tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14007722362202337462024-03-12T22:36:11.410-04:00Downriver OutdoorsCovering all things outdoors Downriver from behind the scenes
drdownriverrat@gmail.comRiver Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.comBlogger207125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-74627980091701300902018-08-07T12:02:00.000-04:002018-08-07T12:02:28.050-04:00Danger hiding in your refrigerator!Just recently I was getting ready to cook some snapper we got at Meijer's. The fish was on a plate on the counter top which I thought was odd. Normally the package would be in the sink for the thawing process. I inquired about the different technique and was told that the label said to do it this way. I'm not usually a label or instruction reader so I had to find the package and read it. Sure enough it says to open the package before thawing but why? I thought it might have to do with the fish, snapper isn't our usual fish, walleye and salmon yes. Didn't know why until after supper when my son told me it has to do with<b> Botulism</b>!<br />
Sure enough he pulled up a directive from his alma mater that explains the problem:<br />
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http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/open_your_vacuum_packed_fish_before_thawing#return<br />
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I find it hard to believe I haven't heard of something so dangerous, that I've been using so long, no news flashes not even from fake news outlets. Here in Wyandotte we get reports of people falling down and getting hurt in some rural area of Oregon but botulism forming in vacuum packaged fish goes under the radar. I can't believe the vacuum packaging PAC is keeping this information from getting to the public. However, food safety in this day and age is on the back burner while screaming and yelling political displays are front and center. What else is hiding in our homes? Hopefully we find out in time.<br />
<br />River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-38528719508416892222016-02-08T15:51:00.000-05:002016-02-08T17:26:13.992-05:00Downriver's Best Deer Hunter for 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bob Thiede of Wyandotte became the best deer hunter for the downriver area this past hunt season. There may be others with more points or bigger bodied deer but none can match the story and acclaim Bob has received. </div>
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Bob doesn't seem very excited but when things are happening fast like they did on opening morning I'm sure the adrenaline was flowing fast. The deer came from the wrong way, the sun was in his eyes and the reason for 2 shots needed, Bob was using open sights. It's hard to believe when things come together like this to become the hunt of a lifetime but when they do you have to feel very special. Then to top it off his buddy Todd Browning drove his truck right to where the deer was and threw it in the bed and drove Bob and his trophy to the Jerome Buck Pole in Jerome MI. Here they received much attention and then were invited to be on Big Buck Night for Michigan Out of Doors. Congrats Bob!<br />
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Get Outdoors Downriver.River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-12017590650779331922015-11-10T17:09:00.000-05:002015-11-10T17:09:18.209-05:00Dove, it's what's for breakfastThe hawk hit the jackpot this am. We've been seeing him hunting and catching sparrows in the bushes but today was bigger quarry.<br />
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This one took him quite a while to devour.<br />
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I'm sure it wasn't this guy.<br />
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Now that the hawk is fed it's time for the praying mantis.River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-6323997331158950852015-09-14T17:21:00.002-04:002015-09-14T17:21:55.551-04:00Big City, Big AdventureMade the trek to the new Outdoor Adventure Center in Dtown. We had a really nice experience there. There is some construction going on but following the detour was easy. There's a free parking lot next to it for about 100 cars. after a short walk we were in.<br />
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Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for kids. There are some vending machines but there's a large cafeteria type room to picnic in. The first displays are of MI's water sports. All very nice with a kayaking video in Wyandotte.<br />
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Then on to the great room with lots of info and waterfalls.<br />
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The second floor is for hunting and ski-do demo's.<br />
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The third level gives you an idea what it's like to be an eagle. Try to flap the wings.<br />
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Across the street is Milliken State Park with a great view of the river and an ecology walk that leads to the Riverwalk and a free merry-go-round ride.<br />
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All in all a great day.<br />
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Get Outdoors Downriver.River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-66049472772211947112015-08-24T10:21:00.001-04:002015-08-24T10:21:12.615-04:00The Sky Is FallingThe old warning from a child's story. It just seems appropriate for the times we're in. First there are no walleye in the Detroit River, at least mid to upper. Been a long time since anyone can remember this. Soon the fall run will be here though.<br />
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Come fall though you won't be able to harvest a doe with bow and arrow in the UP. Oh those past winters were just terrible. The extra 1000 wolves that the land can support have nothing to do with it so we've heard. There are so many wolves that there are very few coyotes left, bad winter maybe. The kicker is that the beavers are down also, they live under the ice in winter so no excuse there. Now Minnesota is protecting their antlerless deer during bow season. Wisconsin is an other story.<br />
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Wisconsin's reaction to CWD in their state was to shoot as much as possible. All of their deer numbers are down and even the wolves aren't happy. Maybe peta is still giving them advice. Something really weird is going on there and I just hope we don't get any of their infected trout. This is a real pic and a mold that causes it.<br />
