MAY 2018 $4.

00

Woods-n-Water News
Michigan’s Premier Outdoor Publication

TURKEYS & MORELS!

A Spring Combination Hunt

• Poaching Cost BIG BUCKS • Walleyes...A Spin on Bouncers & Blades

• Dragging Tubes for GIANT SMALLIES • Human Risk and CWD • U.P. Crappies
• Booner Bear! • Saginaw Bay Fishery News • Lead Core Catches It All
www.woods-n-waternews.com • Like us on facebook Follow us on
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WNW NEWS MAY 2018 3
 By Tom Campbell
Field Notes...
C
larification to all turkey hunt-
ers…turkey reaping is illegal in
Michigan. A year ago, we pub-
lished a story written by Kenny
Darwin on stalking turkeys using a simple
turkey fan decoy and we quickly found
out that is illegal and passed that informa-
tion on to our readers in the next issue.
So, Kenny did some follow up
research and here’s what he found… Ex-
actly what is reaping? “When carefully
practiced in a safe manner, the strategy of
using a tom decoy to fan your way into
shooting range of a longbeard can carry
amazingly high success rates,” according
to David Holder, Host of Raised Hunt-
ing. “Turkey reaping is simply taking a
tom decoy and crawling towards another
tom, staying behind the decoy as you go,”
reports Holder. “I have heard it called
fanning as well and it is the most effective
technique we have ever tried. When done
correctly reaping is probably 75 percent
successful.” The great thing about this
tactic is it can be done virtually any time
of the turkey season,” said Holder. “It
can also be done on the same turkey more
than once. Since each time you do it, he
thinks he is seeing another tom mov-
ing into his area. And that’s when the
gobbler’s natural instincts kick in and he
defends his ladies or his turf.”
Kenny continues; So, why is reaping
considered illegal in Michigan? Well, I
contacted the state and heard back from
Edward Golder, DNR Public Information
Officer. According to Golder, “From the
understanding of the process of ‘reaping’
it involves the use of a device that meets
the definition of ‘mechanical decoy’ in the
Michigan Wildlife Conservation Order
3.301, which is prohibited. Specifically
it is a device that uses motion as a visual
SEASONS
NOW - 2018 fishing license required
Open All Year – Pike and walleye season on Lower Peninsula
Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair & St. Clair & Detroit Rivers
Open All Year – Salmon and trout season on Great Lakes, St.
Marys River, Lake St. Clair & St. Clair & Detroit Rivers
Open All Year – Catch-and-immediate-release bass season on
all Michigan waters open to fishing
Now-Dec. 31 – Pure Michigan Hunt Application Period
Now-May 31 – Leftover spring wild turkey licenses go on
sale over-the-counter
April 28 - March 15 – Walleye and pike open in Lower
Peninsula inland waters
May 1 - June 1 – Elk Hunt Application Period
May 1 - June 1 – Bear Hunt Application Period
May 15 - March 15 - Walleye and pike open in Upper
Peninsula Great Lakes, inland waters & St. Marys River
May 26 – Dec. 31 – Smallmouth and largemouth bass catch-
and-keep on all waters, including Great Lakes (except Lake
St. Clair and St. Clair and Detroit Rivers.
June 16 – Dec. 31 - Smallmouth and largemouth bass catch-
and-keep on Lake St. Clair & St. Clair & Detroit Rivers
*Consult the Michigan Hunting and Trapping Digest, Fishing Digest, or
other species-specific hunting digests for a more complete list of dates
and regulations regarding each season or hunt period.
MJC MJC
ARCHERY ARCHERY
MACOMB OAKLAND
19744 15 Mile Rd 3001 Rochester Rd
Clinton Twp. 48035 Royal Oak, MI 48073
586-791-4600 248-589-2480
4 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
Youth Conservation Council
now taking applications
stimulus to attract wild turkey and it is not Young people looking for an opportunity to gain leadership experi-
anchored to a fixed point in the ground, ence and explore outdoor recreation issues statewide should consider a
nor does it only move exclusively by the stint with the Youth Conservation Council, a program started a few years
power of natural wind since the hunter ago by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission. The council is ac-
moves the device.” The law states: Sec. cepting applications now through April 30 for new members, ages 14 to
3.301(1) an individual hunting wild 18, to serve a two-year term.
turkey shall not use or possess afield an Ray Rustem, council advisor for the Michigan Department of Natural
electronic device to simulate, replicate or Resources, said that time serving on the council is a great way for young
imitate wild turkey calls or sounds.” people to both shape the conversation about the great outdoors and find
Further, Conservation Order 3.301 new ways of connecting more kids and young adults with those resourc-
indicates “mechanical decoy means any es.
device that by design or construction uses “Our kids are losing a tremendous outdoor heritage of trail hikes and
motion as a visual stimulus to attract a campfires and the stories told around them,” Rustem said.
wild turkey except a wind sock or similar “On the council, members work together to brainstorm ideas about
decoy body anchored at a fixed point into ways to protect and promote outdoor recreation and wise use of the
the ground and whose only motion is state’s natural resources."
derived exclusively by power of natural Council members should plan to participate in three to four meet-
wind,” indicates Golder. The old law in- ings each year. At least two of the meetings will be weekend training
dicates it is illegal to stalk turkey with any sessions (typically at the end of June and early December) at a conference
kind of decoy. Hunter beware because facility; other meetings will be shorter, with possible attendance through
moving a decoy is illegal. Further it is teleconferencing and/or web-based applications.
illegal to use a pull cord, which comes The council continues to explore how to use social media to engage
with many new decoys. Decoys can only
move by the influence of the wind. You
youth, and already has developed a Facebook page and established a
cannot walk with a decoy, wiggle it or youth blog and an Instagram photo-sharing site (#yccoutdoors).
move it in any manner to use motion as “The youth is the next generation of outdoorsmen and women. As
an attractant. Nor can you hide behind a adults, we need to allow kids to get dirty, play, and simply have fun in the
tail fan, umbrella, half decoy, or anything rain!” wrote council member Graham Smith in a recent blog post.
that resembles a turkey and crawl toward Know someone who might be interested? Get details on the council
turkeys in an attempt to fill your tag.” webpage or contact Ray Rustem at 517-284-6070.
Kenny absolutely disagrees with the
DNR position and inquired about chang- investigation discovered the hunter Bottom line...turkey reaping is illegal
ing the law with Golder who indicated was sprayed with pellets because he in Michigan. A big thanks to Kenny
“The DNR has no plans to change the was trespassing on private land and for clearing this matter up. Now if you
law, which protects hunter safety.” Kenny the owner wanted to make a point. disagree you need to contact the MDNR
questions turkey hunter safety as he found Further, the NWTF (National Wild with your thoughts and feelings!
no recorded accident in this state or any Turkey Federation) told me they have Be sure to hunt safe and take a young
other regarding reaping. He writes, “I no recorded case of anyone being shot person or non-hunter turkey hunting this
heard from a DNR Officer that somebody while reaping.” spring! n
in Kansas
got shot
while reap- Hunters invited to collaborate
ing. But my
on Michigan’s CWD response
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources
and the Michigan Natural Resources Commission
will host a series of public engagement meetings on
• DeWitt, April 19 – 6 to 8 p.m., DeWitt High
School Auditorium, 13601 S. Panther Drive.
• Marquette, April 24 – 6 to 8 p.m., Marquette
chronic wasting disease – a fatal central nervous sys- High School, 1203 W. Fair Ave.
tem disease found in deer, elk and moose. The meet- • Iron Mountain, April 25 – 6 to 8 p.m. (central
ings will provide an opportunity for the commission time), Bay College, 2801 North US 2.
and department to hear suggestions and observations • Gaylord, May 1 – 6 to 8 p.m., Ellison Place,
from hunters and residents interested in the health of 150 Dale Drive.
the state’s deer herd. • Newberry, May 2 – 6 to 8 p.m., Tahquamenon
Vicki Pontz, chair of the Natural Resources High School Auditorium, 700 Newberry Ave.
Commission, said that both the commission and the • Houghton, May 3 – 6 to 8 p.m., Magnuson
DNR are focused on achieving specific CWD man- Hotel, 820 Shelden Ave.
agement objectives that include: “Michigan’s hunters have successfully partnered
• Slowing the spread of the disease. with the DNR for many decades on wildlife and con-
• Achieving a low prevalence rate. servation challenges and opportunities,” said DNR
• Preventing the disease from reaching new areas. Director Keith Creagh. “We know they care deeply
• Maintaining Michigan’s rich hunting traditions. about the long-term health and vitality of Michigan’s
“Hunter and citizen involvement and support of wildlife, and right now the state’s wild deer popula-
efforts to contain and eradicate chronic wasting dis- tion faces no more serious issue than chronic wasting
ease are critical,” Pontz said. “We want to hear from disease.”
our stakeholders. We are asking them to share their Since May 2015, CWD-positive deer have been
thoughtful opinions on any new hunting regulations found in Clinton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent and Montcalm
they believe may be needed before the start of the counties. As of mid-January 2018, 57 free-ranging
2018 deer hunting season.” deer in those counties have tested positive for chronic
At the meetings, DNR staff members will provide wasting disease. CWD has not been found in the
a CWD update and then collect attendees’ written Upper Peninsula; however, the disease has been dis-
ideas on how best to address this issue. Those unable covered in Wisconsin, approximately 40 miles from
to attend a meeting may participate in a web-based the western Upper Peninsula border.
opportunity available starting April 10 at michigan. Since the first CWD finding, the DNR has taken
gov/cwd. quick, thoughtful action based on Michigan’s com-
CWD public engagement meetings will take place in: prehensive CWD response and surveillance plan.
• Detroit, April 17 – 6 to 8 p.m., Doubletree Meeting information, additional ways to provide
Detroit-Dearborn, 5801 Southfield Freeway. input on CWD management, the latest testing num-
• Rockford, April 18 – 6 to 8 p.m., Rockford Fine bers and more information are available at michigan.
Arts Auditorium, 4100 Kroes St. NE. gov/cwd.
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 5

Bill Ziegler...page 24
HUNTING
Strutting Gobbler Tactics
Kenny Darwin page 12
Turkey ears:
bigger than they appear
Adam Lewis page 16
Booner U.P. Bear
Richard P. Smith page 34
Sharonville State Game Area
MDNR page 40
Turkeys
and
Morels
Kenny Darwin...page 46
Guest Column...
My 2017 U.P. Buck
page 50
4 Record class Michigan
turkeys in one year
Millard Holton page 56
Michigan Deer Camp Traditions
Jake Dykstra page 68
COVER PHOTOS
Morels and Shed
Photo By
Jacob VanHouten
Tom Turkeys
Photo By Kenny Darwin
6 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
Michigan Anglers... POACHING COSTS POACHERS
Crappie Take advantage of
your great fisheries
“BIG BUCKS”
Jeff Pendergraff page 44
waters of Guest Column page 52
A day in the life of
the U.P. KAYAK FISHING
Betty Sodders page 58
Michigan Conservation Officers
Bob Gwizdz page 54
Spring fly rod fun! Dear Fish Diary...
George Rowe page 64 We’re growing WHATTTT?
Ron St. Germain page 65
FEATURE
BOAT SMART...
Red-Headed Woodpecker
A PFD can’t save you
Jonathan Schechter page 28
if you don’t wear it
Canoe portage made easy Capt. Fred Davis page 73
Darryl Quidort page 42
FISHING OPINIONS
2017 Ruger
Retailer of the Year Michigan pheasant hunting, a
Dragging Tubes for Tom Lounsbury page 62 tradition gone but not forgotten
GIANT SMALLIES Ken Dalton page 70
Joe Bauer page 8 Michigan’s Coastal
Management Program
A spin on bouncers and blades Rachel Coale page 74
Mark Martin page 14
Sporting Collectibles...
Calibrating Line Counter Reels It’s still out there!
Mark Romanack page 20 Terry McBurney page 76
MICHIGAN MEANDERS... Park rangers wear many hats
Steelhead: Spring Heat Bob Gwizdz page 78
Tom Huggler page 22
OUTDOOR NEWS
Spring, Summer, Fall...
Lead core catches it all Carp Tank Innovation Challenge
page 41
Mark Romanack page 26
DNR urges ORV riders
The art of netting a fish to know the rules
Mark Sak page 30 page 51 Big U.P.
Michigan Trout Unlimited
Fly Fishing School
Pure Michigan Hunt Winners
page 57 Buck
John Cleveland page 31
Volunteer to guard Richard P. Smith...page 35
NEXT BITE...
Warm water walleyes
Michigan’s sturgeon
page 61
Human risk
Gary Parsons/Keith Kavajecz
page 32 Saginaw Bay Fishery News
Michael Veine page 70
associated with CWD
John Ozoga page 71
West side offers
great early fishing
John Bergsma page 36
PERSPECTIVE GUNS/AMMO
Ron was one of those guys Traditional Black Powder...
How to make a fly rod work Randy Jorgensen page 18 “Patience, patience...”
William T. Mangan page 48 Dennis Neely page 38
MAY 2018
Woods-n-Water News
$4.00
DEPARTMENTS...
Trophy Page. . . 66-67 Classifieds . . . . 80-81
Michigan’s Premier Outdoor Publication
News/Op-Ed. 70-73 Real Estate . . . . 82-89
TURKEYS & MORELS!
A Spring Combination Hunt 1-810-724-0254
www.woods-n-waternews.com
P.O. Box 278, Imlay City, MI 48444
• Poaching Cost BIG BUCKS • Walleyes...A Spin on Bouncers & Blades
• Dragging Tubes for GIANT SMALLIES • Human Risk and CWD • U.P. Crappies
 www.facebook.com/woodsnwaternews
• Booner Bear! • Saginaw Bay Fishery News • Lead Core Catches It All
www.woods-n-waternews.com • Like us on facebook Follow us on
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WNW NEWS MAY 2018 7


The author holds up another Lake St. Clair 6 pounder. The presence of the round goby has
created a buffet for roaming smallmouth bass. The size of the fish has exploded in the past
few years, making Lake St. Clair a bucket list destination for smallmouth anglers.
8 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
Dragging tubes for
GIANT
SMALLIES By Joe Bauer
A
pril showers bring not only May flowers,
but hordes of hungry smallmouth, cruis-
ing shallow flats of Lake St. Clair. These
gargantuan beasts are looking to fatten up
from the long winter months. Enormous 5-6
pound females make their way from their
winter homes in the deeper water and begin
showing up along the shallow Michigan
shoreline. This is the area where they will
begin their spawning rituals once the water
warms into the upper 50s and the weather stabilizes. As
soon as they end their trek to the shallow flats, they begin
feasting on perch and gobies to get through the spawning
cycle. The bait that best resembles a goby or perch creep-
ing along the bottom is a plastic tube bait.
Tubes have been around for quite some time and
many anglers have a pack of them tucked away some-
where in their boat. Tube baits are plastic dipped baits
that have a hollow cavity that runs all the way to the top
of the bait. The bottom of the bait has several tentacles
resembling a squid that wiggle as it is pulled along the
bottom of the lake. Tubes come in several different sizes
and colors, but a savvy bass angler only needs a couple
different varieties to get them through the spring.
In my opinion, the best lake in the state of Michigan
to catch a 6-7 pound behemoth smallmouth is by far Lake
St. Clair. With several access points along the Michigan
side, you are always just a short boat ride away from the
mother lode of giant smallies. Throughout the month of
April there will be schools of smallies scattered all the
way from the mouth of the Detroit River to the northern
end of Anchor Bay. I recommend that you use the boat
ramp that is nearest the area of the lake that you plan to
fish. Not only does your truck get way better gas mileage
than an outboard boat motor, but increased boat traffic
in the afternoon and winds building strength as the air
warms throughout the day can make for a rough boat ride
back to the ramp.
There are several DNR boat launches throughout
Lake St. Clair. As long as you have your DNR Recreation
Passport, you are able to park at any of these ramps. If
you plan to fish the southern end of the lake, the Clinton
River Cut-Off DNR boat launch is a great choice. There
is a large parking lot that can hold over 50 trucks and
trailers. When your plans are taking you to the middle of
the lake near Metro Point, the Harley Ensign DNR launch
is the best choice. Again this is a very large facility
capable of holding well over 100 trucks and trailers. The
best access point for Anchor Bay all the way to the North
Channel is the Selfridge DNR launch, which will hold
close to 100 trucks and trailers as well.
Giant Smallies page 10
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Grand Rapids Sports Center Frankfort St. Claire Shores Jenison
Andy’s Tackle Kalamazoo Hick’s Outdoors Michigan Tackle RP2
Melvindale Fish On Clio Specialties Mt. Clemens
Bob’s Gun & Tackle Bait & Tackle Jay’s Sporting Goods Battlecreek Sportsman’s Direct
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WNW NEWS MAY 2018 9

Giant Smallies:
from page 8
If you are new to Lake St. Clair, launching
at Harley Ensign is a great place to start. Once
you idle outside of the breakwall, you will be in
between two points that protrude eastward into the
lake. On your Humminbird fish finder, use your
Lakemaster mapping chip and locate the 7 foot
breakline that runs along either of those points.
On this breakline you will find several rock piles
and mussel beds. This time of the year the smal-
lies will relate to a hard bottom. Giant females
will use these rock piles as ambush points to stuff
their guts full of gobies and perch, while the males
begin making beds in the same area. Smallmouths
like to make their beds next to some sort of struc-
ture. This structure could be anything from rocks,
weeds or even an old tire. You will be able to see
these hard spots and rock piles on your electron-
ics. You can idle over an area and drop waypoints
to mark the edges of the structure, this will allow
you to turn the boat around and know right where
to make your casts.
Begin by casting your tubes around the outside
of the area and pick off the most aggressive fish in
the school. Once your tube hits the water, tighten
your line so that you can feel the tube fall toward
the bottom. When the bait hits the bottom it will
stir up some dust, and spark the interest of any
smallies nearby. Let the bait sit on the bottom for
a few seconds before moving it. If the bait lands
right next to a feeding fish they will pick it right
off of the bottom as soon as they can see it. Begin
by twitching your rod tip a couple inches at a time
making sure that your bait is trickling along the
bottom of the lake. Crawl the bait all the way back
to the boat and be ready for a strike at any second.
Giant smallies have a tendency to follow the bait
the entire duration of the cast, and attack your tube
right underneath the boat.
Other ways of working the tube include hop-
ping it and steadily reeling the bait. When hopping
the bait, snap your rod from 90 degrees parallel
to the water, to nearly straight up. Let the bait fall
back to the bottom and repeat. Most of the bites
will come when the bait is falling back to the bot-
tom. As you make your next hop, you will feel the
behemoth tug back and the fight is on.
Smallmouth are pack feeders; once you are
able to get one fish to eat your tube, the rest of the
pack begins searching for other morsels of food.
Many experienced anglers refer to this as “firing
up the school.” Other fish feel that they are miss-
ing out on a meal and will actively seek out food
and slam the first offering that they are presented
with. It is important to make your cast in the exact
same spot where you got the last fish to bite. The
next plump bronzeback will be waiting for the bait
as soon as it hits the bottom. In order to make the
exact same cast, you can use the spot-lock feature
on your electric trolling motor. This will keep you
locked in the same location without the hassle of
a heavy anchor and rope that always seems to be
tangled. If you do not have that feature simply
drop a floating marker buoy off the side of the
boat. This way you will have a visual object in the
water that is marking the location where the boat
was. Trying to just use a waypoint on your graph
can be difficult to maintain your position, espe-
cially when you are not surrounded by shoreline
that allows you to triangulate your position.
10 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
On sunny days fish tend to stay grouped up
and relate closely to the structure. They use the
sunshine to see their prey more clearly. Small-
mouth are sight feeders and will use the condi-
tions to their favor. When they can see their prey
very well, they will move several feet to gobble
up their unsuspecting target. They smash the bait
with such force, that it can nearly pull the rod
from your hands. When the conditions present you
with cloud cover, smallies tend to venture away
from these ambush points and move out along the
breakline in search of food. If you are struggling
to get bit, just put your trolling motor on high and
cover water until you collide with one. As soon as
you get one bite, there is certain to be many more
chubby bronzebacks in the vicinity.
There are thousands of tubes on the market and
the selection can be very intimidating. I prefer the
4” model from Poor Boys Baits. These tubes are
very durable and can take a beating from rocks,
mussels, and wood without tearing. I limit my
choices to only two colors, green pumpkin and
goby. These colors appear very natural under the
water and look nearly identical to a juvenile perch
or goby.
In post frontal conditions, where the bite can
be tough and the fish just simply do not want to
feed, I will use a smaller profile tube. The 2.75”
ISG Intimidator tube is a great choice when the
fish are being picky. The area where you do need
to have variety is with your jig heads. Having sev-
eral different sizes ranging from 1/8 to 1/2 ounce
is crucial. Maintaining bottom contact is para-
mount to your success with a tube. I like to use the
lightest head that I can get away with. If the condi-
tions are calm and there is no current I will drop
down to a 1/8 ounce head. This allows your bait to
have a fluttering action that drives giant smallies
bonkers as it falls to the bottom. When the wind
and current increase, it makes keeping your bait
on the bottom harder and it will tend to drift back
toward the boat creating slack in your line, making
it nearly impossible to feel a bite. This is where
you need to increase the weight of your jig head
and it will keep your bait in the strike zone longer.
Rigging the tube is very simple. Before tying
the hook onto the line, slide the lead colored jig
head all the way to the top of the hollow cavity
leaving the bend of the hook exposed. Once the jig
head is secured, poke the eye of the hook through
the plastic tube. Now you are ready to tie it to
your line. Using an exposed hook will increase
your catch rate substantially compared to rigging
it weedless. When the hook is exposed, it has
direct contact with the roof of the smallies mouth
and doesn’t have to puncture any plastic before
it makes contact with the fish. In April you don’t
have to worry about snagging weeds as the aquatic
vegetation has not yet begun to grow. However,
you may encounter a few more snags on rocks and
wood, so bringing a few extra baits is a great idea.
My rod of choice is a 7’3” to 7’6” Medium
Heavy spinning rod that has an extra fast tip.
The longer rod allows you to make longer casts,
and control a slob smallie as he dances across
the surface of the water. Using a Medium Heavy
will give you plenty of backbone to drive home
the hookset. The extra fast tip allows you to feel
which kind of structure you are dragging your tube
through. There is a distinct difference between
rocks, weeds, and sand. Knowing what kind of
structure the fish are relating to will allow you to
more quickly find another school. The sensitive tip
also gives you the ability to feel any subtle bites,
especially when a slob smallie eats your tube and
starts swimming toward you.
The before and after of a smallmouth beatdown.
Using a durable tube will allow you to keep us-
ing the same bait fish after fish, without having
to take time to retie frequently. Spooling your
spinning reels with braided line will allow you to
cast fur ther and drive the hooks deeper and will
lead to landing more fish. Author photos
I pair this rod with a 2500 series spinning reel.
When I am picking out a spinning reel I look for
a one that has 7-10 bearings. The rule of thumb
is that the more bearings a spinning reel has, the
smoother the drag is going to be. Having a smooth
drag on your spinning setups is essential to get
these giant 6 pound smallies in the boat. Just as
you think you have won the battle and the bloated,
tiger striped, giant has given up, they always make
one last line stripping run that will test the limits
of your knots. I spool up my reel with 30 pound
Seaguar Smack Down braid. This braid has a very
thin diameter that allows you to launch bombing
casts and has zero stretch which gives you the
ability to feel everything.
At the end of the braid I attach a 6 foot section
of 12 pound fluorocarbon leader. I tie the two lines
together using an alberto knot. This knot is very
streamline and flows through the guides of your
rod very well. I prefer the line to line knot over
a swivel because if you unintentionally reel your
bait up too far, the swivel has a tendency to tear up
the ceramic insert in the guide, whereas the knot
will just slide through.
Last year was a banner year for Lake St. Clair
in regards to the number of giant smallies caught.
Many local tournaments took over 25 pounds with
a 5 bass limit to win. The largest stringer recorded
of 30.31 pounds was caught in 2017. The outlook
for 2018 is outstanding. Ice fishermen have re-
corded high levels of perch located around Metro
Point throughout the winter. This solid forage base
will have smallies feasting throughout the month
of April. This area loads up with so many fish that
you can catch them until your arms are too tired to
reel them in.
So what do you say? Does catching loads of
trophy smallmouth bass tipping the scales to 6
pounds sound like a riot to you?
If it does, grab a pack of your favorite tubes
and get out to Lake St. Clair this month for the
hottest action all year.n
ROSY BROTHERS INC.
5727 DRYDEN ROAD
DRYDEN, Michigan 48428
810-796-3770

WNW NEWS MAY 2018 11

STRUTTING
GOBBLER
TACTICS
By Kenny Darwin
The monster gobbler sporting a
trophy beard hopped through the fence
and stomped in my direction when the
sun was high and most turkey hunters
were heading home...
I
got up at 4:30 a.m. and
made my way to the edge
of a stubble corn field in
an effort to ambush a gob-
bler. But come daylight
the toms stopped gob-
bling and only a couple
jakes entered the field. It was 9:45
and I hadn’t heard a turkey in over
two hours. It’s not uncommon for
big turkeys to stop talking shortly
Some gobblers share strut zones with family members while others
prefer solitude for strutting and breeding.
12 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
after they hit the ground and gather
hens. So, I decided to get off my tail
feathers, shake off the mid-morning
doldrums and head to a new spot
where toms were struttin’. The field
I selected was loaded with short
brown plants covered with small
BB size seeds and turkeys were
gathering in the location for daily
luncheons. More importantly, three
big gobblers were showing up in the
Gobblers establish strut zones in open timber, along ridges and in
large fields where hens can see them. Kenny Darwin photos
field fully fanned, turning in tight
circles, displaying, gobbling and
struttin’ their stuff. The beautiful
toms were entering the field about
11 and staying until roosting time.
I arrived just in time to see the big
black feathered adult gobbler head-
ing toward my decoy.
Once he got a glimpse of
the fully fanned decoy with brightly
custom painted head he was con-
vinced it was an intruder on his turf,
a new adult gobbler challenging the
resident long beard and he aggres-
sively charged the decoy. When
he got 20 yards from the decoy he
stopped, fanned out his huge tail
and made a tight circle showing off
his long beard, monster 25 lb. body
and made a loud gobble. The noise
was so loud it made me jolt and for
an instant the big bird jerked out of
the scope on my crossbow. Then he
dropped his fan, lowered his head
and slowly marched directly at the
decoy. When he was kissin’ close
he went into half fan, puffed up his
feathers to look even bigger and his
head turned bright red. He sauntered
within spurring distance and began
calling the decoy profane names
when the crossbow barked and the
New Archery Products Gobbler
Getter smashed his spine and he
dropped like a rock.
I jumped to my feet and rushed
to the fallen bird to make certain he
did not revive and run away. But
the beautiful bird was down for the
count and like most success turkey
hunters I did a little happy dance
around the kill. I was elated to score
so quickly on a trophy bird and it
was because I made a move to the
location where the gobbler struts.
I set up in the exact hot spot that
payed a big dividend. If your goal
is to harvest a dandy gobbler this
spring listen up because I’ve got
some hunting advice that can put
you on the winners’ board at light-
ning speed.
So, what is a strut zone and how
do you identify it? A strut zone is
anywhere where a gobbler spends
time struttin’, gobbling, spittin’ and
displaying his full fan in an effort to
attract a hen. Gobblers often select
specific locations where they spend
time struttin’. Some remain in rela-
tively small areas for long periods of
time displaying, waiting and eventu-
ally attracting a mate. Some toms
fly down from a roost directly to a
strut zone, others show up midday
and others don’t reach certain zones
until late afternoon after they have
covered their entire travel route, dis-
playing in several locations. A strut
zone is covered with tracks, feathers
and fresh turds, but the best way to
find one is to see birds in an open
area. Sure some fields attract turkeys
year round and others only infre-
quently. But the trick is to scout,
find the strutting location and set up
in the exact spot.
Hot spots are open areas in
woods or fields often highlighted by
higher ground where birds can see
and be seen for long distances.
Some slam dunk locations are
found far from the road where gob-
blers can carry out their business
without being detected. Not every
open field becomes a strut zone and
some larger fields may have a hot
spot in a specified location and the
remainder of the field is unoccupied.
Once you see strut zones enough it
becomes second nature to identify
features wild turkeys prefer.
The best way to find strutting
zones is by scouting. Some Michi-
gan hunters like to scout prior to
the season and ambush gobblers on
opening day. Others diligently scout
during hunting season and find loca-
tions that are hot and those that are
not. If you see a gobbler in an open-
ing a half hour before dark you can
bet he will roost within 100 yards of
the zone and come daylight he will
return to the breeding location.
At times gobblers will use
strutting zones to gather a harem of
hens. Old toms generally show up
about an hour after daylight. Some
gobblers switch zones in an effort
to pin down hot hens and it is your
challenge to determine locations that
are on fire and those that have gone
dead. Some gobblers are simply
creatures of habit and they simply
return to exact strutting locations
while others roam around following
hens and they strut darn near every-
where if hens are close, watching. If
you find a zone in a large field make
certain you identify specific breed-
ing locations and you test shoot your
gun to see how it performs at vari-
ous distances.
North Country gobblers often
strut along ridge tops or in open
areas. Wooded habitat is challeng-
ing to scout especially if birds are
silent but once you find a hot spot
the shooting action can be in your
face. Some savvy hunters use trail
cameras to record the habits of local
turkey populations. Cameras record
activity from daylight till dark and
are reliable sources of intelligence
data. Savvy hunters often move
cameras to pin down exact areas
where gobblers like to hang out.
Typically gobblers are very pre-
dictable and once you get reliable
scouting information you are on
A receptive hen is drawing the attention from adult gobblers fully displaying in the background.
the road to a super-fast hunt. Most
gobblers fly down from the roost
and follow hens to predictable loca-
tions. Gobblers like to gather hens,
gobbling and strutting while females
feed. Some gobblers wander off if
they cannot locate a receptive hen
and they go to a reliable strutting
zone that they claim as their home
turf. Here they gobble, strut and
remain visible in an attempt to draw
receptive hens looking for a partner.
Toms that gravitate to particular lo-
cations are difficult to pull away, no
matter how good your calling skills.
Savvy hunters use full fan gobbler
decoys to get the attention of territo-
rial toms.
The most popular turkey hunting
strategy is to identify strutting zones
and be set up in the exact location
before dawn. Half the challenge is
beating the bird to his strut zone.
The hottest tactic is to head straight
to the zone under the cover of dark-
ness and set up and wait. Sometimes
big gobblers show up in a matter of
minutes like ghosts slipping from
the darkness of the forest. Other
times a big tom will get sidetracked
and his attention is riveted on a hot
hen and he will show up at the zone
an hour or more after sunrise. One
thing is certain, if a big tom has
been frequenting a specific location
he will certainly show up again.
Sure you want to use a decoy to
bring him extra close. A receptive
hen or jake decoy will work but I’m
absolutely sold on full fan gobbler
look alikes. The huge gobbler look
alike is easy for birds to see from
afar but the idea of the gobbler de-
coy is to anger a territorial tom, get
him ready to fight because a strange
turkey is trying to take over his turf.
Ignite a wild turkey’s jealousy and
toss in some breeding displays of
your own and you will be surprised
how quickly wary gobblers become
unglued, ready to fight and aggres-
sively approach your fake bird.
Don’t make the common mis-
take of over-calling. Use calls
sparingly and totally go silent once
the incoming gobbler gets a peek at
your decoy. Call just enough to let
any tom in the area know you are
there but try soft clucks and don’t
spook wary trophy gobblers by
calling too loudly or too frequently.
Keep in mind a wild bird knows that
wild hens talk very little after the
first hour of daylight. Persistent loud
calling will bump birds to the next
section and those coming to investi-
gate will be very nervous.
Nothing in wild turkey hunting
is absolute but your chance of filling
your tag increases if you identify
a strutting zone and set up in the
area. Chances are excellent gobblers
will return to the scene, provided
you are not blowing them out of
Dodge with loud calling and your
camouflage conceals your human
outline. You increase your odds by
selecting strutting locations rather
than random run-n-gun calling to
silent birds. One thing is certain, if a
tom is using a specific location on a
routine basis, you can count on him
showing up again.
I’ve got to admit that I’m a
type “A” hunter wanting immedi-
ate action. That’s why I hunt only in
areas where I’ve seen birds strut-
tin’. I prefer to hunt out of a pop-up
blind with a comfortable chair and
I bring snacks, drinks and friends
who love to share the thrill of the
hunt. Sure, I take the occasional cat
nap but keep in mind most gobblers
show up without making a sound.
They slip silently through the forest
and undercover and suddenly appear
and simply start struttin’. It is such
a thrill to have a big gobbler pop out
of the woods and go into full fan
close to your blind.
Smart wild turkey hunters have
learned to not simply set up ran-
domly and rely on loud calling to
bring gobblers. Most identify turkey
strutting zones and patiently wait
for birds to return. When the gob-
bler of a lifetime suddenly marches
toward your decoy it’s time to forget
calling, pick up the weapon and get
your finger on the safety.n
The author
tagged this
Michigan trophy
in a small field
around 11:30.
The big gobbler
was using the
remote, hidden
open location as
a daily secretive
strut zone.
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 13
 A spin on
bouncers
and blades
When it comes to catching walleyes
with bottom-bouncers and crawler
harnesses, it’s the little details that
mean a lot…By Mark Martin
I
f I were to invoke up a
guess, which I am, I’d
say more walleyes are
targeted by anglers with
crawler harnesses and
bottom bouncers within
the natural lakes and reservoirs of
the United States than any other rig.
And, for good reasons…
The lures themselves have loads
of flash and vibration to help fish
notice them from afar. The bait has a
natural scent and taste fish are keen
to. And the method of getting the
above duo down and into the fish’s
strike zone is about as straightfor-
ward as can be, and, allows anglers
to cover a large area in a short time.
Using the bouncer-and-harness
system improperly, however, is a
problem. It’s not that the arrange-
ment of towing a weight trailing
spinner and live bait is hard to
employ, it’s more the little details
of pulling these rigs that often get
overlooked; minute niceties that if
anglers don’t fine tune will have
walleyes turning tail without as
much as taking a first look.
Poke and Prod
The first mistake many anglers
make is what they do with the
bottom-bouncers themselves - drag
them along the lake’s floor rather
than have them hovering just above
it.
Crawler harnesses work best
when trolling speed is maintained
at .8 to 1.5 MPH. I can determine
speed easily via the screen of my
Lowrance HDS Carbon, and keep
it constant no matter the wind with
my electric trolling motor mounted
at the bow of my Lund Pro-V, or,
via my 9.9-hp four-stroke Mercury
outboard on its transom.
When pulling a harness behind
a bouncer, I make sure to use the
proper amount of weight so that my
line goes back at an angle from my
rod tip no more than 45 degrees,
which will vary depending on depth,
speed and line diameter.
This ensures I have just the right
14 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
amount of line out to do the fol-
lowing– drop the rod’s tip towards
the water’s surface so that I feel the
weight just “poke” the bottom, then
lift it back up so it then rides up off
the lake’s floor. I do this about every
30 seconds to make certain my
bouncer is near bottom, not drag-
ging on it. If I don’t feel the bottom
when I lower my tip, I’ll press the
thumb bar of my ABU Garcia bait-
casting reel and let out just enough
line so that the bouncer once again
prods bottom, and then reel it in a
foot or two.
Dragging the weight not only
pulls the crawler harness to the bot-
tom, but makes an unnatural ruckus
that frightens fish. Keeping the
weight up off bottom too far, on the
other hand, might keep the harness
up and out of the strike zone.
(Tip: To help keep tangles at
bay when more than one angler is
in the boat, I have the person in the
back use lighter bouncers than those
in the front, thus they will swing
back farther and out of the path of
the leading weight. A half-ounce
difference is all that’s needed to ac-
complish snarl-free fishing.)
Besides the classic Rock-Runner
bottom-bouncer Northland Tackle
is known for, they also produce the
Slick-Stick - a 12-inch rolled stain-
less steel weight that slides freely
up and down your main line. The
Slick-Stick’s unique shape keeps it
from snagging up and the alloy it’s
made of makes it the most sensitive
weight on the market - the vibration
of the weight ticking bottom reso-
nates like a tuning fork, telegraph-
ing through the device, up the line,
through my medium-action Fenwick
Elite Tech Walleye series rod and
into my hand.
I use 10-pound-test Berkley
FireLine when bottom-bouncing
for walleyes. The superline’s thin
diameter slices through the water
with very little resistance, and the
no-stretch properties of FireLine
makes it super sensitive for detect-
ing light bites.
Pulling bottom-bouncers has helped walleye tournament angler Mark
Mar tin place high in the rankings during many derbies. David A. Rose photo
Make Your ‘Eyes Spin’
Another overlooked component
to pulling crawler harnesses behind
bouncers is the lure’s blades. While
choosing the right color can be cru-
cial, so too is picking out the right
size and shape, as well as nipping on
only the highest-quality bait.
Before agonizing over color
schemes, I’ll first change the size of
my harnesses blades as well as vary
shapes.
Colorado’s, Indiana’s and wil-
low leaf blades, even in the same
size, differ from one another enough
that it will change position of
where the harness rides in the water
column depending on what one you
use. The deep cup and round shape
of a Colorado gives off the most
“thump” in the water, while the
Indiana spins easiest at slow speeds.
The thin shape of a willow leaf
blade has very little water resistance
and allows the lure a deeper run
through the water.
New this year for Northland
fishing Tackle is the Butterfly Blade
Harness, with a uniquely-shaped
blade made of Polycarbonate, which
will vibrate at speeds as slow as .25
MPH.
For the most part, I use a variety
of Northland Tackle’s crawler har-
nesses right out of their package. If
I snag up or damage the hooks or
line, I’ll re-tie the components using
12-pound-test Berkley Trilene XT
(Extra Tough) monofilament and
razor-sharp Daiichi hooks.
To keep my night crawlers as
fresh as possible—because the smell
of dying worms repels fish, not
attracts—I keep them cool and moist
(not wet) in a foam-lined container.
I like ones that will hold several
dozen large worms and bedding,
yet is small enough to fit in a cooler
when the summer sun’s beating
down in the boat.
And when panfish are being
pesky and nipping the tails off my
crawlers, I’ll thread on a Berkley
GULP! Night Crawler. The sent
wafting from these softbaits attract
walleye from afar, and although they
feel like the real thing, are tough
enough to withstand the constant
pecking from perch, bluegills, rock
bass and the like.
A Little Particular
In my mind, more walleyes are
targeted by anglers with crawler har-
nesses and bottom bouncers within
the natural lakes and reservoirs of
the United States than any other rig.
But pulling then properly is crucial.
It’s the little particulars that matter.
Keep your bouncer at bottom, not
on it; change blade sizes and shapes
until you find the one that sets off
strikes; use only healthy live bait.
Mark Martin is a touring walleye
tournament pro and instructor with
the Fishing Vacation/Schools (fish-
ingvacationschool.com) who lives
in SW Lower Michigan. For more
information, check out his website
at markmartins.net.n
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 15
Turkey ears; bigger
than they appear
They hear our calls, but how well they hear unwanted

M
noises could make all the difference this spring...
ost hunters know
turkey have very
sharp senses, espe-
cially sight. Any-
one that has been
hunting this big
bird for any amount of time
has been picked off by their
superhuman eyeballs, and
probably scratched their
heads a time or two won-
dering how they saw such
a small movement. Even
a twitch can sometimes
spell the end for a hunter,
and much attention (rightly
so) is given by the
hunting community By Adam Lewis
to being concealed
from their vision (blinds, head nets,
and camo clothing from head to
toe).
But what about that oftentimes
overlooked sense of hearing, and
how does it determine whether you
get busted, or get a picture hold-
ing up a longbeard by the feet? If
they can hear that pathetic mouth-
call attempt your buddy makes at
200 yards, then what about walk-
ing through the woods (breaking
a branch, scraping some
brush), setting up a blind
or decoy spread (clunking
plastic, clanging metal here
and there, that big obnox-
iously loud zipper), and
all the other noises turkey
hunters tend to make? It
turns out, we should be
paying much more attention
to these things.
An interview
with Bob Eriksen, Although they have no external ears, turkey hear exceptionally well.
retired regional biologist for the
NWTF, reveals some eye-opening on finding food. Wild turkey have an allowing them to react quickly to
facts about this often overshadowed uncanny ability to locate the source predators or other environmental
sense of turkeys. According to Erik- of a sound. When they identify a factors.” And their biggest predator
son, “Hearing allows the bird to de- noise, their immediate response is in the spring...hunters.
tect a threat if its eyes are occupied to look in the direction of the sound, Just like whitetail utilize their

y Sprin
Turke g
Bear

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16 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
ears to help locate and further scru- likely be when you enter. If a morn- Once you are in your blind, or have or bow for a shot. Maybe prune
tinize threats with their eyes, and ing hunt, try to find a location that your setup ready, get your calls and down your call assortment and other
drastically decrease our odds in the is far enough away from the roost other gear out and prepared to use. gear to eliminate the odds of noise
field (I wrote an article for North that it will not allow turkey to see Make sure they are positioned in happening, or get better with that
American Whitetail about this vital or hear you sneak into your location such a way that you have to make mouth call and eliminate some box
link), so turkey use these senses in and setup in the dark (sometimes we absolute minimal movement to and slate calls altogether, which
tandem to drastically stack the odds get too close to the roost, and unless reach and use them, and that they are awkward to carry, make lots of
against us. Also it seems turkey can going super lightweight, this is very cannot make incidental contact clangy noise due to their hollow
hear lower frequency, and more risky with bulky equipment). If an with each other (noise). This is bodies, and require two hands to
distant sounds than humans. This is evening hunt, getting to the food key, due to the fact that many use.
why the owl hoot locator and some- source well before turkey are headed times the small noise is what Yes, turkey do hear our calls,
times low rumbling thunder can get that way will help in this endeavor, causes the bird to look in your and the unwanted noises we make
a shock gobble response from our and give you the drop on unsuspect- direction and analyze for a threat. as well. So, ensure your turkey
bearded friends. ing longbeards. Once this analyzing starts, it is season is the best it can possibly be,
virtually impossible to make neces- and start thinking about that often
ers?
What does this mean for hunt-
3) Eliminate movement sary movements like positioning overlooked and vital turkey sense,
This has some big implications This is for sight, and hearing. your camera, or raising your gun hearing.n
for hunters, especially the fact that
hearing is so tied to eyesight (which
we already know busts our hunts
with high frequency). So here are 229 W. 5th Street • Pinconning
989-879-1110
three takeaways that can help you
take this knowledge, and take ad-
vantage of it this year in the field.
1) Silence Your Gear
Think this is important for
whitetail hunting (yes it is very
important if you haven’t already re-
alized this)? Well, it is also vital for
turkey hunting. It seems every year I
drop my slate call several times each
hunt, smack the box call against my
gun, or have the owl hooter rattling
around in my pocket. The list of
noisy gear is a long one, includ-
ing plastic hollow decoys, shotgun
shells, blinds, zippers on blinds and
clothing, camera tripods, camera
arms, bows, guns, the list goes on.
With high amounts of gear
comes the increasingly high chance
of incidental contact that could give
us away. Even setting up early in
the morning, if we are too close to
a turkey roost, could spell the end.
It is vital then, that we find a way
to silence this gear before it ruins
a hunt, and potentially taints an
area for the entire season. The low
frequency sounds (that travel the
furthest of all frequencies, and that
turkey can hear better than humans)
especially need to be silenced. Truth
of the matter is, you can probably
eliminate some of your gear (ask
“what do I really need?” Evaluate
what could make the most noise,
and maybe leave it home), or silence
it with a good sound concealment
product to eliminate change contact
and noise. Either way, silencing gear
is a must for an edge on wary spring
birds.
2) Setup Early
If you are setting up the morn-
ing of the hunt, this is leaving a
greater chance of making noise with
your blind, decoy spread, or other
gear, and therefore a greater chance
turkey will hear you. If you can,
setup your blind a week or more
in advance. Have your decoys in
your blind for easy access and quick
setup the day of the hunt, eliminat-
ing a lot of motion and potential
noise you could make. Also think While supplies last. NO RAIN CHECKS
about where the turkey will most Check us out at . . . www.northwoodsoutlet.com
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 17
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18 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
Ron Woodworth with a smallmouth bass from Eagle Bay in
Michigan's tip of the Thumb.
Ron was one
of those guys
A gifted fisherman, hunter,
outdoorsman and story teller
H
e was just one of those
guys. You couldn’t walk
away from a conversation
with Ron Woodworth, 81, with-
out a smile on your face. He was
friendly, fun, eager to teach, eager
to learn and eager to please. He
was someone you simply enjoyed
being around.
Ron loved to tell stories and
had one for most
any occasion. I
might add, not
all his stories
were suitable for
mixed company.
He certainly
By Randy Jorgensen
Photo provided
could deliver a story.
Ron didn’t pretend to be any-
body other than himself. After all,
there was no need to be anyway.
People liked that about him, he was
humble but proud.
He was a good man, a good
husband to his wife Betty, a good
father and grandfather. Ron was
born, and raised his family, in Im-
lay City. He was a veteran of the
Korean war and loved his country
and community. He retired from
the Fisher Body Tech Center where
he seldom missed work and did his
job with pride.
Ron passed away last week
after an ongoing battle with cancer.
As family and friends gathered,
(standing room only) to celebrate his
life, it soon became clear there was
no shortage of ‘Ron Woodworth’
stories to share. And share they
certainly did.
Quite often, Ron’s stories went
a little like this, “Hey! Did you hear
the one about....” a smile growing
on his face, as he grabbed your arm
and squeezed your neck. “Well,
there was this fella,” he’d say and
you knew you were in for a ‘doozy’
of a tale or joke.
Like most of the Woodworth
clan, Ron loved to hunt and fish and
annual trips to Drummond Island
hoping to get into the sometimes
tremendous runs of herring. He en-
joyed catching any fish that swims;
walleye, whitefish, pike, crappie,
bluegill, salmon and perch.
The outdoors is where Ron
really stood out, he was most
comfortable there. He was disci-
plined, determined and respectful
as a sportsman and a fine example
for the rest of us.
Ron helped us at the Woods-N-
Water News Outdoor Weekend each
year, willing to do whatever was
asked of him. But his strong suit
was at the exit gate stamping hands
to return to the show.
If you have been to the Out-
door Weekend you’ve met Ron. He
wore an orange “Staff” shirt, faded
Woods-N-Water News camo cap,
medium build, huge smile on his
face and said to each one leaving for
the day, “Thanks for coming, hope
you enjoyed yourself, see you next
year!”
No one asked Ron to say that.....
it was just Ron being Ron. It was Ron
just the kind of guy he was.n Woodworth

