG
YOUTH
Story
by Fisher Pham
My family has always had hunting dogs. Before I was born, my parents
only had experience with beagles. Two years before I was born, they got
a German shorthaired pointer. Then, when I was nine years old, we got a
pointing lab.
When our German shorthaired got old, we started planning our next
dog purchase. After some research, we decided on a Pudelpointer. It is a
versatile hunting dog that can point, retrieve, swim, hunt antler sheds, and
blood-trail. Additionally, it has the disposition of a lab, is family-friendly,
hardly sheds, and can live longer than labs.
The next step was to see the breed in action. On a hunting forum, we found
someone with a Pudelpointer near us. He was willing to let us watch the
dog as it demonstrated its wide range of hunting abilities. It could point as
well as our shorthaired and was able to scent a duck drag and retrieve the
duck after trailing it a couple hundred yards like our lab.
"TRAINING
FU MANCHU WAS
EASY AND FUN"
michigans wat
by Bob Gwidz
erfowl legacy
white winged
scoters.
The company didnt go out of business because of a
lack of demand; its owners ventured into the more
lucrative automotive paint business and abandoned
decoy making. But Mason decoys remain among
the most collectible of hunting accessories; a Mason
premier grade wood duck sold at auction in 2014 for
$690,000.
It makes sense that Michigan should be a waterfowling
mecca; the states surrounded by water on all but the
southern Lower Peninsula border and its interior is
a mosaic of lakes and streams that harbor and hold
waterfowl. The vast stretches of the Great Lakes gave
rise to a number of hunting techniques sneak boating
and layout shooting among them -- and in some ways
its gotten even better. Michigans managed waterfowl
areas are the envy of most other states.
On top of which, Michigan is split into three different
management zones so duck hunters can start early
in the Upper Peninsula by late September -- and
40 acre farm inWesternLenaweeCountynear Hudson MI. 4 bdrm., 2 bath, 2300 sqft home, two car
attached garage. 25 acres tillable, 9 acres woods,
pasture land, Bear Creek frontage. A rare find and
only $229,000.
Call Diana at Faust Real Estate, LLC517-270-3646.
Can
i
h
c
i
M
Pheasant
by Bob Gwidz
n
a
g
i
h
Save
hunting?
It begins with
development. Back
in the glory days, the
best pheasant hunting
in Michigan was in the
southeast Oakland,
Macomb, even Wayne
County. Now its all concrete and asphalt. Which we
all know wont grow pheasants.
There were
more than 500,000 pheasant
hunters in Michigan during the
glory days.
Hell know
the truth about
wildlife
conservation...
MUCC
TM
Michigans First
Hound Hunt for Bears
You wouldnt realize it now, but Michigan didnt always have a
separate bear season. Bears were regarded as a nuisance and
taken opportunistically during deer season. It wasnt until they
became a sought-after game species in their own right that they
became managed with an intent to conserve them. So how did that
happen? The story of Michigans first organized bear hunt actually
appeared in our first issue, January 1947, penned by Grand Rapids
Press outdoor writer Jim McKenna.
Well, the editors of your new magazine asked for it
and here it is . . . my candid opinion whether
Michigans first organized bear hunt was a success
and, if not, why.
But first a bit of background. It will help you
understand and appreciate certain phases of the hunt,
including the reason why I should be singled out to
pass judgment.
The idea originated with my predecessor, Ben East,
now of Outdoor Life. He witnessed a hunt with
hounds in Tennessee. He was thoroughly convinced
that here was a way to get maximum sport from
our bears which, normally, we shoot if and when
we stumble across them (or it) in the course of deer
hunting, to the tune of from 500 to 800 a season.
Ben imported some of his enthusiasm to me. I talked
about the idea, casually, to some of the conservation
department officials. They indicated willingness to
co-operate in a test hunt but they thought, and rightly
so, I believe, that the department should act only in a
supervisory capacity, with some responsible group of
sportsmen carrying the promotional torch.
68 MICHIGAN OUT-OF-DOORS | FALL 2016
THERES A WORLD
of difference between I was hunting with
night and day when it Ralph Pisani from
comes to doing many Rochester Hills. He
bagged an average
things in the outdoors. had
size bear on a previOne of those things is ous hunt years earlier.
tracking a wounded
When he obtained a
bear in a thick UP cedar bear license for the
first hunt in the UP
swamp, especially if
during 2015, he was
you make a mistake like interested in shooting
I did last fall.
a larger bruin while
How to...
t
s
o
L
t
Ge
Tracking
Bears
at Night
FALL 2016 Michigan Out-
by
Richard
P. Smith
TIME MOVES
SLOWLY SITTING
IN A U.P. SWAMP
IN THE DARK.