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Speaking of sky, I can remember as a young kid the uproar over the sputnik satellite. I was up way too late but I do remember seeing it pass over head. The space race was started then and eventually took us to the moon. Something my astrophysicist brother, Roger, had been predicting when he was just a teen, much to the chagrin of family and friends. He knew then what we all know now, that when humans put their mind to it the impossible can happen. Now as a reminder to that feat you can look up to the sky and see the ISS, the International Space Station, at certain times and in clear skies. Go to http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/home.cfm and sign up for alerts for our area. You never know when you can see the living monument of the space race, international cooperation and human determination flying by. Hopefully other crazy thing happening now will meet some cooperation and balance out.<br />
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Get Outdoors DownriverRiver Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-68377578602023114082015-08-20T11:42:00.000-04:002015-08-20T11:42:38.129-04:00Big Canoe, Big Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thru August at Oakwood Nature center the long boat canoe is taking tours of the Huron River.</div>
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It's amazing what goes on that can't be seen from shore.</div>
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Or even deep into the aqua scape protected by impenetrable plant growth.<br />
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Then there's the friendly staff and critters at the center.</div>
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Don't forget to explore the native hut.<br />
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Get Outdoors Downriver.</div>
<br />River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-35175671622375507022015-08-14T17:21:00.002-04:002015-08-14T17:21:23.389-04:00Antlerless Deer Permit Deadline<div>
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Per MI DNR</h2>
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Antlerless deer license applications on sale until Aug. 15</h2>
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The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that the application period for antlerless deer licenses ends Aug. 15. Hunters may apply for one license in any open Deer Management Unit statewide; a nonrefundable $5 fee is charged at the time of application. Drawing results and leftover license availability may be viewed at<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJlbWFpbCI6ImRyZG93bnJpdmVycmF0QGdtYWlsLmNvbSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2xpbmtfaWQiOiIxMDIiLCJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiODQ5MDIzNzAiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiMzE5OTI3MzgiLCJ1cmkiOiJicDI6ZGlnZXN0IiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cDovL3d3dy5taWNoaWdhbi5nb3YvZG5yLzAsNDU3MCw3LTE1My0xMDM2M180MjgwNy0tLSwwMC5odG1sP3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMTUwODEzLjQ4MDgzMTMxIn0.YoVxp0-Qen-BdE3IjlyuYQGfoIMT2IIcSil8Mufvt1k&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGPDyyOnBub9Lj-J_0f_ti-21gTXA" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings</a> <wbr></wbr>beginning Sept. 2.</div>
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Hunters may apply for one private-land or public-land license online at <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJlbWFpbCI6ImRyZG93bnJpdmVycmF0QGdtYWlsLmNvbSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2xpbmtfaWQiOiIxMTAiLCJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiODQ5MDIzNzAiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiMTM1NzE4IiwidXJpIjoiYnAyOmRpZ2VzdCIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cubWRuci1lbGljZW5zZS5jb20vV2VsY29tZS9EZWZhdWx0LmFzcHg_c291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAxNTA4MTMuNDgwODMxMzEifQ.2UgYYC90ft48uknWWUjLdJjXd6dW_0ty-Xm_CawpxoU&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEzIvjFqXW7kfyL9XAW7MP7eOMxlQ" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">E-License</a>, or at any authorized <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJlbWFpbCI6ImRyZG93bnJpdmVycmF0QGdtYWlsLmNvbSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2xpbmtfaWQiOiIxMDQiLCJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiODQ5MDIzNzAiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiMzQyNDM4MDIiLCJ1cmkiOiJicDI6ZGlnZXN0IiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cDovL3d3dy5taWNoaWdhbi5nb3YvZG5yLzAsNDU3MCw3LTE1My0xMDM2M18xNDUxOC0zNDg2OS0tLDAwLmh0bWw_c291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAxNTA4MTMuNDgwODMxMzEifQ.rdTD8E_ZPrbZebEs3mUNKRRxjt1K9NRea31SuhM47qM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGIJYrK_i7DA_XE-506_DZKHxJjKA" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">license agent</a> or <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJlbWFpbCI6ImRyZG93bnJpdmVycmF0QGdtYWlsLmNvbSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2xpbmtfaWQiOiIxMDUiLCJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiODQ5MDIzNzAiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiMjY5OTMzMzgiLCJ1cmkiOiJicDI6ZGlnZXN0IiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cDovL3d3dy5taWNoaWdhbi5nb3YvZG5yLzAsNDU3MCw3LTE1My0xMDM2Nl8xMDM4OV8zOTAxMy0yMTEwNy0tLDAwLmh0bWw_c291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAxNTA4MTMuNDgwODMxMzEifQ.J1eAwQ9JkNFzT-3qqYsPFTR5TZK0pLrR8rfTu2s0OjY&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH0QJ_qhr5ucqVjf9yXq0RVZN9WWQ" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">DNR Customer Service Center</a>. Young hunters, ages 9-16, also can purchase one junior antlerless deer license over the counter July 15-Aug. 15. No application is required. A 9-year-old must be 10 by Sept. 26 to purchase this license.</div>