229 W. 5th Street • Pinconning

he was as good as anyone at it.
His brother Jim was a good

989-879-1110
friend of mine and I once wrote,
“Jim could catch a fish out of a mud
puddle!” If such a statement could
be true, I’m certain Ron could do it
as well. And I’m not so sure their
other brother, Butch, couldn’t catch
one out of the mud puddle on the
other side of the street.
Ron introduced me to wader-
fishing for smallmouth at Eagle Bay
in the tip of Michigan’s Thumb. It
was a tradition for him, his sons
Rick and Mike, grandson Allen and
whoever else ventured into the cold
waters around Memorial Day week-
end.
With a butter cup full of leeches
around his neck, chest high waders,
sunglasses, an ultra-light rod and
reel and a smile from ear to ear he’d
make the slow walk out into Eagle
Bay.
As we waded out someone
asked, “How do we know how deep
it is?”
Ron with out missing a beat jok-
ingly said, “All waders have a built
in depth finder, you’ll know when
you’re too deep!”
We’d search for and surround
those familiar round smallmouth
beds. Casting to the beds and one by
one picking off the smallmouth who
patrolled them.
Ron quietly passed out other
instructions to the novices in the
group as he cast to a bed and before
he could finish explaining he would
have one on. “Just like that, fellas,”
he’d say, his rod bent in half, belly
laughing as he guided the feisty
smallie to himself.
And before you knew it, and just
that fast, he’d catch another and an-
other. I remember saying to myself,
“How is he doing it?”
I watched him a little closer to
make sure he was even taking a fish
off the hook, it seemed he always
had one on. It was not uncommon
for Ron to catch two to my one and I
might be giving myself far too much
credit.
Ron also loved his whitetail, rab-
bit and squirrel hunting. I’m certain
he also got his share of pheasants While supplies last. NO RAIN CHECKS
back in the day.
I recall Ron telling me of his Check us out at . . . www.northwoodsoutlet.com
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 19
 Calibrating...
Line Counter Reels
At least once a year the author recommends “calibrating” line counter reels to get the most accuracy from these essential fishing tools. A reel is per-
S
fectly calibrated when 100 clicks on the digital line counter is exactly 100 feet of line out. Mark Romanack photos
ince back in January the Fish-
ing 411 TV crew has traveled
to a half dozen cities in the
Great Lakes region and con-
ducted more than 40 fishing
seminars. At these seminars a
lot of questions are tossed at our crew. The most
common question asked among these guests
targeted line counter reels. Do I really need to
calibrate my line counter reels and if so how is
the best way to accomplish this goal?
My tongue and cheek answer often takes
fishermen for a loop... even a blind squirrel finds
an acorn once in a while! The process of calibrat-
ing line counter reels so that every reel an angler
has on his or her boat contains exactly the same
type, diameter and amount of fishing line isn’t a
new concept, but it has become a fact of fishing
perceptive anglers are paying much more atten-
tion to.
Most anglers mistakenly believe that the line
counter reels they own are inherently accurate at
metering lead lengths. That assumption would
only be true if the angler had loaded his reel or
reels with the line type, diameter and amount of
line that was used by the manufacturer to cali-
brate these reels.
Most manufacturers use 20 pound test mono-
filament line to calibrate their line counter reels.
This line type and diameter is used because it
represents about the middle of the pack in terms
of line diameters commonly used for trolling.
The moment an angler loads a line of a different
diameter onto his or her line counter reel, that
factory calibration is lost.
Most anglers also mistakenly believe if they
simply load their reels to capacity, the line coun-
ters will be consistent and accurate. Wrong again,
because most anglers have no clue exactly how
much line is being loaded to their reels, they in
turn end up with reels that are way out of calibra-
tion.
To prove this fact to yourself, take all of your
line counter reels into the back yard and lay them
down on the grass next to one another. Measure
off a known distance using a tape measure, say
100 feet and put a stake in the ground to mark
20 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
that distance. Now return to the rods/reels and
zero out all of the line counters. Open the bail
on each reel and pull off exactly 100 feet of line
from each reel.
In theory, the line counters of each reel will
read 100 feet, but in reality each reel is certain to
produce a different reading. The reason for this
discrepancy is because each reel is loaded with a
different amount of line. The process of calibrat-
ing a line counter reel is in fact the process of
putting just the right amount of line on each reel
so that when an actual 100 feet of line is played
off the reel, the line counter will also indicate 100
on the digital read out.
Accomplishing this fundamental but critically
important goal is easy, but calibrating reels does
take a few minutes and some trial and error to
complete the job. The reason it is critical to have
the same amount of line on every reel is because
line counters function by allowing a certain
amount of line off the reel for every rotation of
the reel spool. When the reel spool is over full,
more line is played off the reel per rotation. When
the reel spool is under full, less line is played off
the reel per rotation.
What About Clip
On Line Counters?
Anglers who are frustrated with the funda-
mental discrepancies associated with line counter
reels often turn to after-market clip on style line
counter devices designed to allow the line to pass
through them while clicking off feet measure-
ments. Unfortunately, clip on line counters are
less accurate than the line counters found on bet-
ter trolling reels. The reason clip on line counters
don’t work is the line often slips between the
wheels, allowing line to play off the reel without
actually causing the wheels to turn and record the
amount of line played out.
In short, clip on line counters are a waste of
time and money and will lead anglers to further
frustrations. The only viable solution to this prob-
lem is to invest in some high quality line counter
reels and to take the time to calibrate each reel
using the exact type, diameter and amount of line
on each reel.
By Mark Romanack
The Proper Way
to Calibrate Reels
Any brand and model of line counter reel can
be calibrated with any line type and diameter using
a simple process that involves putting the exact
amount of line on each reel. The process starts by
loading the desired line onto the reel until the reel
spool appears to be loaded to capacity. Many manu-
facturers of line counter reels have a mark on the
reel spool to indicate when the reel spool is filled to
capacity.
Once the reel is filled to capacity, do not cut the
line from the bulk spool. Instead measure off a dis-
tance of 100 feet and put two stakes in the ground
to indicate the zero mark and the 100 foot mark. On
the zero mark stake use a rubber band to attach a
planer board line release to simply hold the line on
the stake. Take the line from the rod tip and place it
into the line release on the zero stake. Now reel up
the slack line until the rod tip touches the stake and
zero out the line counter on the reel. Open the reel
bail and walk away to the 100 foot stake.
When you have walked away exactly 100 feet
consult the clicker on the line counter reel. If the
clicker is a number less than 100 feet, the reel has
too much line loaded and line must be taken off the
reel and wrapped back onto the spool. If the num-
ber on the line counter is greater than 100, more
line must be added to the reel spool.
The best way to add or subtract line from the
reel when fine tuning the calibration is in incre-
ments of about 20 feet at a time. It might take two
or three tries of adding or removing line from the
fishing reel before the line counter on the reel reads
100 feet when exactly 100 feet of line has been
played out.
The Precision Trolling Data web page www.
precisiontrollingdata.com features a detailed video
on exactly how to calibrate line counter reels.
Consulting this video will clarify any questions an
angler might have about the calibration process.
Also, it’s interesting to note that Precision Trolling
uses Daiwa SG27LC Sea Line reels for their testing
purposes. When exactly 1,400 feet of Berkley 10
pound test XT line is spooled onto these reels they
are perfectly calibrated.
Why is Reel
Calibration important?
The question still remains, why is calibrat-
ing line counter reels so important? The answer
is simple. When reels are calibrated it’s possible
to accurately and quickly duplicate productive
lead lengths with other rods/reels. When all of
these reels are calibrated with the same line type,
diameter and amount of line anglers can target
fish at specific depths with amazing accuracy and
success.
The lure and diving device depth data that
is published by Precision Trolling Data in their
popular phone apps is collected using line counter
reels that are carefully calibrated for the line type
and diameter listed on the phone apps. When avid
anglers consult this data and in turn apply the
information using line counter reels that are also
calibrated, it’s possible to target fish spotted on a
sonar screen with uncanny accuracy.
The other reason it’s a good idea to calibrate
The author recommends and uses line counter reels for trolling. This monster Bay of Quinte walleye
came by fishing a Reef Runner 800 series crankbait exactly 210 feet behind an in-line board.
reels is to avoid inadvertently playing out too
much line and snagging and breaking off valuable
lures on the bottom.
Wh at if Line i s Lost?
Anglers are also curious what happens if they
snag and some line is lost from a reel? Does that
reel have to be re-calibrated? The answer depends
on how much line is lost. It takes about 20 feet of
lost line to change the reel calibration about one
foot on the counter. So if modest amounts of line
are lost, it is not necessary to re-calibrate the reel.
Doe Ree l Siz e Matter?
Another question often asked regarding line
counter reels is does size matter? The answer is
that any size or brand of line counter reel can
be calibrated. The problem is that smaller sized
reels such as the 15 class reels produced by some
manufacturers have such a limited line capacity
that they are inherently less accurate and practical
to use than larger reels with greater line capacity.
Top Dressing Saves Money
The first time a reel is loaded with line it’s
necessary to fill the entire reel spool. When it
comes time to replace that line, don’t remove all 3 1/4”, 1/3 oz
the old line from the reel. Keeping about 150 to 11 colours
200 yards of old line on the reel to function as
backing and top dressing each reel with about
150 to 200 yards of premium fresh line is an ex-
cellent way of saving money and still getting the
maximum value from each line counter reel. 4 1/4”, 3/5 oz
Reel Quality 11 colours
The major manufacturers of trolling reels
produce several models of line counter reels sold
at various price points. The less expensive reels
tend to use more plastic parts in the manufactur-
ing process. More expensive reels are more rug-
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Night Vision Blue Zone Black Hole
NGVS BLZN BKHL
gedly built with metal and carbon parts designed
to provide years of trouble free service. The ole
adage that “you get what you pay for” is very true
with line counter reels. Less expensive models
just don’t hold up when exposed to serious troll-
ing chores, costing anglers more money in the
long run.
Summing It Up
A lot of anglers are resistant to calibrating
their line counter reels, feeling that close is good
enough when trolling. It’s true that anglers can
catch fish when using reels that are not calibrated.
It’s also true that those anglers who take the time
to calibrate their reels are going to be catching /williamslures
more fish. It takes about five minutes per reel to www.williams.ca
calibrate. You make the call.n
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 21
Steelhead: Spring Heat
M
ichigan’s Manistee
River is loaded
with snags, and
the powerful steel-
head I had hooked
found one. I tried
to nudge her into another power
play, but the snagged line merely
hummed through the graphite rod to
my hand.
I dropped the tip to give slack
while my partner lifted the anchor
that held our banana-shaped drift
boat in place. Like a skilled video
game player, he maneuvered the
boat into a new position below the
steelhead while I pulled hard. Pop-
ping free, the fish tried to bull her
way downstream, but I removed my
glove and thumbed her to a stop. As
I gingerly worked her back to our
boat, she turned over in the cold cur-
rent, gills flaring in defeat. The gold
crankbait was stuck to her nose by a
single barb of the treble hook.
Some would say I was insane
for even being out here on a frigid
morning in early spring while fin-
gers turned blue and snow salted my
parka. I say I was lucky.
The day’s first river steelhead The spring steelhead being released was caught by the author on a Hot-N-Tot.
was a 12-pound hen. When my part-
ner turned her loose, she slimed him even months—before they spawn, spawn in the fall.” spawn knotted into nickel-sized
with a wet slap of her broad tail. anytime from late February to early Another question that baffles an- bags also work as do brightly col-
Oh, yes, you want to be here in May. But the fact is that some fish glers is why some stream steelhead ored yarn flies and streamers.
spite of the discomforts. “stage” in rivers during the bust lures with gusto while others Today, my boat partner and I
One reason is the lack of winter. simply slurp natural bait such as were working Hot-N-Tots, active
fishing pressure. Another is Jim Bedford, a veteran salmon eggs, mayfly larvae or night little crankbaits that dig down into
the fact that small schools steelheader and fishing crawlers. Bedford believes that the the current and drive steelhead nuts.
of steelhead enter many of instructor from Lansing, of- memory of flashing objects may Other popular cranks include Flat-
the Great Lakes’ 450 tribu- fered his opinion years ago. influence behavior. Irritation, anger Fish, Wiggle Warts, Tadpollies and
taries throughout the winter “Early spawners enter and excitement are other possible River Runts. Any plug or crankbait
in preparation for the spring first,” he said, ‘‘and there factors. with a violent action will trigger
spawn. is some evidence that wild Spoons, plugs and spinners with strikes, especially if you rely on
Little is understood fish show up in rivers be- bright colors and plenty of action hot-colored lures such as fluorescent
red, yellow and orange, fire tiger or
Michigan Meanders
about why fore hatchery- can be very productive. Bedford,
steelhead reared steel- a wading angler, fishes with ¼- or even bubble gum patterns.

By Tom Huggler
enter rivers head. A few ½-ounce weighted spinners, that he Find deep, dark river runs where
weeks—or fish actually makes himself. Fresh steelhead steelhead typically lie and either

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22 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
anchor your boat above the run or
have a partner scull oars to hold
you steady in the current. Run your
lures 30 to 70 feet behind the boat
and let them dig down into the lie,
then release a couple feet at a time.
You can actually “herd” fish down
through the run, and that is why
many strikes occur at the tag end
just before the current lips out into
shallower water.
Besides the Manistee, other
good Lake Michigan rivers in west-
ern Michigan include the St. Joseph, Great spring steelhead fishing for 3-15 pound fish occurs throughout the entire Great Lakes region.
Muskegon, Pere Marquette, Betsie
and Platte. The Black and Au Sable
rivers rate best on the Michigan
side of Lake Huron. Smaller flows,
such as the Ocqueoc, Tawas, Rifle
and East Branch AuGres, are good
choices for wading fishermen.
In truth, great spring steelhead
fishing for 3- to 15-pound fish oc-
curs throughout the entire Great
Lakes region. The action can be
hot enough to make a fisherman zip
open his snowmobile suit, even in
the coldest weather.
That’s because the strike of a
steelhead excites like nothing else.
One minute you’re half asleep from

Hot-N-Tots, FlatFish, Wiggle War ts,

Tadpollies and River Runts or any
plug or crankbait with a violent ac-
tion will trigger strikes, especially
if you rely on hot-colored lures.

the numbing cold, the next, adrena-

line is surging through the body. As
you recover from the initial shock,
the fish is already in the air, shaking
itself dry in an incredible acrobatic
display. How I love these spirited
fish! You will, too.
The upstream river sections are
usually good, but lower stretches
and river mouths can be even bet-
ter. I don’t own a drift boat and if
friends who do aren’t available or
don’t have room for a tagalong, you
might find me along a pier or break-
water. Action can be hot there, too,
especially if you toss bright-colored
spoons with one rod while babysit-
ting a spawn bag on a second rod.
That’s where I like to fish be-
cause fresh steelhead enter the flows
all winter long in preparation for the
spring spawn, and I get first crack at
them. And the chance that you will
catch species other than steelhead
increases dramatically.n
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 23
 Crappie waters of the U.P.
C
rappie fishing popu-
larity has increased
across the U.S. in
the past few decades.
Crappie are popular
because they provide
good action when you locate this
schooling fish, and they’re excellent
table fare. Black crappie were not
native to the U.P., their range was
expanded further north by wide-
spread historical stocking. Black
crappie are in the sunfish family
along with largemouth, smallmouth
bass and bluegill. Black crappie are
closely related to white crappie that
are a more southerly U.S. species.
Crappie are known to prefer
flooded timber, deadfall tree tops,
and weed edges on drop-offs.
Sometimes crappie suspend off
drop-offs or deeper water (winter)
and use sunken structure. Fishing
crappie early in the spring after ice
out in shallow dark bottom bays
where the water warms first is a
good technique. As the water starts
to warm in the spring they can
often be found in or associated with Erich Ziegler with another typical crappie taken near a bullrush bed in the early spring fishery. Typically the water warms
bulrushes or other shallow aquatic faster in black bottomed bays and the nor thern por tion of the lake that gets the most spring warming sunlight.
vegetation as well.
Many crappie fisheries fluctu- sor in Newberry, said South Man- has considerable flooded timber Twin Falls/Badwater Impoundment
ate in terms of abundance with istique Lake (Mackinac County), which has been found to be a habitat (1120 acres) has been the most no-
year class strength which is often a relatively new crappie fishery, is that crappie often flourish in. The table for crappie in the most recent
variable. Fishery managers, in the “coming on strong in the last few Greenwood has had a noteworthy years.
scientific literature, have reported years.” Black crappie are relatively crappie fishery for decades. Cur- Some of the better crappie
great difficulty with managing abundant and their size structure is rently Kramer said, “the crappie waters in Iron County are also
crappie fisheries. Many species like improving in this 4,000 acre water. population has moderated although impoundments. Paint Pond/Brule
trout, walleye, muskie, and some Kovacs said they had worked to it has a good-sized size structure.” Island Impoundment (774 acres) of
species of panfish are can develop another crappie Kramer went to say that East Bass the Brule and Paint Rivers supports
be managed to maintain fishery at Roxbury East Lake, east of Gwinn currently has a good crappie fishery. Additionally,
fairly consistent high Lake (Chippewa County). “good sized crappie.” This 217 acre the reservoirs of the Michigamme
quality fisheries. Fisher- This small water has a carry lake is another more recent crappie River system, Michigamme Res-
ies biologists have not had down public boat access fishery that has developed. ervoir (7000 acres), Peavy Reser-
much success in positively site. In Menominee County, Shakey voir (3500 acres) both have viable
influencing black crappie in Darren Kramer, fisher- Lakes has had a long-standing crap- crappie fisheries. The Michigamme
terms of consistent strong ies supervisor in Escanaba, pie fishery. This 284 acre chain of Reservoir has several log crib reefs
populations and quality size said that, “Little Brevort lakes has had a modest population with the three westerly reefs be-
structure. Fisheries Lake of crappies with some good-sized ing the best for crappie. The Peavy
with good numbers
of larger sized fish
By Bill Ziegler (Mackinac County)
is a fairly good
fish in the most recent survey.
In Dickinson County the best
Reservoir has considerable flooded
timber in the upper portion of the
can be short lived crappie fishery.” crappie waters are reservoirs. Genes impoundment which is always a
despite active fishery management This 144 acre lake is found within Pond is a 700 acre impoundment good location to look for crappie.
and regulations. a portion of the state forest that is of the East Sturgeon River with Natural lakes in Iron County that
Black crappie are now pres- managed as a natural area. The DNR considerable flooded timber. Genes have viable crappie fisheries include
ent in a fairly large number of U.P. land rules require any boats at Little Pond has supported a fairly strong Brule Lake (250 acres), located in
waters, although the list of lakes Brevort to be non-motorized. crappie fishery for decades. Genes the Ottawa National Forest. Brule
where crappie have a good fishable Moving west, Kramer noted Pond has a state forest campground Lake has had a decent crappie
population is much more limited. Triangle Lake on the Hiawatha and access site on it and is located in fishery for many years. That fishery
After reviewing survey information National Forest has a decent crap- northern Dickinson County. Fisher- declined in the 1990s although it has
and interviewing the U.P. fisheries pie fishery with “good sized fish.” ies surveys indicate that black crap- been rebuilding since then. Tama-
management biologists it is apparent This 166-acre lake is located east of pie are now present throughout the rack Lake (335 acres) on the Iron/
that viable black crappie fisheries Forest Highway 13 in Schoolcraft four main Groveland Mine “Lakes” Gogebic County border has been a
are more prevalent in the western County. although West Lake has the stron- viable crappie lake for many years.
U.P. than they are in the eastern U. Two waters Kramer noted in gest population. In a 2015 survey At times it produces a number of
P., although there are several good Marquette County are the Green- the West Lake crappie also had a good sized crappie. Iron Lake (396
crappie fisheries in the eastern por- wood Reservoir and East Bass Lake. good size structure. The impound- acres) has not been notable for crap-
tion of the U.P. The Greenwood Reservoir is located ments on the Menominee River are pie in the past. The most recent fish
Cory Kovacs, fisheries supervi- west of Ishpeming. The reservoir all known for crappie fishing. The surveys and fishing reports indicate
24 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
that crappie abundance has been
coming on strong in recent years.
Winslow Lake (255 acres) in north
Iron County was known for stunted
panfish including crappie for many
years. An experimental manage-
ment effort using walleye to provide
adequate predation on panfish has
resulted in a good crappie fishery
with a healthy size structure.
George Madison, fisheries
biologist in Baraga, recommended
Gogebic County’s Lac Vieux Desert
and Langford Lake for “abundant
crappie populations.” Lac Vieux
Desert is a 4,300 acre relatively
shallow lake with numerous weed
beds. It is also a border water with
Wisconsin. Lanford Lake is a 481
acre relatively shallow lake with a
U.S. Forest Service campground.
The Cisco Lake Chain which com-
prises 14 connected lakes, has a total
surface area of about 4,000 acres.
This extensive Gogebic County
lake chain was last surveyed by the
Michigan DNR in 2002. That survey
caught relatively good numbers of
black crappie. Conservation Officer
Sergeant Grant Emery covered that
area prior to his promotion. Based
on his patrol observations and previ-
ous fisheries surveys, Thousand
Island, Cisco and Record Lakes
appear to have fairly strong crappie
populations.
The most recent survey avail-
able (2007) indicates that crappie
are present in moderate numbers in
Portage Lake, Houghton County. It
will take some searching of good
crappie habitat to find them in this
9,640-acre waterway. A stop at the
local bait shop may help locate the
best locations to catch these fish.
Pricket Dam Backwaters is an
810 acre reservoir in Houghton and
Baraga County. This reservoir has
considerable crappie habitat with
lots of stumps, logs and flooded tim-
ber. Pete Sorelle from Fred’s East
Joyce Ziegler with another nice black
crappie caught off on the Michi-
gamme Reser voir log crib reefs.
Emma Ziegler with a nice crappie
taken while fishing with her father
Erich at Winslow Lake in Iron Co.
Branch Outfitters in Kenton, Michi-
gan said, “Last year was a good year
for crappie anglers at Pricket Dam,”
Impoundment.
Crappie are present in many
more waters in the U.P. than this ar-
ticle covers, although at present they
are not dominant fisheries. As stated
previously, crappie population can
be quite variable especially relating
to size structure. There are a number
of good regional examples of waters
where crappie that were a minor
species and subsequently their popu-
lation increased greatly after wall-
eye populations had declined.
DNR Master Angler Award
minimum entry for black crappie is
14 inches. The current state record
is 4.12 pounds and has been a record
since 1947. Crappie in Michigan are
at the northern edge of their range,
crappie in the central and southern
states grow larger. For a few years
during my fisheries career I worked
as a federal fisheries biologist in
southern Illinois and Missouri. Area
fishing contests in those central
states revealed greater crappie
growth potential. Three-pound
crappie were relatively common
and typically the fishing contest was
won by a crappie weighing over
four pounds.
As the water warms in the
spring, crappie anglers often locate
pre-spawn fish in bulrush and other
aquatic vegetation beds. The vegeta-
tion beds in the northern portion of
the lake are often warmed by the
sun first, attracting crappie. Crap-
pie spawn between 64° to 68° F in
shallow water typically associated
with openings in aquatic vegetation.
Adult crappie typically feed on min-
nows and juvenile fish. A maribou
“crappie jig” tipped with small
minnow or minnow rigged below a
slip bobber are popular rigs to fish
crappie. If you want fish an action-
oriented species and take some good
tasting fish home to eat the black
crappie fisheries in northern Michi-
gan are a good choice.n
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 25
 Spring, Summer and Fall...
Lead core catches it all
T
By Mark Romanack
he title of this article
pretty much says it
all. Trolling with lead
core line is a produc-
tive presentation year
around and for liter-
ally every major game fish species
popular in the Great Lakes region.
Lead core can be used readily with
shallow and deep diving crankbaits,
spoons of all shapes and sizes and
of course live bait rigs like crawler
harnesses. Routinely used to target
cold water species like coho, kings,
lake trout, browns and steelhead,
lead core is also handy for trolling
up warm water species like walleye,
pike, muskie and more. Few trolling
depth control aids are as consistently
productive or as versatile as these
timeless sinking lines.
Lead Core Basics
Lead core line consists of a thin
and flexible wire made of nearly
pure soft lead, covered with a sheath
of strong, but flexible braided line.
Early lead core lines were made
using nylon braid, but modern lead
core lines feature an outer sheath
made from thinner and stronger
super braids such as Spectra and
micro-dyneema fibers.
Some anglers still favor slower
sinking nylon braid lead core lines,
but an overwhelming majority
of trollers favor the thinner and
deeper fishing lead core lines made
from super braids. Since the whole
When rigging inline boards to release from the tow arm, the author also
incorporates an OR16 Snap Weight Clip at the back of the board to
securely hold the board on the line. A patented pin located between the
jaws of this release holds the line securely, pinning the board in place
after the board has been tripped. This rigging method allows anglers to
fish multiple lines per side of the boat without having to clear lines to
land hooked fish.
26 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
purpose of trolling with lead core is
to get lures deeper than they might
normally dive, it makes sense that
the modern lead core lines that
are thinner in diameter per break
strength have surfaced as the most
popular option.
To help anglers judge how
much line is being used, lead core
is metered by using brightly colored
sections that change color every
10 yards. Contrasting colors are
featured on lead core to facilitate
counting the different segments of
lines as they flow off the reel.
Most anglers who regularly fish
lead core line rig up their trolling
reels with a designated amount of
lead core line, leader and backing
line. Known as “segmented lead
core” an Albright knot or Double
Uni knot is commonly used to join
the sinking lead core line to the
leader and backing lines. Popu-
lar lead core set ups include reels
loaded with 3, 5, 7 and 10 colors of
lead core line.
Lead core is typically sold in
100 or 200 yard spools, but some
manufacturers offer their sinking The author and Off Shore Tackle Pro Fisherman Rob Jones teamed up on
lines in bulk spools. Expensive Lake Erie to catch these summer steelhead using sinking lead core line.
compared to other trolling lines, the
plus side of lead core is this line is Jake Romanack. “The leaders and general statements like this might
durable enough to survive heavy use backing line fished in combination give novice anglers confidence to
for two or even three seasons before with lead core must however be re- fish lead core line, the facts remain
it needs to be replaced. placed at least once a year. I recom- that trolling speed, how much line is
“Lead core line itself is tough mend using 50 feet of 20 pound test deployed and what lures are fished
enough to last for a few seasons of fluorocarbon line as a leader when in combination with this line makes
hard use,” says Fishing 411 TV host, fishing lead core line and at least a profound difference in how deep a
200 yards of 20 pound test mono- lead core rig will fish.
filament or 40 pound test super braid Precision Trolling Data, LLC is
as a backing line.” the only independent company that
Lead core line comes in vari- has actually tested various break
ous break strengths including 12, strengths and lengths of lead core
15, 18, 27, 36 and 45 pound test. line with popular trolling lures and
The most popular of these sizes at popular trolling speeds. This in-
include 18 pound test which is in valuable trolling data is inexpensive
wide use among walleye fishermen and available for sale in a phone app
and 27 pound test which is typically for both iPhone and Android phone
favored among salmon and trout users at the Apple and Google app
trollers. stores respectively.
Ironically, the same diameter Most anglers who routinely
wire core is used in both 18 and 27 fish lead core line set up their boat
pound test lead core. Both 12 and 15 with matching pairs of reels loaded
pound test lead core share the same with pre-determined segments of
diameter wire core as does 36 and lead core. Because fishing lead
45 pound test lead core lines. core requires using reels dedicated
exclusively to lead core line, it can
Depth Savvy get expensive to own and maintain a
The manufacturers of lead core full array of lead core set ups.
line try to simplify the process of “On my boat I carry a pair of
fishing sinking lines by making reels loaded with 3 colors of lead
general statements about how deep core, another pair with 5 colors, a
it runs. Most brands claim that their pair loaded with 7 colors and also
lines will fish five to seven feet deep a pair loaded with 10 colors of lead
for each color or 10 yards of lead core,” explains Jake Romanack.
core line that is deployed. While “The 3 and 5 color lead core rigs
are loaded onto Daiwa SG27LC Sea
Line reels and the 7 color rigs are
loaded onto larger SG47LC reels.
I used the SG57LC size reels for
fishing 10 colors of lead core line.
Each of these reels are respectively
large enough to accept the lead core
line, leader and at least 200 yards of
backing line.”
Many anglers don’t use line
counter style reels when fishing
lead core because they know how
much line is loaded onto each reel.
Romanack reminds anglers that it’s
possible to get any lead core set
up to fish much deeper by simply
letting out more backing line. “I let
out my lure, leader and all the lead
core line I have loaded onto a reel,”
explains Romanack. “I zero out the
line counter on the reel when I reach
the backing line and closely moni-
tor how much backing line is being
deployed. The more backing line
that is deployed, the deeper that lead
core set up will run.”
This simple tip is invaluable
for the angler who can’t justify the
expense of owning a boat load of
reels dedicated for lead core trolling.
By simply using extra backing line,
a 3 color lead core set up can be
fished at about the same depth as a 5
color set up, a 5 color rig can reach
the same depths as a 7 color rig and
7 colors of lead core can fish as deep
as a 10 color set up, etc.
Flat Lines
and Board Lines
Trolling with lead core lines was
popular long before the invention of
the inline planer board, or downrig-
ger for that matter. Our fathers and
grandfathers fished lead core by
simply letting the lure, leader and
lead core line straight out the back
of the boat. Still to this day walleye
pros who routinely use lead core to
get shallow diving lures to structure
loving walleye, favor the flat line
trolling tactics of our forefathers.
Flat lining lead core is the most
Lead core is often thought of as a trolling tactic for cold water species
like trout and salmon. The truth is walleye anglers also benefit from the
use of these sinking lines.
Mark and Jake Romanack caught these Lake Michigan steelhead by employing lead core line in combination with
in-line planer boards.
precise way to target specific depth
contours, structure breaks, river
channels and weed lines. For this
style of fishing it’s best not to use
pre-determined segments of lead
core line, but instead to spool a
couple reels with 10 colors of lead
core and let out as much lead core as
necessary to make contact with the
bottom.
Place the rod in a handy rod
holder and let out short amounts of
lead core until the rod tip indicates
the lure is making contact with bot-
tom. This rather simple form of lead
core trolling is an amazingly effec-
tive way of targeting structure lov-
ing species like walleye and can also
be handy for targeting other bottom
loving fish like lake trout and brown
trout.
When targeting suspended
walleye, trout and salmon, fishing
lead core rigs in combination with
inline planer boards is the hot set up.
Veteran lead core trollers maximize
their success by flooding the water
column with lures using two, three
or more lead core set ups on each
side of the boat.
By setting the shallowest div-
ing rig on the outside board and
progressively deeper diving rigs on
middle and inside boards, the lead
core troller can saturate the water
column with lures, hook fish and
reel those fish in without having to
constantly clear other trolling lines.
A fish hooked on an outside board
line can literally be reeled in right
over top of deeper fishing rigs with-
out fear of tangling lines.
The Off Shore Tackle OR12
Side-Planer is a popular board
among lead core trollers because
this board comes factory rigged to
allow the board to be released when
a fish strikes, yet remain pinned to
the fishing line.
To set up a lead core rig with
this inline board, simply let the lure,
leader and pre-determined segment
of lead core line out behind the boat.
Next grasp the backing line, squeeze
open the line release on the tow arm
of the board (orange OR19) and
place the backer line between the
rubber pads on this release. Finish
rigging by attaching the backing line
to the red OR16 Snap Weight Clip
mounted to the back of the board,
drop the board in the water and al-
low line to play off the reel as the
board planes to the side of the boat.
The Snap Weight Clip (red
OR16) features a patented plastic
pin inside the release jaws. When
the line is placed behind this pin,
the board can be tripped by jerking
the line free of the tow arm release
when a fish strikes. Just as impor-
tantly, the tripped board remains
pinned in place on the line thanks to
the Snap Weight Clip at the back of
the board. This rather unique rigging
method allows the angler to easily
reel in the both the board and fish
at the same time without having to
fight the board or clear other lines.
To make it easier to trip the
board when a fish is hooked, try
wrapping the line around your
index finger and giving the line a
few quick twists to create a small
loop of line. Place the twists of line
between the rubber pads of the tow
arm release.
Known as the “loop trick” this
simple tip makes it easy to trip the
board for fighting fish or just to
check a line or switch out lures. This
rigging method is designed to work
flawlessly when using monofilament
line as the backing line. Anglers
who prefer to use super braids as
backing lines can duplicate this
set up by substituting a pair of line
releases designed to function with
braids.
On the tow arm of the board rig
a Sam’s Release produced by Silver
Horde Tackle and at the back of the
board rig an Off Shore Tackle OR18
Snapper Release. The Sam’s release
requires wrapping the braid backing
line around a rubber plunger three or
four times and closing the plunger
into a jettison style clip. When a fish
strikes, a sharp snap of the rod tip
pops the plunger open and allows
the braided line to slip smoothly
from the release.
At the back of the board the
Snapper Release features cam oper-
ated jaws and is designed to hold
super braids securely. By simply
selecting the right line clips and re-
leases, inline boards can be rigged to
release when fishing both monofila-
ment and super braid backing lines.
Summing It Up
Lead core line has been around
a very long time and continues to be
one of the best ways to get lots of
different lures to depth. In the hands
of trollers who know how to get the
most from lead core line, this time-
less trolling presentation lives on.
Lead core line never seems to go out
of fashion because it works, plain
and simple.n
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 27
 Red-headed Woodpecker…
Or a woodpecker with red on its head?
s the sun rises in these
closing days of April
the woods remain
alive with early morn-
ing songs and the
rhythmic drumming of
woodpeckers defending territory and
taking part in their spring courtship
rituals. Most of those woodpeck-
ers go unseen by un-seeking human
eyes, except for those that frequent
feeders filled with suet, or perhaps
discover much to the chagrin of the
homeowner that drainpipes, wood
siding and metal trim on homes and
cabins are places where the reso-
nance is best.
April is also the month I hear an
often repeated question, “What kind
of woodpecker has a red head?”
That’s a tough question to an-
swer easily for the words “red head”
means different things to different
people.
But only one North American
species of woodpecker truly has a
red head, and that honor goes to the
red-headed woodpecker (Melaner-
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28 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
pes erythrocephalus). Four
other Michigan woodpecker
species have red caps, but
that does not make them
red-headed woodpeckers.
The bold red, white and
black coloration pattern of
the red-headed woodpecker
is unmistakable. Here’s
By Jonathan Schechter
how it’s
described
by the
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, my go
to source for detailed information on
the birds in our midst, “The gor-
geous Red-headed Woodpecker is
so boldly patterned it’s been called
a “flying checkerboard,” with an
entirely crimson head, a snow-white
body, and half white, half inky
black wings. These birds don’t act
quite like most other woodpeckers:
they’re adept at catching insects in
the air, and they eat lots of acorns
and beech nuts, often hiding away
extra food in tree crevices for
later. This magnificent species has
declined severely in the past half-
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century because of habitat
loss and changes to its food
supply.”
I have never seen a
red-headed woodpecker in
the Upper Peninsula, but
yes, they are there. And I
have only seen them on rare
occasions in my home turf
of Oakland
County
down in
the Lower Peninsula, but earlier this
spring I had a chance up close and
personal encounter with one that set
me out on a foot chase over hills and
between dead ash trees and stately
oaks to try to capture images.
It’s not easy to chase a wood-
pecker. It’s foolish. But it’s some-
thing a nature loving tree-hugger
might do. It took about two hours
of fruitless but fun searching before
sensibility reached me. I thought to
myself, stop searching, start think-
ing, find a place to sit and just wait
quietly and perhaps I’d get better
images than my first few blurry
ones. And so that’s what I did on
the southern slope of a wooded hill
overlooking a marsh.
That woodland looked like
LUNCH
prime woodpecker SERVED
habitat. After just
a few minutes of sitting and listen-
────
ing to the chatter of chickadees that
took note of my presence, I spotted
not just one red-headed woodpecker
butDON’T MISS
three separate OUT
individuals.
Migrants I suspected, a fact later
confirmed by────the Cornell Lab with
these words. “Red-headed Wood-
peckersOn The
usually Spot
leave the northern
and western parts of their range for
Financing
winter, but where they go depends
on acorn and beech nut crops. Dur-
ing migration────
seasons they may
wander widely in loose flocks (pos-
sibly family groups), moving during
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daytime in the fall and nighttime in
the spring.”
The flight of the first one drew
my attention, with flashes of black
and white as one of these “high-
contrast” woodpeckers flew between
oaks and came to rest on a dead
ash tree barely fifty feet in front of
me. Two were adult birds with the
characteristic bright red head and
brilliant white wings that are most
noticeable when in flight. The third
one was puzzling. Its flight pat-
tern and body color said red-headed
woodpecker, but there were dark
brown patches on its head mixed
with splashes of dull red. A bit of
research and chats with my birder
friends revealed that young red-
headed woodpeckers molt into full
color by their second year, but often
have an odd patchwork of gray,
brown, and red plumage on their
heads well into their first winter.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
might as well have been describing
the rural glacially sculpted land-
scape of much of lower Michigan
when they described red-headed
woodpecker habitat this way on
their website, “Red-headed wood-
peckers breed in deciduous wood-
lands with oak or beech, groves of
dead or dying trees, river bottoms,
burned areas, recent clearings, bea-
ver swamps, orchards, parks, farm-
land, grasslands with scattered trees,
forest edges, and roadsides. During
the start of the breeding season they
move from forest interiors to forest
edges or disturbed areas.”
After my encounter, and un-
planned photo safari, I searched
credible links for more information
on the red-headed woodpecker and
discovered they store food under
bark and in cracks of wood, and not
just seeds and nuts; live grasshop-
(Left-to-right) The true (and only) red-headed woodpecker. Next are three species with red caps; red-bellied woodpeckers, rather com-
mon across much of our state and has a “red-smudge’ on the lower abdomen. The downy woodpecker, the smallest Nor th American
woodpecker and the pileated woodpecker, the largest woodpecker in Nor th America. Jonathan Schechter photos
pers are included in the stored food
mix. I bet some of the woodpeckers
must look forward to the warmth of
June and abundance of grasshop-
pers.
One of my images, upon close
inspection, reveals a red-headed
woodpecker removing a grub from a
crevice in tree bark, something I did
not notice when taking that photo-
graph. I suspect that the devastation
of the ash trees across many areas of
Michigan may provide new forag-
ing opportunities for our red-headed
woodpeckers and other species as
well, especially the pileated wood-
pecker. That brings us back to the
original question; “What woodpeck-
ers have red heads?”
None, except for the red-headed
woodpecker is the correct answer,
but four other rather common wood-
pecker species have red caps or red
crests.
The most common one is the
downy woodpecker (Picoides pube-
scens), the smallest North American
woodpecker and a common visitor
to suet feeders. They are only about
six inches long and thrive across all
of Michigan. The males and females
of the diminutive downy look very
much the same but the males have a pecker in North America. I agree also have a bright stripe of red along
bright red patch on the back of the with nature writers that proclaim their cheek. But are they red-headed
head. On the females that patch is it’s the most striking forest bird of woodpeckers? No! We only have
black. the continent. It’s a big woodpecker one red-headed species of wood-
The hairy woodpecker (Picoi- with a wing span of more than two pecker in Michigan, and that’s the
des villosus) looks almost exactly feet. They are becoming increas- red-headed woodpecker.
like its smaller downy woodpecker ingly common in woodlands and Jonathan Schechter is a natural-
cousin, but hairy woodpeckers are wildlands of Michigan. Both the ist/writer/paramedic in Oakland
larger and their bills are longer. The male and female pileated woodpeck- County and an active member of the
male hairy woodpecker, like the ers have easy to spot flaming-red Wilderness Medical Society. Email
downy, sports a red cap on the back crests on their heads and the males oaknature@aol.com.n
of its head.
Red-bellied woodpeckers (Mel-
anerpes carolinus) are rather com-
mon across much of our state, and
like the downy and hairy frequent
feeders with suet. The name red-bel-
lied comes from what is described
rather accurately by avid birders as a
“red-smudge” on the lower abdo-
men. It’s often difficult to see, but
a patient observer knows if they
wait long enough, and are in the
right position, it will be visible. The
males have a noticeable bright red
patch that runs from the bill across
the crown to the back of the head.
The females only have a red at the
base of their bill and at the back of
their head.
The pileated woodpecker (Dryo-
copus pileatus) is the largest wood-

