In an effort to disseminate more info I'm posting a few of my calendar events:
Great Lakes Council - Boy Scouts of America – 100th Anniversary
Boy Scouts, Venturers and Explorers from thorughout southeast Michigan will gather at Willow Metropark the weekend of September 24-26, 2010. They too will have numerous exciting activities to choose from. Their evening will end with an Arena Show, featuring Chuck Gaidica from WDIV Local 4 as our emcee, FiftyAmpFuse...A live band, country/pop singer Whitney Raenan and an exhilarating fireworks show. Check out their web page http://www.glcscouting.org/rendez-vous/arena.html
Harvest Moon Hayride- Oakwoods Nature Center
When Fri Sep 24, 2010 call for a time (734-782-3956)
Where Oakwoods Metropark http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Oakwoods+Metropark&hl=en
Also - Fall Festival
Appreciate fall with crafts, games, cider making and guided hikes. $
When Sat Sep 25, 2010
Where Oakwoods Metropark
Lincoln Park Train Club
Take a step back in time and enjoy a miniature version of yesteryear.
Admission is FREE!
•Meets every Saturday from 11am-1pm
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Lincoln+Park&hl=en
Friday, September 24, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
That’s a Fine Kettle of Hawk?
Yes, that’s right, hawk. Most have heard of a fine kettle of fish but hawk. I was confused until the folks at Hawkfest 2010 explained it all to me. I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself just yet. I was impressed with the turnout. I didn’t know there were so many people out there interested in raptors. When I got close to the nature center the road was blocked and I thought there may be an accident but it was the scouts directing traffic.
Traffic, how many people out there are interested in raptors? Ask the scouts they’ve been helping out for Hawkfest for over 15 years and they’re from Ferndale. Boy Scout Troop 1204 and Cub Scout Troop 1245 were directing cars and shuttles without a hitch. I’m estimating 400 cars were there just in the short time I was there and that‘s not counting all the cars by the boat launch.
Members of the Michigan Hawking Club brought hawks and discussed falconry. Live birds of prey were brought out during special programs by Joe Rogers. Presentations on the Osprey Recovery Project, Peregrine Falcon research and the Oak Openings Raptor Project were featured. The binocular/digital camera tent hosted a variety of cameras, spotting scopes and binoculars for demonstrations and sales. Jerry Wykes had many activities for the kids from the wall climb to hawk puzzles and crafts scheduled thru out the day.
A kettle of hawk
Jerry said the birds have usually passed thru before Hawkfest but this year is different with only a few thousand birds recorded as of yet the main bulk of over 500,000 is staging close by and will be coming thru with the next north or northeast wind. It looks like this Saturday will be prime time for viewing. So if you remember the next time it blows from the north look up to find a kettle of hawk. This usually looks like a number of small circles of birds floating together on thermals pushed by the north wind.
Don't forget Luke the eagle. He lives in this large enclosure behind the nature center but the proud eagle heeds fresh fish to eat. If you launch at the park to fish you can drop off a meal for Luke but Jerry would rather have it cleaned and frozen. Don't forget Luke.
Get Outdoors Downriver.
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| From Downriver Outdoors |
Traffic, how many people out there are interested in raptors? Ask the scouts they’ve been helping out for Hawkfest for over 15 years and they’re from Ferndale. Boy Scout Troop 1204 and Cub Scout Troop 1245 were directing cars and shuttles without a hitch. I’m estimating 400 cars were there just in the short time I was there and that‘s not counting all the cars by the boat launch.
 |
| From Downriver Outdoors |
 |
| From Downriver Outdoors |
Members of the Michigan Hawking Club brought hawks and discussed falconry. Live birds of prey were brought out during special programs by Joe Rogers. Presentations on the Osprey Recovery Project, Peregrine Falcon research and the Oak Openings Raptor Project were featured. The binocular/digital camera tent hosted a variety of cameras, spotting scopes and binoculars for demonstrations and sales. Jerry Wykes had many activities for the kids from the wall climb to hawk puzzles and crafts scheduled thru out the day.
 |
| From Downriver Outdoors |
 |
| From Downriver Outdoors |
A kettle of hawk
 |
| From Downriver Outdoors |
Jerry said the birds have usually passed thru before Hawkfest but this year is different with only a few thousand birds recorded as of yet the main bulk of over 500,000 is staging close by and will be coming thru with the next north or northeast wind. It looks like this Saturday will be prime time for viewing. So if you remember the next time it blows from the north look up to find a kettle of hawk. This usually looks like a number of small circles of birds floating together on thermals pushed by the north wind.