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The <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJlbWFpbCI6ImRyZG93bnJpdmVycmF0QGdtYWlsLmNvbSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2xpbmtfaWQiOiIxMDYiLCJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiODQ5MDIzNzAiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiMzI2MzkyMzAiLCJ1cmkiOiJicDI6ZGlnZXN0IiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cDovL3d3dy5taWNoaWdhbi5nb3YvZG9jdW1lbnRzL2Ruci9hbnRsZXJsZXNzX2RlZXJfbGljZW5zZV9xdW90YXNfNDkzMTc3XzcucGRmP3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMTUwODEzLjQ4MDgzMTMxIn0.qLz0yVb4bhjR5zzygb-MZaVEv0RuiAdGmq8mPaGruak&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFNI74ZNq5KLKKoJc0ATCHsv8kNyw" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">2015 antlerless deer license quotas</a> for each DMU can be found at<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJlbWFpbCI6ImRyZG93bnJpdmVycmF0QGdtYWlsLmNvbSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2xpbmtfaWQiOiIxMDciLCJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiODQ5MDIzNzAiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiMzQyNDM4MDQiLCJ1cmkiOiJicDI6ZGlnZXN0IiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cDovL3d3dy5taWNoaWdhbi5nb3YvZG5yLzAsNDU3MCw3LTE1My0xMDM2M18xMDg1Nl8xMDkwNS0tLSwwMC5odG1sP3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMTUwODEzLjQ4MDgzMTMxIn0.cA3x7uRMgVxCyF62h6gqkTlflHe5SN5_v-gfwe9LtDQ&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHmNyPi0dkh92daYFXCzAVYLiVmOQ" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">www.michigan.gov/deer</a>.</div>
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Hopefully your area has a quota.</div>
River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-75208512591607683362015-05-30T12:34:00.002-04:002015-05-30T12:34:16.391-04:00Last Chance for Bear, Elk PermitsYou have until June first @ 11:59pm to apply for hunting permits for bear or elk. Set an alarm so you don't forget. Here's the DNR's release.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UTLJDYqMVNY/VWnj9eOrK_I/AAAAAAAACHU/quuWEJKY77s/s1600/elk%2Bdate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UTLJDYqMVNY/VWnj9eOrK_I/AAAAAAAACHU/quuWEJKY77s/s320/elk%2Bdate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hunters can apply online at </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJlbWFpbCI6ImRyZG93bnJpdmVycmF0QGdtYWlsLmNvbSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2xpbmtfaWQiOiIxMDgiLCJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiODQ5MDIzNzAiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiMjcyNjQwODAiLCJ1cmkiOiJicDI6ZGlnZXN0IiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cDovL3d3dy5tZG5yLWVsaWNlbnNlLmNvbT9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDE1MDUyNy40NTMyOTc0MSJ9.eQC1fEd1vOXX7mVdfmse3DaCbc8pl7VzAZwNvvy9Ed4&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF9GOJ7leXKcIoR6WJLUTTQnqLuqw" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">www.mdnr-elicense.com</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12.0pt;">, at any authorized license agent or at a </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJlbWFpbCI6ImRyZG93bnJpdmVycmF0QGdtYWlsLmNvbSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2xpbmtfaWQiOiIxMDkiLCJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiODQ5MDIzNzAiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiMjc3MDk3NzIiLCJ1cmkiOiJicDI6ZGlnZXN0IiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cDovL21pY2hpZ2FuLmdvdi9kbnIvMCwxNjA3LDctMTUzLTEwMzY2XzEwMzg5XzM5MDEzLTIxMTA3LS0sMDAuaHRtbD9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDE1MDUyNy40NTMyOTc0MSJ9.hD4C7mcqSo8_cD45GgkY04f6hxirY2rPQwkW86HSkfs&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFun75HyHBuMdKT298CkgkLLt-6dQ" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">DNR Customer Service Center</span></a></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12.0pt;">. A nonrefundable $5 fee is charged at the time of application. Hunters may purchase just one bear and one elk application.<br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12.0pt;">Applicants
may call the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-WILD (9453) by June 1 for
assistance with their application and may check their drawing results
online at </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJlbWFpbCI6ImRyZG93bnJpdmVycmF0QGdtYWlsLmNvbSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2xpbmtfaWQiOiIxMTAiLCJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiODQ5MDIzNzAiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiMjcxMDE5MzIiLCJ1cmkiOiJicDI6ZGlnZXN0IiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cDovL21pY2hpZ2FuLmdvdi9kbnIvMCw0NTcwLDctMTUzLTEwMzYzXzQyODA3LS0tLDAwLmh0bWw_c291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAxNTA1MjcuNDUzMjk3NDEifQ.gY9QtBzyqzXZjZj6296-M-95OJspOa78_4hl4ShN6Ok&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFrmRZbhE0KFZg88vLtEGTvLfnOtw" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings</span></a></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12.0pt;">
beginning June 29 for both species. Also see the 2015 Michigan Elk
Hunting Digest and 2015 Michigan Bear Hunting Digest for more details
about the application processes. All hunting digests can be found online
at </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJlbWFpbCI6ImRyZG93bnJpdmVycmF0QGdtYWlsLmNvbSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2xpbmtfaWQiOiIxMTEiLCJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiODQ5MDIzNzAiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiMjc3MDk3NzQiLCJ1cmkiOiJicDI6ZGlnZXN0IiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cDovL21pY2hpZ2FuLmdvdi9kbnIvMCw0NTcwLDctMTUzLTEwMzcxXzE0NzI0LS0tLDAwLmh0bWw_c291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAxNTA1MjcuNDUzMjk3NDEifQ.1ybqG4RYvG1NWnbYD-CQHE7UW1Y_vfGBVuKyTLJjwDU&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFESL074vrYhSzmS8qPFI-bOQrTFA" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">www.michigan.gov/dnrdigests</span></a></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12.0pt;">.<br /></span>Applicants
are responsible for submitting a valid application with the correct
customer ID and application type. Make sure to check the receipt for
accuracy and call the Wildlife Division immediately at 517-284-WILD
(9453) if there are any mistakes.</span>River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-76309308380417957532015-05-18T13:55:00.000-04:002015-05-18T13:55:52.878-04:00Follow the bouncing EggThe Whip is retire from the worlds best motor plant but he just got a promotion to ranger at his new cart riding job. He was making the rounds the other day when someone flagged him down. There's a duck nest near the driving range, thankfully not down range. I'm not sure how ducks handle the nest building and egg laying but just like a virus in your computer it doesn't take much for things to go wrong.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCiwk1my_AA/VVomQiA1liI/AAAAAAAACGw/o1Hh2wI3YOE/s1600/20150515_122552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCiwk1my_AA/VVomQiA1liI/AAAAAAAACGw/o1Hh2wI3YOE/s320/20150515_122552.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Don't put all your eggs in one basket but make sure they're all eggs!<br />