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WNW NEWS MAY 2018 29
 THE ART OF NETTING A FISH
W
e have all
probably been
there. It’s a ten
pound walleye
and it’s com-
ing toward the
boat, the net man ready with the net.
Suddenly the big fish see’s it is get-
ting pulled toward a place it doesn’t
want to be and makes the life or
death last run. The drag was even
set correctly and the fish stayed on
through that epic tug-of-war. As the
fish comes next to the boat
on the surface everything
seems to come apart. The
rod man stops reeling and
the net man makes a stab at
the trophy not unlike brand-
ing a Black Angus cow.
The net hits the fish right
in the nose and the front
By Mark Sak
treble hook gets caught
in the net. In an effort
to make things right
the second time around the net man
tries to dunk the net and net the fish
with the fish attached to the front of
the net. This has proven actually to
be the ultimate unhooking motion
ever developed by mankind. The
30 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
giant fish turns south giving both the
angler and the net man the tail flip
usually splashing water perfectly in
the face of the net man. Gone. The
angler is screaming at the net man
and the net man is now doubting
his or her worth as a human being
and has no idea how they will ever
be able to ride home in the same
vehicle.
Netting a fish is not all on the
net man, after all it takes two to
tango, or tangle as the case may be.
In my days as a tourna-
ment pro, the first thing I
always discussed with my
co-angler for the day after
our safety discussion was
netting skills. We want it
to go the same way, every
time. How can that happen
with different size fish or
different fishing condi-
tions? Here are a few
basic tips on netting.
Both the rod holder and the net
man have equal amounts of re-
sponsibility to allow the fish to be
harvested. Many times especially
in today’s trolling set ups there is
a snap weight or a swivel or some-
thing on the fishing line that pre-
vents the fish to be reeled in all the
way. Many times the rod holder dur-
ing the excitement of having a nice
fish on, either stops reeling or reels
the swivel right up into the eye of
the rod. Not only is it bad for the rod
guide, it doesn’t allow the drag on
the reel to work properly. Talk with
the other anglers in the boat to dis-
cuss how to deal with snap weights
or swivels or bottom bouncers.
Most times, the expectation is
the rod holder is going to move
toward the front of the boat while
there is still at least 20 feet of line
out. That is a hard thing to do for
folks as they want to see the fish not
move in the other direction. But if
there is a 4-foot lead from a bottom
bouncer the net man may not be able
to reach that fish if the rod man is
in the back of the boat, especially if
the bottom bouncer gets reeled up to
the rod tip and the fish starts playing
hide and seek with the big motor.
This next move will increase
the net rate dramatically. There is
a huge difference as far as tension
when a fish is three feet underwater
versus when they are on the surface.
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When that fish is on the surface get
that net down and ready and get that
fish moving forward quickly. Don’t
let the fish turn and have their head
and make yet another run below
the boat. We will try to ski every
walleye three feet into the net with
one motion. It is surprising how ef-
fective this can be once the fish is on
the surface and coming to the net.
Many times all the net man has to
do is lift the net. No jabbing, no tan-
gling, fish in the net. The position of
the net has to be right as well. The
front of the net needs to be a foot
under the water or that front treble
may be a problem again. I’ve seen a
few great net men through the years
and the best always get a real good
solid stance in the back of the boat
and sink the entire net 2-3 feet under
the fish and pull straight up. It is
poetry in motion.
Boat control is also key to
great netting. When a fish is
hooked on the port side of the
boat it helps a great deal to turn
left just slightly. This will allow
the fish to come in to the side
of the boat instead of the
back where motors are running
and there isn’t much room to
swing a net.
Also really big fish can be a
problem if the planer board gets
pulled under or the fish is taking
a bunch of drag out. Slowing the
trolling motor way down first to see
if gains can be made are better than
popping the motor into neutral as
the forward momentum will con-
tinue to keep everything tight. Loose
lines will tangle and the fish may be
able to turn and make the freedom
run. Keep the pressure on even if it
is slight.
I hope you and your buddies will
all remain friends after a botched
net job. Sometimes they become a
better story than the fishing was. I’ll
see you on the water.n
 Michigan Trout Unlimited Fly Fishing School...By John Cleveland
Learn to fly fish with the experts
A
s a young man I was
fortunate to have had
a mentor to introduce
me to the magic of
fly fishing. My best
friend’s father was
a functional trout bum with a day
job as an advertising executive. His
enthusiasm and passion for the sport
was contagious and my friend Robin
and I quickly caught the bug.
Looking back on a life awash
with fish, I think it was the mentor-
ship and the diminutive brook trout
that became my gateway to a life-
long passion for chasing fish in wild
places with a fly rod. Not everyone
is lucky enough to have access to a
fly fishing mentor so Trout Unlimited
(TU) has developed a comprehensive
school to teach you everything you
need to know to become proficient at
fly fishing.
Michigan Trout Unlimited is
holding its 48th annual fly fishing
school based at Ranch Rudolph on
the Boardman River near Traverse
City on June 8-10 this year. Volun-
teer instructors from TU chapters
across Michigan will gather to teach,
mentor and immerse students in the
magic, wonder and technicalities of
fly fishing. The school offers expert
instruction that will give the beginner
the basics of fly casting and fly fish-
ing, while intermediate and advanced
students will be taught techniques to
take their fly fishing to the next level.
The team of instructors are men
and women who are all members of
TU. They are all experienced an-
glers and expert casters, including
professional guides, certified casting
instructors, world record holders who
have volunteered their time and are
dedicated to teaching others about
the great sport of fly fishing. In at-
tending the Michigan TU Fly Fishing
School, you will have a full immer-
sion experience in beautiful northern
Michigan and emerge with the skills
to successfully enjoy a sport that has
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captivated the hearts and minds of
many a soul with its magic.
Last year I was invited to become
an instructor at TU’s Fly Fishing
School. About a month prior to the
school I was required to attend and
pass a pre-instructor testing session
held by Dave Leonhard, owner of the
Streamside Orvis shop in Traverse
City, who is an FFF certified master
casting instructor, before I could
enter the school staff as a probation-
ary instructor.
As a new instructor I found the
school to be an amazing portal to the
magic and wonder of the sport of fly Michigan Trout Unlimited is holding its 48th annual fly
fishing. Beginning with my intro- fishing school based at Ranch Rudolph on the Boardman
duction to my new students Keith River near Traverse City on June 8-10 this year.
and Joy on day one of class, I was
anxious to test the skills I was taught training I took them down the Board- their website including registration
in my instructor training sessions. man River myself, wading through forms, fees and a complete descrip-
I was confident the comprehensive the rivers braids and pools casting tion of courses.
step by step program developed by and reading water as newly minted The school is held rain or shine
the founders and senior instructors fly fisherman. and has classes both indoors and out-
of the school over the past 47 years At Sunday’s graduation ceremony doors. All meals and lodging are in-
would enable my students to become it was satisfying to watch as my cluded in the price plus all necessary
competent at the techniques neces- students Keith and Joy received their supplies and the use of the school’s
sary to fly fish and enjoy the sport. diplomas. I was confident they now rods and reels if needed.
My learning curve was just as had the skills to enter the world of For more information you may
steep as the two students I was as- magic and wonder that is fly fishing. contact Scott Smith, the school’s
signed to teach and mentor through- A complete itinerary of the Coordinator at 517-442-2926 or visit
out the three-day program. Keith school’s curriculum can be found on the school’s website at: tuffs.org.n
and Joy began the school as begin-
ners with lots of enthusiasm as they
progressed from never having held a
fly rod to a level of proficiency that
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would allow them enjoy fly fishing
with confidence. BEEKEEPING SUPPLIES
The school’s comprehensive
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knot tying, classroom instruction and
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from the river. The final sessions of
the school are spent primarily on the March 31st, May 3rd, May 19th
river, including a session wading
New Beekeeper Kit w/ Bees:
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WNW NEWS MAY 2018 31
 Next Bite…By Gary Parsons and Keith Kavajecz
Warm Water Walleye
A
lthough walleyes are
known as a “cold
water” fish, in the
spring it seems that
they can’t get warm
enough! When the
water temperature is less than 60
degrees, begin your search for
walleyes in shallow areas of the
lake. Typically anywhere that has
less than five feet of water is the first
place where vegetation begins to
grow, which draws in baitfish, which
will be followed by the walleyes.
Shallow water does make it hard
to mark fish with electronics, but
they still play a key role in find-
ing fish locations. We like to use
the Structure Scan feature on our
Lowrance HDS in these situations
to pinpoint shallow water transition
areas, such as rock to sand transi-
tions or emergent weeds. It is also
important to pay close attention to
the water temperatures as you drive
around, even a one or two-degree
change could be all it takes to draw
fish in!
Of course, you need to have fish
in an area if you are going to catch
them. While looking for fish can
be tedious, if you zero in on a few
general areas, you will increase your
chances of success! The first place
to look is areas that are wind-blown.
These spots have two things go-
ing for them – warm surface water
that is being pushed into a shallow
area and a lake bottom that is being
stirred up. Once the small microor-
ganisms on bottom begin to stir, the
baitfish will follow and really get
activity going!
Don’t ignore the backs of bays
either, when looking for fish. Re-
ally good spots may have slightly
deeper water, about 8-10 feet deep,
closer to the shallow water flats or
shoreline taper. Finally, if you are
fishing a body of water that has any
kind of incoming warm water, such
as a warm water discharge, creek,
or a river that came out of a marsh,
pay close attention to them, as these
areas can also hold walleyes.
One of our favorite techniques to
catch these shallow fish in the spring
of the year is casting cranks. It is a
great way to cover water in search
of active walleyes. Start by turning
on the “Heading Lock” feature on
the MotorGuide Xi5 bow mount
trolling motor, which will keep you
on course in the direction your mo-
tor is pointed. This will allow you
to work quickly along a shoreline or
weed edge that appears to have po-
tential for holding an active school
of fish.
32 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
One of Keith Kavajecz’s favorite techniques to catch these shallow
fish in the spring of the year is casting cranks. Next Bite photo
Stick with more subtle action
cranks, such as #4 or #5 Flicker
Shad or #5 Flicker Minnow. Cast
them using 8 lb. FireLine Carrier
8 line with a 2-foot 10 lb. Berkley
100% Professional Grade Fluoro-
carbon leader. This no-stretch main
line will allow you to feel the subtle
vibration of these small baits. Even
more importantly, you will be able
to feel when a fish swipes at a bait.
As the fish disrupts the water around
the bait, there will be a short pause
in the vibration of the lure. Often a
good tactic at this point is to pause
the bait and pop the rod tip to make
the crank jump around in place.
Then continue with your normal re-
trieve. This jumping around mimics
a wounded baitfish and often entices
a bite.
If you get several swipes, as you
are casting, or better yet a bite, it is
time to hit Anchor on your trolling
motor. This will hold you in place
while you thoroughly work the area.
After making a few more casts with
the crank, don’t hesitate to put on
a light jig and really work the area
over. A 1/8 ounce Bass Pro Shops
Walleye Angler XPS jig tipped with
a live minnow is an obvious choice,
but don’t be afraid to mix things
up a little. Even though it may be
a little too early in the year to find
crawlers at a bait shop, walleyes
always have an appetite for them.
You can pull out a Berkley Power-
Bait Jig Worm, a 3” Gulp! Fry, or a
4” Gulp! Crawler, as a great alterna-
tive to the real deal. One of the most
deadly tails is the 2.5 inch, or 3 inch
Gulp! Minnow, in the watermelon
pearl color.
Start out with a subtle jigging
action – a simple lift, pause, drop
action often works best. By pausing
on the top of the rod sweep, the jig
will swim just above the bottom,
right in the strike-zone. The use of a
no-stretch line like Berkley NanoFil,
allows you to detect the subtle bite
of a walleye sucking in the jig. As
soon as you feel something, set the
hook!
If the fish are biting the jig and
bait combo, it is a great time to
push the envelope by getting more
aggressive with a jig and action
tail. By action we mean something
like a PowerBait Ripple Shad, a
PowerBait Pro Shad or a PowerBait
Ribworm.
Move up to a ¼ ounce jig for
these tails and begin by popping
the jig off bottom, followed by a
pause to let the jig glide back down
to bottom, then repeat. By popping
the jig, it will make it blast off from
bottom and get the tail moving.
Then on the glide, the action tail,
whether it is a tail with a paddle or
a twist, will give the bait a lifelike
action as it swims along until it hits
bottom again. Just be ready for a
much more aggressive bite, as this
presentation often provokes a strike
instead of enticing a bite.
You might be wondering why
you would use a different no-stretch
line for casting a crank than you
would for jigging. NanoFil is a uni-
filament line that is super slick and
allows you to cast a light 1/8 ounce
jig a long distance. The Carrier 8
FireLine is smoother than normal
FireLine and casts well, but the big
advantage is that it is super tough,
making it less likely to lose an ex-
pensive crank bait!
There are also different rod
actions that should be used as you
switch from casting cranks to pitch-
ing jigs. A fast action 6’ medium-
light fast taper rod, like the Walleye
Angler ML 6’ 0” jigging rod is
our top choice when pitching. For
casting cranks, you will need to go
to a longer rod to assist in gaining
distance on your casts. The Walleye
Angler 7’0” Rigging Rod works
well for this.
Early spring walleye are
typically hungry but you have to
be where they are eating. The best
walleye restaurant in town this
time of year will have the furnace
on and the water warmed up and
hopefully you’ll be serving up a
main course that will get you –
The Next Bite.n
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WNW NEWS MAY 2018 33

Randy’s Hunting Center Open House Saturday, October 7 , 2017

Booner U.P. Bear
M
atthew Veeser
from Powers
bagged his first
black bear while
hunting over bait
on September
17, 2017 in Menominee County
and that bruin proved to be large
enough to qualify for national re-
cords maintained by the Boone &
Crockett Club. Also of interest is
the fact that Veeser killed the bear
the first day it visited his bait.
The skull size of bears after
the skulls are cleaned and allowed
to air dry for 60 days
determines whether or not
they will qualify for the
record book. The length
and width of the skull are
added to determine the
final score. Skulls that
measure a minimum of 21
qualify for all-time list-
ing in Boone & Crockett.
males, normally also have large
bodies and Matthew’s bruin was
no exception. He said it had a
dressed weight of 515 pounds the
day after he shot it. The animal’s
live weight would have been at
least 570 pounds.
“I originally put a bait out
behind the house,” Veeser said.
“When it hadn’t been hit the week
before my season was supposed
to start, I moved the bait to a new
location. I moved the bait into a
swamp at the base of a hardwood
ridge. I had a blind on the ridge
about 20 yards from the
bait.”
When Matthew
checked the bait about
noon on September 17, it
was obvious the bait had
been visited by a bear. He
had a camera monitoring
the bait, so Veeser looked
at the photos captured by

By Richard P. Smith
The skull from
Veeser’s bear
measured 21
4/16, according to measurer Dave
Wellman from Bark River.
Although skull size deter-
mines record status, bears with
big heads, which are usually adult
the camera.
The photos
showed that
a bear had been at the bait from
midnight until 6:30 a.m.
“To tell you the truth, I
couldn’t tell how big the bear was
from the photos,” Matt comment-
Matt Veeser of Powers with his first bear and he got it the first day it hit his bait.
ed, “but he looked big enough to getting my first bear,” Matt com-
be a shooter for me since I hadn’t mented. He was even more ex-
taken a bear before.” cited when he found out how big
Veeser was in his blind by the bear was.
3:30 p.m., hoping the bear would Veeser said he was using
return. As it was starting to get sticky granola for bait. He com-
dark in the swamp, Matt hadn’t mented that the bear’s stomach
seen anything. There was still was packed with corn when he
plenty of light on the ridge, but gutted the animal. There was a
light was fading fast by the bait. cornfield on the opposite side of
“I was packing my stuff up the swamp from where he killed
to leave,” Matt said, “figuring the bear, according to Matt. The
the bear wasn’t going to show up bear must have gorged itself on
before dark. Then he appeared on corn from the field and then went
a skid trail by the bait.” to Matt’s bait for dessert.
The blind provided Matt with “I’ve hunted bears other
enough cover that he was able to years,” Matt said, “But I never
grab his .300 Winchester Mag- got anything. I normally only got
num Rifle without being seen. to sit for a couple of days. I’m a
The scope on the rifle enabled lineman. I would sit for a couple
the hunter to see well enough to of days and then a storm would
put a 180 grain bullet through the come up in Louisiana or some-
bruin’s chest cavity. It only went thing and I would have to leave.”
about 20 yards before tipping Matt took his bear to B&J
over. Taxidermy in Daggett for
“I was pretty excited about mounting.n

SUCCESSFUL HUNTERS
GET YOUR
DEER & TURKEY
OFFICIALLY SCORED!
Go To: www.buckfax.com
Commemorative Bucks of Michigan • P.O. Box 615 • Grand Ledge, Michigan 48837 • Phone (517) 679-6226
Commemorative Bucks of Michigan is a non-profit organization that measures and maintains records on trophy class Whitetail Deer,
Black Bear, Elk and Turkeys, taken by fair chase in the state of Michigan. We use the Boone and Crockett method to score all three
big game species. Visit our web site to learn more and get connected to the latest in Michigan hunting. www.Buckfax.com

34 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS

Big U.P. Buck
P
hil Long from Brown-
stown bagged one of the
biggest bucks known
taken in the U.P. during
2017 seasons in terms of
antler size, and it almost
got away. If it weren’t for a hot doe on
the Ontonagon County portion of the
Ottawa National Forest where Long
was hunting, the 17-point nontypical
that had a gross score of 175 and net-
ted 171 4/8, most likely would have
gotten away.
“We’ve been hunting that same
spot for many years,” Long
explained. “It was originally
my father’s spot. When he
passed away, I started hunt-
ing there.
“The spot where I shot
the buck is a little over 1.5
miles from where we park.
We ride our ATV’s on the
main trail for about a mile
By Richard P. Smith
and then we
walk the rest of
the way. I go
in when it’s dark, so I can get there
before daylight, and come out after
dark. Does are usually active through-
out the day and you can see a buck at
any time.”
Phil said he hunts from a ground
blind over bait. He put out some corn
and Big & J Powder as bait. On open-
ing day of firearms season, Long said
he saw a 4-pointer and a spikehorn
besides does. He got the big buck
about an hour before dark on Novem-
ber 16.
“I was hunting with a Marlin
lever action rifle that I hadn’t taken
any deer with previously,” Phil said.
“It’s a .45/70 mounted with a 2X-7X
Redfield Revolution Scope. Other
lever action Marlins that I’ve hunted
with don’t have safeties. The hammer
is the safety on those rifles. Once the
hammer is cocked, those rifles are
ready to fire.
“The .45/70 has a safety besides
the hammer that has to be taken off
before the rifle will fire. When the
buck came in behind a doe, he caught
me by surprise. I cocked the hammer
and when I pulled the trigger, there
was a ‘click’ and nothing happened.
Not realizing what was going on, I
cocked the hammer a second time and
there was only a click again when I
tried to shoot the buck.
“The doe looked my way and the
buck walked off. I was sure he was
gone. The buck looked like he was
headed toward my father-in-law and
I was getting ready to text him that a
big buck was headed his way. But the
buck didn’t leave after all. He didn’t
want to leave that doe.
“The buck circled me. By the
time he came back in view, I knew
what I had done wrong the first two
times. That time I took the rifle’s
safety off besides cocking the ham-
mer. When I pulled the trigger the
third time, the rifle went off and I got
the buck.
“I knew the buck had a big rack,
but I didn’t take the time to count the
points. After I shot him, I thought to
myself, ‘Please be a 10-pointer!’”
It proved to be a 10-pointer plus 7.
The rack has a typical 12-point frame
and five nontypical points, according
to state record keeper Commemora-
tive Bucks of Michigan (CBM). All of
the nontypical points either split off of
the brow tines or are at the base of the
antlers. Those nontypical points total
13 3/8 inches in length.
There are 9 points on the right
antler and 8 on the left. The
four longest points measure
between 7 3/8 and 8 5/8
inches. The inside spread
between the beams is 18
3/8 inches and both beams
are 24 5/8 inches in length.
The circumference of both
beams at their bases is 4 2/8
inches.
The
whitetail was
estimated to
be 4 ½ or 5 ½ years old and had a
dressed weight of 183 pounds. Phil Long of Brownstown with his trophy 17-pt. take Nov. 16 in Ontonagon Co.
“I had never seen anything like
that there before,” Phil said. during the late 1990s. deer, I had no idea it was one we
The best buck he killed there prior “My father-in-law got a couple of had a photo of. We didn’t realize
to last fall was a nice heavy 8-pointer trail camera photos of the buck during it was the same deer until later
2016,” Phil said. “When I shot the on.”n
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www.magnaport.com WNW NEWS MAY 2018 35
 West side
offers great
early fishing
By John Bergsma
Holland Early Coho
Holland’s early season Coho
salmon fishing is some of the fastest
silver fish fishing anywhere. This
bite is already going strong by mid-
April and continues deep into May.
Coho are much easier to access
during the spring as they tend to be
higher in the water column. They
are also tighter to shore at this time
of the year which makes them easy
for the smaller boats to get to. The
early coho set up can be achieved a
couple different ways. I personally
like to fish a combination of Hi-
Dipsy’s and high lines off big inline
boards.
I set up a smaller sized Dream
Weaver spin doctor and spoons on
the diver rods and the same set up
with your host
n B e r g sm a
Jo h Now on...
Fox Sports Detroit • Sundays 7am
Visit our website and find out about . . .
• Destinations • Fishing Reports •
• Our Show • Cooks Corner •
36 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
but with flies on the big board rods.
The board of choice for me is the
magnum Offshore, this board will
pull true and handles all the stuff
that we like to put on. On the boards
I usually use a few different leads
of lead core or copper to get them
down. A good starting point is to set
out a spread of six boards with two
lines each of 3, 5 and 7 colors of
lead, then your lure setup. I always
run copper out to my Dream Weaver
Dipsy diver and snubber setup.
If you want to add a bunch of
fun to your day, just put down the
Traxstech downriggers close to
bottom and go after lake trout at
the same time. You may not like to
eat them, but I love catching them
and on the smoker, they are deli-
cious. If you are not a salmon guy
The author caught this coho high in the water column close to shore.
like me, this spring bite will change
your mind. I waited way too long to
begin fishing for the spring salmon
that were just 40 minutes from my
home. If a great charter is your plan,
I have the guy. Captain Mark Rap-
son of the Black Pearl is one of the
best in the business and he’s great
with kids also. Call 517-449-5543.
Cadillac, Mitchell
and Missaukee
Lakes Cadillac, Mitchell and
Missaukee offer us some awesome
spring bluegill and crappie fish-
ing. This is and has been a Michi-
gan tradition for many folks for
decades. The Cadillac region has
some amazing fishing options, and
this is always one of my favorites.
A weekend foray to one of Cadil-
lac’s great lakes always begins with
a stop by Steve and Chris Knaisel
and the Pilgrim’s Village bait shop.
They always are on top of the bite
and have all the stuff that you need
to fish in these three lakes.
Locating early season panfish is
as easy as going shallow and look-
ing for either dark colored bottom or
new weed growth. Panfish will hang
around their prospective spawn-
ing areas in a little deeper water in
early May. Come time to spawn, it’s
off to the shallows and the beds. A
simple bobber and worm are all that
is necessary to catching a great mess
of tasty panfish. Crappie on the
other hand follow the same guide-
lines but often prefer a small shiner
or fathead. I enjoy casting a small
spinner or twitching a bobber and
1/32 oz. jig/plastic combo at them.
This is a great method and really
works in the spring. When searching
for crappie it’s about the presence
of new weeds. I will fish my bobber
and plastic combo along good look-
ing areas until I catch a fish or have
bites. If you can’t get them with this
rig, then the minnow is always a
great back-up plan.
Hamlin Lake
Ludington’s Hamlin Lake is
simply one of the best fishing lakes
anywhere in Michigan. This awe-
some fishery is located just north
of the town of Ludington. As with
many of my other stops each year, a
trip to Captain Chuck’s II Bait shop
is my priority. Scott and his staff are
experts at not only Hamlin and Pere
Marquette Lake but the big water
fishery on Lake Michigan.
There is no substitute for great,
local information, and that along
with an amazing selection of great
fishing tackle, will get you started
on the right foot. Hamlin Lake is
not a difficult lake to figure out. It
follows many of the same principles
that any panfish lake has. Find new
weeds, dark colored bays, and you’ll
be well on your way to an enjoyable
and successful pan-fishing weekend.
One tactic that I like to use on
Hamlin is slow drifting above the
weeds. Here are the guts of this
very effective fish catching method.
Hamlin has expansive weed beds
that can present a problem for
anglers to locate the fish. Basically
put, the fish can be anywhere, so
how do you find them?
I first identify the weed tops, in
other words, how much “clean wa-
ter” is consistently above the typical
tops of the weeds. Once I know this, The author caught these crappies slow drifting above the weeds!
I set my bobber and plastic combo
to slow drift just above the tops. I A couple tips, if you are never yes you will donate some jigs to the
then get upwind of the weed bed catching weeds, you may be too northern pike.
and drift across it slowly, if there’s high, and if all you are doing is John Bergsma is the host of
no wind then you can use your bow catching weeds, you need to shorten Michigan’s fishing show “Fisher-
mount trolling motor to slowly drag/ your set. Once you get it right, this man’s Digest.” The show airs each
troll these rigs around a good-look- is a great and unique way to employ Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. on Fox
ing weed bed. The strikes will be the “search and destroy” attitude Sports Detroit statewide. For great
pretty obvious, and a simple sweep to panfishing. You will also catch fishing reports visit the website at
hookset will have fighting crappie. walleye and bass doing this, and www.fishermansdigest.com.n

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WNW NEWS MAY 2018 37
 Traditional Black Powder Hunting...By Dennis Neely
"Patience, patience...perhaps another hour"
S
pring peepers croaked
and squeaked. Misty
specks drifted about a
drenched glade. Black
powder granules dribbled
from the trading-post
hunter’s horn. A thumb and fore-
finger pushed the whittled hickory
stopper back in the spout, then eased
the frizzen down. Primed and ready,
the Northwest gun’s lock slipped
under a fringed, linen cape and
cuddled into the safety of a warm,
dry armpit.
Night’s abyss lingered on that
foggy, late-April morn in the Year
of our Lord, 1794. Buffalo hide
moccasins trod light beside the
wagon trail’s right rut. The chilly air
smelled of rotting deer pellets and
soggy aromatic red cedar. Up the
rise and around the bend, at the di-
vide between the hardwoods and the
cedar trees, the measured approach
paused.
Silver orbs clung to the bottom
of each oak twig, each maple bud,
each wild cherry sprig like the fro-
zen ice left behind after a Novem-
ber rain squall. Dawn’s grayness
descended. The soupy broth turned
When the moment of truth arrives,
the hours of research and prepa-
ration either come together or fall
apar t. This is the harsh reality of
backwoods sur vival, described in
the words of our forefathers two-
plus centuries ago.
38 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
to intermittent sprinkles. The stalk’s
course veered east to a favored old
cedar tree with broad, thick boughs.
Some minutes later, a wool
trade blanket, bound with a leather
portage collar, dropped to the void
where a belt ax once cleaved away
a handful of branches. Taking care
not to dislodge water droplets, the
backcountry woodsman sat on his
bedroll. Seven paces in front of the
lair the top branches of an average-
sized cedar, broken at shoulder
height, tented on the ground.
“Ark, ark…ark, ark,” a wild tur-
key hen clucked to the west. “Ark,
ark, ark,” another answered, sug-
gesting the birds roosted in the tall
oaks on the north edge of Fox Hill.
“Tuga-tuga-tuga-tuga-tuga…” A
hen mallard chuckled soft and sweet
in the midst of the nasty thicket. The
peepers ceased their melodic chorus.
“Tuga-tuga-tuga-tuga-tuga…”
“Gob-obl-obl-obl! Obl-obl-obl-
obl!” The peepers’ silence allowed
the distant, deep-throated declara-
tion of a tom to reach the cedar
palisade. Perhaps an hour hence the
gobbler would cross the narrow strip
of land separating the nasty thicket’s
two lobes as he had two days before. For the traditional woodsman, a passage from an old journal acts
On that occasion, the long-bearded as a road map to a bygone era. A vital key to a successful hunt is
turkey fanned and danced a few pac- a keen understanding of the peculiarities associated with a favorite
es to the north of the broken-over Nor thwest trade gun. Wild River tree photos
cedar while the woodsman watched
from a considerable distance. Beyond the isthmus, on the little which means the granules pull
Raindrops splashed and popped. knoll to the south, a wild turkey moisture from the air. In the case of
Puddles pooled in cupped brown materialized. When it reached the the flintlock ignition system, both
oak leaves scattered on the ground forked oaks, it fanned its tail, strut- the main powder charge and the
by a fall gale. Geese ke-honked on ted and spun, first left, then right. priming powder will draw moisture,
the River Raisin, three ridges to the The long-bearded tom made no even when tucked under an arm or
west. Water dripped from bough effort to drop down the knoll or covered with a “cow’s knee,” which
tips. The Northwest gun’s lock advance across the isthmus. is a greased leather sheath that fits
pressed against the trading-post Three plump hens herky-jerked over the lock area and resembles
hunter’s right bicep, safe and dry. single file along the ridge crest, pay- the bulged hide on a cow’s knobby
“Patience, patience…,” the forest ing no mind to the cedar fort twenty knee. Percussion caps can become
tenant mouthed without making a paces distant. The trio marched damped, too.
sound. north to the crease the deer fol- Like any arm, modern or
A few peepers chirped; oth- lowed, turned southeast and angled traditional, a flint or percussion
ers joined in. A solitary blue jay to the narrow crossing. The tom lock system needs proper attention
swooped low, then perched partway continued his woodland ballet. More if a hunter wants it to perform as
up in a red oak. “Jayee… jayee… rings plopped and popped in the intended. Any ignition system is a
jay…” was this bird’s contented open water. machine, and all machines require
lament. Chipping sparrows, chicka- “Patience, patience…perhaps not only a proper understanding of
dees and two crimson cardinals another hour,” the post hunter their mechanical functions, but also
ventured close, but none spoke. mouthed as he pulled the Northwest a working knowledge of adequate
Radiating circles appeared in the gun from its sanctuary, flipped up maintenance procedures.
murky water that touched the isth- the frizzen and checked the precious Unfortunately, knowing when
mus’ north bank. The peepers din priming powder. to dump a barrel’s charge, refresh
crescendoed. The drizzle intensified. “You can’t hunt in the rain with the pan’s priming powder or change
Four antlerless deer crossed east a flintlock, can you?” a show guest a percussion cap is a skill acquired
to west on the isthmus, then angled asked at the 2017 Woods-N-Water through trial and error with a heavy
away. They walked fast, heads up, News Outdoor Weekend, held at the emphasis on the error side. Range
glancing side-to-side. The larger two Eastern Michigan State Fairgrounds time during a rain shower or under
sniffed and tested the air. By their in Imlay City. The answer to that misty conditions moves potential
manner, they sought the security of question is always an emphatic, failures into a manageable labora-
the River Raisin’s bottomlands; their “Yes you can!” tory environment. Hunting for small
actions foretold of heavy rain. Black powder is “hygroscopic,” game in a light drizzle affords a

learning opportunity in the wilder-
ness classroom with a minimal risk
of upsetting a chance of a lifetime.
But the ever-present debate
about black powder, muzzleloaders
and rainy weather misses an im-
portant question: How do the forest
tenants react to foul weather?
“The deer are bedded…Turkeys
stay on the roost…Squirrels hole
up…” The litany of “tried and true”
adages goes on and on. Hunters,
both modern and traditional, mimic
their woodland counterparts, or so
they think. They lounge around the
nest, munch acorns and watch hunt-
ing shows—yes, hollow trees now
come with big screen televisions, or
so I’m told.
A heavy rain deluged the for-
est before daylight on that April
morning. The air was cool, calm
and thick with fog. Additional
moisture loomed certain. Despite
the inclement weather, a traditional
woodsman immersed himself in a
time-traveling adventure in hopes of
sharing a sense of kinship with his
18th-century hunter heroes.
Meshach Browning, George
Nelson and Josiah Hunt, along with
innumerable other backcountry
wanderers, hunted for food each and
every day. Their written words tell
of the hardships, of the successes
and of the failures of their simple
pursuits. The journal passages
provide a road map back to yester-
year. Without question, those rugged
woodsmen understood the ways of
the wild game that provided their
sustenance.
When the mist intensified, the
trading post hunter chose the old
cedar tree. That tree’s boughs held
back the rain. The enemy was not
wet black powder, but soaked linen
and leather—and the bone-chilling
cold that followed.
The smooth, single wing bone
remained in the deerskin shot pouch.
Based on past experience, the hill-
side lair became an ambush site, a
lair with minor possibilities. Rather,
the tiny fortress was the starting
point for the morning’s hunt, an
observation post, a place to ponder
and react.
Not long after the three hens
joined the gobbler on the little knoll,
the tom folded his fan. The middle
hen fluffed her feathers, relaxed her
wings and shook, sending a cloud of
droplets flying. The turkeys pecked
about, then scrounged over the
hill. With the long-bearded gobbler
out of sight, the woodsman got to
his feet, slung his bedroll over his
shoulder and stalked tree-to-tree
down the slope to the nasty thicket’s
cut bank.
The Northwest gun’s lock rode
dry and secure under the forest ten-
ant’s right arm. The shower ebbed
to a fine mist. Damp buffalo-hide
moccasins whispered along the doe
Muzzle Loading State Events
May 4-6-Spring Shoot: Grand Valley Cap n Ballers™: 616-681-0164 or 269-792-4384
trail that led to the northeast, into May 4-6-30 Shot Woodswalk: Sauk Trail Longrifles: 517-879-3096
the hardwoods, around the thicket May 5-Columbiaville S. C. Pistol Shoot: Columbiaville Sportsman Club
and on to the prairie-grass clearing 810-223-3956 or 810-793-7799
where the wild turkeys spent rainy
May 5-Black Powder Cartridge Shoot: Pine River Long Riflemen: 989-465-9265
days. “Patience, patience…perhaps
another hour,” the trading post May 6-Woods Walk: Clinton River Muzzle Loaders: Detroit Sportsman
hunter mouthed. Congress: 586-731-6088
Give traditional black powder May 18-20-Grand Valley Rendezvous: Grand Valley Cap n BallersTM: 517-435-3752
hunting a try, be safe and may God May 19-Service Rifle Woods Walk: Clinton River Muzzle Loaders: Detroit
bless you. Sportsman Congress: 586-731-6088
Dennis Neely maintains a web
site devoted to traditional hunting at May 19-Sporting Clays (modern shotgun): Grand Valley Cap n Ballers™
www.traditionalblackpowderhunt- 616-307-7728 or 616-836-5760
ing.com.n May 25-28-Traverse City Rendezvous: Benzie Sportsman Club: 231-378-2145
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WNW NEWS MAY 2018 39
 MDNR’s Grasslands are Great Series...

Sharonville State Game Area

L
ooking for a new pheas-
ant or rabbit hunting
spot? How about a
reliable place to find
the state-endangered
Henslow’s sparrow? Or
maybe a good place to photograph
butterflies and insects? Look no fur-
ther than the Sharonville State Game
Area! On the border of Jackson and
Washtenaw counties, Sharonville
State Game Area spans about 4,400
acres. The habitat varies across the
game area, ranging from mature
forest to old field to prairies and
grasslands. Located just south of
Jackson in Grass Lake, Sharonville
is about an hour from several major
population centers like Detroit, Ann
Arbor and Lansing.
Over the past six years, the staff
at Sharonville State Game Area has
enhanced and restored almost 650
acres of grasslands. They’ve also
planted over 275 acres of food plots
to provide food sources for wildlife
in the winter, when food can be
scarce.
“The grasslands at Sharonville
THE FRIENDS OF NRA PROGRAM HAS BEEN OPERATING
NATIONWIDE SINCE 1992. DURING THE PAST 25 YEARS, OVER
$3,561,632 HAS BEEN SPENT IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN! AS
THE PROGRAM GROWS – SO DOES WHAT WE GIVE BACK!
2018 BANQUET DATES
DATE EVENT CITY
have been mowed, burned or both to
set back woody plant succession,”
said acting DNR wildlife biologist
Dennis Tison. “Many fields have
been enhanced with warm-season
grasses and plenty of wildflowers
for pollinators. Our goal is to make
Sharonville one of the finest grass-
land complexes in the state!”
Sharonville staff members
are working with the Jackson and
Washtenaw chapters of Pheasants
Forever and Michigan Pheasants
Forever on a big project – to convert
60 acres of beautiful, rolling to-
pography, which over the years had
become overgrown fallow fields, to
a high-diversity shortgrass prai-
rie. The landscape will transform
from shortgrass prairie into an oak
savannah habitat on the north part
of the parcel. This habitat project
and transformation, currently under
construction, will take a few years
to establish.
In addition to the shortgrass
prairie work, Pheasants Forever
received a DNR Wildlife Habitat
Grant to hire contractors to plant
DATE EVENT CITY
prairie acres at Sharonville
State Game Area. Contrac-
tors planted 48 acres in 2017
and will be planting 32 acres
of prairie in 2018 as part of
this grant. Pheasants For-
ever also is contracting an
additional 75 acres of prairie
planting this year with funds
received from an agreement
between the Enbridge Cor-
poration and the DNR.
Several wildlife species
depend on grasslands. The
grasslands of Sharonville
State Game Area attract
many grassland-nesting
birds, including the state-
endangered Henslow’s
sparrow; field, savannah
and grasshopper sparrows;
dickcissels; ring-necked
pheasants and Eastern mead-
owlarks. Rabbits, deer and
turkeys use the same grass-
lands for feeding, bedding
and thermal cover in the MDNR photo
winter.
Some of the state’s most and Washtenaw counties, and Maple
imperiled wildlife are grassland spe- River State Game Area in Gratiot
cies. This habitat type has declined County as well as other public and
drastically over the last 150 years private lands in southern Michigan.
due to the conversion of grasslands Made up of many partners, the
to agricultural land, residential and Michigan Pheasant Restoration
commercial development, and the Initiative is a conservation initiative
succession of grasslands into forest- to restore and enhance Michigan
lands. pheasant habitat (grasslands), popu-
The Michigan Pheasant Restora- lations and hunting opportunities on
tion Initiative is working to improve private and public lands. It works by
and enhance Michigan’s remaining acquiring state, federal and partner
grasslands. This includes plant- resources to assist landowners in
ing diverse mixes of grasses and cooperatives to improve wildlife
wildflowers for birds, insects and habitat on their properties and by
other wildlife. Extensive grassland improving grassland habitat on
restoration work is in progress at selected state game areas, recreation
Lake Hudson State Recreation Area areas or other public lands.
in Lenawee County, Verona State
To learn more, visit the Michi-
Game Area in Huron County, Sha- gan Pheasant Restoration Initiative
ronville State Game Area in Jackson page.n