RAYS U.P. HUNTN: Licensed and insured, 25 years experience guiding for deer
and bear. Baited stands in Amasa, Baraga & Bergland units. Lodging available. Call
Ray (906) 265-9420 or (906) 284-2216
MUCC POLICY
At its Annual Convention
in June, Michigan United
Conservation Clubs considered
several policy resolutions
concerning bear bait submitted
by its members.
Delegates representing
MUCC's 50,000+ members
and over 200 affiliated local
clubs adopted two resolutions
addressing chocolate in bear
bait, which can be toxic to
bears and other wildlife in large
quantities.
One adopted resolution,
sponsored by Life Member
Richard P. Smith (author of
the preceding article)calls for
the education of the public to
refrain from using it.
The other resolution, sponsored
by the Michigan Bear Hunters
Association and the Michigan
Hunting Dog Federation, goes a
step further and asks for a ban
on the use of large quantities
of bear bait when bear hunting
regulations are updated by the
Natural Resources Commission
in 2017.
KNOw
trespassing
by Brad Nicoll and Anna Mitterling
Trespassing ruins hunts,
gives sportsmen and women a bad name,
and comes with stiff fines.
Attorney Brad Nicoll and Michigan Wildlife Cooperatives Coordinator
Anna Mitterling take a look at recreational trespass from all sides law enforcement, property owners and sportsmen and women so that you know how to protect your rights and stay out of trouble this fall.
NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE SHOULD BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
We sat down with Conservation Officer (CO) Kelly
Ross to talk about issues of recreational trespass from
Law Enforcements perspective. Officer Ross explained that COs take reports of trespass very seriously and that a call to the Report All Poachers (RAP)
hotline will usually result in a CO on the scene of a
reported trespass. However, there are some problems
that COs face when investigating a trespass report.
Officer Ross says that if a CO responds to a trespass
call, they do so with the intention to pursue criminal
charges against the trespasser. COs do not view themselves as bouncers whose job it is to shew trespassers
away from private property. If a landowner calls Law
Enforcement to deal with a trespasser, the landowner
had better be ready to cooperate with an investigation,
and prosecution of the suspect. Property owners who
cry wolf will get much less sympathy from Law
Enforcement. It is a serious matter to charge a person
with a crime, and should be taken seriously by the
landowner.
Landowners who plan to call Law Enforcement on
trespassers should keep some things in mind. In general, it is very common for each county in Michigan
to be patrolled by only one or two COs. Each county
is a very large geographic area, and a CO may not be
able to respond to a trespassing call as quickly as the
landowner may like. If the landowner wants the CO to
pursue the trespasser, there are some ways the landowner can help.
laNDOWNERS
up and testify in court for prosecution to occur. Officer Ross said that
retribution is rare - but it is a real
GET TO KNOW YOUR C.O.
fear many landowners have when
thinking of prosecution It is imDeveloping a relationship with the
portant for trespassers to know you
local CO is a great way for Law
mean business. If the local proseEnforcement to know who is not
cutor can count on you to testify,
allowed on your property. Officer
Ross says that he and other COs are there is a good chance the trespasshappy to have positive interactions er will agree to a plea bargain and
with outdoor enthusiasts. Consider your testimony will not be necessary. The more willing you are to
contacting your local DNR unit to
find out who the local COs are, and testify, the less likely you would
actually have to. That said, not all
invite them to tour your property,
trespassing cases are created equal.
participate in a cooperative meeting, or give them updates about
If you notice a person trespassing
wildlife in the area. Officer Ross
for the first time, you might handle
says he and other COs are always
happy to attend a wild game dinner the situation yourself. But remember, safety first! If the trespasser is
if invited, and available. The more
holding a firearm or other weapon,
local COs know who you are, the
more access you have to an investi- its best to allow Law Enforcement
gation when an unknown person is handle the encounter. It is certainly not a good idea to approach a
on your property. The DNR entrespasser with a weapon in hand,
courages COs to develop positive
relationships with those in the com- especially in a threatening manner.
munity they serve. As a bonus, the
COs may share their knowledge of
what activity is happening around
your property and in the area.
SPORTSMEN &
WOMEN
As sportsmen, it is not uncommon
to find yourself trouncing through
the forest, following a deer trail, or
a winding trout stream. If you are
in familiar territory with friendly
neighbors, this usually is not a
problem. But in unfamiliar areas
where there are unknown property
owners, it is good to keep a few
If the landowner
enjoys wild game,
consider sharing
your bounty with
him or her.
possible to wander onto private
property accidently. If you should
find yourself in an area where there
are groomed trails, man made
structures, or other signs of private
property, immediately head back to
the last place where you knew you
were on public land. Do your best
not to disturb anything and try to
respect the property owner.