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Get Outdoors DownriverRiver Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-21971716233806623212015-04-15T08:16:00.001-04:002015-04-15T15:48:35.991-04:00Spring has smashed on the Detroit River. Not pumpkins but many 12 to 14 pound walleye.Spring usually springs with plants emerging from their winter sleep. Not this year on the Detroit River where Spring has smashed all expectations about walleye fishing. The Coast Guard estimates over 1000 boats were plying the waters of the Detroit River last Saturday. No one could have expected the turnout that happened. All launches were backed up and words couldn't begin to describe the scene. In Wyandotte boats were backed up from the river to Biddle, to Goddard and south almost to Northline. A four hour wait to get to chase the walters and some were doing it. <br />
<img src="https://webmail.lycos.com/?_task=mail&_action=get&_mbox=INBOX&_uid=33282&_part=2&_mimewarning=1&_embed=1&_extwin=1" /><br />
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Who can blame them when so many 12 - 14 lbers were being caught. Eight pound walleye considered trophies in many regions are put in coolers like nothing to cheer about. If you don't believe me call one of the bait shops on my Bait Shop link and they'll tell you all about it. It's one of those bazaar things that send grown men into a damn the torpedoes attitude to catch the fish of a lifetime.<br />
<img src="https://webmail.lycos.com/?_task=mail&_action=get&_mbox=INBOX&_uid=33283&_part=2&_mimewarning=1&_embed=1&_extwin=1" /><br />
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With all the extra boats out there many were trying different spots to try and some were productive. With all of the boats out there it can hamper the walleye bite so when changing position back to the head of the drift a stealth mode is important, no wake speed. Some boats don't even take the trolling motor out of the water, not recommended. Yes a trolling motor is needed to stay in an optimal drift be it current or wind trying to get you off course. You want that jig to be directly below the boat for more hook ups.<br />
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Here's a new catch I haven't heard of in many years. Smelt. Steelhead and salmon are caught fairly regular now but smelt? Hopefully they're on a comeback and dipping will be available. <br />
<img src="https://webmail.lycos.com/?_task=mail&_action=get&_mbox=INBOX&_uid=33284&_part=2&_mimewarning=1&_embed=1&_extwin=1" /><br />
<img height="476" src="https://webmail.lycos.com/?_task=mail&_action=get&_mbox=INBOX&_uid=31741&_part=1&_mimewarning=1&_embed=1&_extwin=1" width="640" /><br />
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Remember to be careful on the cold water and Get Outdoors Downriver.<br />
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<br />River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-34178633951840176802015-03-31T09:05:00.000-04:002015-03-31T09:05:45.344-04:00Mouillee Open OpportunityThe spring open house at Pointe Mouillee is coming up next month. This semi-annual event gives a unique experience of the area without having to walk in the 3-4 miles. This time of year there are many migrating birds, some that will bring squeals from the Audubon types. For most it's just a sensory overload trying to see everything at once but your neck and eyes aren't fast enough.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xth7VnKKyyg/VRqbAKRFYuI/AAAAAAAACE0/yORy37xmKxg/s1600/caravan%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xth7VnKKyyg/VRqbAKRFYuI/AAAAAAAACE0/yORy37xmKxg/s1600/caravan%5B1%5D.jpg" height="107" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm hoping Joe Robison will be there this year. Joe is an outdoor show in the making, hence the moniker "Hollywood". Last year he made an entrance out of a helicopter this year who knows maybe one of those recue boats that go on land or water, either way Joe will make the tour entertaining.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fQP71d7feMs/VRqbMR0ec_I/AAAAAAAACFA/31d2bQ5e6uU/s1600/trump%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fQP71d7feMs/VRqbMR0ec_I/AAAAAAAACFA/31d2bQ5e6uU/s1600/trump%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a><br />
So be there April 11 – 9 a.m. at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area, 37025 Mouillee Road, Rockwood; 734-379-9692<br />
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These birding tours are part of the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy (MWL), a 10-year, cooperative partnership to restore, conserve and celebrate Michigan's waterfowl, wetland and waterfowl hunting community. The initiative is a "call to action" to honor yesterday, engage today and build for tomorrow.<br />
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To learn more about Michigan's Wetland Wonders, visit <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/wetlandwonders">www.michigan.gov/wetlandwonders</a>. <br />
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Get Outdoors DownriverRiver Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-56178766215219327772015-03-12T12:58:00.000-04:002015-03-12T12:58:19.524-04:00Nice Fall Detroit River Walleye Thanks to Mark Romanack A while back I shared a contest page on Facebook from Mark Romanack, Surprisingly to me I won a box full of fishing gear with a Mustang inflatable pfd and an Okuna low profile level wind reel. Thanks Mark.<br />
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Professional fisherman to the extreme Mark strives to help anyone become a better fisher person. He hosts the Fishing 411 television show and has written many books about many aspects of fishing. Probably the most important would be the Precision Trolling book Mark wrote about the depth your lure will be trolling at a certain speed with a known line strength and the amount of line out. This is very important info when targeting a precise depth. Mark has spent many hours painstakingly in scuba gear documenting such info. Check out the Fishing 411 blog, facebook page and the tv shows on youtube.<br />
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Get Outdoors downriver.River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-64736652804675976252015-03-06T21:19:00.000-05:002015-03-06T21:19:01.501-05:00A Tale of Two Enablers<br />
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It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2014 was the best
year I’ve ever had hunting and fishing, and I just turned 60, but the worst on
a personal level. In September I lost my Brother in a car accident. He was
heading back to his beloved Maine after a summer visit to the old stomping
grounds. He was my birding tutor and I still enjoy bird watching to this day.