H i f i ve Ke n n e l s
4/14/2018 UNIONVILLE 5/12/2018 SAGINAW
4/17/2018 SHELBY TOWNSHIP 5/17/2018 LUDINGTON
4/19/2018 COMMERCE TWP 5/18/2018 HILLSDALE Wild Bird Dog Training
4/20/2018 GRAND RAPIDS 6/1/2018 ALPENA
4/28/2018 LAWRENCE 9/12/2018 BAD AXE
5/4/2018 WESTLAND 9/15/2018 LANSING
5/5/2018 MUSKEGON 9/27/2018 SAULT STE. MARIE
5/11/2018 CHEBOYGAN
• Proven Training Program
Please consider attending an event in your area, or joining a local • All Pointing Breeds
FNRA committee to help support this great fundraising program!
• Pups & Star ted Dogs
Visit www.friendsofnra.org/mi For more information.
To find a committee near you; to help start a committee; or to request a grant application
Bruce & Neal Minard Hifivekennels.com
Hifivekennels@aol.com
and put this money to good work contact your Michigan NRA Field Representative.
231-499-3060 Michigan - Georgia
40 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
 Keeping Asian Carp Out Of Michigan - Winners Awarded $500,000...
Carp Tank Innovation Challenge
G
overnor Rick Snyder
announced the grand
prize winner of the
Great Lakes Invasive
Carp Challenge. The
solution proposed by
Edem Tsikata, a software consul-
tant at Harvard Medical School in
Boston, Massachusetts, received the
top award at the Carp Tank competi-
tion held in late March at the Port
Authority in Detroit.
Tsikata’s “Cavitation Barrier to
Deter Asian Carp” would utilize a
row of specially designed propel-
lers to generate a wall of cavita-
tion bubbles that implode and emit
high-speed jets of water. The painful
sensation of the bubbles along with
the noise of the propellers would
repel fish and prevent their passage
beyond the bubble barrier.
“I applaud the innovative solu-
tions these finalists presented today,
and congratulate Edem Tsikata for
winning the challenge,” Snyder said.
“Blocking Asian carp from enter-
ing the Great Lakes is critical, and
Michigan can’t afford to wait any
longer. I’m confident that the solu-
tions presented today will help take
us one step closer to ensuring our
waters remain free of this dangerous
and harmful invasive species.”
Tsikata was selected from four
finalists who presented their ideas to
a panel of judges and a live audience
of invasive carp researchers, fisher-
ies managers and venture capitalists.
Tsikata plans to use his $200,000
award to invest in other projects and
future challenges.
“It was thrilling to be associated
with a project benefitting Michigan
and the Great Lakes,” Tsikata said.
“It’s gratifying to be able to contrib-
ute ideas that benefit the economy
and ecology of this region even
though I live in Boston.”
1551 W. Houghton Lake Dr.
Prudenville, MI 48651
The Carp Tank competition is
the culmination of the Great Lakes
Invasive Carp Challenge, which
invited innovators from around the
world to develop methods to pre-
vent invasive carp from entering
the Great Lakes. Gov. Snyder an-
nounced the challenge in February
2017 and solutions were accepted
through crowdsourcing leader In-
noCentive’s Challenge Center from
August through October 2017.
Gov. Snyder was joined at the
judge’s table by Dr. Denice Shaw,
Senior Innovation Advisor for the Michael Scurlock, a hydraulic Brigham Young University, took
U.S. Environmental Protection engineer with RiverRestoration in fourth place with his Recognition
Agency’s Office of Research and Carbondale, Colorado, garnered and Removal of Invasive Fish. Lee
Development; Jeff DeBoer, Vice third place and $100,000 for ad- received the fourth-place award of
President and Chief Innovation justable physical velocity barriers $75,000. His solution is designed to
Officer at Sundberg-Ferar, Inc. and designed to concentrate water flow prevent invasive carp from moving
chairman of the Michigan Design in a lock system after vessels are past the installation point by direct-
Council; and Dr. David Lodge, an moored, creating a current that fish ing all fish through an automated
international expert on invasive spe- cannot swim against and essentially imaging and sorting system that
cies and Director of Cornell Univer- flushing the system before the lock uses unique recognition software
sity’s Atkinson Center for a Sustain- gates are closed. to divert invasive carp to a holding
able Future. Dr. D.J. Lee of Smart Vision area for harvest.
Judges assessed each proposal Works International in Orem, Utah, To learn more about Michigan’s
based on its potential effectiveness, also a professor and director of efforts to Block Asian carp, visit
feasibility, environmental and hu- the Robotics Vision Laboratory at www.BlockAsianCarp.org.n
man impacts, and level of innova-
tion.
A second-place award of Premium Wildlife
$125,000 was given to David Ham-
ilton, Senior Policy Director for The Habitat Creation
Nature Conservancy in Lansing, YOUR PROPERTY IS OUR PRIORITY
Michigan
Hamilton’s “AIS Lock Treat- • Food Plots
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• Trail Creation Lower
a carefully measured amount of • Hinge Cutting Michigan
chlorine – which is lethal to a wide • Soil Testing
range of aquatic organisms, includ- • Free Quotes
ing invasive carp – would be in-
jected and mixed into the chamber’s
waters. Following treatment, sodium
bisulfate would be used to detoxify
Mention This Ad For $50 OFF
the water before it is released into John Wittig 586-255-7676 DeerMeadows4U@gmail.com
the river.
*Always wear a personal flotation
device while boating and read
your owner’s manual.
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 41
Canoe Portage
Made Easy
“The way of a canoe is the way of the wilderness
and of a freedom almost forgotten.” Sigurd Olson
T
By Darryl Quidort
he canoe once played
a central role in travel
in Michigan and all
across the North Coun-
try of the North Ameri-
can continent. In early
times it was easier to travel through
the wilderness by water than by
foot. River systems were highways,
connected to each other by portages
over the divide to the next river. In
lake country, portages connected the
dots, from lake to lake, to form a
travel route for people and for com-
merce. In our history, Native Ameri-
cans, explorers, fur trappers, Jesuit
missionaries, French voyageurs, and
nearly everyone who traveled the
North Country traveled by canoe.
Canoes were built for the job
at hand. They ranged from small,
two or three man canoes, used on
small streams and lakes, to the 25
foot long Laker canoe, used on
large waters, and the big 36 foot
long Montreal canoes, which were
used by the Canadian voyageurs on
the open water of the Great Lakes
during the fur trade era. The early
dugout canoe and the famous Native
American canoe made of birch bark
stretched over a white cedar frame,
gave way to the wood and canvas
canoe, then cedar strip, aluminum,
fiberglass, Kevlar, Royalex, and now
even modern plastics. My, how the
materials have changed. Yet, canoe-
ing has remained basically the same.
Canoeing can be a drift back in
time. What could be more enjoyable
than leaving civilization behind as
you paddle down a secluded river
and disappear around the bend into
what seems to be an earlier cen-
tury? A canoe glides quietly over
the water and leaves no sign of its
passing. Many wild animals, even
the wary deer, will often stand and
watch as a canoe passes silently by.
An ordinary trip becomes a special
adventure in a canoe.
Portaging the canoe has always
been a necessary part of canoe travel
and a challenging part of the experi-
ence. The big, 600 pound, Montreal
canoe was portaged by four men,
two in front, two in back, carry-
ing the canoe upside down on their
shoulders. The 25 foot long, 300
pound, Laker canoe was portaged by
two men, one fore and one aft, hold-
ing the canoe in an upright position,
over their heads. Smaller canoes
are usually portaged by one man,
42 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
1
Stand at the center of the canoe and roll the canoe up on its side with the
bottom toward you.
holding the canoe overhead, upside
down, with the weight resting on his
shoulders.
Various methods have been tried
2
to get the canoe up on the shoulders,
some are humorous to watch, but an
experienced paddler knows how to
easily and safely lift the canoe into
position by himself.
Let’s Portage!
Photo 1
Stand at the center of the canoe
and roll the canoe up on its side with Lean over the canoe and grab the center thwart (or shoulder yoke thwart) with your
the bottom toward you. right hand near you and your left hand as far down the thwart as you can reach.
Photo 2
Lean over the canoe and grab
the center thwart (or shoulder yoke
thwart) with your right hand near 3
you and your left hand as far down
the thwart as you can reach.
Photo 3
Lean back and roll the canoe
up onto your thigh. Position your
hands at each end of the thwart, with
both palms facing forward.
Photo 4
Now, with a little bump with
your thigh, push the canoe up with
Lean back and roll the canoe up onto your thigh. Position your hands at each end
your right hand as you pull it over- of the thwart, with both palms facing forward.
head with your left hand.
Photo 5
Once you have the canoe above
you, EASE it down so the center 4
thwart (or yoke) comes across your
shoulders behind your head. Move
your hands to the gunwales to bal-
ance the load… and walk away.
After the Portage
To put the canoe down, rest the
back end of the canoe on the ground
behind you. Move forward of the
canoe’s center by sliding your hands
along the gunwales. Then, roll the Now, with a little bump with your thigh, push the canoe up with your right hand as
canoe to the side. Don’t let go. Lean you pull it overhead with your left hand.
over and gently LAY the canoe
down.
For many outdoorsmen a certain
“call” of the canoe remains strong
even today. A canoe can take you
5
places where a motor boat can’t go.
Canoe travel is quiet, non-intrusive,
self-powered and sort of romantic.
The fine lines and smooth curves of
a good canoe puts a person in the
mood for paddling into the wilder-
ness; where the faint smell of camp-
fire smoke still lingers, the startling
slap of a beaver’s tail on the water
still excites, and the lonesome call Once you have the canoe above you, EASE it down so the center thwart (or yoke)
of a loon at sunset can still be heard. comes across your shoulders behind your head. Move your hands to the gunwales
What better place to be?n to balance the load… and walk away.
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 43
 POACHING COSTS POACHERS
‘BIG BUCKS!’
L
ooking back at 2017, five days in jail, loss of hunting
Michigan’s Conservation privileges for the year convicted and
Officers (COs) handled the next three and possibly losing
several big and unusual the hunting equipment that was
poaching cases. Appar- used and the fine. Plus, most other
ently most poachers do states and Canada will revoke your
not read Woods-N-Water hunting privileges in their
News, if they did, they state or province if you lose
would realize you will get them in your home state. A
caught and you will pay high cost that just doesn’t
for your illegal actions! make a lot of sense to me.
With the high amount of CO Jeff Goss was on
restitution being assets patrol and noticed a vehicle
upon conviction, the loss of he recognized as belong-
equipment and loss of hunt- ing to a convicted poacher
ing privileges, involved in il-
you would
think it would
By Jeff Pendergraff legal deer cases
from 2015 and
be enough 2016. The 2016
by itself to stop most people from case involved two illegal deer. War-
poaching. But, it isn’t! I continue to rants had been issued for his arrest.
see COs arrest hundreds of people CO Goss was able to pinpoint his
for doing the same violation(s) year stand and arrest him in the woods
after year. while he was still hunting. He is
Poaching an 8-point buck costs facing $8,000 in restitution alone,
you $6,000 in restitution, at least not including all of the items already
CO Jeff Goss with a Hillsdale Co. poaching case. A poacher shot
both bucks during archery season with a rifle. He ended up paying
Fishing... Hunting... Or Just Simply $12,500 and is ser ving a six year license revocation and did five
A Getaway Cabin To Enjoy Nature!! days in jail. MDNR photo
mentioned. in Newaygo Co. when he checked
Solid Logs with Perma Chink between CO Lynch and Sgt. Fitzgib- two hunters coming out of the
bon were on patrol on opening day woods with two untagged antlerless
Cedar or Pine
• Fully Insulated
of firearm deer season when they
came across hunters in a vehicle
deer. When asked for licenses one
hunter had a tag for another unit
• Front Porch or Side Porch Styles Available who had been smoking marijuana and the other hunter from Arizona
• Custom Built to Your Ideas!
• Stained & Preserved
and drinking. After their investiga- produced his mother’s license. Both
• Delivered to Surrounding States tion the subjects were charged with deer were seized and both hunters
• Sizes from 8’ to 36’ Long!! un-validated deer tag, loaning a deer charged.
• Single and 2 Story Styles tag, failing to tag a deer, attempting While on patrol in Mecosta
• Delivered & Priced Fully Assembled to take an over-limit of deer, pos- Co. CO Lebel drove by a hunting
session of marijuana, possessing a camp as a subject walked outside
firearm while intoxicated and open and quickly went back to the door.
intoxicants in a motor vehicle. CO Lebel saw another subject
CO Andrea Albert noticed a running out the front door toward
suspicious tag on a 10-point buck the barn. CO Lebel quickly made
hanging at a local buck pole contest. contact with him and found three
Upon further investigation it was de- untagged deer hanging in the barn.
termined the poacher killed the buck A third subject was found hunting
without buying a hunting license in the woods, drinking beer, and not
until after the fact. The potential wearing hunter orange while sitting
restitution is $7,000 for the deer not in a deer blind. Two of the deer had
including fines, costs and hunting been killed three days prior and not
privileges revoked. tagged. The third deer was killed by
CO Ben Shively conducted a a hunter without a license.
meat processor inspection in Oceana CO Mike Wells received infor-
Relax In Style! Co. and located two suspicious deer. mation of a subject taking several
After interviewing two suspects CO antlerless deer. Upon making con-
1205 N. SR 5 Shively was able to obtain a con- tact at the residence several subjects
fession for taking a deer without a were in the process of skinning out
Shipshewana license and taking an over-limit of two of the three antlerless deer. He
260-768-7511 deer. In addition to these two bucks, discovered that all three deer were
Open: the hunter had already killed a pre- untagged. One poacher had a tag for
Monday-Friday • 8-5 vious buck for a total of three. one of the deer, but never tagged it
Saturday • 8-3:30 CO Brian Lebel was on patrol and shot another without a tag. A
opening night of firearm deer season second person shot one and didn’t
44 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
have a tag for that area. He also
found a loaded and uncased firearm
in the front seat of a vehicle.
CO Casey Pullum received
a RAP complaint in Oscoda Co.
claiming an individual had shot a
deer with a rifle during bow season.
He obtained a confession from the
poacher on the deer and contacted
CO Joseph Deppen in Macomb Co.
to make contact with another person
in the city of Warren. CO Deppen
during his investigation located two
additional gunshot deer and impli-
cated two other persons. In total
the two COs discovered that three
bucks, a 10-point, an 8-point and a
6-point were all taken at night with
a rifle during archery season!
CO Richard Cardenas was
patrolling Barry Co. on the open-
ing day of firearm season when he
observed a John Deere gator driving
out of a field with three deer in the
bed of it. Upon further investigation
Ludwig located a 160-inch buck that from family members who were from people not buying a hunting
was hanging on the Mason Co. Buck also charged. After he began brag- license until after they killed a deer.
Pole and discovered that the tag ging on Facebook people started Thinking they will just go hunting
on the buck had a flawed purchase complaining about his activities and until they kill a deer and then go and
and validation timeline. The subject the investigation began. buy a license. Most people don’t
stated he shot the buck on Nov. 6 in When I first started as a CO in know it’s the same penalty as if you
had shot the deer in the middle of
the night. As I mentioned early in
A search warrant found an illegal 11-point, 5-point this story an illegal 8-point buck is
going to cost you at least $6,000, is
buck, 7-point buck, and five sets of 8-point antlers it really worth it?
There are many more cases that
with tags on them belonging to other people. The the officers made in 2017, these are
just a few. But just think about how
poacher was given 60 days in jail, over $30,000 in many more there are that didn’t get
caught.
fines/restitution and can’t hunt for seven years. Many cases are made because
the public is becoming better edu-
cated on hunting laws and practices
the evening. He later confessed to 1980 the restitution on a deer was with the hope that hunting will still
buying the license after killing the $100 and the fine was $100. You be preserved for their children and
buck, which makes the buck illegal. could still lose the right to hunt and grandchildren. And with a 24-hour
The antlers were seized. also there was a mandatory five anonymous tip line, more and more
COs McCullough and Jeff Goss days in jail. In the mid-1980s the cases are being reported. If you see
responded to a complaint of a con- restitution changed to $1000 and the something, say something! Contact

he discovered that the three antler-
less deer were untagged. One hunter
stated that they only had one tag and
were on their way to buy more tags.
MAN’S NEW
victed felon hunting with a firearm. fine was raised to $1000. Now, the the DNR Report All Poaching line
The suspect had already killed a bigger the buck the more restitution if you have information regarding
buck on opening day. While the COs you are going to pay. These last two hunting or fishing violations. (1-
were approaching the felon in his cases are examples of how the more 800-292-7800) You can also text the

BEST
MAN’S FRIEND
NEW
One hunter didn’t have a hunting tree stand, in his attempt to flee, he you poach and the bigger the buck information.

MAN’S NEW
license and was borrowing a license fell from his stand breaking his leg. you poach the more you are going Author is Jeff Pendergraff, re-
from a family member and there Charges are pending. to pay! tired Captain from the Law Enforce-
was a loaded uncased firearm in the A/Sgt. Todd Thorn and CO Matt A lot of these cases each year are ment Division of the DNR.n

BEST FRIEND
INTRODUCING THE ALL- NEW
BEST FRIEN
vehicle. Neterer were patrolling an area in
CO Kyle Publish and CO Brian Ingham Co. when they received a
Brosky while headed to an area that
they had been working a complaint MAN’S
MAN’S NEW
MAHINDRA RETRIEVER.
NEW
complaint from 911 of a man shoot-
ing a deer from his truck. With a
INTRODUCING THE ALL-
INTRODUCING THE ALL- NEW BEST FRIEND
of a large bait pile, were informed provided license plate from the truck

MAN’S NEW FRIEND

by the complainant that the sub-
jects were out hunting and had fired
two shots. The COs made contact
with two hunters dragging out two
untagged antlerless deer. They
determined that the hunters had shot
the deer without licenses, were not
wearing orange, trespassing, hunting
with too much bait and one was a
felon in possession of a firearm.
CO Ben Lasher and Sgt. Todd
Szyska were working a trespass
complaint from Consumers Energy
in St. Clair Co. when they contacted
two hunters hauling out bucks from
the property after dark. The un-
tagged bucks were gutted and on a
ATV. Besides not wearing helmets,
BEST
the officers responded to the sus-
MAHINDRA RETRIEVER
pect’s house and the suspect arrived
at the same time with a very large MAHINDRA RETRIEVER.
INTRODUCING THE ALL- NEW
whitetail buck. The officers found INTRODUCING THE ALL- NEW
BEST FRIEND
an uncased muzzleloader in the MAHINDRA RETRIEVER.
MAHINDRA RETRIEVER.
backseat of the truck. The poacher
confessed to shooting the buck.
CO Richard Cardenas received
INTRODUCING THE ALL- NEW
information of a subject illegally MAHINDRA RETRIEVER.
killing deer in Barry Co. After fur-
ther investigation CO Cardenas and
CO Justin Ulberg obtained a search
warrant for the subject’s home and
seized an 11-point buck, a 5-point
buck, a 7-point buck, and five sets
of 8-point antlers. The antlers had
tags on them belonging to other
Shown: Retriever 1000
people. Once these people were Shown: Retriever 1000
Show

the driver had a suspended driver’s contacted they claimed they were
license. Both subjects admitted to unaware of theTHEsuspect using their
MAHINDRA THE MAHINDRA RETRIEVER LEADS THE
RETRIEVER LEADS
Shown: Retriever 1000
Shown: Retriever 1000
TH
shooting the bucks in the morn- tags. The suspect’s
WAY hunting license
IN PERFORMANCEWAY IN PERFORMANCE
ing and waited until after dark to had been revoked from a 2014 case THE MAHINDRA
WAY IN
THE RETRIEVER
PERFORMANCE
MAHINDRA LEADS
Shown: Retriever 1000
RETRIEVER THE WAYLEADSINShown:
PERFORMANCE
THE
Retriever 1000
3
WAY IN PERFORMANCE 2500
bring them out. Besides the fines for where he poached a deer with a rifle 83 HP
2500 3
LBS YEAR

THE MAHINDRA RETRIEVER LEADS THE

83 HP
2500
LBS

trespassing and ORV violations, the in the shotgun zone. The suspect WAY IN60
THE PERFORMANCE
MAHINDRA
MPH 83 HP
RETRIEVER
LEADING
LEADS
LBS
2500 THE
LEADING
YEAR
LEADING 3
restitution on the bucks alone will was given 60 days in jail, and over 83 HP
TOP SPEED HORSEPOWER TOWINGLBS WARRANTY
YEAR
60 MPH LEADING LEADING
TOP SPEED WAY IN83PERFORMANCE
60 HORSEPOWER 2500 3 TOWING
be $6,000 for the 8-point and $2,000 $30,000 in fines and restitution and MPH
TOP SPEED
HP
60 MPHLEADING
LBS

HORSEPOWER
TOP SPEED
YEAR
LEADING
HORSEPOWER TOWING
LEADING
LEADING
TOWING
LEADING
LEADING
WARRANTY
WARRANTY
for the 6-point. SMITH TRACTOR
When I worked this area many
can’t hunt for seven years.
AnotherSMITH
poacher was sentenced
60 MPH
TOP SPEED
LEADING
0000 HORSEPOWER
Street Name
LEADING
TOWING .
Town
LEADING
WARRANTY
Name 2500 3
TRACTOR 000.000.0000 dealersite.com .83 HP EllensLBSEquipment YEAR

years ago, we were catching people to 45 days in0000

jail or community ser-
Street Name SMITH TRACTOR .Town5297 Name
W Stoney Corners Rd
doing the same exact thing. Being vice, loss of000.000.0000
hunting for three years SMITH
SMITH
60 MPHTRACTOR
TRACTOR 0000
..
Street
LEADINGName Town
dealersite.com
. Name
LEADING LEADING
Name .Town
0000TOPStreet Name Town Name . McBain MI 49657
dropped off in the dark and be- and ordered to pay almost $15,000 0000SPEED
000.000.0000 Street
000.000.0000
HORSEPOWER
.dealersite.com Name
dealersite.com TOWING
231-825-2416
WARRANTY

ing picked up in the dark so they
wouldn’t be caught trespassing on
this great piece of property that
holds lots of big bucks!
COs Matthew Neterer and Troy
for deer he poached and other viola-
tions in the Mio area between 2013
and 2016. Most of the money was
for restitution for the deer. The sus-
pect had been borrowing deer tags
000.000.0000 .dealersite.com www.ellensequipment.com
SMITH TRACTOR
0000 Street Name .Town Name
000.000.0000 .dealersite.com
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 45
HUNTING TURKEYS
I
t is amazing where you find morel
mushrooms, in yards, along ditch
banks, in flower gardens
and more. I have to admit
that the last few years I find
more mushrooms when I’m
chasing gobblers in May. It
seems just when I get on a
big bird and I’m preoccupied with gob-
bler hunting that’s when morel mushrooms
suddenly pop up in my face. Ooops! I
quickly shift gears, rest the gun or cross-
bow against a tree and I go on
the hunt for fresh morels.
It happened again last year
By Kenny Darwin
after an overnight warm spring rain. I rushed to my
trophy turkey spot and set up decoys in the predawn
darkness. Wild turkeys go nuts after rain and rush
and suddenly I could see into the forest. But much
to my surprise I noticed a large white morel sticking
straight up on a nearby deer runway. I set
down the crossbow, removed my facemask
and began gathering morels. Some were
tall, thick and perfect for the frypan cov-
ered with real butter. On a hillside I found
a dozen or more but the valley leading to
the open field was cluttered with morels.
I was picking like crazy, filling an
onion bag I carry in my pack and my eyes
were glued to the forest floor when all of
a sudden I heard a loud alarm
putt from a turkey nearby.
I looked up in time to see
a large gobbler next to my decoy turn away and
sprint out of sight. It seems he responded to my
wake up call, approached my decoy and noticed
Then again I look forward to yearly phone calls
from my buddy Erik Furseth who owns property
smack in the middle of morel heaven. “The morels
are up. Come over and let’s go pick a bag full,” he
offered last spring. I grabbed onion bag, camera
with macro lens and my favorite walking stick and
drove to Erik’s house less than five miles away.
It was a beautiful, sunny spring day with robins
singing in the background as we headed to the
morel patch. “There they are,” he exclaimed as
he pointed to a decaying ash tree surrounded by
umbrella-shaped morels. I laid on my belly and
snapped close up macro photographs and when I
got up there was a crushed morel attached to the
buttons on my shirt. We circled the tree picking
fresh morels, giggling with joy at the sight of so
many in a small area.
Erik is a mushroom hunting
In recent years I’ve learned how to make a
delicious meal with morels and wild turkey. After I
harvest a bird I remove the breast. Along the breast
bone there is a small strip of tender meat that is
absolutely delicious. I pretty much follow the same
recipe used with trout or venison, start the morels
first in butter then add the turkey breast tenderloin.
There is something about morel mushrooms that
adds flavor to any meat and gobbler tenderloin
becomes exceptionally tasty when combined with
mushrooms.
These days more and more turkey outings get
switched to morel hunting treks and my decoys stay
in the truck, gun or bow is over my shoulder as I
traverse the countryside in search of mushrooms.
Heck you can only harvest one gobbler in Michigan
but I can pick mushrooms all day, every day.
One productive strategy is to

to fields and open areas in search of earthworms
brought to the surface by the fresh rain. I made
a couple wake up calls and got a loud gobble in
response from a big bird on roost. I readied my
crossbow for action as the eastern sky turned pink
a camouflaged man making tight circles with his
eyes scouring the forest floor. I was embarrassed
to think a dandy wild turkey got the drop on me
because I suddenly shifted gears from turk hunter to
’shroomer.
AND
pro and he begins searching in
earnest come late April. “Warm
weather and rain can cause mo-
rels to pop up overnight in spring
and I like to take mushroom
walks in the woods on a daily
basis from the last week in April
through May” Furseth explains.
“The key to success hinges on two important vari-
ables: dead or decaying trees and ground tempera-
tures ranging around 61-70 degrees during the day
and 50s after the sun goes down. Ideal hunting con-
ditions are highlighted by warm nights with tem-
peratures above 50 degrees, warm humid weather
with light warm rain and rising air temperatures
into the 70s. Some years they begin growing and
attain full height almost overnight but more often
they start growing and cool night temperatures and
cold fronts cause the ground temperature to fall and
the morels stay almost dormant until ideal condi-
tions reenergize their growth,” says Furseth. “Last
year I picked about 400 morels, shared the abundant
resource with family and friends and the peak sea-
son was the second week in May.”
Gee, the timing of morel growth just happens to
coincide with prime wild turkey activity. Gobblers
too will slow breeding activity in response to cool
air temperatures, cold rain, overcast weather and
high winds. But when the weather becomes warmer,
winds subside and a fresh shower brings oxygen
and nutrients to the soil that’s exactly when both
turkey and morels go bonkers.
I grew up picking morels in Benzie County
along the banks of the Betsie and Platte Rivers
while trout fishing. Morels are wonderful fried in
real butter with stream browns or brookies. At a
young age I developed a taste for crispy morels and
fresh fried crunchy trout tails. Because of their rich
set up before daylight for tur-
keys. Once the hunt has ended
begin looking for morels. One
of the deadliest turkey hunting
tricks is to meander hills and
valleys searching for mushrooms
while making occasional turkey
calls. Sometimes a mushroom
hunt is interrupted when a boss gobbler comes call-
ing.
The great thing about combining turkey hunting
and morel hunting is you are properly dressed for
both occasions. You need long pants, long sleeve
shirt, tons of insect repellent and occasionally a face
mask when you walk through bushes with thorns or
briars and poison ivy. My turkey outfit is complete-
ly sprayed with insect repellent to ward off mites,
fleas, ticks and a host of other biting insects. My
face mask and hat get an extra coat of insect spray
because mosquitos tend to attack the exposed skin
around neck, eyes and face. Don’t forget to wear
gloves covered with repellent. I wear Bog 16-inch
rubber boots turkey hunting because they keep me
dry and warm when walking through early morn-
ing dew, crossing ditches or creeks and sloshing
through low mucky swamps. The same boots are
ideal for mushroom hunting.
In the back pocket of my turkey camouflage
pants I always carry an onion bag used when col-
lecting morels. The bag is lightweight and easy to
transport but more importantly when I place morels
in it I can broadcast spores as I move through the
woods. The mesh onion bag helps to cast spores and
propagate mushrooms. Paper sacks and plastic bags
tend to hold bugs and don’t allow spores to freely
disperse across the landscape.
Savvy ’shroomers have learned the value of a
walking stick. Not only do they support weight and
help you go up hills, through swamps and rough
ground but they are a valuable tool to find more
mushrooms. A walking stick is also used as a probe
to move leaves, branches, grass and other obstacles
to expose hiding morels.
Perhaps the biggest problem with morel hunt-
ing is locating mushrooms. Lord knows I have a
sweet spot on Michigan’s west shore where morels
grow in abundance in an apple orchard pruned the
previous year. Don’t overlook the ability of morels
to emerge by the zillions where upper Michigan
woodlands have been disturbed by fires, burn sites,
logging locations and more. However, it is my opin-
ion most ’shroomers fall flat on their face because
they spend too much time scouring the forest floor
when they need to be looking up, checking trees
in an effort to find dead and decaying trees. My
number one hottest strategy for finding bushels of
morels hinges on finding dead and decaying elm
trees. Not just any elm but the trees that are starting
to drop bark that enriches the soil and catapults the
area into a morel farm. Elms that have been dead
too long have little bark and the trunk is nothing
but bleached white dried wood. The trick to instan-
taneous morel success is to locate freshly decaying
elms.
One strategy is to scout for elms while driving
two track trails up north or country roads through-
out Michigan. Again, you can be looking for
morels the same time you are scouting turkeys.
At times ideal elm trees will be growing in county
ditches, along roadways or fence lines and with
a little road hunting you can discover a morel
jackpot.
I have fond memories of a turkey hunt in Isa-
bella County when a boss gobbler responded to my
calls and decoy and charged the set up shortly after
sunrise. Boom! I quickly filled my tag and on the
way out of the farmer’s pasture I noted a bunch of
decaying elms next to an old ditch. I drove my truck
right up to the trees and before I opened the door I
spotted several morels growing from the rich soil
enhanced with bark from decaying elms. At light-
ning speed I picked a back pack full of big whites.
That night I enjoyed fresh morels, sautéed onions
and wild turkey tenderloin.n

MORELS!
flavor morels compliment the full body richness
of stream trout. My second favorite morel dish is
mushrooms with fried venison back straps. I cover
both with whole grain flour, use a cast iron fry
pan, melt the butter and add the morels and veni-
son when the pan is spitting hot. Don’t overcook
the steaks, take them off the heat when they are
crispy coated on the outside and slightly pink in the
middle. Just add sliced sweet onions sautéed in but-
ter and you have a camp fire meal fit for a king.

46 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS WNW NEWS MAY 2018 47

HUNTING TURKEYS
I
t is amazing where you find morel
mushrooms, in yards, along ditch
banks, in flower gardens
and more. I have to admit
that the last few years I find
more mushrooms when I’m
chasing gobblers in May. It
seems just when I get on a
big bird and I’m preoccupied with gob-
bler hunting that’s when morel mushrooms
suddenly pop up in my face. Ooops! I
quickly shift gears, rest the gun or cross-
bow against a tree and I go on
the hunt for fresh morels.
It happened again last year
By Kenny Darwin
after an overnight warm spring rain. I rushed to my
trophy turkey spot and set up decoys in the predawn
darkness. Wild turkeys go nuts after rain and rush
and suddenly I could see into the forest. But much
to my surprise I noticed a large white morel sticking
straight up on a nearby deer runway. I set
down the crossbow, removed my facemask
and began gathering morels. Some were
tall, thick and perfect for the frypan cov-
ered with real butter. On a hillside I found
a dozen or more but the valley leading to
the open field was cluttered with morels.
I was picking like crazy, filling an
onion bag I carry in my pack and my eyes
were glued to the forest floor when all of
a sudden I heard a loud alarm
putt from a turkey nearby.
I looked up in time to see
a large gobbler next to my decoy turn away and
sprint out of sight. It seems he responded to my
wake up call, approached my decoy and noticed
Then again I look forward to yearly phone calls
from my buddy Erik Furseth who owns property
smack in the middle of morel heaven. “The morels
are up. Come over and let’s go pick a bag full,” he
offered last spring. I grabbed onion bag, camera
with macro lens and my favorite walking stick and
drove to Erik’s house less than five miles away.
It was a beautiful, sunny spring day with robins
singing in the background as we headed to the
morel patch. “There they are,” he exclaimed as
he pointed to a decaying ash tree surrounded by
umbrella-shaped morels. I laid on my belly and
snapped close up macro photographs and when I
got up there was a crushed morel attached to the
buttons on my shirt. We circled the tree picking
fresh morels, giggling with joy at the sight of so
many in a small area.
Erik is a mushroom hunting
In recent years I’ve learned how to make a
delicious meal with morels and wild turkey. After I
harvest a bird I remove the breast. Along the breast
bone there is a small strip of tender meat that is
absolutely delicious. I pretty much follow the same
recipe used with trout or venison, start the morels
first in butter then add the turkey breast tenderloin.
There is something about morel mushrooms that
adds flavor to any meat and gobbler tenderloin
becomes exceptionally tasty when combined with
mushrooms.
These days more and more turkey outings get
switched to morel hunting treks and my decoys stay
in the truck, gun or bow is over my shoulder as I
traverse the countryside in search of mushrooms.
Heck you can only harvest one gobbler in Michigan
but I can pick mushrooms all day, every day.
One productive strategy is to

to fields and open areas in search of earthworms
brought to the surface by the fresh rain. I made
a couple wake up calls and got a loud gobble in
response from a big bird on roost. I readied my
crossbow for action as the eastern sky turned pink
a camouflaged man making tight circles with his
eyes scouring the forest floor. I was embarrassed
to think a dandy wild turkey got the drop on me
because I suddenly shifted gears from turk hunter to
’shroomer.
AND
pro and he begins searching in
earnest come late April. “Warm
weather and rain can cause mo-
rels to pop up overnight in spring
and I like to take mushroom
walks in the woods on a daily
basis from the last week in April
through May” Furseth explains.
“The key to success hinges on two important vari-
ables: dead or decaying trees and ground tempera-
tures ranging around 61-70 degrees during the day
and 50s after the sun goes down. Ideal hunting con-
ditions are highlighted by warm nights with tem-
peratures above 50 degrees, warm humid weather
with light warm rain and rising air temperatures
into the 70s. Some years they begin growing and
attain full height almost overnight but more often
they start growing and cool night temperatures and
cold fronts cause the ground temperature to fall and
the morels stay almost dormant until ideal condi-
tions reenergize their growth,” says Furseth. “Last
year I picked about 400 morels, shared the abundant
resource with family and friends and the peak sea-
son was the second week in May.”
Gee, the timing of morel growth just happens to
coincide with prime wild turkey activity. Gobblers
too will slow breeding activity in response to cool
air temperatures, cold rain, overcast weather and
high winds. But when the weather becomes warmer,
winds subside and a fresh shower brings oxygen
and nutrients to the soil that’s exactly when both
turkey and morels go bonkers.
I grew up picking morels in Benzie County
along the banks of the Betsie and Platte Rivers
while trout fishing. Morels are wonderful fried in
real butter with stream browns or brookies. At a
young age I developed a taste for crispy morels and
fresh fried crunchy trout tails. Because of their rich
set up before daylight for tur-
keys. Once the hunt has ended
begin looking for morels. One
of the deadliest turkey hunting
tricks is to meander hills and
valleys searching for mushrooms
while making occasional turkey
calls. Sometimes a mushroom
hunt is interrupted when a boss gobbler comes call-
ing.
The great thing about combining turkey hunting
and morel hunting is you are properly dressed for
both occasions. You need long pants, long sleeve
shirt, tons of insect repellent and occasionally a face
mask when you walk through bushes with thorns or
briars and poison ivy. My turkey outfit is complete-
ly sprayed with insect repellent to ward off mites,
fleas, ticks and a host of other biting insects. My
face mask and hat get an extra coat of insect spray
because mosquitos tend to attack the exposed skin
around neck, eyes and face. Don’t forget to wear
gloves covered with repellent. I wear Bog 16-inch
rubber boots turkey hunting because they keep me
dry and warm when walking through early morn-
ing dew, crossing ditches or creeks and sloshing
through low mucky swamps. The same boots are
ideal for mushroom hunting.
In the back pocket of my turkey camouflage
pants I always carry an onion bag used when col-
lecting morels. The bag is lightweight and easy to
transport but more importantly when I place morels
in it I can broadcast spores as I move through the
woods. The mesh onion bag helps to cast spores and
propagate mushrooms. Paper sacks and plastic bags
tend to hold bugs and don’t allow spores to freely
disperse across the landscape.
Savvy ’shroomers have learned the value of a
walking stick. Not only do they support weight and
help you go up hills, through swamps and rough
ground but they are a valuable tool to find more
mushrooms. A walking stick is also used as a probe
to move leaves, branches, grass and other obstacles
to expose hiding morels.
Perhaps the biggest problem with morel hunt-
ing is locating mushrooms. Lord knows I have a
sweet spot on Michigan’s west shore where morels
grow in abundance in an apple orchard pruned the
previous year. Don’t overlook the ability of morels
to emerge by the zillions where upper Michigan
woodlands have been disturbed by fires, burn sites,
logging locations and more. However, it is my opin-
ion most ’shroomers fall flat on their face because
they spend too much time scouring the forest floor
when they need to be looking up, checking trees
in an effort to find dead and decaying trees. My
number one hottest strategy for finding bushels of
morels hinges on finding dead and decaying elm
trees. Not just any elm but the trees that are starting
to drop bark that enriches the soil and catapults the
area into a morel farm. Elms that have been dead
too long have little bark and the trunk is nothing
but bleached white dried wood. The trick to instan-
taneous morel success is to locate freshly decaying
elms.
One strategy is to scout for elms while driving
two track trails up north or country roads through-
out Michigan. Again, you can be looking for
morels the same time you are scouting turkeys.
At times ideal elm trees will be growing in county
ditches, along roadways or fence lines and with
a little road hunting you can discover a morel
jackpot.
I have fond memories of a turkey hunt in Isa-
bella County when a boss gobbler responded to my
calls and decoy and charged the set up shortly after
sunrise. Boom! I quickly filled my tag and on the
way out of the farmer’s pasture I noted a bunch of
decaying elms next to an old ditch. I drove my truck
right up to the trees and before I opened the door I
spotted several morels growing from the rich soil
enhanced with bark from decaying elms. At light-
ning speed I picked a back pack full of big whites.
That night I enjoyed fresh morels, sautéed onions
and wild turkey tenderloin.n

MORELS!
flavor morels compliment the full body richness
of stream trout. My second favorite morel dish is
mushrooms with fried venison back straps. I cover
both with whole grain flour, use a cast iron fry
pan, melt the butter and add the morels and veni-
son when the pan is spitting hot. Don’t overcook
the steaks, take them off the heat when they are
crispy coated on the outside and slightly pink in the
middle. Just add sliced sweet onions sautéed in but-
ter and you have a camp fire meal fit for a king.

46 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS WNW NEWS MAY 2018 47

 How to make a fly rod work for you
By William T. Mangan (FFI) Certified Fly Casting Instructor

Part III:
Number 3 - Essential

A
Acceleration
cceleration or power
is one of the hard-
est essentials to
teach. From the
start of the casting
stoke, whether on
the forward or back cast, you must
pull, not push, the fly line with the
fly rod applying acceleration/power
smoothly.
You want constant acceleration,
slow to faster, during the casting
stroke. At the end of the casting
stroke you must stop the fly rod,
with a crisp stop. You need just the Figure 1: Notice the narrow loop of water coming off the end of the paint brush. This is the
right amount of acceleration/power same “Acceleration” and “Crisp Stop” needed when fly casting to make a narrow (SLP) loop.
to allow the fly line to remain
aerialized and turn over, no more bowl of water. Holding the paint in water. There are various grips: degrees) from 1:30 to 10 to a crisp
no less. brush by the handle like a fly rod, keyhole, forefinger on top, v-grip stop. To make that crisp stop, bring
A good drill to learn accel- using whatever grip is comfort- etc. I generally use the keyhole grip your wrist back to the straight posi-
eration is with a paint brush and a able for you, dip the paint bristles thumb on top of handle as if put- tion, or slightly past, spontaneously
ting a key in a lock. Pick a target with the stop. Left hand casters the
out in front of you, more fun if you clock face would be just the op-

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stand 10 feet in front of you
Using the analogy of a clock
face, noon being straight above
your head, bring your rod hand to
about ear level. The paint brush
should be pointed straight up,
(vertical plane) wrist straight. For
a right handed caster, looking at
their rod hand, 1:30 will be behind
them. Now cant/bend your wrist
back so the paint brush is pointing
to approximately 1:30 on a clock.
Keeping your wrist and paint brush
in that canted position, make a
Hunts Available! forward cast with the paint brush,
keeping the paint brush traveling
in a straight line path (tracking 180
posite (10 to 1:30).
When I teach I have the stu-
dents use me as the target, adults
and kids alike seem to get a big
kick out of it and I find that this
drill usually gets the concept of ac-
celeration across. See figure 1.
I have used crisp stop numer-
ous times and you will see it again,
because it is that important with
casting. The harder or crisper you
stop the fly rod at the end of the
casting stroke, the narrower or
tighter the loop formation will be.
Try this simple exercise. Keeping
the fly rod approximately at a 45
degree casting plane to the ground.
Casting plane is the path followed
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48 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
by the rod, measured from verti-
cal to horizontal during a casting
stroke. Now, reach back with the
fly rod, with about 10 feet of fly
line outside/beyond the rod tip, line
taut (no slack). Have your non-rod
hand outstretched perpendicular,
at a right angle, to your body. Now
pull your rod hand with fly rod
in a straight path into the palm of
your non-rod hand, stopping the
rod hand, which will cause a crisp
stop…like hitting a brick wall. See
figure 2.
I most often use the thumb on
top (keyhole grip), loosely hold-
ing onto the rod. When I make the
crisp stop I pull back with my bot-
tom two fingers and push forward
with my thumb on the rod handle,
with a slight tightening of my
wrist, two fingers and thumb.
Now move your target back to
20 feet. You will have to use more
acceleration to send the water off
the paint brush to hit your/target, Figure 2: The same amount of line and acceleration was used when demonstrating, for both
simulating a longer fly cast. Don’t the Faded and Crisp Stop. With both casts the rod hand and non-rod hand met at the same
forget the crisp stop. spot. With the Crisp Stop, the Author did not allow the non-rod hand to move. With the Faded
After the cast, analyze the water Stop he did, allowing the rod hand to push the non-rod hand backwards upon meeting, causing
spray. If you used the right amount the rod to slow to a stop. Notice how much tighter the Crisp Stop loop is.
of acceleration and a crisp stop,
the water will shoot off the paint
brush, to your target, in a straight forward at 10:00, make the back
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direction, with possibly just a few cast, with straight 180 degree track-
ing, back to the 1:30 position, to a
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drops landing on your hand. If

water drops onto your shoulder you
did not accelerate smoothly, most
likely you started the cast to fast.
If the water comes off the brush
but does not go far, you need more
power/acceleration. If the water
goes off at the end of the stop but
fans out in a downward path, you
need a crisper stop.
You can also use the paint
brush drill for the back cast, which
is usually a little more awkward
for beginners. It’s the same process
only in reverse but this time you
start with your wrist slightly canted
FOR BASS
crisp stop.
Acceleration of a fly rod is the
same motion or feeling you get
from the paint brush drill. Remem-
ber smooth constant acceleration to
a crisp stop, hitting a brick wall.
See you with the next essential! Classic Rooster Tail w/HD
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WNW NEWS MAY 2018 49

A Dream Come True...Guest Column By Mike Mallory

My 2017 U.P. Buck

“Finally,” I thought, hunting story.
as the blood trail led As the years grew on, high
school and college pretty much kept
me to the chocolate me out of the U.P. My trips became
racked buck. A few and far between and my hunts
moment I had waited in God’s country became those in
which I was forced to live vicari-
for my entire life had ously through my dad and uncle. I