Don't forget Luke the eagle. He lives in this large enclosure behind the nature center but the proud eagle heeds fresh fish to eat. If you launch at the park to fish you can drop off a meal for Luke but Jerry would rather have it cleaned and frozen. Don't forget Luke.
 |
| From Downriver Outdoors |
Get Outdoors Downriver.
Friday, September 10, 2010
The Rush to Fall
Happy Labor Day, everyone. Hope you enjoyed your day off, if you got one. The last days of summer are winding down and the outdoor activities are ramping up. No it’s not about the Lions offensive line preparing for the season, this is serious, hunting season is upon us. All I’ve been writing about so far is fishing. With the water cooling off fishing is on a comeback but will be playing second fiddle soon. September 15th is opening day for small game hunting. It’s usually just for squirrels around here, rabbits aren’t ready yet and grouse are up north. The most important aspect about September is getting ready for deer and pheasant seasons, the most popular by far.
There is a new opportunity for bow hunters this year, the crossbow. The crossbow was illegal to use until this year unless you had a disability permit. Thanks to some local folk the DNRE has relented to allow all hunters to use them. Plus, the fact that many hunters had dropped out of bow hunting because of old age, not a disability needed for applying to the old permit. The traditionalist bow hunters were against it but the lure of attracting new hunters and more revenue persuaded the powers that be to ok the use of these weapons. I believe these bows are easier and safer to use than compound bows. Once cocked the crossbow is just like operating a gun and this will allow even 10 year olds to deer and turkey hunt this fall. Check with the new hunting regulations before taking anyone younger than 17 hunting.
Now the rush part for people like me, I like deadlines they keep me on track though I rarely meet them. For the bow hunters here’s a refresher checklist. Equipment first, for arrows or bolts (arrows for crossbows) Frank at Trenton Lighthouse, near the entrance to Elizabeth Park, Frank has been making these for over 40 years. See him for a more personal fitting for your bow length draw. Otherwise the big box sporting good stores will have what you need, but you’ll have to customize yourself. Once your arrows or bolts are strait and shoot worthy you’ll need to accessorize. Arrow rest, sights, releases, limb savers, string silencers, peep holes, stabilizers and quivers, just to name a few. See Frank or one of the associates at Gander Mountain for all the possibilities and what’s appropriate for you. Gander has an indoor archery range that goes for $8 / hour, if you buy an accessory you may be able to get some free time to line out the new equipment. Wayne County Sportsman’s Club also offers an archery range at $6.50/ hour. Practice, practice, practice…
For gun hunters accessories are limited to maybe a scope for deer hunters and the type of shot for wing shooters. Besides the big box sporting goods stores the only gun shop around is Westborn’s on Ecorse in Taylor. If you can’t find a gun or type of shot at the bigger stores Westborn’s will usually have it. I’m told their prices are even cheaper than the sale prices at the big stores, it pays to shop around even with guns and ammo. They have over 200 rifles and handguns there and specialty items like 20 gauge steel shot. Hunters’ associate steel shot with duck hunting and while it’s still true to some extent the application of steel shot I’m familiar with is using it at game farms. Dundee Pheasant Farm (734-735-7271) is where I’ve gone for some guaranteed pheasant action. It’s pricey, but it’s a matter of convenience after state land has been hunted hard and farm access hasn’t been found.