Then in November I lost my Father in Law of 40 years. Not an unexpected event
but one that shakes you to the core anyway. He was my hunting enabler.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My family never hunted or even owned sporting firearms. I
never thought about hunting growing up instead fishing was my family’s outdoor
endeavor. My FIL was big into pheasant hunting and during the 1950s our
surrounding area was pheasant heaven. His favorite story was the 5 for 5 on
pheasants. Deer hunting is also very big on both sides of my wife’s family. The
first time I was invited I had no gun and the only coat I had was a black pea-coat with matching black and white striped scarf. Not the best color scheme
for deer hunting being white was a deer color and black was bear, you could
hunt bear during deer season at the time. They let me go out anyway with a bead
sight shotgun and 2 slugs. I found a spot next to a two track and sat down only
to be startled a couple of hours later by a deer that I promptly missed. So
started my love affair with hunting.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jack not only lent
me guns but helped be buy guns for myself once I had the finances to do so. He
also made sure whom ever wanted to hunt had a place to stay and somewhere to
hunt. Making many memories in the process. Like my second time in deer camp he
let me use a newly acquired 8mm rifle. This was quite a step up from the
shotgun, in both aesthetics and kick, and I got a deer with it. I now had an
attachment to the gun being my first deer and all but he ended up horse trading
it away that night with the neighbor so back to square one I went. On the way
home I asked for his daughters hand in marriage but due to a problem with
communication a lot of swearing and gnashing of teeth ensued. Remembering all
the stashed handguns Jack had I quickly straightened out the problem and was
given his blessing. The enabler and memory maker will be missed dearly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now to the best of 2014. Not to mince words here’s some
pics.<o:p></o:p></div>
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10.5 pound walleye<o:p></o:p></div>
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Strutting tom with 9+ inch beard and 1 inch spurs. (With
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Opening day pheasant<o:p></o:p></div>
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Muzzleloader deer<o:p></o:p></div>
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First buck in 20 years.<br />
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Get Outdoors Downriver.<br />
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River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-89621596357474645792014-11-19T07:56:00.002-05:002014-11-19T07:56:11.261-05:00Gifts for Your Birding FriendsFrom new birdsong collections to smartphone apps, online learning, and a kit for beginning birders, here are 10 holiday gift suggestions for the bird and nature lover in your life. All these items are available from the nonprofit Cornell Lab of Ornithology at <a href="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/BirdGifts" target="_blank">www.birds.cornell.edu/<wbr></wbr>BirdGifts</a>. Your purchases "pay it forward" by supporting the Cornell Lab's bird conservation efforts.<br />
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<strong><img alt="" height="120" hspace="10" src="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/view.image?Id=1775" style="float: right;" width="150" />Cornell Lab 2015 Calendar</strong> <br />Spend a year with the birds! This new calendar features stunning photos with fascinating facts about each species. This colorful cast of characters is yours with a gift of $10 or more to the Lab. ($10) <a href="http://give.birds.cornell.edu/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1806&ea.campaign.id=32823&ea.tracking.id=ENE&utm_source=Cornell+Lab+eNews&utm_campaign=6508cfa3ff-Cornell_Lab_eNews_2014_11_06&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_47588b5758-6508cfa3ff-278022981">Donate now</a><br />
<br /><strong>Be a Better Birder Tutorials</strong><br /> Cornell Lab of Ornithology and eCornell <br />Part 1: Size and Shape; Part 2: Color and Pattern<br />
<strong><img align="left" alt="Bird Friendly Logo" border="0" height="128" hspace="10" src="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/view.image?Id=2137" style="float: left;" width="150" /></strong>These new online tutorials are designed to help beginning birders learn how to identify birds on their own time, at their own pace. They feature interactive exercises and engaging media. In Part 1, you’ll learn which parts of a bird will be most useful in making an ID and the basic groupings used to organize the many species of birds. In Part 2, learn how to locate bits of color on a bird for identification, instead of trying to memorize every color and pattern. Other topics in this section include the challenges posed by juvenile birds and molting birds, and how you can even be fooled by the lighting. $29 each; access provided for 6 months following registration. <a href="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/courses/home/tutorial/">Purchase and register</a><a href="https://secure.ecornell.com/partner/"><br /></a><br />
<strong><img alt="" height="131" hspace="10" src="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/view.image?Id=2422" style="float: right;" width="150" />Online Bird Behavior Course</strong><br />Cornell Lab of Ornithology and eCornell<br />
In five weeks it’s possible to learn enough about bird behavior to forever change the way you look at these complex and beautiful creatures. Gain new insight and enjoyment through our online interactive course, “Courtship and Rivalry in Birds.” The goal of the course is to help you learn how to observe and interpret bird behavior and communication. A basic principle of bird behavior as it relates to survival and reproduction is explored each week using multimedia and interactive activities, guided by an instructor. The course is offered multiple times during the year. $295 ($255 for Cornell Lab members). <a href="http://www.ecornell.com/birds">Online Bird Behavior Course </a><br /><br />
<strong><img alt="" height="200" hspace="10" src="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/view.image?Id=1218" style="float: left;" width="200" />Master Set Bundle</strong><br />This year we're offering a special pairing of the <em>Cornell Guide to Birds Sounds: Master Set for North America: Master Set</em> and the unparalleled <em>Birds of North American Online</em> reference. This combo includes a one-year subscription to <em>BNA Online</em>, the most complete source of information for the more than 700 species of birds that breed in Canada and the United States. Each species account includes the latest science as well as photos, sounds, and videos of interesting behaviors. The new, revised Master Set includes multiple examples of sounds for each of 737 bird species in more than 4,900 tracks. This version of the Master Set requires less storage space than the original. ($69.99; a 20% savings over separate purchase of these items) <a href="http://store.birds.cornell.edu/SearchResults.asp?Cat=60">Master Set Bundle</a><br /><br /><strong>Essential Set Bundle</strong><br />This package includes a six-month subscription to <em>Birds of North America Online</em> and the<em> Cornell Guide to Birds Sounds:Essential Set for North America.</em> The Essential Set provides the most common sounds of 729 bird species found in North America with 1,379 tracks. ($24.99; save more than 30% over purchase of these items separately) <a href="http://store.birds.cornell.edu/SearchResults.asp?Cat=60">Essential Set Bundle</a><br />