T
finally come true... knew, one day, that I would be able
to return to deer camp and I dreamt
his dream had once of those cold, crisp mornings sur-
been a small wish in rounded by cedar swamps and fresh
my younger years. clear-cuts. Finally, in 2017, that
From the time I was dream became a reality.
three years old, I had I headed to the U.P. on Thurs-
journeyed across the day, November 16 with high hopes start. Although I had not seen a buck able to identify that the buck was
straits to Michigan’s Upper Penin- and expectations, but none of them yet, I was seeing deer and I felt as of legal antler restriction, and my
sula with my family and set up deer included shooting a buck. Deer if it was just a matter of time until Browing A-Bolt 270 crept out the
camp on public land. There was camp was already set up, and I was a buck would show up. Everybody window in between my shooting
always something extraordinary so excited to finally spend some in camp was seeing deer and even a stick. My breathing began to get
about that one Saturday in the fall in quality time in the blind and share few smaller bucks. The weather was heavier as I had watched the buck
which the old, green Army tent was stories back in camp with my dad setting up to be perfect, as a nice feed for a while now and buck fever
set up, goulash was on the Coleman and uncle. After all, this is what deer cold front was about to move in and had surely wrapped itself around
stove, and Michigan football echoed season and deer camp is all about to snow was expected…hopes were my body. The safety slipped off and
in the background on the radio. me. There is nothing more special high in camp! the crosshairs nestled just behind
Ahh…deer camp! than a few laughs and stories told Saturday morning came and I the buck’s front shoulder. A slow
However, unfortunately for me, around a hot meal from the camp woke up with a sense of excitement squeeze of the trigger resulted in
I always had to venture back home, stove as hopes for a successful hunt that I had not had in a while. About the buck jumping and giving the
where I would then be forced to build and the world of the unpredict- two inches of fresh snow had fallen signature “mule kick” as he went
pace back and forth by the phone able becomes more predictable. and the temperatures were quite hauling out of my viewpoint. I was
each night with hopes that dad The first day and a half of hunt- low–it was setting up to be a great certain I had made a lethal shot, and
would call with a successful ing for me was off to a pretty good day. As we got dressed and drank almost immediately went down to
our coffee I mentioned to my dad, “I investigate.
Open Mon thru Fri am going to shoot one today.” Fresh tracking snow made the
9am-7pm • Sat 9am-6pm I don’t know what it was, but I track job one of the easiest I have
Sun 9am-4pm just had that profound sense of con- ever been a part of, as the 150 grain
1380 N. Cedar fidence come over me. I had a spe- Remington Core Lokt’s had done an
cial feeling in my gut that something excellent job. The buck ran 80 yards
(517) 699-0597 magical was about to happen. It is or so before he expired and my heart
(½ Mile South of Holt, 127 to truly hard to explain but those of filled with happiness as I picked the
Cedar St. exit, North 2 Miles)
you that hunt, I am positive you can buck’s head up. The fresh snow also
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I slowly unstrapped my back- buck pole. Smiles were shared and
pack and set that into the blind along high-fives were slapped as my dad
June 2-3 . . . . . . . 900 Tables . . . . . . . . . . . Novi July 28-29 . . . . . . 250 Tables . . . . . . . . Jackson with my rifle as I cautiously crawled and uncle made their way back.
into my seat. As soon as I sat down Deer camp 2017 was one to remem-
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Ph: (517) 676-4160 • Fax: (517) 676-6824 yards away or so. I quickly grabbed one thing is for certain, when the
Frankenmuth Jackson
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head up I was able to see that it was and the gray sky begins to spit
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It felt like hours I watched the camp. “And if you want to go
Monroe County
Fairgrounds
Alpena (New Location) Kalamazoo County Cadillac: Wexford Arena Harrison buck feed all alone as I waited for to Heaven, it’s North of the
751 Woodward Ave. Expo Center Clare County Fairgrounds
MBT Expo Center Alpena, MI 49207 2900 Lake St. 131 & 13th St. 418 Fairlane daylight to set in. Finally, I was Bridge.”n
50 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
DNR urges ORV riders to be ready
Know the rules and your vehicle before heading out...
T
he Michigan De-
partment of Natural
Resources reminds
off-road vehicle enthu-
siasts to learn riding
and safety rules before
taking to the trails.
“The arrival of spring means
countless ORV enthusiasts are
preparing to hit the trails,” said Cpl.
John Morey, head of the DNR Law
Enforcement Division’s ORV safety
education program. “But there’s a
lot to know when it comes to riding
legally and safely. ORV riding is
a great sport. Enjoy it to its fullest
by understanding the laws, know-
ing your vehicle, being respectful
of others and always putting safety
first.”
Riders under the age of 16
must have a valid safety training
certificate when operating an ORV.
To obtain a certificate, the operator
must take an ORV safety education
course and pass the certification
exam. Students have the option of
taking an online or classroom-based
course. Operators must carry their
certificate on their person and pres-
ent it to a law enforcement officer
upon request.
“We encourage all new riders to
take a safety class even if they are
exempt from the age requirement,”
Morey said. “ORVs are fun but they
are not toys. They are built primarily
for off-road recreation and can be
dangerous if you don’t understand
your vehicle or know proper riding
procedures.”
In addition to the age require-
ment for certification, other laws
governing ORV riding include:
• All operators and passengers
must wear a U.S. Department of
Transportation-approved crash hel-
met and protective eyewear, except
in specific circumstances defined by
law.
• Open containers of alcoholic
beverages may not be transported
in or upon an ORV unless in a trunk
or compartment separate from the
vehicle’s passenger compartment.
• Roads, streets and highways
maintained for year-round auto-
mobile travel are closed to ORVs,
including the shoulder and right of
way. However, ORVs registered
as motor vehicles by the Secretary
of State may be operated on the
roadway.
• ORVs may be operated on
a roadway in accordance with a
locally enacted ordinance. Riders
are responsible for contacting local
authorities to find out which roads
are open to ORV use.
• Private land is closed to ORVs
unless the operator is invited by the
landowner.
• It is unlawful to operate an
ORV in or on the waters of any
stream, river, marsh, bog, wetland,
swamp or quagmire unless the ve-
hicle is driven on a ridge, culvert or
similar structure.
Morey offered general safety
and riding tips as well:
• Be sure your vehicle is in good
mechanical condition.
• Familiarize yourself with
your ORV by reading the owner’s
manual.
• Wear protective clothing suit-
able for the environment.
• Make sure the lights work
properly and are on during opera- ORV riders need to understand the laws, know their vehicle, be
tion. respectful of others and always put safety first. MDNR photo
• Never ride under the influ-
ence of alcohol or drugs, or when tive encourages more people to as safety or environmental concerns.
fatigued. enjoy Michigan’s public lands by Learn more at www.michigan.gov/
• Know the terrain where you enhancing ORV opportunities across forestroads.
plan to ride. the state. It will open thousands of Visit www.michigan.gov/recre-
• Be aware of the weather fore- miles of forest roads to ORV use ationalsafety for more information
cast and never venture out alone. unless the roads are designated on ORV riding requirements, safety
• Prepare for emergencies by closed by the DNR for reasons such and opportunities.n
packing first-aid and survival kits.
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• Respect any people or animals Importer of our own MI-E bike Electric Bikes
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• Be courteous on the trail and Why walk when
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always yielding to uphill traffic, No Smell - No Noise - No Sweat
slowing down when someone is Gets your Trophy out
passing you, yielding the right of
way to bikes, horses and hikers; of the Woods!
carrying out what you carry in, and
being considerate of others on the
trail by keeping your vehicle to the
right.
• Report any illegal riding activ-
ity by calling or texting the Report
All Poaching (RAP) line at 1-800-
292-7800.
ORV owners must have their
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of State. A Michigan title is not re-
quired on ORVs owned by nonresi- $1,799
dents and used in Michigan.
ORVs must be licensed by the
DNR if they are used anywhere Clearance Price
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nual licensing fee is $26.25. In addi- ONLY 3 LEFT AT
tion, an ORV trail permit is required THIS PRICE
to operate on state-designated ORV
trails, routes or areas. The cost of an For More Info E-mail
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The DNR is working with 2018 750Watt folding bike
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Public Act 288 of 2016. The initia- Stevensville, MI weight: 48 lbs
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 51
 Michigan Anglers...
Take advantage of your great fisheries...Guest Column By Mark LaRose
I
started fly fishing the tre-
mendous rivers in central
Michigan about 12 years
ago; the Pere Marquette,
the Au Sable, the Mus-
kegon, the Manistee,
and more. Prior to that, I had been
primarily a baitcast and spinning rod
fisherman, targeting largemouth and
smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie,
catfish, etc.
I have also fished regularly in
the salt waters of Florida, Mexico,
and the brackish waters of Louisi-
ana and the Gulf. I have caught fish
all over the country, and in several
other countries, but nothing in lower
48 freshwater fishing compares to
the tug, acrobatics and sheer excite-
ment of catching fresh steelhead
in many of our rivers right here
in Michigan. No need to go to the
Pacific Northwest or the Rockies or
any of the other famous rivers east
and west. Of all of the Michigan riv-
ers that I have fished for steelhead,
salmon, and trout, the Muskegon is
one of the best. For steelhead and
browns, it is as productive as the
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52 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
The author, Mark LaRose and captain Gabe Nyblad after landing a 16 pound trophy steelhead.
Pere Marquette and just as scenic.
I met Captain Gabe Nyblad of
Tail Chasin Charters, on the Pere
Marquette approximately 10 years
ago. Gabe has become a good friend
and is one of my favorite and best
captains in Michigan, the lower
Keys, and Alaska. Check out his
website: www.tailchasinchmters.
com; He’s the real deal.
Last season was an absolutely
phenomenal steelhead year on the
Muskegon. That is why I went three
times. Talk about sheer numbers, a
two-day outing in pretty much pour-
ing rain on October
30 and 31 resulted in 50 hook-ups,
and 29 fish landed and released.
That was with a good buddy Spud
Jackson who is an “okay” fisher-
man. I say “okay” only because he
out fished me about 2 to 1. Gabe
was busy so our guide was a Gabe
protégé -- Captain Ross Swanson
-- also an excellent guide and a great
guy.
The second outing in mid-
November was with my wife Cari
who is a terrific fisherperson (fly
fish or otherwise) in her own right.
She regularly out fishes me, but
then who doesn’t. That outing was
much less successful. The river had
changed dramatically in just two
weeks, and we went 4 for 6 in two
full days of fishing in nasty, cold,
and wet weather. “There’s no bad
weather, only bad dressers.” (Pata-
gonia motto)
Fast forward to December 5-6,
2017. I had met Dr. John Feczko in
Valparaiso, Indiana through a death
case I was working on where he
is an expert witness for my legal
team. (The plaintiff in the case was
Bill Hudson, my great friend and
hunting and fishing companion for
many years, who was killed in an
industrial accident at a steel mill
in Indiana in 2014. Bill loved the
Newaygo area and the Muskegon
River.) When I first met “the Doc”
at his office in Valpo, there were
many pictures and a couple mounts
of beautiful fish.
“Pray tell Dr., do you like to
fish?” He snapped back “Why yes I
do.” There you have it. The Doc and
I were off to fishing for two days
with Captain Gabe on the Muskegon
in December.
As part of our lodging supplies,
in addition to some sandhill crane
breast, some pasta, some venison
back strap, and the fixings for the
Doc’s world famous apple pie, I
had just made a homemade batch of
Limoncello (an Italian after din-
ner liquor that has the sweet taste
of sugar, sour taste of lemons, and
kicks like a rented mule). You serve
a shot from a bottle taken right out
of the freezer. It goes down cold, but
even in the coldest weather, seconds
later a little time bomb explodes in
your stomach that makes you feel
warm and tingly all over. As for
Doc’s apple pies, they were excel-
lent made with fresh Gala and Hon-
eycrisp apples by Nyblad Orchards,
fruit farms owned by Gabe’s family
around Newaygo and other parts of
northern Michigan. A trip with Gabe
on the Muskegon usually means a
half bushel of fresh apples on the
house. I never refuse.
 As part of the tradition with river
guides in central western Michi-
gan, Captain Gabe always prepares
a beautiful shore lunch. This first
day we were to have some of what
I brought, and some of what Gabe
brought- marinated grilled breast
of Sandhill Crane (ribeye of the
sky), marinated grilled venison
back strap, grilled filet of snowy
grouper (from Gabe’s outings in the
lower Keys), with all of the fixings.
Yummo!
Day one started a little slow,
but after the Doc landed his first 8
pound steelhead, I said “Let’s do a
shot of Limoncello.” Doc and I did
a small shot; Captain Gabe was on
duty. The Doc liked it very much
and he was a riot, and no harm done
except for his massive headache in
the morning.
By noon we were 2 for 5. We
ate our great lunch and headed back
to hit a couple more runs. Then it
happened. We hooked up a double,
and I landed my 6 pound steelhead
in a few minutes. The Doc’s fish
took considerably longer. He did a
masterful job at landing a beautiful
16 pound male steelhead. The Doc’s
line whined, as this brute stripped
off a couple of hundred yards of line
against a steady and well set drag.
The Doc tiptoed around Gabe’s 17
foot jet sled like ballerina-- dodg-
ing rods, the steering console, the
net, and various other boat bottom
obstacles. After about 50 minutes,
and after the Doc had made three
full tours around the boat, Gabe
finally put this great fish in the net.
We snapped a photo or two and took
some measurements so the Doc
could have a replica mount made,
and then gently and successfully
released him to the river.
The first day was very good…4
for 7, with one of them being the 16
pound monster. Gabe’s been fishing
the Muskegon his entire life, and he
believes that a 16 pound steelhead
on the Muskegon is indeed the fish
of a lifetime. I agree.
Onto day two where the Doc
wanted nothing to do with the re-
maining Limoncello. We also had to
double back to the ramp as we were
taking on water fast. We’ve all done
it-- put the boat plug in the wrong
hole or not in at all. Gabe said he’d
never hear the end of it - and he
was right. Now tens of thousands
Woods-N-Water News readers
know! Again we had lunch of
various wild caught fish and game.
Almost immediately after lunch, I
hooked up a monster that dragged us
around for about 40 minutes. This
fight was a carbon copy of the Doc’s
with his behemoth. Long runs,
screaming drag, chasing him with
the jet boat, strong tugs, magnificent
jumps. Finally in the net-wowie that
was fun! The end result -another 16
pound steelhead. This one a little
Dr. John Fezcko with captain Gabe Nyblad and the Doc’s 16 pound steelhead.
prettier, and a little more chrome, dant coho, rainbows, Dolly Varden, Limoncello too!
but a 16 pounder nonetheless. What and to blast for specklebelly geese, Until next time, tight lines, catch
a great two days. We went 9 for various ducks, and ptarmigan. Ross what you can, and either release
12, with two them weighing in at Swanson will be there too as a them all or only keep what you
16 pounds. All fish were released Goodnews River Guide. There will need to eat. As for gamefish like big
totally healthy and unharmed. They be good fishing, shooting and eat- steelhead, they are a lot more fun to
are waiting for you to catch them. ing at the Goodnews, maybe some catch than to eat!n
There is great fishing all over
this country, but before you ven-
ture off to Canada, Alaska, Idaho,
Montana, Wyoming, Washington
State, the Adirondacks, the Smokey
Mountains, take a look right here
in our great state of Michigan. We
have some of the finest trout and
salmon rivers in the world (People
come from many other countries to
fish here). But not all Michiganders
(or do you say Michiganians?) take
advantage of these great fisheries.
Most of the waters are accessible
on your own, but a good guide, at
least for the first day or two, really
helps. You better call Capt. Gabe
Nyblad, Tail Chasin Charters way
ahead of time because his fall is
booked at least a year in advance.
If Gabe is busy, call Capt. Ross
Swanson of Swanson River Guide
service. I would fish with Ross any
day. Check out his website: www.
swansonriverguide.com.
If you want to go to the Pere
Marquette, call my friend Capt.
Frank Willetts, owner of the very
comfy Pere Marquette River Lodge.
Website: www.pmlodge.com; phone
(231) 745-3972. The PM is a great
river with great kings, steelhead,
and big browns, and Frank and his
guides, like Uber, Devon and Casey
are great!
So did I like fishing with the
Doc and Captain Gabe? I guess
so. The three of us are going to
the Goodnews River in Alaska in
August/September to cast for abun-
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 53
F
or conservation officers
Jason King and Will
Brickel, who patrol Sagi-
naw County, the second
Saturday of March of-
fered an atypical work as-
signment. They were paired to patrol
a section of the Saginaw River on the
last Saturday before walleye season
closed for six weeks.
The officers were part of a four-
boat crew that the Michigan De-
partment of Natural Resources had
deployed during a “saturated patrol,”
a technique the DNR uses when it
expects a lot of traffic in a specific
area.
King, 32 and a conservation of-
ficer for three years, and Brickel, 29
and serving in the role for four years,
said they work alone 90 percent of
the time. But both said they prefer to
partner up when they’re working in a
watercraft.
“Typically for marine patrol,
we try to work in pairs because it’s
easier and safer,” Brickel said. Both
officers agreed that the group patrols
are a good idea for a number of rea-
sons, including having help available
if there are mechanical issues with
equipment.
“And just the fact that you’ve
got more eyes on things means you’ll
see a lot more,” King said.
Brickel said he thinks group patrols
present an opportunity to enhance his
skills.
“I learn from the other guys who
have been doing it longer – the tricks
of the trade,” he said.
Group patrols are relatively
common for some activities, such as
a snowmobile or off-road vehicle pa-
trol or maybe ice fishing on a larger
lake or bay, if for no other reason
than the word spreads fast on social
media that the DNR is out there.
Patrolling in groups gives conser-
vation officers a chance to make a lot
of contacts before any scofflaws can
hightail it out of the area.
King and Brickel launched their
boat in downtown Saginaw and head-
ed downstream, Brickel handling the
18-foot Lund boat while King looked
through binoculars.
He scanned registration numbers
to make sure boaters were compliant,
then chose a boat with three anglers
to check.
Sure enough, there was an issue:
one of the anglers did not have his
fishing license with him. So, King
asked the angler for his driver’s
license and then delivered a short
monologue.
He told the angler that it was a
violation to not have his license in
his possession but that he would call
in and find out if the angler had a
license.
If so, King said he wouldn’t
bother him again, but if not, he could
expect a ticket, either later in the day
or in the mail. King ended up letting
it go with a warning. The angler did
54 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
A day in the life of
Michigan COs
By Bob Gwizdz, MDNR
have a license.
“I don’t write a lot of tickets,”
King said. “But when I do, they’re
good tickets.”
Neither of the officers said they
felt like they were under any pressure
to write tickets. Just making their
presence known helps with compli-
ance, they said.
“Ninety-nine percent of the
people aren’t doing anything wrong,”
Brickel said. “But the more contact
you make, the more people will tell
you about what’s going on in the
area.”
Throughout the day, the pair
checked several boats and found
most were in full compliance. No one
had too many fish or any undersized
walleyes.
Several anglers did not have
their licenses with them. They were
warned of the violation and their
driver’s licenses were run to make
sure they were license-holders.
Several anglers who weren’t carrying
their boat registrations were similarly
warned.
The pair wrote just one ticket – to
an angler who did not have flotation
devices (life vests) in his boat.
“Safety is our top priority,” King
said.
DNR Sgt. Tony Soave, who was
running the operation, said saturation
patrols are “really effective.”
“We can hit a lot of areas right
away and make a lot of contacts
before people realize we’re on the
river,” he said. “We try to focus these
patrols when the resource is most
vulnerable. Right now, the river is
full of fish – you can tell by how
many fish are being caught.”
Soave said he runs about a half dozen
saturation patrols a year, but they’re
hard to organize because conserva-
tion officers have such a wide range
of duties.
“We’ve got to pick a time when
we’ve got enough officers available
to make it work,” Soave explained.
“Today we would have had another
boat out, but I’ve got two officers in
Lansing conducting interviews for
the next (conservation officer) recruit
school.”
A group patrol on Saginaw Bay
earlier this winter turned up a lot of
violations.
“We wrote about a dozen tickets
before word got out that we were out
there,” Soave said. “The odds are
more in our favor when we’re catch-
ing them by surprise.”
Surprise is an important element
in catching violators, according to
Brickel, who said he makes a lot of
cases by standing back and watching.
He finds a lot of guys illegally catch-
ing walleyes from the riverbank at
night, often during the closed season.
“A lot of people we just watch,”
he said. “We don’t even make con-
tact. When you’re doing deer patrol,
for instance, and you see a parked
car, you can run the license plate
number and see if the owner’s got a
deer license. You don’t need to make
contact.”
Both officers considered the day’s
work productive, despite the fact they
didn’t run into any bad guys.
And both said they really like
their work because it changes with
the seasons.
“As soon as you get tired of
checking guys in boats, it’s small
game season,” King said. “You’re
not doing the same thing all the time.
There are so many things going on at
the same time – you’re checking fish-
ermen during hunting season too.”
Brickel agreed. “It doesn’t get
tedious,” he said. “It’s a great job.”
Stationed in nearly every county
of the state, DNR conservation of-
ficers have a wide range of duties
including observing and check-
ing hunters and anglers, enforcing
snowmobiling, off-road vehicle and
watercraft regulations as well as laws
that protect the environment, and
educating Michigan residents about
outdoor recreation safety.
Conservation officers are also
first responders to a variety of natural
disasters and emergencies, and as
fully licensed peace officers, they oc-
casionally make arrests not related to
natural resources violations.
For a closer look at what DNR
conservation officers do on any given
day, check out the television series
“Wardens,” airing on the Outdoor
Channel.
Since February 2017, the show –
which chronicles the lives of con-
servation officers in America – has
focused on the Michigan DNR’s
law enforcement work and natural
resources management efforts.
More information about the
show and previews of upcoming
episodes are available at outdoor-
channel.com/wardens.Michigan.
Conservation officers are fully com-
missioned state peace officers who
provide natural resources protection,
ensure recreational safety and protect
citizens by providing general law
enforcement duties and lifesaving
operations in the communities they
serve.
To learn more about DNR con-
servation officers, visit michigan.
gov/conservationofficers.n
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WNW NEWS MAY 2018 55

4 record class Michigan
turkeys in one year
By Millard H. Holton
F
or many years, even
reaching back to my
early youth, I have had a
passion for both hunt-
ing and trapping most of
the species of wild game
that grace Michigan’s landscape, as
well as those beyond our borders.
However, over the last two or three
decades, as the pheasant population
declined, I narrowed my interests to
mostly deer and turkeys, as well as
a few furbearers. During the Mid-
1960s, turkeys were established in
huntable numbers at the rural Alle-
gan, Mio and Baldwin locations.
As a new Michigan State Police
Trooper in 1967, I was assigned to
the Rockford Post, about 55 miles
south of Baldwin. I learned that a
drawing would be held by the DNR
for a permit to allow the taking of
a male turkey in the Baldwin area
during a fall hunt. I believe it was
in 1968 and the hunt period was
November 9-12. As I recall, only
Hello, this is Charlie Morse.
At 63 years old I don't have a lifetime
to wait! Air pruned containerized
plants, equals RESULTS SOONER!
56 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
50 permits were issued for this first
ever hunt. This hunt period coincid-
ed with my pass days and I couldn’t
have been more excited when the
mailman dropped off a big manila
envelope with a metal turkey seal.
The season encountered heavy snow
and with the advice and encourage-
ment of the area biologist, I bagged
a large tom with a long beard and
decent spurs!
Even though this was not a
strutting and gobbling Tom, I was
hooked forever on turkey hunting!
Since that hunt, turkey populations
spread all over Michigan along with
the increased availability of licens-
es. These increases, especially over
the last three decades, have enabled
me to harvest numerous turkeys, as
well as call in many more for other
hunters. However, prior to 2017, I
had only succeeded in calling a fall
turkey on three occasions. If hunters
are desiring to harvest a turkey with
a long beard they should consider a
Top-left; The author’s spring turkey har vested with his shotgun. Top-right:
The author’s largest scored turkey he took with his crossbow. Bottom-left;
Another nice tom taken with his crossbow and Bottom-right; The four th
record book turkey with a crossbow.
fall hunt. It is reported that during several beards, or a chance at a
the winter months, turkeys can have “smoky grey” has always eluded
their beards frozen to their roosting me, even though I have encountered
limb and have it broken off or short- several while hunting other species
ened when they stand up to stretch or scouting.
or fly down in the cold mornings. Last fall I made a concerted
This may explain why I have seen effort to hunt fall turkeys and try
several large toms with short or no my luck at debunking the myth that
visible beards. “big toms” couldn’t be called to the
During the last 20 years, I have gun in the fall. On September 18,
harvested about 15 record book while scouting for deer on our farm
class turkeys in which three won the in Barry County, I became bored
Commemorative Bucks of Michigan and started to scratch away on the
(CBM) annual awards for the largest slate call I kept in my shack. It was
scoring turkey in the Senior Archery the call I used so effectively over
and Crossbow Categories for 2004, the past several spring seasons. As
2007 and 2009. Two others placed I sat in my elevated shack with my
second in years 2005 and 2014. I crossbow, I was hoping more to get
have further harvested turkeys in a shot at a coyote than at a turkey.
Lake, Alcona, Barry, Shiawassee However, three large Toms with
and Ingham Counties. long beards dragging between their
During the 2017 spring turkey legs were spotted to the west in a
season, on April 21, I called in block of white pines, hurrying to-
and shot a nice tom in Shiawassee wards me. As they crossed a nearby
County with my single barreled trail, I put a bolt through the middle
shotgun. It scored 13 14/16 inches turkey. He was scored by a CBM
by the CBM method. measurer at 16 2/16 inches.
It has always been my custom On October 5, 2017, while deer
to purchase a fall turkey license so hunting in the same elevated shack,
I could legally kill a turkey while the deer sightings began to decline
archery hunting for deer if the as the sun rose higher during mid-
opportunity presented itself. The morning. I again picked up the slate
chance to kill a large turkey with call to see if I could duplicate my

above experiences. After about a
half hour of occasional yelps, three
more large toms came to investigate
these strange sounds. Gobblers tend
to form groups in the fall. As these
toms closed the gap between us, I
picked the most open tom and made
a good, 35 yard shot with my Ten
Point, Venom crossbow. This tom
was also scored by a CBM measurer
at 14 9/16 inches.
Seeing as how you can pur-
chase a fall turkey license every
day in Hunt Unit YY, for either
sex, through 60 consecutive days,
providing the DNR’s quota isn’t
met, I continued to purchase another
license with the hope of still bag-
ging a large, multi-beard tom before
the season ended.
While sitting in my tent blind
a long distance from the above
tower, I was overlooking a deep
canyon with a creek at the bottom. I
fixed my eyes on a new wheat field
bordering our woods that had been
overrun by some nice bucks, almost
every morning and evening! It was
on October 19, 2017 and the rut was
in full swing. I saw some turkeys
a long ways off in the other side of
our woodlot. I used my call again
and this time eight toms responded
and when they started to descend the
steep bank to cross the creek, I put
an arrow through the leader. He died
instantly. This gobbler made the
CBM Record Book with a score of
10 8/16 inches.
The 2017 turkey season con-
sisted of three dimensions of hunt-
ing them. The first was the spring
season as it presented the more
typical elements where the big tom
responded to my calls and came
across a level, harvested soybean
field straight for my decoys. The
turkeys on this farm usually move
through the thick brush surround-
ing the above field requiring the use
of a shotgun. He strutted, gobbled
and studied the decoys for over 45
minutes before he closed the 25 yard
distance from my tent to his final
strut! This was one of the few open
shots occurring on this farm and I
regretted not having my crossbow
with me.
The second dimension was when
the next two turkeys were shot with
my crossbow from my elevated
shack designed and strategically
placed for hunting deer. The shots
were at a distance of over 30 yards
on both birds and the elevated shack
provided for both hunter conceal-
ment, increased vision and safety,
as well as less sound obstruction to
the volume of the turkey calls. It is
a shame that firearm hunters can-
not experience this kind of a turkey
hunt. The DNR has determined that
it is unlawful to hunt turkeys from
an elevated platform of any kind
with a firearm, even though a hunter
using a legal weapon can do so with
deer, bear, elk, fox, coyotes, wood-
2018 Pure Michigan Hunt
chucks and a variety of small game.
In the last dimension, the fourth
winners take home winnings
turkey was also shot with a cross-
bow, however under totally different
circumstances. The tent blind over-
looked the deep gorge that presented
an almost identical situation as the
raised tower listed above. However,
in this setting, a shotgun could have
been legally used.
My success in calling in older,
wiser, gobblers this fall adds a
new dimension for harvesting
fall turkeys. It further provides an
activity, other than reading hunting
magazines, when deer movements
slow down. One of the three previ-
ous times when I was able to call in
and connect on a fall turkey was an
unintentional occasion while hunt-
ing deer during the archery season. (left-right) Jim Tilton of Alma, Don Rademacher of Lake Odessa and
In late October of 2004, with a box Kevin Ornatowski of Tawas City, the latest winners of the Pure Michigan
call found in my shack, I called in Hunt drawing, received all their winnings at the recent Natural Resources
the highest scoring, senior, archery Commission meeting in Grand Rapids.
killed turkey on record, which held Each Pure Michigan Hunt winner will receive a 2018 elk, bear, antler-
that position for several years. In less deer, and spring and fall turkey hunting licenses. They also will get
late October this tom and three oth- first choice at a managed waterfowl hunt area on opening morning.
ers were sighted flying down in the Winners each went home with a hunting prize package valued at
morning and they came to my call more than $4,000. Representatives of many businesses and organizations
from a long distance! They were were present to meet the winners and donate their prizes.
displaying, gobbling and even fight- In 2017, 12,708 individuals purchased 35,214 applications,
ing amongst themselves. An arrow generating more than $176,000 to help fund wildlife habitat resto-
from a raised platform put an end to
this parade.
ration and improvements in Michigan.
After the 2017 turkey season Applications for the next Pure Michigan Hunt drawing are now
I knew I had discovered a unique, available. To purchase and learn more, visit www.mi.gov/pmh.
effective call for the fall season in
Hunt Unit YY. It allowed me to call
in two of the highest scoring toms I
had ever bagged during my nearly
50 years of turkey hunting. On a
later morning while deer hunting,
I tried my luck at calling again and
was shocked when a hen and eleven
members of her brood (7 hens and
4 beardless Jakes) emerged from
the nearby thicket. They circled my
tower several times and all seemed
confused and began looking into the
white pines. As I was filming the
group, almost simultaneously four
other groups of all toms quickly ap-
peared from different directions and
joined the circus! There were a total
of 30 turkeys of all ages, and all but Manufacturer of Fine Northern Hardwoods
the first hen and her eleven poults
sported beards. This was real fun Firewood
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After four shoulder surgeries and Wildlife and
passing my 81st birthday, my future Wildlife andTimberland Improvements
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hunting days, if any, will be mostly Select Cutting;
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cutting; Clear cutting
cutting
limited to the use of a crossbow. Mechanized logging and handcutting
Mechanized logging and handcutting
However, so far it hasn’t seemed to
limit my success rate. Other than my Contact
extensive experience with calling in Contact one
one of our buyers
of our buyerstoday
today
turkeys, I did nothing in harvesting brad@billsbylumber.com or jim@billsbylumber.com
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WNW NEWS MAY 2018 57
KAYAK FISHING
Fishing the New Wave…
A
recent interview with
kayak Pro-Angler Adam
Judge of Sparta, proved
to be an introduction
to ‘Kayak Fishing 101’
as, virtually, I knew
absolutely nothing about the art of
fishing from above all else…a tippy
canoe or…a pedal driven kayak!
I was in absolute ‘awe’ of what I
learned from this knowledgeable
young man. If over the past few
years you have harbored a strong
desire to try kayak fishing, eventu-
ally entering a kayak tournament,
the following information should
not only answer questions but may
also instill a love for this seemingly
uncomplicated method of putting
fish in the boat!
Adam is bordering on 30 wise
years and holds a position of Fire
Inspector at Amway Corporation.
He also serves as Pro-Staffer for
Jackson Kayaks. His enthusiasm is
catching. We shared an informa-
tive question and answer interview
which should afford information
you may have been searching for
regarding an entry level introduction
to kayak angling and beyond! The
interview follows:
Q) How did you happen to get into
the realm of kayak fishing followed
by entry to kayak tournaments?
I got into kayak fishing by want-
ing to fish away from shore
without the hassle of a big
boat and some of the areas
that I fish a boat cannot
access the water. Also, at
the time, putting money
into a boat was out of the
question. I got a kayak, so
I could put it on top of my
car and go wherever
I wanted. Simply
maintained…no
By Betty Sodders
engine or gas required and I was out
on the water.
It was years later that I discov-
ered kayak tournament fishing by
chance. I happened to see kayak
tournament highlights on one of the
outdoor channels. During the com-
mercials I jumped on the internet
and found groups in Michigan that
conducted kayak tournaments. That
lead me to ‘You Tube’ videos of
tournaments, how to videos, and fur-
ther information. Fishing has always
been a favorite pastime of mine and
I felt as though tournament kayak
fishing would be right for me.
Q) How old were you at the time?
Was this a single-minded decision or
did you at first kayak with a group?
I was 17 when I bought my
first kayak. I had been kayaking
58 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
Adam Judge puts a nice fish in the boat!
before but wanted one to fish from.
It wasn’t until later that my family
also got into kayak fishing. I did not
start tournament fishing until I was
25.
Q) Is the initial cost for getting into
kayak fishing reasonable? Do you
suggest getting pedal- driven kayak
over paddle operated, especially for
increased maneuverability when
fishing?
A constant question that is asked
by many getting into the sport is
cost. There are numerous
brands and types of kayaks.
It is almost like buying a
car. The more you pay, the
more you get. With a kayak
you want the ‘more’ option.
You just have to look and
decide at what the ‘more’
is that will suit you. I see
it time after time,
someone new gets
into the sport with
a ‘budget’ kayak and then wants to
upgrade because they find that it is
not meeting their needs.
Also find a store that allows you
to demo. Online research can only
go so far and to get in and go for a
test run will help you make a solid
purchase. As you tally up how much
it will cost you it can compare to
most hobbies. It is all you want to
put in.
I do suggest whatever model
you go with that it is a fishing kayak
as they are more stable and most are
self-bailing. They also offer better
seats and room to stand up if you
choose.
As far as pedal vs. paddle, I have
been a paddler up to last fall when
I bought my 2017 Coosa FD which
is a pedal drive kayak. It almost can
be treated as a hybrid due to the fact
that you can easily paddle it as well.
Only advantage that stands out is
that I am able to fish as I travel;
whereas with a paddle, I must put
my fishing rods down in order to
move. So with a pedal drive, you
have more ‘line in the water’ time.
Q) What make and model is your
kayak? Is it your first or have you
updated? If updated; why? Is your
kayak a single person model or do
you have a two-seater?
I am currently using a 2017
Jackson Coosa FD. This is my third
kayak. My first one was a Pelican
DLX100 not made for fishing, but
I had modified it to work for my
needs. As I got into doing tourna-
ments and my equipment got more
extensive, I quickly realized that I
needed something more suited. I up-
graded to a 2016 Jackson Coosa HD
after days of research. Upgrading
allowed me more room, better sta-
bility, standing capability and more
mounting surface for accessories.
Q) With a newcomer to the sport in
mind, describe gear required for an
entry level kayak fisherman…for a
kayak tournament angler?
Once you choose which fishing
kayak is best for you, you should
first invest in a good kayak PFD
(Personal Flotation Device). Hav-
ing a good PFD made for kayaking
will make you a happier and safer
angler on the water. Next I suggest
you look for a visibility flag which
helps you to be seen on the water.
Then the sky is the limit from there
on in. Consider adding rod holders,
fish finder, storage crate and anchor-
ing device. Then add all your fishing
gear you want to bring and place it
where it is comfortable for you.
For tournaments you will need
a Hawg Trough Measuring Board.
Kayak tournaments go by the length
of the fish, not the weight. This al-
lows for what we call C.P.R. catch,
photo and release. Most tourna-
ments require you have to have a
cell phone with GPS capabilities to
take photos and upload them to an
online server that will record and
score your catches.
On the whole, the kayak angling
community is a pretty close network
acting as a welcoming group for
newcomers whether they are wish-
ing to compete or just fish. Have
questions? Ask, and you will get
answers quickly as well as pictures
and videos.
Q) I understand that oftentimes,
kayak fishing can be a family affair.
Is this true in your case? In what ca-
pacity are others involved especially
with tournament fishing?
Yes, the ‘Judge’s Fleet’ is what
they call us. Sometimes there may
be four of my family members com-
peting. It all depends on where the
tournament is and when everyone
has the time. This has also extended
into friends that we have taken out
and they become ‘hooked’ on kayak
fishing as well.
Q) Adam, in your estimation, what
is the most useful piece of equip-
ment you have on your fishing
kayak? …based towards tournament
usage?
It would have to be my Anchor
Wizard. I am able to maintain posi-
tion in shallow and deep water. My
hands stay dry and the anchor line
stores nicely into the spool. It’s fast
activated and I can stay in a produc-
tive spot where I am catching fish.
On days that it is windy or there is
heavy boat traffic, it has been the
most useful and used item on my
kayak.
Q) Have you attached many ‘kayak
aids’ such as Anchor Wizard, rod
holders, GPS, paddle holder, Back-
water paddle, etc?
Yes. I have lots of accessories on
my kayak. I have a fish finder with
GPS and lake charts and numerous
rod holders. I have a total of 10 on
mine. I use six of them for rods and
one for my fish net; then they get
shuffled around as I fish. I carry two
types of paddles; one being a full
size; the other is a Backwater hand
paddle that can also be used for
hooking and as a makeshift tie-off
that I use on rivers. A HydroWave
Mini Fish Stimulator rounds out my
equipment. And as I said before, my
Anchor Wizard anchoring system
proves most valuable to have on
board.
Q) How much does your kayak
weigh? Is that before loaded with
fishing gear? How much afterwards?
Is total weight much of a factor
when entered in a kayak fishing
tournament?
My current kayak with nothing
in it weighs 115 lbs. All my gear
adds roughly another 60 lbs. It has
a capacity of 450 lbs. With me in
the kayak, it is roughly just over
capacity. This was one of the factors
that initially caused me to upgrade
to a fishing kayak. The kayak I had
previously used had way too much
equipment aboard and indeed was
becoming unsafe.
Q) I understand that wearing a
PFD is a strict rule for tournament
entrees. Do you always take heed
of this safety issue when you are in
your kayak? It is my understanding
that this being a catch and release
tournament, that if a tournament
photo is taken of you with your fish,
you must be wearing your PFD or
you will automatically be disquali-
fied. Is that correct?
Yes, it is a national standard that
PFDs be worn during kayak tourna-
ments. Failing to wear one can result
in disqualification and possibility
of being banned from participation.
I wear mine all the time due to the
fact that you never know when you
may need it. You may remove it
to remove layers of clothing but it
must go right back on. Consider this
to be a very strict rule regulation.
Q) What are the main rules of a
Kayak Bass Fishing Tournament?
First would be to read the rules
of the tournament and become fa-
miliar with them. Next would be to
attend the captains’ meeting where
rules are expressed, and questions
can be answered or in some cases
there are virtual online captains’
meetings to watch. Most of the time,
the captains’ meeting is mandatory
but it is a must especially if you are
new. Remember that PFDs must be and the top anglers; one from each My rods are sponsored by Halo
worn at all times. Also make sure side, get a chance to fish in the Ho- Fishing. I also am sponsored by
you have the right fish identifier and bie World’s Championship event. Liquid Mayhem Fish Attractant and
make doubly sure it is in the picture I enjoy it due to it being one of HydroWave Electric Fish Stimula-
when you are photographing your my favorite lakes to fish as well as tor.
catches. Be back by check in time the added competition. Usually the Sponsors can help you in a few
and if you are going to be late, let Canadians are in favor of winning ways such as equipment being given
the tournament director know. the overall tournament due to their or discounted which can offset the
Q) Can you use your own tackle bass fishing season just opening, but financial burden of the sport. Now
or do you all have to use the same the United States has began being this may seem like a win deal and to
tackle as is required in most big able to overtake. It’s exciting and I a point it is, but those that are spon-
walleye tournaments? am placed up against a lot of skilled soring you are looking for a return
Yes, you bring and use your own anglers. such as promoting those products.
tackle. Artificial baits only…no live/ I have gone all the way to Ten- That’s why companies have
dead baits. nessee/Kentucky for the Kayak Bass Pro-Staffers…it is essentially
Q) If you can use your own tackle, Fishing National Championship on promotional staff. Using myself
what do you prefer? I understand Kentucky Lake. This is the larg- as an example, the Pro-Staff teams
you also make your own tackle, how est kayak tournament in the United that I am a part of, I believe in their
has that worked out for you during States that brings top anglers from products. I use the products that I
tournaments? I prefer to use soft all over the U.S. am provided or choose and in return
plastics in finesse tactics…Drop For the Kentucky Lake KBF I write articles, take pictures of the
shot…Wacky rig and micro jigs are Championship 2017 tournament last equipment in action, go to fishing
my go to choices. I also like throw- year, I’m not sure where I exactly shows and promote those products.
ing soft plastic swimbaits. placed but it was mid-field. On Q) What cities will be hosting
I own and operate a small busi- my first day, I did not catch a limit some of the 2018 kayak events? Do
ness; Judge’s Jaw Jackers L.L.C. which automatically took me out you ever enter kayak tournaments in
where I make soft plastic baits in of the upper half of the field. This other states? Which ones?
traditional colors as well as custom March 23-24 it is redemption time As stated earlier, I have com-
colors, various jigs and flies. I use as I have a feel for the different peted in Tennessee/Kentucky for
everything I make. This has helped fishing environment. Probably won’t the Kayak Bass Fishing National
me in ways such as recognizing place in the ‘Top 10,’ but out of 800 Championship. I have gone to Ohio
feeding habits, color choices and expected anglers anywhere in the for one of the Kayak Bass Fishing
styles to use. Most of the time, I Top 50 would be honorable and a Trail events hosted by the Buckeye
can find what the fish are eating and huge achievement as these are the Kayak Fishing Tournament Trail. I
mimic the color patterns. Those col- top anglers from around the United have also taken part in a joint state
ors then become my product colors. States and Canada. tournament from the River Bass
Some colors are natural looking and Q) Do you have a sponsor? Tell Kayak Trail that travels around the
some are wild which usually origi- us more about sponsors, purpose, United States; this one was hosted in
nate as something fun to try but end benefits, etc.
up being one of my hot go to colors! Yes, I have several sponsors;
Q) How many tournaments do you main sponsor being Jackson Kayak. Kayak Fishing page 60
enter during a season? What is the
average entry fee? What is your
overall standing? On average, what
is a tournament’s top prize? How
popular are these tournaments…are
some more profitable than others?
I enter around 20 tournaments a
year. Entry fees range from $20 to
$70 for local/regional and for na-
tional/world can be in the hundreds.
For prizes it will depend on the
individual tournament and or series.
There are cash prizes that can vary
on participation and then gear prizes
such as tackle or equipment that
may be donated by sponsors.
Q) Which tournament is your fa-
vorite while traveling the Michigan
Kayak Trail (MKT) Why? What is
the furthest distance you’ve traveled
to enter one of these Kayak Bass
Fishing Tournaments?
My favorite stop in Michigan
is Lake St. Clair. It’s a large body
of water with numerous species
of fish. It usually ranks in the top
10 best fishing lakes in the United
States. There are quite a few kayak
tournaments held yearly but the one
that stands out the most in my mind
is called the Border City Classic.
This is a Hobie world’s qualifica-
tion tournament. It is run as a United
States vs Canada tournament event When buying a kayak for tournament fishing, stability is an impor tant factor.
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 59
Kayak Fishing:
Indiana.
I mostly stay in Michigan due to
there being lots of opportunity with
all the tournaments hosted through-
out the state.
Q) On average, how many entries
are normal for a kayak tourney?
Are there more young anglers than
old? I hear it is a sport dominated
by folks just about your age? Is
this a young man’s sport? Perhaps
walleye contests draw a different
group of fishermen; those with a
love the ‘roar’ of big boat engines.
Do any walleye angler contestants
ever cross over to fish both types of
tournaments?
A normal amount of entries
would be around 60 anglers. When
I began entering tournaments we
usually had between 20 and 30
fishermen entered. But we have seen
tournaments this past year reach into
the 100s.
For age, there are anglers that
participate well into their 60s that do
quite well. There are a lot of anglers
that do both tournaments by kayak
and boat. There are also groups that
have done kayaks vs. boat anglers. I
do not see age as a contributing fac-
tor to the sport.
Q) Do women enter Kayak Fishing
Tournaments as well as men?
Yes, there are a few and seems
to be growing as kayak fishing con-
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from page 59
tinues to gain popularity.
Q) Is there anything else you per-
sonally wish to address regarding
both simply fishing from your kayak
to entering kayak fishing events?
Fishing from a kayak can be an
enjoyable sport. It brings the action
of fishing right in front of your face.
If you are planning to start into
kayak fishing take the time to learn
a bit prior to jumping right in. It will
save you time later. It goes the same
if you are looking to compete in a
kayak tournament.
Thank you, Adam for providing
your excellent advice. I am positive
our readers who are interested in
entry-level kayaking appreciate your
knowledge of this sport. Now it is
up to them to decide which type of
kayak to purchase; how to outfit that
kayak for fishing; and finally decide
if kayak tournaments are within
their boundaries.
Adam Judge and I have done our
homework; now it is time for you
to kayak fish…backwater, bass and
beyond! For more information email
Adam Judge at his tackle business:
judgesjawjackers@gmail.com.
For tournament information
check the facebook pages and
website of Michigan Kayak Trail,
Kayak Bass Fishing, Kayak Fishing
the Great Lakes and Kayak Angler
Tournamtent Series.n
(Lunch Provided)
My Granddaughter's
first hunt, first buck!
Whenever I get ready
to go deer hunting I tell my
doctor, “I’ll bring you back
some venison,” and he’s
quick to respond with, “I just
want to hear the story.” Well,
here’s a story that’s too good
to just share with my doctor.
It’s all about my eleven-year-
old granddaughter, Sarah
Vasilides of Clinton Twp.
My son Steve took her
out during the youth hunt
this past September after she
completed her hunter safety
class with ‘flying colors.’
They borrowed my tri-pod
and a friend of Steve’s loan
Sarah his gun, so the plan was set to hunt Saturday evening of the youth
hunt after Sarah’s morning volleyball game and a trip to the gun range at
Huron Point Sportsman’s Club.
The father-daughter team set up in a blind overlooking a soy bean field
on a farm near Capac. Sarah was concerned with seeing through the scope
with the sun and her father reassured her it would be okay as the sun set.
During the down time Sarah spent time doodling a sketch of her deer and
her making a perfect shot.
Shortly after 6 pm a doe and twin fawns wonder into the field and Steve
encouraged Sarah to be patience and wait to see if a buck comes out. Sure
enough, minutes later a buck came out at about a 100 yards away. Sarah got
the gun in position and with her dad instructing to aim a little high because
of the distance, Sarah dropped the buck right there. A beautiful 8-point. Her
first deer on her first hunt. Now, I’ve been hunting that area for 45 years and
never taken a deer of that size. I’m so proud of my granddaughter and I’ll be
sure to tell my doctor this story!
Guest Column...By Bill Vasilides
NO TIME
FOR A WEEK
AWAY?
CALL FOR GREAT
1/2 WEEK
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 Volunteer to guard
Michigan’s sturgeon
T
he Black Lake Chapter
of Sturgeon for Tomor-
row in Cheboygan
County is seeking volun-
teers to join in its effort,
in partnership with the
Michigan Department of Natural
Resources’ Law Enforcement and
Fisheries Divisions, to help protect
lake sturgeon from illegal harvest dur-
ing the annual spawning run.
Every spring, mature lake stur-
geon, a fish species that is threatened
in Michigan and rare throughout the
United States, become vulnerable to
poaching as they briefly leave Black
Lake for spawning sites upstream in
the Black River.
Hundreds of volunteers are
needed to stand guard along the Black
River during the spawning season,
from mid-April through early June,
to report any suspicious activity
and deter the unlawful take of this
iconic fish.“For over 18 years, the an-
nual Sturgeon Guarding Program has
proven that people serving as sturgeon
guards watching over the river have
virtually eliminated poaching, while
helping to ensure the protection and
reproductive success of the species,”
said Ann Feldhauser, a DNR retiree
and the guarding program’s volun-
teer coordinator. “It’s a unique and
rewarding experience to witness these
majestic fish, which can live up to 100
years and weigh over 200 pounds,
swimming up the Black River and to
be a key player in safeguarding one
of Michigan’s most valuable natural
resources.”
When spawning begins, sturgeon
guards are assigned in shifts to sites
along the river. The volunteers stand
watch and, if suspicious activity oc-
curs, use cellular phones provided
by Sturgeon for Tomorrow to contact
DNR conservation officers who are
actively patrolling the area in support
of the guarding effort. Aerial surveil-
lance is also deployed to help secure
the area.
“The experience of watching
researchers capture, tag and release
these amazing fish is, in itself, worth
the effort of becoming involved,” said
Brenda Archambo, coordinator of the
Sturgeon Recovery effort in the Black
River watershed. “We also encourage
those who enjoy mountain biking,
mushrooming, hiking, kayaking,
canoeing and camping in beautiful
wild areas to partner with the sturgeon
guarding effort, where the diversity
of the experience on the Black River
offers a wonderful experience.”
Many opportunities over the ap-
proximately six-week-long spawning
season are available for those who
wish to help. Coordinators will be on-
site at the river to assist and answer
questions. In addition to guarding the
sturgeon, volunteers can also play a
key role by recording the number and
activity of fish they see. This has be-
come a popular activity for families,
scouting and church groups, as well as
students interested in natural resource
management. Often artists participate
as well, especially photographers.
Individuals or groups interested in
volunteering should contact Mark and
Ann Feldhauser at 906-201-2484, or
906-346-9511.
Volunteers can also register online
at www.sturgeonfortomorrow.org/
guarding-program.php or web search
Sturgeon for Tomorrow, Black Lake
Chapter.
For those traveling from outside
the local area, hotels, restaurants and
Onaway State Park (located on Black
Lake) which has improved camping
and cabin rentals, are close to the
guarding locations. Volunteers are
also encouraged to set up their rustic
camps along the banks of the Black
River. There is no charge for camping
on the state land adjacent to the Black
River.
Lake sturgeon rehabilitation in
the Cheboygan River watershed is
a cooperative effort involving the
Black Lake Chapter of Sturgeon for
Tomorrow, the Michigan Department
of Natural Resources, Michigan State
University and Tower-Kleber Limited
Partnership.
In addition to the guarding pro-
gram, this effort includes activities
such as tagging sturgeon adults and
raising young fish for stocking in the
Black, Burt and Mullet Lakes, all in
Cheboygan County.n

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challenge to the hunt. essays, Among the Aspens: Stolen
The range is set up for Rimfire Rifles (all .17 and .22 calibers). The shoot- Moments in Secret Coverts.
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shooter. We also have a new 25 yard, .22 caliber handgun shoot. Shooting Sun-Drenched Days, Two-Blanket
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perspectives and presentations
as his writing glides effortlessly
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Different this time around: Instead
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Targets fall when they are hit did in his first two books of essays,
in Among the Aspens Tom delivers
For more information and to schedule a hunt the goods through a single form
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Call 616-755-1473 or 616-527-1355 hunting.
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WNW NEWS MAY 2018 61
 2017 Ruger Retailer of the Year
The Ruger American Ranch rifle in .450 Bushmaster...