Along those lines no matter that you’re paying a premium with money or leg work, if you hunt on state land, to get the most out of the investment you need to practice. Shooting at live birds is a lot harder than it seems. Most people think you just look down the barrel and the quarry is yours. Ha, even at a skeet range where you know from where and when the clay pigeon is arriving, for the average amateur shooter, 50 % is outstanding. Wayne County Sportsman’s Club offers any pheasant or duck hunter a chance to sharpen up for the ensuing seasons. They’re located just south of Pennsylvania Rd. on Inkster, look for the sign on the west side of the road, it is a smaller sign so look carefully. At $6.50/shoot, plus a box of shells, you’ll gain a lot of experience and confidence, for just over $10. Call 734-941-9688 for times and the type of shells to bring. This place is quite a gem in the Downriver Outdoors and well worth the trip even considering the long driveway.
Get Outdoors Downriver….
There is a new opportunity for bow hunters this year, the crossbow. The crossbow was illegal to use until this year unless you had a disability permit. Thanks to some local folk the DNRE has relented to allow all hunters to use them. Plus, the fact that many hunters had dropped out of bow hunting because of old age, not a disability needed for applying to the old permit. The traditionalist bow hunters were against it but the lure of attracting new hunters and more revenue persuaded the powers that be to ok the use of these weapons. I believe these bows are easier and safer to use than compound bows. Once cocked the crossbow is just like operating a gun and this will allow even 10 year olds to deer and turkey hunt this fall. Check with the new hunting regulations before taking anyone younger than 17 hunting.
Now the rush part for people like me, I like deadlines they keep me on track though I rarely meet them. For the bow hunters here’s a refresher checklist. Equipment first, for arrows or bolts (arrows for crossbows) Frank at Trenton Lighthouse, near the entrance to Elizabeth Park, Frank has been making these for over 40 years. See him for a more personal fitting for your bow length draw. Otherwise the big box sporting good stores will have what you need, but you’ll have to customize yourself. Once your arrows or bolts are strait and shoot worthy you’ll need to accessorize. Arrow rest, sights, releases, limb savers, string silencers, peep holes, stabilizers and quivers, just to name a few. See Frank or one of the associates at Gander Mountain for all the possibilities and what’s appropriate for you. Gander has an indoor archery range that goes for $8 / hour, if you buy an accessory you may be able to get some free time to line out the new equipment. Wayne County Sportsman’s Club also offers an archery range at $6.50/ hour. Practice, practice, practice…
For gun hunters accessories are limited to maybe a scope for deer hunters and the type of shot for wing shooters. Besides the big box sporting goods stores the only gun shop around is Westborn’s on Ecorse in Taylor. If you can’t find a gun or type of shot at the bigger stores Westborn’s will usually have it. I’m told their prices are even cheaper than the sale prices at the big stores, it pays to shop around even with guns and ammo. They have over 200 rifles and handguns there and specialty items like 20 gauge steel shot. Hunters’ associate steel shot with duck hunting and while it’s still true to some extent the application of steel shot I’m familiar with is using it at game farms. Dundee Pheasant Farm (734-735-7271) is where I’ve gone for some guaranteed pheasant action. It’s pricey, but it’s a matter of convenience after state land has been hunted hard and farm access hasn’t been found.
Along those lines no matter that you’re paying a premium with money or leg work, if you hunt on state land, to get the most out of the investment you need to practice. Shooting at live birds is a lot harder than it seems. Most people think you just look down the barrel and the quarry is yours. Ha, even at a skeet range where you know from where and when the clay pigeon is arriving, for the average amateur shooter, 50 % is outstanding. Wayne County Sportsman’s Club offers any pheasant or duck hunter a chance to sharpen up for the ensuing seasons. They’re located just south of Pennsylvania Rd. on Inkster, look for the sign on the west side of the road, it is a smaller sign so look carefully. At $6.50/shoot, plus a box of shells, you’ll gain a lot of experience and confidence, for just over $10. Call 734-941-9688 for times and the type of shells to bring. This place is quite a gem in the Downriver Outdoors and well worth the trip even considering the long driveway.
 |
| From Downriver Outdoors |
Get Outdoors Downriver….
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