<strong>You can still purchase the sounds sets and BNA Online separately:</strong><br />
<strong><img alt="" height="150" hspace="10" src="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/view.image?Id=1249" style="float: right;" width="150" />Cornell Guide to Bird Sounds: Master Set for North America</strong> <br />This comprehensive guide features nearly 5,000 soundtracks for 737 North American bird species. Download includes MP3 sound files and photographs ($49.99), or get files pre-loaded on a flash drive. ($64.99) <a href="http://macaulaylibrary.org/guides?__hstc=161696355.d13f1514de23085548fe1051837a6184.1416401488442.1416401488442.1416401488442.1&__hssc=161696355.1.1416401488442&__hsfp=745193430">Sound Sets</a><br /><br /><strong>Cornell Guide to Bird Sounds: Essential Set for North America</strong> <br />This set includes the most common sounds for 729 species in downloadable MP3 files ($12.99) or on a pre-loaded flash drive. ($24.99) <a href="http://macaulaylibrary.org/guides?__hstc=161696355.d13f1514de23085548fe1051837a6184.1416401488442.1416401488442.1416401488442.1&__hssc=161696355.1.1416401488442&__hsfp=745193430">Sound Sets</a><br />
<strong>The Birds of North America Online</strong><br />This is the most comprehensive reference available for all of North America’s 716 species of breeding birds, updated with the most current scientific information and brought to life with photos, sounds, and video. Image and video galleries show plumages, behaviors, habitat, nests and eggs, and more. This is a gift of knowledge for anyone who loves to learn more about birds. A 30-day subscription is just $5; $42 for a full year. <a href="http://store.birds.cornell.edu/Birds_of_North_America_s/47.htm">Birds of North America Online</a><br /><br /><strong>Project FeederWatch</strong><br />You can now give FeederWatch as gift, introducing friends and family to this long-running citizen-science project. By submitting bird observations to the Lab, participants help contribute to scientific understanding of feeder birds and learn more about their backyard friends along the way. ($18) <a href="http://www.feederwatch.org/?__hstc=161696355.d13f1514de23085548fe1051837a6184.1416401488442.1416401488442.1416401488442.1&__hssc=161696355.1.1416401488442&__hsfp=745193430">Project FeederWatch</a><br />
<strong><img alt="BirdSleuth Game Cards" height="155" hspace="10" src="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/view.image?Id=2357" style="float: right;" width="100" />BirdSleuth Game Cards</strong><br />Hit the deck! This deck of 5" x 7" game cards from the Lab’s BirdSleuth K-12 program has full-color images of the 36 most common backyard birds, plus games and a bonus online quiz. With each purchase you also receive a finch sock feeder, two bird ID posters, and <em>BirdSleuth Investigator</em>, the program’s kid-friendly publication. ($14.95) <a href="http://store.birds.cornell.edu/BirdSleuth_Focus_Cards_p/birdsleuth-fc.htm">Game cards</a><strong><br /></strong><br /><strong>Bird Spy Bingo Cards</strong><br />This is a great stocking stuffer from the Lab's BirdSleuth program! Each dry-erase card invites kids outside to look for birds. Spotting a group of birds, a colorful bird, a feather, or even bird poo can help you win bingo! Play while traveling, out for a walk, or just sitting in your backyard. Cards are available in English and Spanish. ($1.50) <a href="http://store.birds.cornell.edu/product_p/birdsleuth-bingo.htm">Bingo cards</a><br />
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<em><strong>Birds of Paradise: Revealing the World’s Most Extraordinary Birds</strong></em><br />By Tim Laman & Edwin Scholes<br /> National Geographic Books & Cornell Lab of Ornithology<br /><br /> Marvel at the stunning images and groundbreaking research that reveal, for the first time, all 39 species of the spectacular birds-of-paradise. Male birds have developed intricate dances, outrageous plumes, and decorative ornaments to woo as many mates as possible. It took 18 expeditions and 8 years for Cornell Lab of Ornithology biologist Ed Scholes and photojournalist Tim Laman to document all the species. Retail: <a href="http://www.sapsuckerwoods.com/product_p/12221.htm">Wild Birds Unlimited at Sapsucker Woods</a> <br />
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<strong>BirdLog app</strong><br />Birds-in-the-Hand LLC<br />
The BirdLog data entry app for both iPhone and Android smartphones allows users to record bird observations as they make them and submit their data directly to the eBird online checklist program. BirdLog is available via the <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/birdseye-birdlog-north-america/id509841114?mt=8">iTunes app store</a> or at the <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ezbird.android">Google Play app store</a> for Android devices. A portion of the proceeds goes to fund research and conservation work at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.<br /><br />
<strong><img alt="" height="85" hspace="10" src="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/view.image?Id=454" style="float: left;" width="150" />Cornell Lab Membership</strong><br />
When you become a member of the Cornell Lab you give back to the birds by supporting our mission of research, education, conservation, and citizen science. Benefits of membership include our award-winning <em>Living Bird</em> magazine and discounts on projects and courses, plus the latest birding news and discoveries in our monthly eNewsletter. Whether it’s a membership for yourself, your family, or a gift for a loved one, this is a meaningful way to support conservation and enhance the understanding and enjoyment of birds. Supporter level memberships begin at $44 per year. <a href="http://join.birds.cornell.edu/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1806&ea.campaign.id=23660&ea.tracking.id=DMA">Lab Membership</a><br />
<strong><img alt="Answer Book button" height="157" src="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/view.image?Id=1886" style="float: right;" width="150" /><br />Cornell Lab Bird Q&A: Your Birding Questions Answered App</strong><br />
This new app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology makes learning more about birds fun. Find the answers to questions you have about birds and learn more about bird identification. This app is based on real questions asked of the experts at the Cornell Lab. Compatible with iPhone 3Gs, iPod Touch (3rd & 4th generation), and iPad. Search "Cornell Lab" in iTunes store to download.<br />
<br /><img alt="Audubon holiday cards" height="216" hspace="10" src="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/view.image?Id=2457" style="float: left;" width="150" /><strong>The Bird Watching Answer Book</strong>by Laura Erickson<br />Storey Publishing<br />
Drawing from the tens of thousands of inquiries that pour into the Cornell Lab each year, author and bird expert Laura Erickson has compiled answers to more than 200 common and not-so-common bird questions. This handy pocket-sized book reads like a conversation with your friendly neighborhood "bird lady" and contains down-to-earth answers to questions about watching and feeding birds, bird behavior, and bird biology. Readers will find plenty of quirky stories and interesting facts tucked into every corner. Retail: <a href="http://www.sapsuckerwoods.com/product_p/9844.htm">Wild Birds Unlimited at Sapsucker Woods</a><br />