O
n January 23, 2018
during the 40th An-
nual Shot Show in
Las Vegas, Randy’s
Hunter Center of Bad
Axe was recognized
for being the 2017 Ruger Retailer
of the Year, a very distinct (and well
deserved) honor. Ruger officials
presented business owner Randy
Brown with an engraved Ruger
Scout rifle chambered in
.450 Bushmaster, which is
a caliber that has become
very popular in southern
Michigan’s Limited Fire-
arms Deer Hunting Zone.
This popularity is definitely
due to the efforts of Randy
Brown and his instinct for
knowing what deer hunters
would truly ap-
preciate as being By Tom Lounsbury
a very potent
and effective (as well as affordable)
firearm in what was once known
as the “shotgun zone” of southern
Michigan, and there is a story to tell
which leads up to all this. It entails
politics, public input, the firearms
related industries, and also some
common sense in regards to ballis-
tics. Being a bit long in the tooth, I
feel blessed to have witnessed it all,
and have fully appreciated and sup-
ported all of the end results during
the transition of events.
This begins with muzzleloading
rifles first being allowed for deer
hunting in the shotgun zone with
patched round ball, .44 caliber or
larger, and using only black pow-
der. This would later be changed to
conical and sabot rounds and black
powder substitutes being
allowed, and the scoped
modern inline muzzleloader
came into being (which
really extended range ef-
fectiveness). Shotguns were
also allowed to have rifled
barrels for better and longer
range accuracy when using
sabot shotgun ammunition,
which became
instantly popu-
Above: Randy Brown of Ran-
dy’s Hunting Center in Bad Axe
lar. Repeating holding the engraved Ruger
handguns, and a few years later Scout rifle in .450 Bushmaster
followed by single-shot pistols, all that he received for his family-
using straight-wall cartridges, .35 run firearms business becom-
caliber or larger, would be allowed ing the 2017 Ruger Retailer of
as well. the Year. Right: The engraving on the buttstock of the presentation
The straight-wall and .35 caliber Ruger Scout Rifle in .450 Bushmaster. Tom Lounsbury photos
and larger designation for handguns,
would lay the groundwork for rifles Limited Firearms Deer Hunting tridges to be used in rifles however,
eventually being allowed and the Zone would come into being. Car- would have case length require-
ments with 1.16 inches being the
minimum and 1.80 inches being the

NOW TAKING RESERVATIONS maximum, rules which don’t apply

towards cartridges used in hand-

IN ILLINOIS FOR 2018

guns for deer hunting. While this
might seem a bit confusing, I fully
understand and support how this
is written up, as it is very common
LIMITED HUNTS LEFT IN IOWA sense (ballistically), and what has
happened in Michigan has laid the
Illinois - Non Resident Archery Application Period – June 1-30 groundwork for similar deer hunt-
5 DAYS WITH MEALS AND LODGING ing laws in other states, in allowing
rifles in what were known before as
PRICES FROM $1,500 “shotgun zones.”
It was when the Limited Fire-
arms Zone came into being in 2014,
CALL FOR MULTI-HUNT DISCOUNTS I first heard about the .450 Bush-
master round, which was originally
designed for the semiautomatic
AR-15 rifle platform. Single-shot
rifles for this round would soon be-
come available, as well as custom-
ized bolt-actions came into being,
but they were a bit pricey. This is
when Randy Brown, who interacts
CALL RAY POTTER with countless deer hunters through
his family owned and run (with his
AMERICAN HERITAGE OUTFITTERS sons) business, instinctively knew
there was a niche for an affordable
855-626-6900 and quality production-made bolt-
action rifle chambered in the .450
www.americanheritageoutfitters.com Bushmaster round, which with a
case length of 1.70 inches was well
62 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
within the case length requirements.
It is also a flat-shooting caliber to
200 yards (pushing a 250 grain
bullet at about 2200 fps) that packs
a wallop (it’s considered as being a
true “thumper” round) and can also
group accurately and be terminally
effective out to 300 yards (which
covers a whole bunch of shooting
applications for a wide variety of
big game animals).
Randy would approach Ruger
in early 2016 with his idea (he has
done this before, such as with the
compact Ruger LCR revolver that is
now highly popular as a defensive
handgun) and it was decided to give
it a try in the affordable and no frills
bolt-action American Ranch rifle, a
model I much admire because it of-
fers features usually found on more
expensive rifles, such as a single
stage trigger that can be adjusted
from 3 to 5 pounds with an allen
wrench, and closely resembles Sav-
age’s Accutrigger.
I do remember Ruger engineers
during the summer of 2016 having
difficulty getting the typical Ru-
ger rotary magazine to work with
the .450 Bushmaster round, and it
would finally be decided to go with
a straight stack magazine and a
3-round capacity (which in reality, is
enough shots to usually get matters
done).
The prototype of this new rifle
was finally ready to be unveiled for
the first time at the September 2016
Woods-N-Water News Outdoor
Weekend, where it received a very
warm reception from avid south-
ern Michigan deer hunters. Shortly
after that, Randy received his first
shipment of rifles and had requested
500, even though Ruger officials
had suggested only 300 as they
remained somewhat skeptical that
the rifle would prove popular. They
were in for a real surprise, because
the Ruger American Ranch rifle
in .450 Bushmaster immediately
proved to be an astounding hit with
prospective buyers from all across
southern Michigan.
Randy had also worked with
Leupold to design a scope specifi-
cally for this rifle and its ballistics,
where when the correct yardage is
clicked in, it will accurately hit point
of aim, all the way out to 300 yards.
He had also worked with Ken Kelly
of Mag-Na-Port to develop a very
effective muzzle brake for taming
the recoil. Altogether, this entailed
a very effective package for deer
hunting.
For the first few months, Ran-
dy’s Hunting Center was the only
business exclusively selling this new
rifle and to enhance matters, Randy
did a show with Michigan Out of
Doors television (a few weeks be-
fore the 2016 Firearms deer season), deer rifle. was impressed with its performance
featuring him shooting the rifle and Loading the polymer (which is a enough, that I personally liked it
scope combination at 100, 200 and rugged and tough material) maga- best of all due to the longer barrel. If
300 yards, and obtaining consistent- zine with three rounds was smooth I had a youth hunter using this rifle,
ly tight groups which included an and easy. Chambering a round was I would probably add on a Mag-Na-
amazing 3 inch group at 300 yards. I also smooth and involves a short Port muzzle brake, but otherwise I
stopped in at Randy’s Hunting Cen- bolt throw, with the bolt handle would leave it as is.
ter shortly after that show aired and easily clearing the scope while Randy’s Hunting Center also
discovered a lineup and standing racking. The magazine release is offers a wide variety of laminated
room only in the store. I met folks actually located on the magazine wood replacement stocks for these
who had travelled a long way, even itself instead of typically on the rifles, including thumbhole designs
from other states, to purchase the rifle, and I rather like this feature. I and in a wide variety of color selec-
new rifle. Needless to say, Randy estimate the trigger pull, which was tions (my favorite color is a tawny
Brown’s instincts were right on crisp and lacked any creep, was set tiger orange with black stripes, and
and this rifle had become a popular at slightly over 3 pounds, which I besides being beautiful in my eyes,
hit with deer hunters almost over- appreciate for acute accuracy. And it just like a tiger, it would blend in
night. proved to be as accurate as adver- too).
As it would turn out, Ruger had tised on my shooting range with its Other rifle manufacturers soon
its hands full in producing enough feed and function being fluid and realized the popularity of the .450
.450 Bushmaster American Ranch smooth while racking during my Bushmaster round and would come
rifles fast enough to meet the de- entire test. out with their own models. Ruger
mand (including a lengthy waiting Although the .450 Bushmaster is now chambers it in their higher
list) created by Randy’s Hunting certainly a robust round, I was sur- priced, walnut-stocked bolt-actions
Center (as well as a record amount prised by what I personally believe like the “Scout” (which was pre-
of Leupold scopes being sold), and as having a somewhat mild “kick” sented to Randy in Las Vegas) and
it was a process that keeps on tick- to it which I compare to the recoil of also in their dandy “Ruger Number
ing, even still today. a standard 20 ga 2 ¾ inch birdshot One” single-shot. However, the rifle
I had a chance to test fire one load. A proper muzzle brake like which paved the way is the depend-
of the first .450 Bushmaster Ruger that manufactured by Mag-Na-Port able and more economically priced
rifles to arrive at Randy’s Hunt- (which I later found to be the most Ruger American Ranch rifle that
ing Center, thanks to a loaner from effective as well as less noisy) will Randy Brown had the keen foresight
Randy. It featured a 16.12 inch also certainly tame it even more, to know would become a popular
barrel which lacked a muzzle brake, making it an ideal deer gun for not deer rifle and caliber combination
a durable synthetic stock in a flat only lighter framed individuals, but for southern Michigan hunters (not
dark earth color I found attractive, youth hunters as well. mention for deer hunters in other
and was topped with the before I also got a chance to shoot the states as well).
mentioned Leupold specialty scope. .450 Bushmaster Ruger American For more information per
Minus the scope, the rifle weighs Ranch rifle with a 22 inch barrel Randy’s Hunting Center go to www.
only 5 ½ pounds, which makes this (and black synthetic stock) that was randyshuntingcenter.com or call
truly a compact and lightweight also minus a muzzle brake, and I (989) 269-4867.n
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WNW NEWS MAY 2018 63
 Spring fly rod fun!
I
t was my good fortune
to live on a small private
lake for 25 years so I had
every opportunity to see
the lake come to life each
spring. The ice usually
goes out around April 10. It will be
late again this year, not going out
until about the 15th. t then takes
about a full month for the fish to
move into the shallows to feed. The
water in the shallows and especially
on the shallow flats at one end of the
lake warms first.
The plankton must start growing
there first, when the water warms.
This attracts minnows and all sorts
of small fish and they are followed
by the predator fish. Early in May,
one will begin to spot small
bluegills and then small
bass, followed closely by
larger fish of both species.
By the middle of May, the
shallows are really alive
with fish of all sorts and
sizes and one can stand on
the dock and spot nice bass
By George Rowe
cruising round.
While some of
the fish enter the
shallows to spawn, the great major-
ity of them appear to be interested
mainly in feeding. They are present
in great numbers before you see any
bass or bluegills on their spawning
beds.
There are several ways to catch
these fish, including throwing small
lures on a spinning rig. A little spin-
ner/fly combination can be deadly.
Usually, however, fly rod lures are
the most effective. For pure bluegill
fishing, it is hard to beat a small
rubber spider with those rubber legs
that move and entice fish even when
the lure is at rest. For the largest
bluegills and bass of any size, move
up to a small cork-bodied bass pop-
per or a deer hair bass bug. If you
cast a popper tied on a number six
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64 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
hook, that lure will be too big for the
little bluegills but you really don’t
want to catch them anyhow. It will
take the larger bluegills and it will
be just right for bass of any size.
It is a good idea to release all of the
fish you catch in May. They haven’t
spawned yet and it would violate a
primary principle of conservation
to kill any females before they have
had a chance to spawn. If you really
want to keep some fish for a meal,
you could keep some of the mid-
sized bluegills or perhaps some of
the crappie, which spawn early.
The best fly rod for this fishing
is apt to be the same rod you would
choose for stream trout fishing – a
number five or six rod will do just
fine when mated to a five or
six weight torpedo-taper or
weight-forward floating line.
While a heavier rod would
permit you to toss a larger
popper, a heavier rod is apt
to wear you out before you
have had enough fishing. It
also pays to remember that
most of the fish
you are going to
catch are small
and you can magnify the fun by
fighting those small fish on a light
rod.
The best technique for this
fishing is to wade the shallows,
if the bottom permits, or drift along
in a small boat, just tossing the
popper up to the water that is
from two to three feet deep. Any
sort of cover is apt to harbor fish
and that would include docks,
swim rafts, logs, rocks, weeds or
reeds. At this time of the spring,
you can catch a bass in 18 inches
of water if there are just a few
reeds to shelter the fish.
Deeper water can be a substitute
for cover so watch the area where
the water gets deeper, where the
color changes. Bass will lurk in the
Even small bass can put up a nice fight on a light fly rod.
depth break and dash in to take a
small fish or a minnow or your lure.
When the bluegills are getting ready
to spawn, they will often stage just
outside of the shallows, in perhaps
three or four feet of water. If the
nights are cold, look for the bluegills
to be in that depth until the water
warms up in the afternoon.
The big bluegills are at least as
much fun as the bass to catch. They
will absolutely blast that popper,
sometimes coming right out of the
water to do so, and then they fight
the rod, getting sideways and mov-
ing around the boat in big circles. A
hand-sized bluegill will out-pull a
bass that is twice as big and you re-
ally have to give them a lot of credit
for their spunk. While most of the
bass will be small (I call them year-
lings, even though most of them are
older than that) and average from
12 to 14 inches, there will be some
larger fish in the shallows as well,
including a few of the big egg-laden
females. When you catch a six-
pound largemouth on a five-weight
rod, you will have your hands full
for a few minutes, with a mighty
bend in the rod and you may have to
give that fish some line and get it on
the reel.
One of the special joys of this
spring angling is the opportunity to
do some sight fishing. With the sun
high in the sky and a sandy bottom,
it can be fairly easy to see the fish in
the shallows. On occasion, you can
spot a bass cruising, put the pop-
per on the water in front of the fish
and see what happens. You may be
surprised to find out that most of the
fish will refuse the offering. Most of
them will approach the lure and stop
short. They may move closer if you
give the popper a little twitch but
most of them will quickly lose inter-
est and move away. Perhaps one in
ten will strike the popper and that
one may rush in from ten feet away
and smack the lure. Bluegills are
more certain. After you land your
popper on the water, you may see
them coming or you may just see
the wakes. If there are several fish
coming in, your chances are much
improved. These fish get competi-
tive and they may have a race to get
to the lure. Single bluegills may
move in slowly, especially the larger
fish, and sort of stalk the lure before
pouncing on it but they will gener-
ally hit it and hit it hard.
There are some other fish in
the spring shallows and you can
catch them all. The crappies spawn
before the bluegills or bass and they
spawn in deeper water. They will
remain in that five or six feet of
water until late May, however, and
you can catch them by just fishing
over water a little deeper. While that
under-shot jaw of the crappie isn’t
well suited for surface feeding, they
make up for it in enthusiasm and
really bomb that popper. Rock bass
are also common in the lake shal-
lows and they live up to their name
by making their spawning beds
beside big rocks or under logs. They
get larger than bluegills and some
of them will rival the small bass in
size. They hit the popper hard and
fight well.
This is a great opportunity to
get a youngster started on fly fish-
ing. The lake environment is a lot
more forgiving than a trout stream
and the fishing can be much more
rewarding, since it is difficult for a
beginner to achieve much success
in a trout stream. The lake fishing
doesn’t demand much in the way
of accuracy or distance casting and
it is a great chance to develop both
before moving on to more demand-
ing fishing.n
 We’re growing WHAAAAAT?
Dear Fish Diary: The best topic of discussion while fishing...
W
hile bobbling
around in
a boat with
friends it’s all
about who can
come up with
the best topic of discussion. That’s
the problem fishing with me, my
mind is bouncing more than my jig.
There is no drag set on my creative
brain. I’m constantly reeling. I’m
not catching anything so what the
heck, let’s talk.
On today’s outing we are going
to rant about scientists who project
that lab grown meat will be avail-
able for “your” consumption within
the year. That you all, not me, could
be eating lab-grown meat within
the next five years. Yes, lab-grown
meat. Yes, I said “grown.” Right…
not grown on a cow, pig or chicken
– grown in a petri dish. Money
doesn’t grow on trees but evidently
meat does. What kind of tree does
meat grow on you ask? A petri…
Yes, they are growing meat, is it
not sinking in? I know, I’m trying
to wrap my head around it too. It’s
as perplexing to me as untangling
my kids’ fishing lines and trying to
figure out how they made an unfath-
omable mess of it in such a short
amount of time.
This whole scientific experi-
ment began with, guess who? Right,
PETA. In 2014 the animal rights
group offered up a $1 million re-
ward to the first scientist who could
produce and bring to market vitro
chicken meat. I grow tomatoes,
green peppers, green beans, gar-
lic and hot peppers. I just thought
you should know that I often times
struggle with keeping healthy plants.
Meanwhile, back in the lab, people
are growing meat. Well thanks
PETA, once we have lab-grown
meat available, we’ll have no need
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for you. cooking it. So does lab meat never think, if this lab-grown meat
I know this is a way to reduce rot? At what point do you refriger- trend continues, we’ll soon be
greenhouse gasses by over 90%. ate lab-grown meat? OMG, it’s able to once again eat endangered
I know this is a way to feed our not really meat. Just call it what is, species. Bald Eagle burgers
growing population that researchers Petri-meat. anyone?
say at our current rate of farming, What will this do to the fast How did this topic go over on
won’t feed our population food industry? Many your last fishing outing? Let me
in 2050. I know this will franchises will have to know, I’m waiting. Meanwhile, I
stop slaughterhouses and change their names – hope they learn to grow teeth and
the issues people have Almost Burger King, hair before I lose all mine.
Not quite Chick-Fil-A,
with them. But what is
this going to do to shovel Kentucky Fried Petri
Strangest thing
sales? Where will we get Chicken. I think Wen- you’ve ever caught?
our fertilizer from? How dy’s was ahead of their Funny fish stories wanted!
do we know that the meat time when they launched Send a short description of your
won’t keep growing inside the “where’s the beef” “best or worst” fishing day, or worst
of us once ingested? campaign, because it fishing-related adventure, or strang-
appears, we’re est thing you’ve caught to me. You
By Ron St. Germain
What is
this going to all going to be don’t have to write the entire story,
do to the hot- wondering the just a brief outline of what hap-
dog market if they are only growing same thing soon enough. pened. If it has some humor to it
prime cuts of meat? What will hap- The first lab-grown, 5-ounce I’ll be getting in touch with you and
pen to Farmer’s Only dot com? hamburger was eaten in 2013. The we’ll work on the completed story
This is a scary thought…we’ve cost for that 5-ounce hamburger together. Contact - Woods-N-Water
figured out how to grow meat before was $325,000. Today, that same News columnist Ron St. Germain by
we’ve figured out how to stop Asian hamburger would cost $11 and will calling (517) 626-2814, e-mailing
carp or any other invasive species soon drop to under $10. Scared yet? DaPhotoDude@aol.com. Visit the
for that matter. It creates more ques- Virtual walleye, salmon, perch and author’s Facebook page www.Face-
tions than answers for me. How do trout are soon to follow. And just book.com/BearwaveBooks.n
you know when your meat is ripe?
Black Sheep
What happens if you grow your
meat too long? If you’re growing
bacon do you grow it already sliced
and is it thin sliced or thick sliced?
How long before meat Chia-pets are
available? Meat head, Pig headed,
Outdoor Services
Miss-steak, I’m sure will all be big Specializing in Wildlife Land Plots
sellers. Over 25 years Experience
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what to call the lab grown meat. • Insured/Serving
Clean meat, Super meat, Vitro-meat,
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Northern Michigan
the legislatures are arguing over • Selling High Quality Hay
whether it can even be called meat
at all. I mean, it’s meat, but it’s not • Offering Custom Food
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

TROPHY PAGE

Claire Kulik, 8, of Chester-

field took her first deer
on Dec. 11 after pass-
ing several smaller deer
hunting with her dad.
Joee Bladecki took his biggest
buck to date on Nov. 16 in
Arenac Co. This big boy has
11 scorable points and gross
green scored 154 6/8.
Andrew Hoedel caught this
big buck chasing a doe and
he stopped long enough to
give him a perfect shot. The
buck green scored 129 1/8”.
Lee Green took this monster
buck hunting near Yale in St.
Clair Co.

Alyssa Clayton, 12, of Holly

took her first deer hunting Harper Olivia Manchester, two-years-old, Grant McIsaac of Brighton on his first pike spearing
with her crossbow. from Muskegon loves ice fishing! trip; he took a 38 incher and a 33 incher on a private
lake spearing with his grandfather Mike Rosinski.
Brooke Dominic
Barnek, 12,
SEND US
Mauk of
of Bay City
Lum with
caught this
YOUR
nice 23 ¾ his first
inch walleye bluegill

TROPHY
on Rollway caught
Lake in ice

PHOTOS
Roscommon fishing
Co. using a with his
tip-up. Her grandpa! wnw@pageone-inc.com
first walleye!

Brothers, John
Greenlee, 12,
and Joey, 14,
first buck each,
taken during
September
youth hunt
near Capac in
St. Clair County. Donn Fresard had great
Carissa Yerxa of Allegan was success fishing Lake
taught how to fish by her grand- Michigan last summer out
ma! She caught on quickly! of Manistee.
66 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
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WNW NEWS MAY 2018 67
Michigan Deer Camp Traditions
A series of stories about Michigan Deer Camps... By Jake Dykstra
I
t has always intrigued me
how the Upper Peninsula
has such a draw in the es-
tablishment of deer camp
traditions. For decades avid
hunters have been willing
to drive countless hours to hunt vast
spaces of unknown public land that
could be as easily accessible within
likely just an hour or two of their
homes. When you add the notion of
the declining U.P. deer herd to the
equation, it’s even more astonishing
to me the thousands of hunters that
annually make the U.P. their fall hunt-
ing destination.
What is it about deer camp that
hunters are willing to drive hundreds
of miles packed together tighter than
cordwood in a single cab pickup?
Surely it can’t be for the brag-
ging rights that are associated with
harvesting that elusive monster buck.
After all, wouldn’t we all be headed
south for increasing our odds at tak-
ing a giant whitetail? Could it be the
notion that in order to fully segregate
oneself from work and other stress
related activities, you must travel to
a location completely off the grid?
Is it merely the breathtaking scenery
of October and November? Perhaps
deer camp isn’t about the deer that
are harvested, but rather allows us to
fulfill an untapped desire that exists
deep within us.
I’m sure there doesn’t exist a
singular answer to the question at
hand, the simple fact remains; the
roots associated with our deer camps
run much deeper than the targeted
big game we pursue, and for broth-
ers Greg and Bruce and their father,
Bill, there really has been no question
where they will find themselves in the
fall.
The deer camp tradition for this
trio began in the mid-90s. Every
November 14, they would hook up
the old pop-up camper in the early
frosty morning hours, pile into the
single cab Ford, where the smell of
freshly poured black coffee was as
thick as the frost on the outside of the
truck windows. Four hours north to
the bridge with the old camper sway-
ing back and forth behind the entire
way. They would stop only once for
breakfast at a truck stop just north of
the bridge for a refill on coffee and the
most delicious cinnamon rolls large
enough to feed three grown men. The
trip was not yet even halfway done,
another 280 miles to go before reach-
ing deer camp.
Five hours later, the sorely stiff
and worn out travelers would arrive
at their campsite in Bergland, leav-
ing them just enough time before
darkness set in to expand the pop-up
camper and set out the hunting equip-
ment for the next day’s hunt.
Around 5 a.m. Bill was usually
the first to stir, awakening partially to
68 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
the early morning farming schedule
he was accustomed to back home, but
also the eeriness of a nearby owl hoot-
ing in the chilly northern air. Without
any electrical hookups, the pop-up
was powered by a kerosene space
heater, which, judging by the periodic
vapor clouds being emitted by the
two remaining sleepers in the glow of
Bill’s flashlight, had run-out of fuel
sometime during the midnight hours.
The creakiness in the floor and the
screech of the camper door awakened
both Greg and Bruce as Bill headed
outside to find the coffee pot, stashed
somewhere in an exterior compart-
ment. But the cool air inside the
camper was reason enough to stay
wrapped up tightly in their sleeping
bags for a few minutes longer. Shortly
after, the rich smell of Maxwell House
permeated the camper, and the assur-
ance of something that provided ad-
ditional warmth was worth climbing
out of their temporary cocoons.
After putting away the first few
cups of coffee and layering their
hunting clothes Greg, Bruce and Wil-
liam grabbed their rifles and headed
for the same spots they had all each
previously hunted the past years. This
particular opening day of Michigan’s
firearm season came adorned with a
beautiful sunrise. The warmth radiat-
ing from the sun as it began to crest
the treeline slowly aroused the woods
out of its evening coma. With the sun
rays glistening off the frosty branches,
the early morning sights were more
than enough to forget the (long, stiff,
sore, miserable) drive from the day
before.
Greg sat underneath a fallen pine
tree along the edge of a dense cedar
swamp. With the past two years deer
sightings totaling less than what could
be counted on his two hands, Greg be-
gan to succumb to the early morning
warmth provided by the sun that was
landing squarely on his chest. He soon
dozed off repeatedly in and out of
consciousness. A few hours later, the
snap of a branch was heard not far in
front of him. Readying his rifle, Greg
waited patiently for whatever was
walking toward him in the swamp.
At just 20 yards ahead, he was able
to make out a doe through the cedar
limbs. When the doe had stepped
into the clearing at just 15 yards
away, it was apparent that another
deer was headed along the same trail.
Looking back over her shoulder, she
quickly dropped her head and moved
down the mucky trail, each step the
squishing under her hooves growing
fainter. Through the cedar boughs,
Greg could make out the glistening
of what appeared to be a fairly wide
rack. The buck soon sauntered to a
halt, his head down, keeping his rack
hidden from sight. The doe once again
stepped on a branch off in the dis-
tance, causing a muffled snap in the
A U.P. deer camp for broth-
ers Greg and Bruce and
their father, Bill, saw their
best success last year!
swamp muck. This was all that was
needed for the buck to lift his head
and show off his wide rack. Poised
and ready for the shot, Greg immedi-
ately squeezed off a round, sending
the buck off in a short 30 yard sprint.
Having heard the shot come from
the swamp bottoms, and not having
seen anything during his first morning
sit, Bruce quickly sprung up at the op-
portunity to see what kind of success
the shot may have brought. When he
reached the bottom of the ridge, he
was greeted by his brother who was
sporting a grin from ear to ear and a
large 10 point at his feet. After many
backslaps, handshakes, and recalling
the story again and again, the two
brothers, each with one side of the
rack in hand, began the long haul out
of the cedar swamp, up the ridge, and
back to camp to relive the moment
with their Dad.
Once back at camp, the excited
deer campers field dressed and hung
their trophy from a tree limb on their
campsite. After a quick bite to eat in
the early afternoon hours, the deer
campers made it back out to their
stand locations for the evening’s hunt.
With very little deer movement to
discuss at the end of the evening’s sit,
the trio fired up the portable grill and
settled in for an evening filled with
the hamburgers and Diet Mountain
Dew. After dinner, the dishes were
pushed off to the side, and the deer
campers would play the classic card
game ROOK by the soft glow of
the LP gas lamps until late into the
evening.
The next day, hoping to curb the
odds towards Bruce’s favor, Greg of-
fered up his spot and in return, would
hunt the same ridge line Bruce had sat
the day before. With a mutual consen-
sus met, the two brothers headed out
for a late morning hunt. Having first
arrived at Bruce’s old location on the
ridge top, Greg promptly sat down
and watched Bruce disappear below
him as he ventured into the cedar
swamp. Situating himself up against
a stump that had been left from a
clear cut a few years prior, Greg
began to settle in for a long afternoon
hunt. Assuming he was still hearing
Bruce walk down the ridge line, he
paid little attention to the crunching
of leaves coming from the edge of
a poplar stand that was growing on
the outskirts of the clear cut. Not two
minutes later, he peered around the
stump to see a seven point walking
out of the densely stemmed regrowth
of the clear cut. He quickly raised his
rifle to his shoulder and dropped it in
its tracks. At the end of the evening,
when Bruce had come up from the
Cedar Swamp to meet his brother,
Bruce admitted that he hadn’t even
sat down yet in his new spot when he
heard the shot.
Later on that week, Bruce was
able to connect on another buck out
of his original stand location on the
ridgeline, marking this trip as the
most successful hunting trip ever for
this group of deer campers. Since then
the trio expanded their deer camp to
include their children and grandchil-
dren. Greg and his daughter Rachel
would often spend their hunting hours
hiking through the seemingly unin-
habited deer woods along the northern
terrain simply enjoying the unending
landscape and creating irreplaceable
memories that will be treasured for a
lifetime.
So why keep going back to the
U.P. when the deer population has
been continually on the decline? For
these deer campers, it wasn’t the pros-
pect of shooting a large buck, nor was
it really for the opportunity to shoot a
deer (although it is always a welcome
surprise). Rather, the U.P. provides a
quiet seclusion filled with some of the
most breathtaking landscapes in the
state. This is the perfect place to relish
the end of another grueling grow-
ing season on the farm. Traveling to
the U.P. is like entering a completely
different world; it provides a truly
remarkable opportunity to see and
explore a new part of Creation that
has often not yet been touched by
man.n
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WNW NEWS MAY 2018 69
 Hot Topics in the Outdoors - My Thoughts, My Views...

Saginaw Bay Fishery News

T
here is lots of good
news about Saginaw
Bay’s fisheries these
days, but there is
also some bad news
too. Walleye popula-
tions continue to skyrocket with
recruitment at super high levels and
increasing catch rates. Walleyes are
eating well in the Bay these days
too with growth rates well above the
state average due to a diversifying
prey base.
There’s also some good news
on the legislative front with a new,
sport fishermen friendly, commer-
cial fishing bill being introduced.
Yellow perch numbers and catch
rates though remain below
the long term average de-
spite good recruitment and
fast growth rates. Cormo-
rant control though seems
to have stalled and those
predatory birds are now
increasing their negative
impact on both the perch
By Michael Veine
and walleye
populations of the
Bay. Read on for
some “hot off the press” news on
determined that the 2017 walleye
hatch was also another good one.
Only time will tell if that 2017 year
class has good survival though as
the success or failure of a hatch is
ultimately determined by how many
survive beyond their first birthday.
Walleye growth rates continue
to surpass the state average by over
10% increasing some from the
previous year. Increased growth
rates are a pleasant surprise consid-
ering previous forecasts from DNR
fisheries biologists to the contrary
due to a shrinking forage base then.
A recent Predator/Prey study though
has really shed some light on how
Saginaw Bay’s walleyes are alter-
ing their diets in adaptation
to a changing forage base.
In a similar 2011 study,
yellow perch made up the
vast majority of walleye’s
diets with rainbow smelt
being the next best thing on
their menu. In 2017 though,
Gobies, smelt, shiners, shad
and other baitfish
made up a large
percentage of
their diets, however invertebrates
the DNR that there are about 150
active nets in Saginaw Bay and they
are certainly having an impact on
the population recovery.
Bass and Pike
It seems like walleye and perch
get all the attention on Saginaw Bay
these days, however bass and north-
ern pike populations are booming as
well. Bass (especially smallmouth
bass) numbers are super high in
parts of the Bay where the habitat
suits their needs. Every year several
of my clients land smallies that ex-
ceed Master Angler minimums. On
some days we catch a bunch of big
smallmouths too. Diehard bass fish-
ermen that I know consider Saginaw
Bay to harbor a world class bass
fishery and it seems to be growing
too due to invasive species like rusty
crayfish and round gobies, which
bass love to eat.
Northern pike numbers have
greatly increased in recent years on
Saginaw Bay likely due to years of
Saginaw Bay’s walleye fishery
higher than average water levels
continues to offer anglers world
Saginaw Bay News page 72 class fishing oppor tunities.

Michigan pheasant hunting, a

Saginaw Bay’s fisheries from data (bugs) accounted for a huge por-
just released at the March, Lake tion of walleye’s food sources. With
Huron, Citizens Advisory Commit- ever improving water quality on

tradition gone but not forgotten!

tee meeting.
Walleye
There’s no doubt that the quality
of Saginaw Bay’s walleye fishery
is world class these days. Last year,
my charter boat clients enjoyed
limit catches of walleyes on the vast
majority of trips. That’s especially
phenomenal considering the new,
eight walleye limit in place on the
Bay now. That success was spread
out all over the inner and outer Bay
last year too as we attacked huge
schools of fish in dozens of different
sectors.
The DNR reported that the total
walleye harvest was up significantly
in 2017 and so far, fishing efforts
through the ice and in open water
this year have also been off-the-
charts phenomenal. Expectations are
running high for a banner spring and
summer on the Bay. The good ol’
days will likely be this year and for
years to come too.
The gill-net, walleye survey con-
ducted by the DNR in 2017 showed
that the 2016 year class was another
whopper. With two strong walleye
year classes (2015 and 2016) back
to back, there will certainly be tons
of 13- to 18-inch walleyes in the
catch this year. From DNR trawling
surveys conducted last fall, it was
70 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
the Great Lakes, including Saginaw
Bay, bug hatches are increasing
big time and walleyes are cashing
in on that new bounty. Perch were
still being consumed by walleyes
in large numbers last year, but not
as much as other forage species.
This modern, more diversified diet
seems to be good for the Bay’s
walleyes too, with increased growth
rates as the proof.
Perch
Perch numbers continue to be
somewhat depressed on the Bay
despite the changes to the walleye
and perch regulations designed
to improve their populations. The
perch population is well below long
term averages even though it did
see a slight up-tick in numbers in
2016 and 2017. The DNR’s assess-
ments are that perch recruitment is
very good just about every year, but
they are just not surviving to adult
sizes.
With fewer perch in the system,
they have more food to eat than
ever and growth rates have been
very good. There are just too many
predators feeding on perch and it’s
continuing to cause a problem with
their population recovery. Com-
mercial fishing also focuses on
perch in the Bay. It was reported by
Dear Woods-N-Water News:
In recent years Michigan has
lost over 50% of its small game
hunters and statistics show the aging
hunter population will dwindle an-
other 50%. The grass roots organi-
zation, Michigan Pheasant Hunting
Initiative (MPHI) addresses this
important issue directly. MPHI’s
goal is to reverse the trends and
to restore Michigan’s once proud
pheasant heritage for future genera-
tions. MPHI strongly supports all
other state organizations ongoing
habitat projects, but also strongly
feels having birds on the ground
increases hunter involvement and
recruitment.
The pilot program pheasant
release sites will be on public hunt-
ing land located in southern Michi-
gan. Private sectors will supply the
game birds, providing opportunity
for breeders to meet the demand.
The economic boost to our state
would be tremendous. We hope
to gain the support of the MDNR.
The Michigan United Conservation
Club has recently passed a resolu-
tion to support our effort in a raise
and release pheasant program for
recruitment and recreational hunt-
ing. There are currently 19 other
states successfully practicing raise
and release pheasant programs for
hunter recruitment and recreational
opportunity!
South Dakota, the number one
pheasant hunting state in the U.S.,
releases over six hundred thou-
sand birds annually to bolster bird
numbers. Certainly they have great
pheasant habitat and population, but
demand sometimes exceeds what
the wild can provide. Their raise
and release program keeps hunters
happy and the state’s tourism dollars
flowing. There is no question that
South Dakota understands pheasant
hunting is economically important
(to the tune of over $230 million
annually).
For more information go to our
website www.MPHI.info or call
Ken Dalton 810-358-9372. Here
are some links for other success-
ful programs: Google: “Catching
Wisconsin Pheasants”, “Pennsylva-
nia Pheasants” and “Seeding Iowa’s
Fields with Pheasants” at: https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-
Y7VeY7xCw
Thanks for your time
Ken Dalton
 Hot Topics in the Outdoors...My Thoughts, My Views...
Human risk associated with CWD
T
echnically, chronic
wasting disease
(CWD), found in deer
and elk, is classified as
a transmissible spongi-
form encephalopathy
(TSE), a slow degenerative disease
of the central nervous system that
literally eats holes in the victims’
brains.
As with other TSE diseases,
prions are the disease-causing agent.
Prions are mutant, self-propagating
versions of proteins that occur nor-
mally in the body. These prions can
lie dormant in the soil for years and
still be infectious.
Available evidence suggests the
disease is most often spread
between adult animal
and adult animal through
contamination of feed and
water sources with infec-
tious saliva, urine or feces.
It may take years before
the infected animal exhibits
obvious symptoms, such
as emaciation and
By John Ozoga
abnormal behav-
ior. However, once
these symptoms
appear, most animals die within a
couple of months.
CWD is a contagious prion
disease, closely relate to other prion
diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease (CJD) in humans, bovine
spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)
in cattle, and scrapie in sheep. Given
the close relationship between CJD
in humans and CWD in deer, there
is concern that CJD might result
from exposure to CWD.
Background
To date, CWD has been found
in 21 U.S. states and two Canadian
provinces. According to Colo-
rado researchers, led by Samantha
MaWhinney, the highest reported
occurrence of CWD is in a region
spanning parts of Colorado, Wyo-
ming, and Nebraska.
The Colorado researchers
note the following: “Humans and
animals can acquire TSEs by con-
suming prion-contaminated food.
Outbreaks of prion disease include
an epidemic of kuru among the
cannibalistic Fore tribe of the New
Guinea highlands and an epizootic
of BSE in the United Kingdom,
caused by feeding cattle protein
supplements derived from prion-
infected cattle offal.”
Although “food-based transmis-
sion” of these diseases can occur, a
phenomenon known as the “species
barrier” decreases transmission effi-
ciency. Studies have shown that this
natural barrier reduces human sus-
ceptibility to animal prion disease,
including CWD. Despite extensive
human exposure to scrapie, for ex-
ample, there is no evidence that CJD
in humans has increased.
Conversely, in Britain the
consumption of BSE-infected cattle
led to an epidemic of a CJD vari-
ant in the mid-1990s. Even so, less
than 200 cases of the variant disease
were identified despite the dietary
exposure of millions. Evidence indi-
cates future risks are minimal.
The Study
Considering that there have been
no completely reliable experimental
studies conducted for testing the
potential for CWD to cause CJD in
humans, the Colorado re-
searchers analyzed histori-
cal data for evidence.
The researchers cen-
tered their study in seven
northern Colorado counties
where CWD has occurred
in free-ranging deer and
elk for more than 25 years.
Hunting license
records for the area
indicate that about
75 percent of the deer and elk hunt-
ing licenses purchased from 1995
through 2001 were issued locally.
Hence, county residents consume
most regionally harvested game, and
would have a high potential risk of
consuming CWD-infected animals.
Using Colorado death certificate
data from 1979 through 2001, the
researchers tested whether residence
Youths get more opportunities to hunt
Young Lapeer County hunter inspired Rep. Howell to introduce legislation
L
egislation introduced by state
Rep. Gary Howell after hear-
ing from a Lapeer County boy
who wanted more opportuni-
ties to hunt was recently signed into
law by Gov. Rick Snyder.
Howell said Lapeer County
resident Nick Vanecek and his son
Hayden, who was 7 at the time,
approached him with concerns that
Michigan’s mentored youth hunt-
ing license was too limited. Hayden,
a student at North Branch Area
Schools, had shot a buck early in
the season and wanted to continue
hunting, but the youth hunting rules
prevented him from obtaining a doe
tag.
In response to their concerns,
Howell introduced House Bill 4957
to allow young people who partici-
in a CWD-endemic county affected
the probability that a death was from
CJD. They also examined whether
the likelihood of a death from CJD
increased over time or that it was
misclassified.
Results
Given their analysis, the re-
searchers found that human prion
disease is extremely rare, and
increased risk due to CWD exposure
appears to be subtle or nonexistent.
They found no significant difference
in the proportion of deaths from
CJD in CWD-endemic versus non-
CWD endemic counties.
Likewise, no significant increase
in CJD death rates was found over
time. In fact, they saw a slight
decrease in CJD risk over time;
43 percent of the deaths occurred
before 1989. CJD risk also deceased
with age of death; 46 percent of
deaths occurred in persons 56-70
years of age and 40 percent in those
older than 70 years.
Overall, CJD death rates were
low, less than one per million in
both CWD-endemic and non-dis-
ease-endemic counties.
Complicating Factors
The Colorado researchers
acknowledge that this study was
based solely on historical data and
identifying cases of human prion
disease remains a challenge. For
example, death certificate data un-
doubtedly underestimate the preva-
lence of CJD, as the probability of
pate in mentored youth hunting pro-
grams to come under the same limits
applicable to other hunters.
“I’m very proud of Hayden for
taking an active role in the legisla-
tive process,” said Howell, of North
Branch. “He and his father did a
splendid job communicating their
concerns, first to me and then again
while testifying in support of the bill
before the House and Senate Natural
Resources committees. As a result,
their proposed reforms gained over-
whelming support from legislators
and the governor.”
The mentored youth hunt, es-
tablished in 2011, allows children
younger than 10 to hunt alongside
an experienced parent or guardian
during certain seasons. Previously,
children could obtain a youth hunting
CJD being accurately diagnosed is
influenced by changes in diagnostic
practices, medical care, etc.
Also, due to the long incubation
periods of prion diseases, infected
persons may not have had sufficient
time for the disease to develop or
may have left the state before dis-
ease onset.
Active education about CWD
has been ongoing in Colorado since
1995. This information campaign
includes specific recommendations
to minimize exposure for hunters,
meat processors, and taxidermists.
In addition, since 1994, testing has
been available for game harvested
in CWD-endemic counties, thereby
removing a proportion of harvested,
CWD-infected deer and elk from the
human food chain.
Conclusions
Although CWD has existed
in Colorado since the 1960s, this
study found no evidence that human
deaths due to CJD in CWD-endemic
areas have increased. Hence, the
researchers conclude that human
prion disease resulting from CWD
exposure is rare or nonexistent.
Even so, given the many uncer-
tainties involved, they recommend
that preventative steps to reduce
exposure to the CWD agent and
other animal prion diseases, such as
BSE in cattle and scrapie in sheep,
should continue. In their view, “the
possibility that the CWD agent
might cause human disease cannot
be eliminated.”n
license, which includes a base small
game license, one deer tag, spring
and fall wild turkey licenses, fur
harvester’s license and an all-species
fishing license.
House Bill 4957, now Public Act
4 of 2018, allows participants to ap-
ply for and purchase additional tags
for antlerless deer, as well as licenses
for other species.
“One of my goals as chair of the
House Natural Resources Committee
is to find more ways to address the
dwindling number of young sports
enthusiasts engaged in hunting and
fishing activities in Michigan,” How-
ell said. “I’m hopeful this reform will
help more kids gain an enthusiasm
for hunting and an appreciation for
the beautiful natural resources our
state has to offer.”n
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 71