If you are approached by a land-
989/289-2329
Timber Appraisals / Log Sales
Timber Purchasing / Firewood Sales
BUYING ALL
TYPES OF TIMBER
(989) 539-7588
after 6 p.m.
CONCLUSION
Issues of recreation trespass can be
complicated, which is why if you
have questions, you should read the
laws for yourself and connect with
an attorney and CO if you have
further questions. Whether you are
a landowner or a hunter/trapper/angler, be sure to take time to understand these laws and learn how you
can protect yourself, your property,
and our resources by acting in
accordance and working with your
local Law Enforcement as needed.
Ultimately, the purpose for these
laws is to protect our rights to hunt,
fish, and trap and the resources we
deeply value.
MUCC POLICY
PURPLE PAINT LAW
This summer, Michigan United
Conservation Clubs member
club delegates adopted a policy
resolution supporting a "Purple Paint"
law in Michigan.
Purple paint laws exist in other states,
like Missouri, where Brian Towe
of the Quality Deer Management
Association explains that it provides
a low-cost option for landowners
to clearly mark their boundaries,
protecting both their property rights
and setting clear boundaries to help
hunters, anglers and trappers avoid
inadvertantly wandering across a
property line they didn't know was
there.
In other states, a purple paint mark
on a tree has the same effect as a
"No Trespassing" sign. The idea was
proposed in Michigan by legislation
in 2006, but stalled in the House of
Representatives after being passed in
the Senate.
In 2013, legislation based on a 2011
MUCC resolution was passed to
increase the restitution penalties for
poaching antlered whitetails and
for recreational trespass. In 2015,
legislation was passed based on a
2015 MUCC resolution to increase
the penalties for poaching elk,
moose, bear, turkey, waterfowl and
eagles.
fall
Bass
by
Bob
Gwidz
did about the same on the way back. It was never fast
and furious as it can be as bass are often schooled
up thistightogether in cold weather but maybe we
were just catching the hungry ones. We missed a fair
number, too, indicating that they werent biting that
well.
As the day played out, the bites became fewer and
further between.
Ive got a couple of other places where I can usually
catch them on this lake, but we cant stay on them in
this wind, Horn said.
So we stayed the course and fished the same stretch
and picked away at them, catching mostly undersized
fish with an occasional keeper-sized largemouth
catching our attention. We wound up over the nearly
five hours of fishing catching 19. We did almost all our
FALL 2016 | MICHIGAN OUT-OF-DOORS 87
Thats good
bass fishing
anywhere this
side of Cuba.
GREAT FISHING!
reservations call:231-256-9496
WATERS EDGE
RESORT
Munuscong Lake/St. Marys River
~ Raber, Michigan ~
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www.watersedgeup.com
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90 MICHIGAN OUT-OF-DOORS | FALL 2016
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Custom Rods
Custom graphite
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Antique restoration
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Grizzly Flies
by Schottsie
Todd A. Schotts
Custom Fly Tyer
GrizzlyFlies@yahoo.com
248.410.4164
www.grizzlyfliesbyschottsie.com
888-939-6667 or 231-745-6667
Lodging, cabins and river guide service on the
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Owners: Clint & Debi Anderson
www.redmooselodge.com
Dennis Eade, of the Michigan Salmon and Steelhead Fishermens Association, tagged along on
a legislative tour of Ontario net pen aquaculture facilities given to legislators trying to bring the
practice to Michigans Great Lakes waters.
Photo: Net pen aquaculture could have severe impacts on charter boats, like this one returning to South Haven after a day of fishing.
DONNIE TANNERS
Northern Michigan Guide Service
& Claybank Outfitters
1-231-882-7266
of fish received.
This tour provided me with a better understanding of
what net-pen aquaculture is in Canada. As much as
proponents of net-pen aquaculture would like us to
believe that there are not problems with farm raised
fish in open systems, there are problems.
The process relies on currents to remove the benthic
accumulation and we havent been given any proof
it is occurring or how much manure is accumulating
on the bottom land. The process could be producing
pathogens and disease that we are unaware of and
the answer given is it would have shown up by
now since weve been doing this for the last 30
years. Escapement is a non-factor in the opinion
of the operators. Yet it is a major factor if you are
stakeholder in a 4.2 billion dollar wild sport fishery
that is Michigan Sport Fishing.
My opinion has not changed: no net-pen aquaculture
in the Great Lakes.
by Drew YoungeDyke
thank you!
APR
Save money with 0% APR on balance transfers for the first six
months with a new MUCC Visa. Once your 0% APR on balance transfers
expires, the rate reverts to your standard rate, between 8.9% APR and
16.9% APR.