<strong><img alt="Sapsuckers_08" height="266" src="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/view.image?Id=1480" style="float: right;" width="150" />BirdsEye & BirdsEye Lite bird-finding apps</strong><br />Bird-in-the-Hand LLC<br />
It’s like having thousands of local birding experts at your command. The BirdsEye app for iPhone® and iPod touch® harnesses the power of current data from the Cornell Lab’s eBird program to help users find the birds they want to see—showing where specific species have been reported and providing a map to get there. The app includes images and audio for the 470 most frequently observed birds in North America. Additional content is available for more elusive birds—for a total of 847 species. (BirdsEye Lite features 135 species.) Bird sounds come from the Cornell Lab’s Macaulay Library archive, images from the VIREO collection at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Acclaimed birder and author Kenn Kaufman wrote each species account describing habitat where each species is likely to be found. <a href="http://www.getbirdseye.com/">BirdsEye App</a><br />
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<strong>Birds and Beans Gift Set</strong><img alt="" height="133" hspace="10" src="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/view.image?id=1178" style="float: left;" width="100" /><br />Just in time for the holidays, get more than 25% off this special gift set. It contains a dozen 12-ounce bags of bird-friendly coffee, including Wood Thrush Breakfast Roast, American Redstart Light Roast, Scarlet Tanager French Roast, and more. Ground or whole bean available. Your purchase supports organic shade-grown coffee farms that shelter migratory birds. A portion of the proceeds supports Cornell Lab conservation efforts. ($115, includes shipping) <a href="http://www.birdsandbeans.com/shop/giftset.html">Birds & Beans</a><br /><br /><strong><img alt="Bird Art" height="144" hspace="10" src="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/view.image?Id=1285" style="float: right;" width="150" />Singing Plush Birds</strong>Wild Republic</div>
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The plush birds in this popular series make great collectibles for children and adults with new species introduced each year. Each bird contains authentic sounds from the Cornell Lab’s Macaulay Library and is created with colorful anatomical details. From the haunting wail of the Common Loon to the familiar call of the Black-capped Chickadee, these fuzzy friends make a bird in the hand informative and fun. Available from: <a href="http://www.sapsuckerwoods.com/category_s/1825.htm">Wild Birds Unlimited at Sapsucker Woods</a></div>
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River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-72433120021476620472014-11-05T08:07:00.003-05:002014-11-05T11:30:53.138-05:00Outdoor Success is warming UpUnlike our fall weather, outdoor pursuits are heating up for area hunters and fishers.<br />
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Many don't think of Pointe Mouillie as a deer hunting location but Devin Geiger recently got his buck there. A very nice 9 point.<br />
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Terry Middleton headed west for his trophy. This 5 x 5 elk came from Northwest Colorado.<br />
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Bill Sugarbaker got his bird in western Monroe county. This is a rare big old bird.</div>
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On the fishing side there's Joe Torolski with a black and striped marlin from Cabo.</div>
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John Gerlach with a river steelhead by jigging.</div>
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My son Justin with his muskie.<br />
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Them me with my new inflatable lifejacket and reel.<br />
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Get Outdoors Downriver.</div>
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River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-47352351855491642802014-10-17T21:09:00.000-04:002014-10-17T21:09:05.692-04:00Make it Snappy at Oakwoods Metropark<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The native people didn't have it easy back in the day. No shopping decisions to be made because there weren't any stores. Food had to be earned. First with throwing sticks or stones at food.<br />
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Then came the bow and arrow. <br />
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Or you could learn to gather apples. <br />
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Survival isn't easy. Unless you have Chase watching your back. </div>
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You have 20+ explorers handling snapping turtles. What could go wrong?<br />
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Nothing actually except for an intimate moment with nature. Baby turtles hatch late summer and have a yoke sack that feeds them for many weeks so they don't even try to eat. So all fingers were safe during this educational exercise.<br />
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All the babies were launched successfully. Good job Chase.<br />
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Get Outdoors downriver.<br />
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<br />River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-62648315110121956262014-10-08T22:11:00.001-04:002014-10-08T22:11:29.496-04:00Duck Festival Bigger Than EverThe Point Mouillie Duck Fest was incredible this year. For $2 parking, a day of constant entertainment could be achieved. From vendors to hip boot races and dog jumping there was never a dull moment. Of course, not having duck weather helped out immensely. <br />
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Vendors included Cabela's, Gander Mt. and <span class="st">Knutson's Sporting Goods as the largest ones but many, up to 60 others, had wares for sale from antiques to fine crafted duck calls. The big tent held the crafters, mostly wood carvers of all types, that were selling everything from ducks to humming birds. There was also a kids play area to burn off some energy pent up from shopping at all the stops. Live entertainment had this layout shooting exercise, hip boot racing, bb gun and archery shoot, sling shot contest and duck calling. </span><br />
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<span class="st">Also the Huron River Jump Dogs were practicing and competing all day.</span><br />
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Just a great outdoor happening put on by a lot of people but with a big plug to Joe Robison the southern Michigan waterfowl specialist and Pointe Mouillie Supervisor.</div>
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<br />River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-3380382728963497212014-09-24T23:22:00.002-04:002014-09-24T23:22:45.390-04:00Hawkfest Delivers<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">What a wonderful day at Lake Erie
Metropark. From the kids’ activities to the professional bird counters there
was something for everyone to do. Booths for many birding associations, bird
info, seminars, live bird displays and a visit by a pair of bald eagles were
some of the happenings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The bird counters set up by the boat launch area and were
busy counting. Over 200,000 birds had been counted in the previous week.