Saginaw Bay News:
expanding their habitat and bolster-
ing their reproduction. Targeting
pike this winter through the ice was
phenomenal with limit catches of
chunky pike being the norm. Some
of those brutes were some of the
biggest northern I’ve ever seen too.
Many of those pike we caught had
perch in their stomachs too, so that
is just one more top tier predator
that perch have to deal with now in
increasing numbers.
Cormorants
The number of cormorants
increased last year on Saginaw
Bay due to the fact that no popula-
tion control measures were taken.
Cormorants eat a lot of perch and
when they are not eating perch they
are usually eating other small fish
that would otherwise feed walleyes
and other sportfish putting more
stress on some of those already low
forage fish populations. Cormorants
are also well known for eating larger
fish too. A couple times last year I
drove through huge flocks of cor-
morants feeding on the water. When
they took off, a lot of them barfed
up fish and upon closer inspec-
tion we were surprised to see large
walleyes floating around as a result
of the puke fest. I’m talking about
walleyes over 20” long, so cormo-
rants can and will eat walleyes of
just about any size and lots of them.
There have been some road-
blocks to managing the predatory
birds from animal rights activists
Morley man sentenced following CWD investigation
A
Mecosta County game
ranch owner has been
sentenced on charges
resulting from an investi-
gation by the Michigan Department
of Natural Resources Law Enforce-
ment Division, in cooperation with
the Michigan Department of Agri-
culture and Rural Development.
Lester Jay Gemmen, 64, of
Morley was charged with providing
false information regarding the ori-
gin of two deer heads that were sub-
mitted for disease testing, and for
failing to properly maintain fencing
at the Super G Ranch. The ranch is a
privately owned cervid (POC) facil-
ity, a designation that includes game
ranches and hunting ranches.
He was sentenced by the 77th
District Court to 60 days in jail for
each count, ordered to pay $775 in
fines and costs and must perform 80
hours of community service.
The investigation began in 2017
after two of the six deer heads sub-
mitted by Gemmen tested positive
for chronic wasting disease (CWD).
72 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
Hot Topics In The Outdoors...
from page 70
suing in federal court to block lethal
and other means of control for these
super abundant birds. Besides legal
challenges, there is also the issue
of funding for control. Neither the
Feds nor the state of Michigan seem
too interested in battling too hard to
regain some semblance of wildlife
management on this invasive spe-
cies. Cormorants have only called
Michigan home for a relatively short
period of time and have degraded
sport fish populations wherever they
live. It just seems like Michigan’s
U.S. Senators don’t care much about
the damage cormorants cause to our
fisheries, so politically, things are at
a standstill.
Commercial
Last year, sport fishermen got a
real scare when the DNR and com-
mercial fishermen crafted a new,
draft commercial fishing bill behind
closed doors without much if any
input from sport fishing interests.
When news of this effort leaked out,
the sport fishing community was
outraged to say the least, mainly
because it contained language al-
lowing commercial fishermen to
keep walleyes, which under current
law is illegal. There were many
other shortcomings of that bill too,
but thanks to pressure from fisher-
men across the state, that bill died a
quick death before it was ever even
introduced.
Most anglers are not against
new commercial fishing regula-
“I commend the detectives from
our Special Investigations Unit and
our field conservation officers for
their thorough, professional ap-
proach to this investigation,” said
1st Lt. David Shaw, supervisor of
the Special Investigations Unit of
the DNR Law Enforcement Divi-
sion.
The facility’s remaining deer
were depopulated and tested, but
no further evidence of CWD was
found. The facility remains under
quarantine, currently preventing
ownership of farmed cervids.
The Privately Owned Cervid
Program is jointly managed by the
DNR and MDARD. There is man-
datory CWD testing in all registered
herds in Michigan, under the over-
sight of MDARD. The DNR over-
sees POC registration and performs
inspections of POC facilities. Proper
maintenance of POC facilities is
critical to protecting Michigan’s
free-ranging and privately owned
cervid herds.
CWD is a fatal central ner-
tions, but such a bill must protect
the resources and address safety on
the water above all else. The current
commercial fishing regulations were
originally drafted in 1929 and no
changes to fees and penalties have
been made since then. Right now,
the antiquated commercial fishing
regulations are largely ineffective
due to penalties for infractions
equating to just a gentle slap on the
wrist. Most people that have fished
on Saginaw Bay have encountered
under marked nets (illegal) which
are a significant safety hazard in-
deed, especially since the location of
these nets changes frequently with
no notification given. The small fees
commercial fishermen pay for their
licensing also results in their indus-
try receiving huge subsidies from
sport fishing license dollars too.
Another commercial fishing bill
is in the works that will greatly
improve the situation. This bill was
the result of a collaboration of sport
fishing groups including MUCC,
Michigan Charter Boat Association,
Hammond Bay Area Anglers Asso-
ciation, Saginaw Bay Walleye Club,
MI Steelhead and Salmon Anglers
Association, Trout Unlimited and
others. This 77 page bill puts the
resource first with no walleyes being
allowed in the commercial fishing
catch. It also increases fees and
penalties more appropriate, modern
day levels with sharply increasing
penalties for repeat violations. The
bill also requires commercial fisher-
men to provide net location GPS
coordinates, which will be posted
vous system disease that affects
white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk
and moose. It attacks the brain of
infected animals, creating small
lesions in the brain, which result
in death. It is transmitted through
direct animal-to-animal contact or
by contact with saliva, urine, feces,
blood, carcass parts of an infected
animal or infected soil. To date,
there have been no reported cases of
CWD infection in humans. Howev-
er, as a precaution, the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention
and the World Health Organization
recommend that infected animals
not be consumed as food by humans
or domestic animals.
Since May 2015, CWD-positive
deer have been found in Michigan.
As of mid-March 2018, 57 free-
ranging deer have tested positive
for the disease. CWD has not been
found in the Upper Peninsula,
though it has been discovered in
Wisconsin, approximately 40 miles
from the western Upper Peninsula
border.
on the internet. There will likely
be hearings on this bill this spring
and every sport fisherman that is
concerned with this issue should at
least contact their state representa-
tive and senator and also consider
testifying at the hearings too. Com-
mercial fishing interests are sure to
vigorously fight this bill, so without
your support, they may succeed in
stopping it or changing it to their
advantage. Stay tuned to social
media for the latest news on this fast
moving bill. I will be updating my
Trophy Specialists Fishing Charters
Facebook page with updates on this
issue.
The author offers fishing charters
specializing in Saginaw Bay wall-
eyes. Contact Mike Veine at www.
trophyspecialists.com or 734-475-
9146.n
My Thoughts,
My Views, My Opinions
Share your thoughts, views, opinions
or short stories with Woods-N-Water
News readers by emailing
wnw@pageone-inc.com or mail to
Woods-N-Water News,
PO Box 278, Imlay City, MI 48444
Questions regarding Woods-N-Water
News subscriptions, newsstand
sales, Outdoor Weekend, stories,
trophy page, contact our office
Mon.-Fri. 9 am-5 pm 810-724-0254,
www.woods-n-waternews.com or
facebook woodsnwaternews
The DNR is working with
stakeholders to address the status of
CWD in Michigan. In the coming
weeks, the DNR and the Michigan
Natural Resources Commission will
host a series of public engagement
meetings across the state on CWD.
The sessions will provide hunters,
business owners and residents with
opportunities to share their ideas
and observations.
In addition, the DNR, NRC
and MDARD are evaluating
recommendations from the
CWD Working Group, which
was created after last year’s
CWD Symposium. The symposium
brought national and international
experts to Michigan to discuss
CWD. During the coming months,
the DNR, NRC and MDARD will
work with stakeholders to develop
new CWD regulation recommenda-
tions.
Visit www.michigan.gov/cwd
for more information about
the disease, preventive measures
and the public meeting schedule.n
 Hot Topics in the Outdoors...

A PFD can’t save you if you don’t wear it

T
he summer crowd is
gearing up and the beau-
tiful lakes draw them
like a giant magnet. I
know the feeling, I can’t
even drive home without
going down to look out over Port Aus-
tin’s beautiful harbor. It’s the same
when I visit Harbor Beach, Caseville,
Sebewaing or Grindstone;
I drive to their waterfronts
to see the lake and note all
the water lovers strolling
the docks to take a breath of
the fresh lake air. As soon
as it’s warm enough, some
can’t resist just jumping right
off the docks or breakwalls.
Others wade out and get to
the deeper water
where they can BOAT SMART...
swim. Some
swim out to By Capt. Fred Davis
depths over their
heads then find themselves fighting to
reach shallow water and wade back to
safety.
It’s great to see families enjoy-
ing being on the water; in kayaks, jet
skis, and toy inflatables. It all looks so
idyllic and I’m sure it becomes easy
to disregard all caution as they are
caught up in the activities. Another
common sight one might see is peo-
ple, especially children, floating on air
mattresses or other inflatable objects.
Often, those floating along fail to real-
ize the wind may be offshore taking
them to depths over their heads. Un-
less they are wearing a PFD, or a boat
is nearby, their lives are in peril.
The National Safe Boating Coun-
cil repeatedly states;
“Life Jackets, They Don’t
Work If You Don’t Wear
Them.”
This reminder applies not
only to boaters but it should
be a guide to all who venture
out or let their children go
on the water in floatables.
I have witnessed numerous
cases where
youngsters were
carried offshore
and had to be
rescued.
One such event happened while I
was returning from a charter fishing
trip on The Miss Port Austin. It was a
nice day but dark clouds were devel-
oping. We all noticed a strange object
off in the distance and became curious
about it so I asked my passengers if
they would like to take a ride offshore
to check it out. As we approached, we
saw two children sitting on a jet ski place them face down.
and an inflatable mattress sticking up Kayaks, jet skis, canoes, paddle-
alongside it. boards, inflatables of all types are
As we got closer, we noted a toys to play
women swimming and pulling the with on
Jet Ski with a long rope. We hailed near-shore
her and told her to come over to the waterways.
back of my vessel. I lowered my aft Although
platform and with help from a few they are
passengers we pulled the machine considered
aboard along with the women and boats, they
kids. We asked how they had got so can be
far offshore and what had occurred. dangerous
She said she was pulling one kid at and their
a time on the inflatable and when use requires
she stopped to switch riders, the tow a need for
rope got sucked into the drive system respect and
of the Jet Ski and shut it down. She caution.
expressed her gratitude and we agreed Many peo-
if she had not had a life jacket on as
she was trying to pull the Jet Ski she
ple do not
wear their PFDs while operating the
would have been pushed further off-
shore and we would not have seen her.
small “toys.” Some carry them along,
as required, but if they are needed,
The Coast Guard considers kayaks they must be worn to be of benefit.
and canoes to be boats and requires Take someone along and jump over-
there must be a PFD for each person board with your PFD in hand, attempt
on board. Children of variable age, to put it on and see what a difficult
depending on state requirements, must task it is. Imagine being in rough seas
be wearing one and it must be prop- a good distance offshore and alone.
erly fitted and fastened. If a person What may the outcome be?
enters the water with a type III PFD PFDs are not only required by
on that is not fastened, the jacket can law – they really should be on every
hold their arms extended outward and operator of any boat on the water.n

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WNW NEWS MAY 2018 73

 Michigan’s Coastal Management Program
Celebrates 40 years with ‘Year of the Coast!’ By Rachel Coale…MDNR
A
drop of water in the Great Lakes
system passes an incredibly diverse
coastline on its journey eastward to the
Atlantic Ocean. Starting at the north-
ern red rock shores of the Keweenaw
Peninsula, this water droplet – per-
haps fallen from the sky to earth during a spring
rainstorm – could be moved by currents south and
east toward the stunning painted cliffs of Lake
Superior’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Or
it might begin its journey near Chicago, passing the
towering Sleeping Bear sand dunes that crown Lake
Michigan, moving north and then east through the
Straits of Mackinac.
The lake flow would then likely bring the drop-
let around the more than 10,000 islands that stud the
map of Lake Huron, before spilling into the fertile
wetlands along Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie. Along
its long journey, this drop of water could travel
under a fishing dock in a tiny “up-north” village or
be tossed and tumbled by a kayak paddle along the
busy waterfront of the Detroit River.
Whatever the course, the journey of water
through the massive Great Lakes system is a tre-
mendous trip.
Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas are
surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes – Supe-
rior, Michigan, Huron and Erie. These freshwater
lakes are so vast they’re nicknamed “the Sweetwa-
ter Seas,” and they form the world’s longest fresh-
water coastline. Combined, these four lakes cover
nearly 90,000 square miles in water area.
From early logging and fishing industries to
today’s hottest tourist destinations and emerging
technology sector, Michigan’s Great Lakes coastline
represents an economic engine for the state, carry-
ing forward an incredible legacy reflecting a special
Michigan way of life.
However, at some points in the not-too-distant
past, waterfront industrial and development activi-
ties often had negative consequences, with coasts
and waterways damaged by habitat loss and pollu-
tion. Beginning in the late 1960s and 1970s, grow-
ing calls to value water not just as a resource to be
used and consumed – but as something we need to
care for – prompted the establishment of modern
environmental protection laws and an increasing
stewardship ethic. Today, more people recognize
Michigan’s coast for the asset it is and see value in
working to protect it, so generations to come will be
able to enjoy it too.
That’s where coastal management comes in.
Driving this coastal stewardship work is the Michi-
gan Coastal Management Program, which was
established in 1978 through the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration.
“Our nation’s coastal zone is vital to the well-
being of our country. It is home to roughly half
of the nation’s population and supports ecologi-
cally important habitats and natural resources,” the
NOAA website states. “The National Coastal Zone
Management Program works with coastal states and
territories to address some of today’s most press-
ing coastal issues, including climate change, ocean
planning, and planning for energy facilities and
74 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
development.
“The program is a voluntary partnership be-
tween the federal government and U.S. coastal and
Great Lakes states and territories authorized by the
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to address
national coastal issues. The program is administered
by NOAA.”
In Michigan, the coastal management program
is administered through the Office of the Great
Lakes, which, since December, is housed within the
Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Previ-
ously, the office was part of the Michigan Depart-
ment of Environmental Quality.
The coastal management program has helped
elevate the importance of Michigan’s “freshwater
coast” on a national level and drive the last four
decades of work to protect, enhance and restore
the state’s 3,288 miles of Great Lakes coastline.
The Office of the Great Lakes is calling attention
to Michigan’s incredible Great Lakes coastal re-
sources and the work of our state’s Coastal Man-
agement Program by naming 2018 the “Year of the
Coast.”According to NOAA, “coastal management”
refers to the actions taken to keep the environmen-
tal, community and economic aspects of coastal life
in balance.
Michigan’s Coastal Management Program cel-
ebrates its 40-year anniversary this year, along with
saltwater coast states including California, Hawaii,
and Maine, and fellow freshwater state, Wisconsin.
Michigan’s program team members each focus on
a specialty area of coastal stewardship, including
habitat, public access, water quality, community
development and hazard management.
“Michigan’s coastal program protects our
coast’s unique places, including freshwater wet-
lands, dunes and beaches, home to rare and endan-
gered species found nowhere else in the world,”
said Karen Boase, the program’s coastal habitat
coordinator. “Michigan’s state wildflower, the
dwarf lake iris, is only found in the Great Lakes
region, but faces threats due to habitat degradation
and shoreline development. Piping plovers, lake
sturgeon and mudpuppies are other coastal species
in need of habitat protection.”
Public access to the Great Lakes is critical to the
Michigan way of life. Weston Hillier, the program’s
public access coordinator, helps communities estab-
lish trail systems, add beach access, protect historic
resources like lighthouses and shipwrecks, and
elevate coastal tourism efforts.
“These projects enhance our ability to recreate
outdoors and enjoy our coastal resources,” Hillier
said. “The goal is to partner with, and invest in,
coastal communities to create and enhance coastal
public access, so everyday activities such as swim-
ming, kayaking, hunting and looking for Petoskey
stones are more accessible and enjoyable.”
Recent projects include boardwalks and stair-
ways for people to safely access beaches and
wetlands, restoration of a historic fishing tug in
partnership with a maritime museum, and continued
work on water trails to establish Michigan as “The
Trails State,” in the water as well as on the land.
“Developing water trails includes planning projects,
as well as development of coastal access sites, such
as the installation of accessible kayak launches and
navigation signs,” Hillier said.
Public access connects people to coastal
resources in meaningful ways – to learn and play.
Keeping those resources healthy for people and
wildlife is the mission of Madeleine Gorman, the
program’s coastal water quality specialist. She
tackles coastal issues by engaging residents in water
stewardship through partner programs like Adopt-a-
Beach and Michigan Clean Marina.
“We also work with communities to implement
green infrastructure techniques, like rain gardens
and porous pavement that soak up storm water,
mimicking nature’s processes,” Gorman said. “This
work helps communities reduce runoff pollution
and become resilient to the effects of flooding and
changing water levels.”
It’s no secret that waterfronts can be an incred-
ible community asset. Leveraging that asset sus-
tainably supports a healthy environment and local
economy. The coastal program supports community
growth through smart planning.
Program community development coordina-
tor Matt Smar helps support sustainable waterfront
towns that are good places to live and visit. This
takes a thorough understanding of the Great Lakes
assets that make coastal communities special. The
beauty of the Great Lakes and the title ‘lakes’ can
lead people to underestimate them. The Great Lakes
system is dynamic and needs to be respected.
“Storms, erosion, rip currents, and even
meteotsunamis can occur on the Great Lakes,”
said Matt Warner, the program’s coastal hazards
coordinator.
Warner educates communities on coastal man-
agement techniques that can reduce risks from those
hazards, saving lives, homes and infrastructure.
“Innovative ways to think about protecting
coastal residents and assets emphasize techniques
that work with coastal processes instead of trying to
battle a lake’s forces,” Warner said. “For example,
natural shorelines with hardy native vegetation can
be more effective than an armored seawall. They
also provide scenic and environmental benefits for
the shoreline property owner.”
Since its establishment, the Michigan Coastal
Management Program has made strategic invest-
ments of millions of dollars in coastal communities
and provided the technical assistance to get the
work done. In this 40th year, the program plans to
focus on community resiliency, coastal dunes and
education. The team will promote water steward-
ship, continue work to establish and enhance Michi-
gan’s water trails, and work in boating communi-
ties to keep marinas clean. This work continues a
decades-long legacy of service to our state’s coastal
communities and natural resources.
Learn more about the Great Lakes Coastal Man-
agement Program at www.michigan.gov/coastalma-
nagement. Follow the journey throughout “The Year
of the Coast” online with #YearoftheCoast2018
for coastal facts, information, and projects. Sub-
scribe to the e-mail list and follow on Twitter at @
MichiganOGL.n
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WNW NEWS MAY 2018 75
 Sporting Collectibles...
It’s still
out there!
T
his past March, Doug
Wilkinson from
Brohman, Michigan
brought a forged
aluminum reel and
rod handle combina-
tion into the Grand Rapids Ultimate
Sports Show. Doug had inherited it
from his grandfather. It was pack-
aged in a printed box that read:
“Featherlite Cross-Line
Casting Unit with the Wig-
Wag Winder” and manufac-
tured by the Markle Feath-
erlite Products Corporation,
1950 E. Milwaukee Ave.,
Detroit, Michigan.
I had heard of Markle
Featherlite Products before
By Terry McBurney
because I own
one of their
Featherlite
Rite-Angler Spinning Reels from
the late 1940s, but I had never seen
the unique Cross-Line reel and rod
handle combination. It immediately
reminded me of the Hurd Super
Caster rod and reel combo from
Imlay City sold between 1946 and
1950 because of its similar bait-
casting styling and functions. But
after handling it, I could see that its
design was totally different.
Markle Featherlite Products
was a Michigan corporation started
in late 1945 by Harry J. Markle, a
Detroit-area lawyer, and his wife,
Dorothy, who lived in Rochester,
Michigan. Sometime towards the
end of WWII, the two of them de-
signed a trio of polished cast alumi-
num alloy garden tools consisting of
a standard trowel, a narrow-bladed
Left: The Markle Rite-Angler Spinning Reel shown in its forward casting position. Right: After casting, the angler would touch the line guide/trigger and
the reel would spring back 90 degrees to the retrieving position. Author photos
76 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
trowel and a garden fork. The highly
polished garden tools were an im-
mediate success. The term “Feath-
erlite” was copyrighted for the
tools, and production started in late
1945 even though aluminum was
still in short supply. The Markel’s
converted a barn on their Roches-
ter farm and started producing the
garden tools. Soon their annual sales
topped $250,000 as well
as employing one hundred
workers. Their garden tools
not only sold extremely
well but were later dis-
played as works of art by
the New York Museum of
Modern Art!
Sometime in the late
1940s, Harry
Markle turned
his interest to
fishing reels when the company
started manufacturing and selling
the Markle Featherlite Rite-Angler
Spinning Reel. The Rite-Angler
was not a standard spinning reel but
what is known as a “sidecaster.” It
was a U.S. variation of the Scottish
Malloch reel first patented by Peter
Malloch in 1884.
The Malloch reel “incorporated
a large spool, one-piece foot, large
line-guide with a round back plate
with a handle knob attached to
it.” The angler would make a cast
with the spool facing forward with
the braided line shooting through
the reel’s large line guide and then
through the fishing rod’s line guides.
The angler would then turn the reel
foot 90 degrees so the reel would be
parallel to the rod and then wind in
Above: The Markle
Featherlite Cross-Line
Casting Unit came pack-
aged in a printed card-
board box. Right: A close-
up from front to back
showing the collet nut, the
“Wig-Wag Winder”, the on-
off clicker, the free spool
gear release button, and
the hinged handle. Lower
Right: The hinged handle
would swing open revealing
the reel’s par ts for easy
disassembly and cleaning.
Doug Wilkinson collection
the line. The Scottish Malloch reels cast right handed and reeled with
were made until the mid-1940s. their left. The simple instructions
The Markle Rite-Angler Spin- stated that the reel could be returned
ning Reel functioned the same as to the factory if a right-hand crank
the as the Malloch reel. The Markle was desired for left-handed fishing.
instructions stated: “Now for the (The Markle Rite-Angler Spinning
cast - turn the reel at a right angle to Reel pictured in this article must
the rod and with the left hand place have been returned to the factory
the line under the right thumb. Make since it has a right-hand crank).
your cast, releasing the line in the Only a few local fishing tackle
normal manner. Touch the bigger ads from 1950 have been found
guide and the reel snaps back to the advertising the rare Markle Feather-
retrieving position. GOOD FISH- lite Rite-Angler Spinning Reel. I did
ING.” The reel came assembled find a press release in a 1949 issue
from the factory with a left-hand of The American Legion Magazine
crank for right-handed anglers who promoting the Rite-Angler. It read:
“LOW COST SPINNING REEL.
With most spinning reels selling
for $20 or more, a new and simpli-
fied model is now being offered
for $7.95. Called the Rite-Angler
Spinning Reel, it is manufactured by
Markle Featherlite Products Corp.,
1950 E. Milwaukee Ave., Detroit 11.
Weighing only six ounces, it is made
of aluminum and stainless steel…”
The distinctive Cross-Line Cast-
ing Unit was also made from forged
aluminum and stainless steel in an
attractive black painted pebble grain
finish with composition cork glued
into the handle. The reel was an
integral part of the rod handle and
came packed in a cardboard box.
After buying the Cross-Line, the
angler would mount either a steel
or solid fiberglass rod to the unit by
unscrewing the front collet nut, in-
serting the base of the rod and then
retightening the nut.
Instead of a standard level wind
for evenly winding in the line, it had
what the manufacturer described
as a “Wig-Wag Winder”, a device
that swept to the left and then to the
right distributing the line evenly as
the spool turned –like a windshield
wiper. The Cross-Line also was a
free spool reel. The angler would
depress the gear release button,
which disengaged the gears. A
standard cast would be made and the
revolving spool would be slowed by
carefully thumbing the flange of the
spool.
The Cross-Line could also be
easily disassembled for cleaning
by unscrewing and removing the
collet nut and then swinging the
hinged cast aluminum handle open
exposing the reel’s parts. With a
little practice, the angler could then
remove the parts, clean them, relu-
bricate them with “white Vaseline”
according to the instructions and
then reassemble the reel and handle.
My best guess is that the Mar-
kle Cross-Line Casting Unit was
produced in the late 1940s or early
1950s, though no additional infor-
mation or ads have surfaced so far.
Hopefully, more information will be
forthcoming or a second example
will be found by one of my read-
ers as I would like to add it to my
“Made in Michigan” reel collection.
Jerry Wilson from Adrian,
Michigan also introduced me to
something I had never seen before.
It was an “Automatic Minnow Pail,”
a galvanized tow behind minnow
bucket manufactured in Mason City,
Iowa. He had found the bucket at an
estate sale in Napoleon, Michigan
about five years ago.
I have written about tow behind
The Automatic Minnow Pail measured 26-inches tall by 8-inches in diam-
eter, and was made in Mason City, Iowa. Above photo shows the screened
window, torpedo-shaped float chamber and flat bottom float chamber.
Jerry Wilson collection
minnow buckets before, starting floating upright in the water as it
with the Shinners-Russell Hartford was towed behind a boat.
tow behind patented in 1905 and I have found just one ad for Par-
the Cream City Novelty Minnow rott’s “Automatic Minnow Pail” in
Float introduced sometime in 1906 a 1935 issue of National Sportsman
or 1907 (see “The Hartford and magazine. The ad emphasized that
Novelty Minnow Floats” from the the bucket would aerate the min-
November 2014 issue of Woods- nows and keep them alive and that
n-Water News). The Hartford and it could be used for both still fishing
the Novelty tow behinds were both or for trolling. I am guessing that
torpedo-shaped on each end, which Parrott’s invention was only made Featherlite Cross-Line Casting Unit
included air chambers. Jerry’s for a short while. Regardless, it was into the Grand Rapids Ultimate
example of the “Automatic Minnow an important step forward in min- Sports Show for me to see and pho-
Pail,” however, was torpedo-shaped now bucket design. tograph. This previously unknown
on just one end. Though it was made of galva- reel and handle fishing combo is a
The “Automatic Minnow Pail” nized metal, Parrott’s minnow pail remarkable addition to our Michigan
was patented by William J. Parrott was quite similar in function to fishing history. I would also like to
of Mason City, Iowa on November today’s best selling plastic min- thank Jerry Wilson from Adrian,
14, 1933. At the time of his novel now bucket, Frabill’s bright yellow Michigan for his unusual “automatic
patent, Parrott was the 55-year-old Flow Troll bucket, also designed to minnow pail,” a tow behind minnow
longtime owner of Mason City be pulled behind a boat. It’s “Flow bucket that I had not seen before.
Sporting Goods in downtown Ma- Troll” shape was designed to float Feel free to contact the author
son City, Iowa. His patent #1934815 with the bait door facing up, and to at antiquefishing@comcast.net with
described a minnow pail with a constantly aerate the bait as it was your questions. Photographs are im-
single torpedo end containing an pulled through the water. portant, so please send them. They
air chamber that could be regu- I would like to thank Doug help me with identification and give
lated so that the buoyancy could be Wilkerson from Brohman, Michigan me an idea of the condition of the
changed. There was a screw-off cap for bringing in his ultra rare Markle item.n
on the top torpedo end that could be
removed so that water could enter…
”so that the depth at which the
bucket will float is under the control
of the user.”
The bottom of the minnow pail
also included a flat air chamber,
which measured about 2½-inches
deep. The patent drawing, however,
showed that this second air chamber
also had a screw-off cap. Actual pro-
duction did not include the remov-
able cap, and the bottom air cham-
ber was simply sealed.
The Parrott Automatic Minnow
Pail measured 26-inches tall by
8-inches in diameter and included a
rear screened window that when the
bucket was picked up by the handle,
water would drain through the
screening to the correct level before
it was set upright on the bottom
of a boat. At that point, minnows
could easily be grabbed through the
hinged spring front door.
A rectangular piece of lead was
soldered inside and just below the
screened window. This acted as bal- The only known ad for the Automatic Minnow Pail was published in a 1935
last in order to keep the minnow pail issue of National Spor tsman magazine.
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 77
State park rangers wear many hats
A repairman, educator, information specialist and a cop. It’s no
wonder they all say they love their jobs...By Bob Gwizdz, MDNR
T
wo days of high winds
– followed by a day-
long, sometimes in-
tense rain – completely
changed Scott Slavin’s
plans. The unit manag-
er for the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources’ William Mitchell
State Park and the White Pine Trail
in Wexford County, Slavin thought
the snowshoe/fat-tire bicycle por-
tion of the trail
could use a
good groom-
ing. But the
rain wiped
out most of
the snow, so
Slavin shifted
gears. Instead,
he decided
he’d spend
Ron Olson, the morning
Chief MDNR Parks checking for
and Recreation. fallen trees at
a couple of
nearby state forest campgrounds.
Slavin – who was working
alone, as the rest of the staff at his
headquarters at Mitchell State Park
was either on vacation or seasonal
lay-off – loaded a chain saw into the
back of his truck and headed out.
He checked a couple of state forest
campgrounds and there were no
fallen trees on the roads. Still, there
were several standing dead trees
that had been deemed hazardous –
including some hardwoods that had
succumbed to oak wilt – and Slavin
figured, as long as I’m out here…
He cut down a few of the oaks
that needed to be removed before
spring camping season gets under-
way. For Slavin, it’s all in a day’s
work. There’s no such thing as a
typical day, he said. “You can go
from working on bathroom plumb-
ing to writing a ticket to arresting
someone to cutting a tree down,” he
said. “I’ve had those days before.”
Slavin, who worked for seven
years as a park ranger prior to
becoming a unit manager, is com-
missioned as a peace officer. He
said most of his arrests occurred
when he worked in southeastern
Michigan earlier in his career. “Most
of the time it’s people who have
(outstanding) warrants,” he said. “If
you’re writing them a citation for
something and you call in and see
that they have a warrant, you hold
them until the police department can
come get them. When I worked in
78 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
southern Michigan it happened quite
often.”
Slavin said that about half of a
‘typical day’ during spring, summer
and fall involves interacting with the
public – everything from answering
telephone calls to solving problems
at campgrounds.
“Dealing with health and safety
issues is our No. 1 priority,” he said.
“If we get storms or there’s a dam-
aged facility – like an unsafe boat
dock – we get right on it. And we do
interpretive programs as well.”
During the winter, Slavin said a lot
of his work involves long-term plan-
ning and meeting with workers to
make sure the work gets done.
“My job changes a lot.”
As do those of other park rang-
ers.
“A park ranger is a lot of things
in our system,” said Ron Olson,
chief of the DNR’s Parks and
Recreation Division. “They’re law
enforcement, they’re customer
service representatives, they are
maintenance and operations staff.
As one of our district supervisors
says, ‘they’re the Yellow Pages of
doers.’”
The DNR has a total of 325 park
rangers, 87 full-timers and 238 part-
time or seasonal rangers.
“Park rangers vary from
entry-level rangers up to the com-
missioned rangers who go to law
enforcement school and take a five-
week course,” Olson said. “They
can issue tickets and citations; it’s
certainly short of a conservation of-
Park staff at work at Van Riper State Park in Marquette County.
A ranger helps a first-time camper at the Pinckney Recreation Area,
located nor thwest of Ann Arbor. MDNR photos
ficer, but they are credentialed.”
Rangers work with park supervi-
sors to determine day-to-day activi-
ties, Olson said, but assignments
are tailored to take advantage of an
individual’s skill set.
“Each park has a set of basic
activities, but if one has a particular
knack for carpentry, for instance,
he may be called on to do different
work than some who don’t,” he said.
Park rangers often greet the
public and provide guidance about
a park’s amenities. They resolve
conflicts for everything from visitors
with unleashed dogs to excessive
noise complaints to dealing with
unacceptable behavior associated
with alcohol.
“It’s not just about writing
tickets,” Olson said. “It’s making
sure someone’s behavior doesn’t
necessarily impact someone else’s
experience at the park.”
Rangers work regularly with
area friends’ groups to help gener-
ate park improvements to make sure
permitted activities – such as trail
races – run smoothly and safely.
“Some parks have more rangers
than others, depending on the size of
the park and intensity of activities,”
Olson said. “Some parks don’t have
any.”
But they all wear many hats.
“No two days are alike – that’s
the beauty of the job,” said Michael
Knack, who recently became a
park supervisor – after four years
as a lead ranger and nine years as
a ranger – at Porcupine Mountains
State Park in Ontonagon and Goge-
bic counties.
“Every day is an adventure – or
you get to choose your own adven-
ture. You start your day with a plan.
But life happens in the park and
your plan can go many directions,”
he said. “I may be sitting in the of-
fice, then get called on to take care
of a tree that’s fallen across the road
or field a complaint about a bear
getting into someone’s cooler or a
trash can.”
Rangers at the Porkies use boats
almost daily during the summer to
get to some of the historic cabins at
the park. “Then we get out with a
chainsaw and cut the trail to the log
cabin and then work on the cabins
that have been around for 70 years,”
Knack said.
In the winter, the rangers are of-
ten out grooming the 42 kilometers
of cross-country ski trails, helping at
the ski lift or hauling firewood to the
cabins.
“We’re busy every day,” Knack
said. “There’s not a lot of law
enforcement here, but we respond
fairly regularly for search and rescue
of lost hikers. Some are overnight-
ers.”
At the Waterloo State Recreation
Area in Jackson and Washtenaw
counties, park ranger Matt Schweda
said he has a routine, but it’s often
interrupted.
“A typical day in the summer-
time, we check the campgrounds,
register new campers, talk to
campers and see if there are any
complaints, pick up trash, clean the
vault toilets,” he said. “Then they
check boat launch sites – check
for litter or problems, check for
Recreation Passports at the boat
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launches. When I worked the night
shift I checked for illegal camping
at the boat access sites. It’s a pretty
revolving process. I’ve usually got
two summer workers – sometimes
they travel with me, sometimes
we split up. Then in the afternoon
we go through the campgrounds
again.”
Schwada said part of the job is
just being “a visible presence” at the
area, especially on weekends.
“Things come up,” he said. “It
could be a law enforcement situa-
tion; it could be a maintenance is-
sue.”
Schweda, who studied heating
and cooling while he was a summer
worker for four seasons before he
became a ranger, said his education
has helped him immensely.
“I learned a lot about electric-
ity and pipe-fitting,” he said. “It‘s
helped me out a lot when I have to
fix things.”
That’s a park ranger: a repair-
man, educator, information special-
ist and a cop. It’s no wonder they all
say they love their jobs. Get more
information on parks at the DNR Scott Slavin, unit manager for William Mitchell State Park and the
website at www.mi.gov/stateparks.n White Pine Trail in Wexford County, takes care of standing dead trees.
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WNW NEWS MAY 2018 79
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ON BIG MANISTIQUE
HEADBOARD AND QUEEN
www.stoneycreekequip.com FS-4-7 and more info . . . BEAR HUNTS BER- LAKE, Curtis Michigan -
pillowtop mattress set. New. Sell all TIMBER: Buying all types of tim-
www.northernwalleyelodge.com GLAND HUNT UNIT. 20 Hunting, fishing and sightsee-
for $275. 989-923-1278. ber, 5 acres or more, top price paid.
email: fishingtrips@outlookcom plus years’ experience. Call ing. 2 Bedroom modern house-
Cash in advance. Improve wildlife
M-4-14-TFN
.............................................. habitat. Patco Forest Products, FISHING Toll free 1-877-434-2440 Shawn Montie for information keeping cabins. Boats, motors
F-12/17TFN at 906-364-1678 (c) or 906- and pontoon rentals. Call 906-
AMISH LOG BEDS, ANY 989-539-7588 after 6 p.m. W-10-
842-3322 (h) H-5-3 586-3515. R-5-2
SIZE $199. 5 drawer log chest 12/17 FISH FOR STOCKING:
$199. Good quality. Lowest prices .............................................. Most varieties, pond, lakes.
in Michigan. 989-839-4846. M-4-
Classifieds work!
Laggis Fish Farm 269-628-2056 ARCHERY GONZO BEAR CAMP - Bear
14-TFN
(810) 724-0254
days; 269-624-6215 evenings.
F-5-2 VAUGHN CREEK AR-
Specialist - We had 80% success. WANT TO LEASE
.............................................. Baraga, Gwen and Amasa Units -
CHERY Custom Traditional
Modular hunts start at $995. 7 days ARCHERY DEER LEASE
Longbows Straight laid, Reflexed WANTED. Jackson, Kalamazoo,
lodging included. Write for more
& Deflex/ Reflex Designs. Duff Ann Arbor area. 2 responsible, long
To reach an immense outdoor market use the . . . information on how to apply for bear
Streeter Bowyer 989-965-0557 or time hunters, looking for good mix
Woods-N-Water News Classified www.vaughncreekarchery.com
A-1-8
permits on May 1st - 2730 S. Dort
Hwy., Flint, MI 48507 or call Dale at
(810) 814-8936 days 9-4 or eve-
of timber and crops, 100 acres
minimum. Call Joe 708 670-3725 or
Classified ad rates: $30 for the first 20 words .............................................. Larry 248 765-1901. HL-3-4
Every word over 20 is .25¢ per word -- Box your classified, $5 additional charge nings John at (989) 257-2725
for more information ..............................................
This effective advertising is simple to do, place your ad by . . .
• Calling 810-724-0254 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm HUNT CLUB www.gonzobearcamp.com.
Like us on Facebook. H-4-5
• Email your ad to wnw@pageone-inc.com
• Faxing your ad 810-724-8552 FOR SALE: Membership in mid .............................................. FOR RENT
• Complete your Classified online at www.woods-n-waternews.com Forest Lodge Hunting Club. Prime REMOTE DELUXE HOUSE-
• Mailing your ad to Woods-N-Water News, P.O. Box 278, Imlay City, MI 48444 hunting and fishing - 18,000 acres, 2018 MICHIGAN BEAR KEEPING COTTAGES. Great
Classifieds MUST be paid in advance of publishing; MasterCard, Visa accepted. Make four season hunting and outdoor HUNTS: Newberry/Gwinn. fishing for walleye, northerns, bass,
check/money orders payable to Woods-N-Water News. Classified ads can not be activities, 11 lakes. Located 15 min. Just outside of Seney Wildlife perch and lake trout. 519-636-3697
billed and once a classified is processed no refunds can be made. Limit of 75 words. south of Houghton Lake in beautiful Refuge. High success rate. www.foxsdenlodge.ca. FR-4-3
All classifieds posted to our website FREE! Roscommon County. Call 989-429- 34 years. State and Federal li- ..............................................
3084. HC-5-1 censed and experienced. Guar-
Use one of these useful classified categories... .............................................. anteed active baits. 6 nights, 5
A = Archery
ATV = ATVs
FP = Food Plots
FW = Firewood
HW = Help Wanted
M = Miscellanous
SM = Snowmobiles
T = Taxidermy
day hunt includes lodging and REAL ESTATE
meals. Start at $750. Bow and
B = Boats
D = Dogs
G = Guns
H = Hunting
RE = Real Estate
RR = Resorts/Rent
TK = Trucks
TR = Trailers
HUNTING rifle deer hunts. $125 per day. 40 ACRES WITH CABIN.
F = Fishing HL = Hunting Leases RVC = RV’s/Campers W = Wanted 906-439-5242. Finished exterior. Unfinished interi-
F = Free 1-2 BUCK HUNTING CLUB www.buckspportinglodge.com. or. Quiet, remote. near Ishpeming,
JUNE 2018 CLASSIFIED DEADLINE APRIL 30, 2018
MEMBERSHIPS IN NORTH- H-5-4 Michigan between Yellowdog and
EASTERN MICHIGAN Quality Mulligan Rivers. Great hunting, fish-
club, camp and facilities (also turkey, ing, snowmobiling. RE-5-1
CLIP AND MAIL
small game) West Branch - Hale area. RAY’S U.P. HUNTING – Over
Woods-N-Water News Classified Advertising
..............................................
Tremendous value and opportunity. 25 years experience guiding for
(Please print clearly. We are not responsible for unreadable orders.) Stag. $1,375 per year. deer and bear. Baited stands in
Amasa, Baraga, and Bergland 41.5 ACRES OF PRIME
Make sure phone number is included in your ad! See: dynamicra.com or phone
Units. Lodging Available. Call Ray DEER HUNTING
Dan 989-893-5819. H-5-2
NAME .............................................. at 906-265-9420 or cell (906) 284- PROPERTY. Last of its kind.
2216. Licensed and Insured. H-1- Located in Hillsdale County,
ADDRESS 12/18 Camden Twp., in Frontier,
2018 MICHIGAN BLACK
.............................................. MI across from boyscout
CITY                                           STATE                      ZIP BEAR HUNTS. Newberry/ reservation in Pioneer, Ohio
Gwinn B.M.U. 1st, 2nd, 3rd on Territorial Road. St. Joseph
DAYTIME PHONE NO. seasons. Seven day hunt/lodg- 280 ACRES HUNTING/ River running throughout. Must
ing/stands/skinning/tag/sealing CAMP/POLE BARN, see to believe. Call 419-392-
VISA/MASTERCARD#                                                       EXP: bear. Year around lodge. Great Ontonagon County by Lake 8298. $300,000. RE-5-1
area for fishing, grouse hunting Gogebic. Recreation, income,
CLASSIFICATION OF AD                      MONTHS TO RUN and 4-wheeling. Convenience privacy, partridge, bear, and
store, State and Federally li- deer. Big Iron river runs through APROXIMATELY 17.5

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) censed. Contact Tom Losiews- property, snow mobile trails ACRES AWESOME BUILDING
ki, North Country Hunting nearby. Not cut over, can do SITE & HUNTING w/TURKEY.
(7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) Adventures. 1-269-330-0480. timber sales now. Much more, MANY BIG BUCKS TAKEN (PICS
Like us on Facebook. H-5-3 great opportunity. Contact AVAILABLE), 20x40 POLE BARN

(13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18) 1-906-233-9142. H-5-1 W/ELECTRICITY, PAVED ROAD.
ONODAGEA, MI. 517-404-1929
(19) (20) $30.00 $30.25 $30.50 $30.75 BERGLAND UNIT: Guided $98,000. RE-5-1
bear hunts over bait. State and NORTHERN ONTARIO ..............................................
$31.00 $31.25 $31.50 $31.75 $32.00 $32.25 Federal licensed bear guide. Call BEAR HUNTS: Booking now for 20 ACRES IN WESTERN
Rich 715-663-0459 or upbearhunt. Spring of 2018. Includes comfort- LENAWEE COUNTY, MI.
$32.50 $32.75 $33.00 $33.25 $33.50 $33.75 com H-5-4 able cabin, boat and motor, baited Features 13 acres of tillable land, a
.............................................. stands. Very experienced guides. pond and woods. Don’t wait! Priced
$34.00 $34.25 $34.50 $34.75 $35.00 $35.25 ALBERTS BEAR GUIDE High success rate. 3 hours from the at $89,900. Call Jim at Faust Real
SERVICE: Bergland and Baraga Soo. References on request. $960 Estate, LLC 517-902-6655. RE-5-
$35.50 $35.75 $36.00 $36.25 $36.50 $36.75 units. Federal license, 26 years U.S. 705-869-3272 1
experience. Call 906-231-9136, www.texasandsons.com ..............................................
Enclosed is $                                               for
Home 906-827-3731. H-5-5 H-10-12-17
words to run                     months. BOX MY CLASSIFIED - $5 Extra .............................................. .............................................. More Classifieds Next Page

80 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS

 Woods-N-Water News Classified Section
REAL ESTATE
BUYING OR SELLING!
Farms, Vacant Land or Recreational
Parcels throughout Michigan. Call
Doug Beasley at Faust Real Estate,
LLC 517-260-2939 RE 5- 1
..............................................
CALL OR TEXT ME IF
YOU HAVE 20 OR
MORE ACRES OF
VACANT LAND TO
SELL. In a reasonable time
at a fair price. I have good
qualified buyers looking for
Hunting or Farm Land with
some woods in the thumb
area. Tom Kinzer, www.just-
landsales.com 586-419-
6716 t.kinzer@hotmail.com
RE-5-3
REAL ESTATE
WELCOME SPORTSMEN
AND INVESTORS!! Mostly
wooded 77 acre parcel with creek.
The approximate 7 acre tillable area
offers you the opportunity to build
your dream home and manage your
own food plots. This centennial
property has been managed for
timber production. Located in
Shiawassee County. Asking
$259,500. The Home Office Realty,
209 W. Main St Owosso Michigan
48867. Please ask for Debbie
Minton 989-295-2540. RE-5-1
..............................................
35 ACRES: Osceola Co. Good
deer hunting-wooded thick cover-
small creek, paved road, electric
available. Birds $56,000. Call 231-
920-3652. RE-4-2
..............................................
REAL ESTATE
50 ACRES PRIME DEER
HUNTING IN HILLMAN
TOWNSHIP, west end of
Hiawatha Lake. 3 out buildings, well
and septic. $130,000 Call for details
– 810-656-4179. RE-4-2
..............................................
SPORTING GOODS
BUSINESS in N/E MI
with wide range of products,
guns, ammo, hunting, fishing,
camping and outdoor gear.
Turn-key operation with lots
of room for growth. Excellent
hunting, fishing and camping
nearby. Owner retiring. Asking
$149,900 plus inventory 989-
351-8256. RE-4-4
DOGS
CHESAPEAKE PUPPIES
FOR SALE – St. Clair
Chesapeake has a litter due April
15th out of Tilly SH and Scout MH.
Call Tom at 810-650-4711. D-5-1
..............................................
COUNTRYSIDE KENNELS
OF NORTH BRANCH NOW
OFFERING PRIVATE ONE-
ON-ONE training sessions, board
and train programs available and
lab puppies. Call 989-551-7790 or
visit www.countryside-kennels.com
D-2-4
..............................................
Subscribe Today!
woods-n-waternews.com
DOGS
GERMAN SHORTHAIR
Female, year old, white and
liver. Big motor hunts under
control, points whoa broke,
needs work on retrieving. 616-
669-9707. D-5-1
RIVERHOUSE KEN-
NEL: Bird dog training, point-
ing and flushing breeds. Point-
back-force breaking to retrieve
- gun breaking. Gun dogs, field
trial dogs, AKC hunt test and
Navda. Tom Godlewski, Irons,
Michigan 361-319-8028. D-3-
3 Work!
DOGS
GERMAN SHORTHAIR
POINTER PUPS: Males
and females available. Excel-
lent hunting dogs and superb
family pets. Close working
dogs with strong point and
retrieve instincts. Reasonably
priced for the sporting family.
Money back guarantee. Eulen-
hof Kennels, Gladwin, MI.
http://www.eulenhof.com
989-426-4884 D-3-3
Classifieds
(810) 724-0254

CAMP GROUNDS FOR

Subscribe Today and

SALE: 2 parks in north-central
Michigan. Both turnkey operations
with full hook-up sites, homes, cab-
ins and pool. $700,000 each. Briggs
Reality, www.briggsrealityonline.
com or 616-942-1071. RE-5-1

Enjoy Michigan’s Best

..............................................
TUSCOLA COUNTY 112.51
ACRES: absolutely one of the
best hunting parcels in the county.
Quality deer taken each year, mul-

Outdoor Magazine!
tiple deer seen each and every
hunt, 18 different bucks seen by
owner last November 15th opener
that after owner had tagged out with
2 exceptional bow kills early
October. Secluded hidden fields,
established food plots, current 15


acre stand of alfalfa, 20 acres till-
able. 75% wooded, prime cover,
mature hardwoods, wild life ponds,
creek/ditch, established trails
throughout, multiple blinds and
stands. Fabulous deer and turkey
hunting as well as squirrels, rabbits
and ducks. Picturesque building
sites if desired, gently rolling terrain,
exceptional corner parcels with over
4,050’ frontage, multiple access
 New Subscription         Renewal
                           (Please attach mailing label)
points. Truly a one of a kind prop-
erty. Asking $409,500 (well under
assessed value.) Call owner/broker
Ray Vroman, R&J Properties, Real
 One year $29        Two years $55
Estate 989-660-9033. RE-5-1
..............................................

HUNTING PROPERTY: NAME

One mile on dead end County
road, one and half mile
deep, 720 acres in Presque ADDRESS
Isle Michigan. Property is
surrounded by private hunt
clubs. 1600 square ft. cement
block cabin with septic and
CITY                        STATE           ZIP
indoor plumbing, wood burning
heat, generator electric, wood
shed and tractor garage.
$1,300,000. Contact 586-438-  Check/Money Order            Visa/Mastercard
0157. RE-12-6

80 ACRES OF PRIME
  Card #                              Exp. Date      
HUNTING LAND IN
HARDWOOD, MI (Upper Send to: Or Call
Peninsula). Good trails throughout;
mixed timber including several
Woods-N-Water News (810) 724-0254
acres of hardwoods. Legal access
directly from county road.
$78,900.00 RE-4-4 P.O. Box 278 FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
..............................................
Imlay City, MI 48444 Date           Ck#          $

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

WNW NEWS MAY 2018 81
 326 ACRES OF VACANT
LAND IN NORTHERN MI
Online Auction
Tues., May 8
Bid from 8am-2pm

326 acre parcel of Northern Michigan
vacant land located off of Twin Peaks Road
& Deward Rd. With its beautiful rolling hills
and plenty of hardwood trees, the property
shows many signs of wildlife including
deer, turkey, small game and occasion-
al bear. The property also has snowmobile
trails nearby. This is a great opportunity to

own up North recreational land.
Address:
Twin Peaks Rd., Frederic, MI 49733

PAGES 82-88
Crawford County
For detailed info & to bid visit
LASTBIDrealestate.com
or call 1-800-527-8243.

W E

Near
3,960 ft

Marlette 121
in Sanilac Acres
County $375,100
OR
$
Will 3,100 per acre
consider 1,320 ft
all offers.

HORSE PEOPLE GREAT HUNTING LAND OPPORTUNITY!

10 ACRE PARCELS IN HORSE COUNTRY, 7 Miles west of Big Rapids,
a stone’s throw from 5,000 Acre Manistee National Forest trail system.
51 ACRES + 38 ACRES - TOTAL OF 138 ACRES
High walkout sites. $30,000 Thurs., May 17th – 6pm • Reynolds Twp/Montcalm County
HILLVIEW LAKE In order to help settle the Charlotte Behrenwald Estate.
EAST OF BIG RAPIDS. Huge waterfront lots, ranging from 2.68 acres Hunting Land (Duck & other hunting uses) • Acreage • Beautiful Residential Building Sites
with 237 ft. frontage to 8.9 acres with 300 ft of frontage. Priced from Commercial Uses • Offered in 15 parcels, any combination of parcels or in its entirety
$99,000. Build your dream home or get-away. *Land is located on SE corner of M-46 & Jones Rd.
LARGE 2 BEDROOM CABIN/COTTAGE with fireplace and deck on 4.15 Auction to be held at:
Acres with 589 ft. frontage. Great fishing and recreational lake. $189,000 Fellowship Hall at Christ The King Church
in Howard City, MI
RYAN CREEK
A LARGE CREEK that looks like a small river. East of Big Rapids. For detailed info & to bid visit
Beautiful building sites. 16.88 Acres, $59,500 • 34.28 Acres, $87,500 MiedemaAuctioneering.com or call 1-800-527-8243

Jack Frizzell
(231)598-6700
http://jackfrizzell.fivestarmichigan.com Byron Center, MI
82 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
 Blake Ver Woert OFFICE: 231-652-7000
Jake Dykstra B L A K E : 616-308-3122

Curt Bryan J A K E : 616-916-8354

Hunting Land Specialists C U R T: 616-745-2759

SELL YOUR PROPERTY WITH US!

537 +/- 160+/-
ACRES, ACRES,
JACKSON OSCEOLA
COUNTY
Excellent Duck, Deer & Turkey Hunting. Area COUNTY
of Other Large Property Owners. “Man Cave” Trail System, Near Reed City, Tons of
w/Game Cleaning Station. Deer and Turkey Sign, Food plot areas
$1,074,000 $359,000

ING
ND
PE

Antrim County 52+/- Acres, Arenac County, 40+/- Acres, Arenac Co, 167+/- Acres Jackson County, 105+/- Acres Lapeer County 102+/- Acres,
Rolling Hills, Pole Au Gres, 550+ ft. of Lake 3,500+/- ft Lake Huron, 6 Calhoun County, 74 Acres, Calhoun County, 67+/- Acres WRP Program, Mature Hard- Trail System, Mixed
Barn Lodge, Snowmobilers/ Huron Frontage, Duck Hunters Bedroom Lodge, Guest Cabin, 1/2 Tillable ,1/2 Wooded, 300 ft. All Sports Prairie Lake, woods, Great Deer, Turkey & Hardwoods, Pond, Food plot
Hunters Paradise paradise, Great Build Spots! Great Duck & Deer Hunting. Trophy Buck Genetics Tillable Acreage Waterfowl Hunting areas, Tons of Deer Sign.
$119,000 $185,000 $599,000 $280,000 $275,000 $211,000 $380,000

Newaygo County, 40 Acres

Mecosta County 70+/- Acres,
Mixed Hardwoods and Tillable
Land with Pond
$154,500
Midland County, 80 Acres
12 Miles to Mount Pleasant,
Excellent Hunting
$176,000
Missaukee County
46+/- Acres, Excellent
Hunting Setup,
Mosquito Creek Frontage
$87,500
Newaygo County
Newaygo County 8.5+/- Acres, Custom
1+ Acre Lot Sites, Built Home, Wildlife Galore,
Muskegon River Access. Class A Trout Stream
$37,000 $239,900
32x48 Pole Barn with Water &
Electric, 20 Ac Old Apple
Orchard, 20 Ac Hardwoods,
Great Hunting
$199,000
Newaygo County 80+/- Acres,
Hardwoods, Swamp, Tillable,
Awesome Deer Hunting
$275,000

I NG
ND
PE

Newaygo County, 125 Acres, Newaygo County, Croton Osceola County, LeRoy Osceola County, 163+/- Acres,
Three spring fed lakes, Twp, 160+/- Acres, Mature Ontonagon County, 169 Acres, Twp, 141 +/- Acres, Great Trail System, Presque Isle County, 80 Ac Presque Isle County, 47 Acres, Wexford County 80+/- Acres,
Excellent Deer, Turkey Timber, Cabin, Loaded Extremely Secluded, Easy access to US-131, Awesome Hunting, Creek Frontage, 24x24 Garage, Cabin and Pole Barns, Hunter and Snowmobiler Para-
and Waterfowl hunting With Deer/Turkey Wildlife Galore Large Pond Rolling Hills, Must See! Excellent Hunting Great Hunting dise, Adjoins National Forest
$375,000 $399,000 $160,000 $211,500 $290,675 $90,000 $99,000 $249,900

www. WildLifeRealty.com
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 83

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY!
statewiderealestate.net
• Houghton
Iron Mountain • Manistique •
• Gladstone
Escanaba •
• Powers
Menominee •
Marinette
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
ALMONT
844 Van Dyke Road
lafrancesharon@yahoo.com
810-798-8591 • Fax: 810-798-8079
CURTIS/NEWBERRY
Main Street, P.O. Box 305, 49820
email: swcurtis@sbcglobal.net
906-586-9606 • Fax: 906-586-9607
ESCANABA
2209 Ludington Street, 49829
email: escanaba@statewiderealestate.net
906-786-1308 • 800-900-0777
Fax: 906-786-1388
GLADSTONE
1401 Delta Ave.,
Gladstone, MI 49837
906-825-9000
email: judy@statewiderealestate.net
HARRISVILLE
430 S. US-23, 48740
email: sold@anjstatewide.com
989-724-5711 • 800-655-5735
Fax: 989-724-6833
84 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
Offices Serving Lower &
Upper Michigan
Bringing people and places together since 1945
Marquette
• Newberry
Curtis
•
Linden •
HAWKS
8383 Hwy. 451, 49743
email: rita8383@yahoo.com
989-734-4846
HILLMAN
14938 State Street, P.O. Box 98, 49746
email: statewidehillman@yahoo.com
989-742-4523 • 800-228-7856
Fax: 989-742-3931
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
IRON MOUNTAIN
231 East A. St.
Iron Mountain, MI 49807
906-828-2525
Fax: 906-828-2727
email: steve@multistatewide.com
MANISTIQUE
10 N. State Highway M-149
Cooks, MI 49817
906-644-2304
email: dekeysermary@yahoo.com
•
Onaway
• • Hawks
Hillman
• Alpena
•
• Atlanta
Mio • • Harrisville
• Almont
Howell •
MARINETTE, WISCONSIN
1460 Marinette Ave., 54143
email: statewidemarinette@yahoo.com
715-735-9964 • Fax: 715-732-1107
TARGET REAL ESTATE SPECIALIZES IN
WATERFRONT HOMES AND HUNTING PARCELS
“WE REPRESENT BUYERS AND SELLERS”
TURNER TURNER
MARQUETTE
856 W. Washington, 49855
email: sw@statewiderealestate.org
906-228-9312 • Fax: 906-228-8069
40 acre country setting with well-maintained 3 bdrm/1 bath manufactured Well wooded 40 acre parcel that is filled with deer sign. Rubs, beds
home with appliances. Additional buildings include 14’x26’ garage, a and runways can be found throughout most of the property. Nice
MENOMINEE garden shed w/power and lean-to. The land is mostly hardwoods with mix of tree types. Located just minutes from Tawas and Tawas
3631 10th Street, 49858 some low areas that provide great cover for the wildlife found here. Bay, this property would also make a great building location.
MLS #1844353 $99,900
email: statewideone@newbc.rr.com MLS #1843675 $79,900
906-863-9905 OSCODA-$1,500, Nicely wooded lot located at Lakewood Shores in Oscoda. Ownership includes use of all Lakewood Shores amenities. Private Lake
Huron Beach front, private Cedar Lake beach front, tennis courts, and much more. See www.lakewoodshorespoa.com for more details. MLS #1832422
Fax: 906-863-7935 WHITTEMORE-$8,500, 3.12 acre cleared building lot in a country setting at the corner of Nile and Keystone Road on a county maintained
paved road. MLS #1835860
WHITTEMORE-$18,000, 11.15 acre parcel located on Nile Road. Previously farmed, this cleared parcel would be perfect for a small hobby
MIO farm or a couple of horses. Additional smaller parcels available. MLS #1835859
102 West 8th St., P.O. Box 395, 48647 EAST TAWAS-$19,900, Potential building site on Tawas Lake with nice views and great fishing opportunities. The deep 50x241’ lot has lots
of mature Oak throughout. Located just minutes from East Tawas and Tawas Bay. MLS #1832928
email: info@statewidemio.com NATIONAL CITY-$29,000, .39 acre Little Island Lake lot available. Just a short distance from thousands of acres of state and federal land.
989-826-3292 Potential building site for your new cottage or year around home. MLS #1843431
Fax: 989-826-2108 OSCODA-$64,900, 113’ of sandy shoreline awaits at St. George’s Point on Cedar Lake. What a great location for your dream home. City
water, underground electric and natural gas are available. MLS #1837111
WHITTEMORE-$110,000, 33+ well wooded acres fronting 2 roads. Includes a 2 bdrm/1.5 bath 1360sf home with 2 car garage, plus an
additional home/structure to finish as desired. MLS #1831615
ONAWAY OSCODA-$124,000, 227’ of sandy frontage on Cedar Lake in St. George’s Point Sub. Build your dream home on this .74 acre lot surrounded
by upscale homes. MLS #1826558
M-33 & M-68,
AU GRES-$135,000, 75’ of Lake Huron frontage. Paved street, city water, electric and natural gas. 380’ deep wooded lot with additional lot
P.O. Box 478, 49765 available. MLS #1825912
email: bigdan@frontier.com NATIONAL CITY-$215,000, 80 acre Poncho’s Sand Creek Longhorn Ranch now available. Working farm with a 5 bdrm/1 bath home,
989-733-6522 barns, outbuildings, pastures and approx 10 acres of woods. MLS #1819844
Fax: 989-733-2427 MORE PARCELS ARE AVAILABLE . . .
CALL TODAY FOR MORE DETAILS
866-496-4400
POWERS TARGET REAL
ESTATE COMPANY
W3776 US2 & 41, 49874 701 W. Bay Street, East Tawas, MI 48730
906-497-4190 Office (989)362-4400 • Cell (989)370-2152
Fax: 906-497-5328 info@TargetRealEstate.com
holly@statewiderealestate.net www.TargetRealEstate.com
 RANDY MINTO
W NEW
LAPEER COUNTY
N E Always Working Hard for You!

REALTOR
Direct:

810.449.1286 192 ACRES

370 Acres - Drummond Island - Cabin - OR - Beautifully renovated historic Victorian Bed
& Cottage on Lake Huron. Office: and Breakfast with horse facilities.
*DV 810.653.4500
$949,000 $1,490,000 *DV
SPECIALIZING IN UNIQUE, LUXURY AND LARGE RECREATIONAL PROPERTIES
DEER & NATURE LOVER’S DREAM PROPERTIES

ST. CLAIR COUNTY

257 ACRES LAPEER COUNTY 86 ACRES SANILAC COUNTY

LICENSED
PHEASANT
200 TILLABLE ACRES PRESERVE 40 ACRES
Great farming, income producing. 1/2 mile on Fantastic Development Opportunity. Gorgeous 3270 Sq Ft Ranch with
Belle River, multiple Outbuildings, 2 Ponds. 30 2-Acre Lots. loft. Built 2011. 2 Pole Barns.
*DV $1,250,000 *DV $550,000 *DV $419,000

LICENSED DEER RANCH AMAZING APPLEGATE HUNTING 400 ACRES

PRESERVE! $1,250,000
34 ACRES 60-80 DEER
ING
GENESEE COUNTY 10-15 TROPHY BUCKS
PEND
Woodland Deer Ranch in Davison. 6-car garage, CLARE COUNTY Great Hunting Lodge,
pond, 5 blinds, 3 lg feeders, Lg polebarn. 4BD, 3BA. 14 Blinds, 6 Food Plots.
*DV $849,900 APPROX. 200 DEER APPROX. 100 ELK *DV $598,000

128 ACRES GENESEE COUNTY

25 ACRES
SANILAC COUNTY • 80 ACRES

N D I N G
SOLD PE
SANILAC COUNTY 186 ACRES
COMMERCIAL 1/2 Million+ Dollars Worth Deer/Elk
Genesee County. 3 Ponds, Deer Hunter’s Dream Property, Private &
65% Wooded. A Rare Gem! Great Building Site Inventory Included in Sale. Ranch Home & Secluded, 2-streams. ½ mile from Lake Huron.
*DV $599,900 *DV $239,000 *DV Lodge - Several Outbuildings *DV $275,000

G MONROE COUNTY

NEW
COMMERCIAL I N
N D
PROPERTIES & PE
*DV
N EW
Great Visibility from I-69 & Belsay Rd. Beautiful 2,900 Sq Ft Ranch Home - Built 2,080 Sq Ft Watchman’s Quarters above
6 Parcels, 1.6 Acres - 12.3 Acres. 2017 - Genesee County. 2,080 Sq Ft Garage. Gorgeous View!
Genesee County $135,000 - $495,000 *DV $499,900 *DV $519,000

NEW
LIVINGSTON COUNTY OAKLAND COUNTY

PEN D I N G NEW
LINDAL CEDAR HOME - A RARE GEM!
3600+ Sq Ft Custom Log Home in Fenton. 3 Master 30 Acres - Farmland & Woodland Gorgeous Stone & Brick Home. Approx. 3800 Sq Ft Finished
Suites, 2.4 Beautiful Acres, 1900 Caboose Guesthouse. Sanilac County. Living Space Including Finished Walkout. Built 2016.
*DV $449,000 *DV $119,000 *DV $349,900 **New Price**

*DV
NEW
79 ACRES
NEW N EW GREAT
BUILDING SITES
Great Commercial Building Sites - 10 Parcels, LAPEER COUNTY
Beautiful Condo $85,000-$595,000 - 1 Acre to 18.75 Acres, Davison Amazing Home Over 5,200 sq ft of Living
10 Acres+/- Genesee County Space & Outdoor Entertainment. Gorgeous
St. Clair County Twp. - Prime Location! Commerce Park of Davison property, 8 ponds. Very Private and Secluded.
$199,900
*DV $159,000 *DV **New Price** - Davison Athletic & Country Club Complex *DV $1,265,000

DRONE
*DV VIDEO GO TO: MIDREAMPROPERTIES.com
OR CALL 810-449-1286
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 85
 z
WINSOR TOWNSHIP • HURON COUNTY

O N L I N E O N LY
i t
B Realty
r
Auction
J u n e 13 t h - J u n e 1 4 t h
758 West US-10 • Evart, Michigan 49631
Ph. 231-734-5554 Fax. 231-734-2055
email. britzrealty@sbcglobal.net • denniscbryant@sbcglobal.net
inc.

156 +/-
Acres · 2 Tracts HERSEY AREA
80 ACRES with 4-bedroom cabin. Well wooded located in prime deer area. Secluded,
Tract 1: 66+/- Acres
Geiger Rd

well, septic, very good condition. Great price at only $169,900.00 MLS #18009768
Tract 2: 90+/- Acres
80 ACRES with 2-Creeks on property. Wooded, and some clearing. Ideal for
Features: building or hunting. Rolling with beautiful view of creeks. Ideal bow or rifle hunting.
1 Broderick Rd • Tall grass and small brush $149,500.00 MLS #18012794

• Small ponds provide water sources and

S Caseville Rd

adjacent cropland provide feed sources
for deer and other game animals.
Haist Rd
• Small building envelopes with remainder
of tracts enrolled in conservation easement
2 Great cabin or home site. $26,500.00 MLS #18000953
• Hunting and other recreational
uses permitted.
• Wind lease provides rental income.
Recreational/Hunting tracts located near
Caseville, MI & 45 miles from Tri Cities
Owner: Eldon & Peggy Voelker
Mark Williams: 989.635.0086 ext. 24
EVART AREA
120 ACRES. Large stocked pond. Great cover for bow or rifle hunting, corner parcel.
If you like to hunt or fish, then this is for you. Priced at only $1,750.00 per acre. Ideal
building parcel. Over 3960 feet of road frontage. MLS #18011326
10 ACRES. Close to 14,000 acres of state land. 80% wooded, country road frontage.
LAKEFRONT HOME
2-BEDROOM HOME on private lake. 120’ of lake frontage on No Wake Lake. Pretty
view. Att. garage, very nice. Only $119,900.00 MLS #18007911 Buy now for summer.
MUSKEGON RIVER
EVART AREA - Large wooded riverfront lot with beautiful view and building site. If you
like to canoe, fish, boat, exc. Then you will love this 225 feet of prime river frontage.
$42,500.00 MLS # 18011209

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

HLS# MAW - 12143
HRES, MI Auct. Lic. #6505264076 800.424.2324 | halderman.com

2 Bdrm cottage. Sturgeon 1 Bdrm Camp. 7.5 Acres. 7

River frontage, snowmobile 2 Bdrm Camp. Built 2012. 160 Mile Marsh Rd. Built 2000.
trail access, Hwy 13. Nahma. Acres. Remote. Rock. Bark River.
$63,900 1105794 $189,000 1104899 $47,000 1104950

THOUSANDS OF
ACRES AVAILABLE
FROM $6,900 TO $707,420. 2 Bdrm, 1 bth, Waterfront cottage. 2
2 Bdrm 1 Bth Camp. Priced Right!
Acres w/225’ on Ostrander & Corner 1 Bdrm camp. 540 Sq Ft. Blk bath
Lk. Well & septic. Private on dead house. Out house. Great hunting. 30 acres on year round Co. Rd.
Escanaba end road. Chain-of-Lakes. Wetmore. Stella Lk and Sturgeon River. Electric. Needs TLC. Hermansville.
2209 Ludington Street $149,000 1106501 $49,900 1103597 $43,900 1106933
(906) 786-1308

Powers
W3776 US 2 & 41
(906) 497-4190

Gladstone
1401 Delta Ave.
4 Bdrm, 2 bth Lodge. 640 Acres! 1 Bdrm camp. 40 Acres. Nice 3 Bdrm 2.5 bth Home. Full
(906) 825-9000
Mostly all high ground with high ground. Great hunting. Log. 38 acres. Garage, Decks,
high timber value. LaBranche. Well built. Perkins. Private Pave Rd. Felch.
$789,900 1101443 $84,900 1101098 $249,000 1106871
86 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
 WEST BRANCH HALE WEST BRANCH
R S ALE R S ALE
M-33/M-55 OFFICE F O OFFICE F O LOOP OFFICE
1953 S. M-33 3160 North M-65 2575 S. I-75 Business Loop,
West Branch, MI 48661 Hale, MI 48739 West Branch, MI 48661
10 miles north of I-75 exit 202 “Gateway to Huron National Forest” 1 mile north of I-75 Exit 212

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

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

“UP NORTH” GETAWAYS AND YEAR ROUND HOMES

OVER 3000 SQUARE FEET!!
4-bdrm, 2.7 baths, appliances, master suite,
cathedral ceilings, 2 bdrms on each floor, full
walkout bsmt, 2.5 ACRES, finished garage,
large deck, privacy fence and much more!!
$209,900 1837404
TRANQUIL FAWN LAKE!
Lovely and spacious 3 bedroom home with ac-
cess to “no motor” lake. AC, partly finished bsmt,
master suite, garage, deck, newer shingles &
laminates!! Seller giving carpet allowance!!
$149,900 1838336
20 WOODED ACRES!!
Bedroom home on full bsmt /2 car garage. Main
floor laundry, recently updated kitchen & bath,
large covered rear deck with beautiful views and
trails for nature walking or the hunter!!
$154,900 1840412
SECLUDED HUNTING CAMP!!
18 WOODED ACRES w/2 bedroom home is the perfect
place to call your hunting cabin that is also ADJACENT
TO STATE LANDS!! Propane lights, range, refrigera-
tor, wood heat, gravity tank and wired for generator!!
$64,900 1805656
NEAR RIFLE RIVER!!
Neat 2 bedroom cabin with large fenced yard in
Skidway Lake area. Natural gas heat, newer roof,
newer water pump & shed with electric & hose wa-
ter hook-up. Great getaway also near many lakes!!
$24,500 1838322

NEAR LAKE GEORGE!!
Recently remodeled 3 bedroom, 2 ba w/garage on 2
lots at end of cul-de-sac. Open floor plan, gas log FP,
newer floorings and newer counter tops. Enjoy the public
access and boat ramp at this desirable all sports lake!!
$74,900 1840493
4 ACRES!!
Spacious 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath home w/garage and heat-
ed workshop and pole barn. AC, front & rear decks, full
bsmt, paved driveway, maple & apple trees & more!! With
some TLC, this could be your year round country home!!
$129,900 1839823
CLEAR LAKE AREA!!
Beautiful 3-bdrm home perfect for year round
or nice getaway! Freshly painted, newer carpet,
large kitchen & living area, garage & nice patio.
Near popular Clear Lk & acres of State lands!!
$139,900 1842036
1300 SQUARE FEET!!
This 2 bedroom mobile home w/garage is near Hale w/
just under a half acre fronting on paved road. Afford-
able weekend/vacation getaway in super recreational
area near lakes, streams & Huron Nat’l Forest!!
$29,000 1840769
PRIVATE LAKE ACCESS!!
Enjoy access to “no wake” lake w/this 3-bdrm, 2 full ba
home with oversized garage, open floor plan, laminate
and tile floors, newer roof in Feb 2018, AC, custom oak
cabinetry & natural gas heat. Definitely move in ready!!
$139,500 1843357

GREAT LOCATION!!
2-bdrm home in need of some work but has
1400 square feet, wood floors, full bsmt, paved
driveway, 2 garages and on AN ACRE of land.
Not far from town and all sports Lake George!!
$69,000 1844224
1.44 ACRES!!
Spacious 3-bdrm home in need of some TLC, but has
been painted and newer flooring has been installed.
Open floor plan, enclosed porch, wood stove, base-
ment, a bath on each floor and large garage!!
$75,000 1838514
NEAR RIFLE RIVER!!
This one bedroom mobile home would make a
pleasant getaway on an ACRE of property and
near lakes and the beautiful Rifle River for fan-
tastic fishing and superb canoeing/kayaking!!
$25,000 1831259
OVER 5 ACRES!! POPULAR SAGE LAKE!!
Gorgeous custom built 3 bedroom, 2 full ba home has 3-bdrm, 2 bath on almost a half acre with
over 1800 square feet, cathedral ceilings, floor to ceil- 108 feet of frontage on all sports lake! Full
ing windows on both levels, large deck, pond & heated basement, beautiful views, AC, FP, garage
garage. Beautiful setting w/RIFLE RIVER FRONTAGE!! and home is well-maintained!!
$174,900 1839528 $269,000 1843387

3 NICE ACRES!!
3-bdrm ranch-style home with attached ga-
rage, FP, hot tub, paved driveway, hot tub and
much more! Not too far from town for shopping
& restaurants and easy commute from I-75!!
$99,000 1843749
WATERFRONT ACREAGE!!
212 feet of frontage and just over 4 ACRES
on all sports, 42 acre Elbow Lake! Electric
and driveway already in, gentle slope to wa-
ter, beautiful views and potential building site!!
$99,900 1844067
10 ACRES!!
Gorgeous property, mostly wooded, with
spacious 4-bdrm home on full basement.
Has wood burner, plenty of storage, porch
for relaxing, beautiful views and much more!!
$105,000 1843928
PEACH LAKE WATERFRONT HOME!!
60 feet of frontage on this all sports 208 acre lake
w/this 3-bedroom, 2 ba home. FP, newer furnace,
roof & flooring, a place to dock your boat, fan-
tastic views from lakeside deck & storage shed!!
$114,900 1843392
NICE LAKE VIEW!!
3 bedroom home with a view of all sports RIFLE LAKE
and newer drywall, flooring, countertops, back splash
& updated bath. Garage, sunroom, bonus upper level
16x18 room, garden area & a fenced spot for your pets!!
$80,000 1838970

CREEK FRONT GETAWAY!!
Just over a HALF ACRE w/2 bedroom home & 221’ of
frontage on Silver Creek. Newer roof in 20167, newer
well & newer septic, 2 storage sheds, screened porch,
beautiful views and near many lakes!!
$54,900 1832428
ON CHANNEL TO ELBOW LAKE!!
3 bedroom home w/detached garage, nice
kitchen w/pantry, island & breakfast nook,
master suite, nice views from wrap-around
deck, on an ACRE with your own pond!!
$149,900 1810533
NEAR STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS!!
This “Saltbox” style home has 3-bdrms, 2 ba, 1732
square feet, AC, wood stove, newer carpeting in Feb
2018, 2 garages and 2 sheds, newer roofing on one
garage, near popular Clear Lake & on 1.54 ACRES!!
$94,900 1843353
OPEN FLOOR PLAN!!
This possible 2 bedroom home sits on nicely treed
lots and is not far from many lakes and the gorgeous
Rifle River for excellent fishing and canoeing/kayaking!
Newer and windows in 2013, some furnishings & more!!
$31,900 1830854
ON CUL-DE-SAC!!
Nice 3 bedroom home with 2 car garage and access
to BUSH LAKE for boating, swimming and fishing.
Large kichen, FP, natural gas heat, front and rear
decks, paved driveway & lake just across the road!!
$59,000 1840484

RIFLE RIVER WATEFRONT!!
3-bdrm, 1.5 bath on full walkout bsmt w/80 feet
on Rifle River!! Open floor plan, lots of windows,
newer metal roof, detached garage & covered
porch. Excellent fishing & kayaking spot!!
$149,000 1844075
1.8 ACRES!!
2 bedroom singlewide, manufactured home on partly
wooded property! Not far from all sports Long Lake
for water activities and near acres of National Forest
for the hunter!! Great weekend cabin or hunt camp!!
$35,000 1838366
10+ ACRES!!
Beautiful prop with a pond and Hale Creek
running thru! Garage & 2 outbldgs for storage.
Home has laminate & radiant heat floors, lots
of windows, beautiful views & much more!!
$279,000 1843882
1.5 ACRES!!
Nice and cute 2 bedroom home w/spacious garage
that has a convenient lean to. Great setting with trails
at rear of prop leading to Silver Creek! Pleasant year
round home or enjoyable weekend getaway!!
$39,900 1833833
10 WOODED ACRES!!
Lovely 3 bedroom, 2 ba home w/garage! Great kitchen
w/island and appliances, FP in spacious living area,
master suite w/walk-in closet and private bath. Great
location near lakes & State land w/gorgeous views!!
$129,900 1840732

FOR MORE LISTINGS

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.CAHANES.COM
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 87
 1 BD, 1 BA CABIN 3 BD, 1.5 BA 2 BD, 1 BA 1 BD, 1 BA 3 BD, 1 BA
1 Acre – Needs Work Mobile on 1 Acre 1.8 Acre W/Addition 5 Acres 5.5 Acres
MLS 18001717 $18,500 MLS 18010413 $18,900 MLS 17052778 $39,900 MLS 18011799 $39,900 MLS 17038673 $59,900

1.8 ACRES VACANT 2.67 ACRES VACANT 10.72 ACRES VACANT 10 WOODED ACRES 80 ACRES
In Village Limits Secluded & Private Adjoins Federal Excellent Hunting Prime Hunting
MLS 16004614 $9,600 MLS 17037569 $12,900 MLS 18010575 $21,000 MLS 18010768 $29,900 MLS 17056947 $99,500

13 ACRES 14 ACRES VILLAGE COFFEE SHOP DEBBIE’S SPORTSMAN’S LOUNGE ROAD RUNNERS VARIETY STORE
Commercial Warehouse Commercial Vacant Land Fully Operational Class C Liquor License Remodeled & Updated
MLS 17007735 $75,000 MLS 18005291 $95,900 MLS 17058999 $94,900 MLS 18001753 $199,000 MLS 17053609 $139,900

Looking for Affordable Vacation Property?

LAND CONTRACTS ARE AVAILABLE
Call us today & get started on the path to owning
your own little piece of Northern Michigan!

Heritage Exclusive Marketing Agents for Northeast

House Michigan Properties
RealtyPC Located in the Heart of the Huron National Forest, on the
“Personalized Service is the Difference”
Shores of Lake Huron and the banks of the AuSable River

4950 N Lakeshore Dr
2200 sf, 3 bed, 2 bath Cape
Code with 100 feet of
gorgeous Lake Huron
Waterfront. You must see to
appreciate all this Move in
Ready Home has to offer.
$229,900 For More Info Text
R435894 to 52187

1009 Zimowske Rd, Mio

1500+ sf, 3 bed, 1.5 bath
with detached garage and
barn on 25 acres. Come see
what living up north is all
about on your new covered
One of northeast Michigan’s premier resorts located porch or covered deck with
on 300 feet of Lake Huron sugar sand beach, half this Move in Ready Gem.
$149,000
way between Oscoda and Greenbush. Includes 16
cottages with one or two bedrooms, 8 luxury beach
front suites, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom owners or 4236 Kings Corner Rd
managers home, recreation building, onsite laundry 900 sf, 2 bed, 1 bath.
facilities, playground and paved parking. This nicely Appliances included with this
revitalized home across from
wooded site is over 463 feet deep. Great rental National Forest with carport
history with several repeat clientele. The lakefront
and large deck. $49,500.
luxury suites include deluxe furnishings and décor’ For More Information Text
similar to some of the finest Bed and Breakfast R325604 to 52187
homes. Each with their own wet bar, king size bed
and oversize whirlpool tub. Cottages feature knotty
pine interiors, full bathrooms, separate heating,
405 E Church, Harrisville
cable television, internet, and complete furnishings 1750 sf, four bed, 2 bath
right down to the silverware. Social Hall for family Victorian right in downtown
gatherings can accommodate 110 guests. This is an Harrisville. Own a piece of
history with this move in
active turn key business opportunity that only ready classic. $119,900. For
comes around once in a lifetime. Priced to sell with
More complete Information
owner financing available to qualified buyers. Text R306384 to 52187
Iosco County 480 wooded acres with 2 private lakes
and frontage on a third lake. Completely surrounded
by National forest. Just a short walk to the AuSable
River and a minutes ride to hundreds of miles of
groomed snowmobile trails. Property has a complete
trail system that provides access throughout the
heavily wooded site. Rolling terrain with high and low
land. Includes a ranch style home over a full
basement, a rustic log cabin and convenient 2 car
garage. The major expense of running electric to the
center of the property is already done. Many trophy
class whitetail deer, turkeys and bear have been
harvested from the land. Master angler blue gills and
bass are caught on a regular basis from the main lake.
This property would be ideal for the private residence,
joint venture hunting, fishing or recreation club or as
an investment for future development. Significant
marketable hardwood could help cover some of the
future cost for planned improvements. Shown by
appointment only. Priced at $1,300,000,

Call 800-650-5566 - Glennie or 800-982-0102 - Harrisville - www.HeritageHouseRealty.com

88 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS
32 Annual - Woods-N-Water News

d
nd

Outd o o r W ee k e n
OVER

240
Outdoor Exhibits!
Seminars, Puppies
Gun Auction, Wild
Animals & More

e b ra t i n g O u r O u t d o o r H e r i t a g e !
C el
September 7 - 8 -9 th th th

Eastern Michigan State Fairgrounds in Imlay City

www.OutdoorWeekend.net
WNW NEWS MAY 2018 89
 Dan Dan The Mattress Man
SPORTSMENS FURNITURE PARADISE

Solid wood bunk w/ mattress $

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

GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICES

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

90 MAY 2018 WNW NEWS

 It’s tim
e
to go
fishing
!

IN STOCK AND READY TO GO!

Angler Qwest Angler Qwest Angler Qwest

824 Pro Troll, 822 Troll, 822 Pro Fish,
150 hp four-stroke and Trailer 150 hp four-stroke and Trailer 150 Suzuki and Trailer
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10% DOWN 10% DOWN 10% DOWN
Call or visit Freeway Sports Center for these special package pricing!
Holding Power
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or available at...
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Visit us at www.freeway-sports.com for a complete listing of boats!
FULL SERVICE PARTS & ACCESSORIES
Service Department • Indoor & Outdoor Storage
(810) 629-2291 Hours: FLINT FREEWAY
SPORTS CENTER
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3241 Thompson Rd. Mon.-Fri. 9am - 6pm EXIT 84
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Sat. 9am - 5pm
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23

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Closed Sunday's
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 WE CARRY A
LARGE VARIETY OF
KIMBER PRODUCTS!

31516 Harper Avenue

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

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

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