Saturday was slow, with the strong breeze out of the south hampering kettling for
the raptors. Kettling is a group of raptors soaring in a circle riding the warm
air drafts and easing their way south. They don’t get the warm updrafts over
water so Lake Erie funnels them to the very location of the Metropark. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I learned birding from my brother Roger, who just recently
passed away. After my Dad passed away Rog took me on his family vacations and
taught me how to spot birds and what to look for in identifying them. From
Colorado to Lower and Upper Michigan I got to see a vast variety of birds. That
experience has stayed with me and kept me interested in bird watching. Birding
is a great exercise in that it only takes a bird ID book and a pair of
binoculars to participate. Once you try it you’ll be hooked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">One of the other things going on during the festival was the
banding of raptors. The USFWS had a capture operation set up in the area. With
the migration in full swing this is a perfect time for them to do this. A
report came in that they had captured and banded a Broad Wing Hawk. Normally
they catch smaller raptors like the kestrel so there was much excitement about
this. After some info talk the captor was released.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Fly away Rog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Get Outdoors Downriver<o:p></o:p></span></div>
River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-39318840065981529592014-09-17T21:27:00.000-04:002014-09-17T21:27:25.697-04:00Lake Erie Metropark's HawkfestThis is must see fall action. The raptors migrate south and Lake Erie funnels them west, right over LEMP. Hopefully the timing is right so many kettles will be seen drifting south on the drafts of warm air, drafts aren't found on the lake as much so the birds stick to the warmer land. All that's needed is a pass to the park, binoculars, food for a picnic and the need for having a fun time.<br />
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See hawks in the sky and meet a few at Lake Erie Metropark’s “24th Annual Hawkfest,” a two-day celebration of the annual fall migration of birds of prey - hawks, eagles, falcons and vultures - on Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22, from 10 am to 5 pm each day at the Marshlands Museum and Nature Center of Lake Erie Metropark in Brownstown.<br />
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Programs include talks on birds of prey, including an osprey update, raptor rehabilitation and the Oak Openings Raptor Project. Members of the Michigan Hawking Club will bring hawks and discuss falconry. Live birds of prey will be brought out during special programs by Joe Rogers on Saturday at 10 am and 3 pm, and the Howell Nature Center on Sunday at 11 am and 3 pm. Also, on Sunday, Reg Pettibone’s Native American Hawk Dancers will perform traditional “eagle dances” at 4 pm. Kids can play educational games and make crafts.<br />
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Each September, tens of thousands of broad-winged hawks pass over the park, which is designated as an Important Bird Area and one of the premier hawk watching sites in North America. All together, about 16 or 17 different species of migrating birds of prey fly overhead during the fall migration season. Hawk watchers will be counting migrating raptors, and their spotting scopes can be used to take a peek at birds in the sky. Typically, 200,000 birds of prey migrate over Lake Erie Metropark from September through November on their southward journey.<br />
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Get Outdoors DownriverRiver Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-947322181398597492014-09-11T08:21:00.001-04:002014-09-11T08:21:40.508-04:00The River has a Thousand EyesSounds reminiscent of an old Twilight Zone episode, or a good day fishing in the spring when the walleyes are running. No, this is about the new world we live in. Cameras are every where from elevators to the streets of Missouri. Now an unfortunate rule breaker has been caught right at the head of the Detroit River. Fishing for the favored walleye he caught a trash fish, at least in his mind. The trash fish was a musky, not of legal size, so he made sure it wouldn't survive and then threw it back in. <br />
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Everyone should be alarmed by this video, not in the way as it pertains to Ray Rice but in a way that cheapens our natural resources. Musky fishermen and especially musky clubs on both sides of the border are spitting mad about this. Some musky enthusiasts even have long tanks on their boats that they put caught fish in to recover after a long battle. These tanks are very expensive and almost required when fishing when the water is warm. So you can understand their voracity when someone kills one of their future prizes.<br />
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The buzz created by the video finally got to the authorities and he will be dealt with thru the proper channels.<br />
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<a href="http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/accused-muskie-hater-apologizes-for-killing-fish-and-heated-confrontation">http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/accused-muskie-hater-apologizes-for-killing-fish-and-heated-confrontation</a><br />
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Get Outdoors Downriver.River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-38793831623598503932014-09-04T13:09:00.000-04:002014-09-04T13:09:55.917-04:00Water, Water Everywhere, Nor Any Drop to Drink
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>Blue green algae toxins have brought back the curse of
the ancient Mariner. <o:p></o:p><br />
Water everywhere but none to drink. The problem has existed for many years
but for some reason no has become acute. Over 40 years ago there was a
documentary about the Great Lakes and the narrator canoes from Lake Superior to
Lake Ontario. As I remember the context of the film, past history of the
waterway was compared to current conditions. When the canoeist gets to Lake
Erie he dips his paddle into semi-pristine water and lifts it up to drink from
the run off. Quite a trick to pull off but when you're thirsty it is
refreshing. As the paddle hits the apex of the lift the water turns from 17th
century water to the sludge that existed in the 1960's, green and chunky. Along
with DDT and mercury problems many considered Lake Erie dead. <o:p></o:p><br />
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An effort was started to clean up the Great Lakes and things turned around
quickly. However there's always been an algae bloom in Lake Erie and this
causes a dead zone that can cause major fish die offs. The lake is shallow in
terms of the rest of the Great Lakes and accepts many chemicals from the
Detroit River and the Maumee. This feeds the algae and along with the warm
temperatures of the shallow water their population takes off.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a5Z9eop-9Uw/VAibZyr8n_I/AAAAAAAAB6g/B0_w6FdjA08/s1600/algae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a5Z9eop-9Uw/VAibZyr8n_I/AAAAAAAAB6g/B0_w6FdjA08/s1600/algae.jpg" height="167" width="320" /></a><br />
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The problem is very complex with contributions coming from fertilizers and
the waste of animals, including humans. Nowhere else on the Great Lakes does
this problem happen even though almost every lake has the same types and
amounts of contributors. Thankfully now the Feds are chipping in.
$12 million is set aside to find out where the worst contributor exist.
From manure to excrement to farm runoff, how much and where from. Hopefully
we'll get some answers that solve this big problem and get the albatross off our necks.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PVpfHQw2AFk/VAicfXOK0TI/AAAAAAAAB6s/SFFFqCXx2RY/s1600/mariner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PVpfHQw2AFk/VAicfXOK0TI/AAAAAAAAB6s/SFFFqCXx2RY/s1600/mariner.jpg" /></a>River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-59618966488082201982014-07-28T19:57:00.001-04:002014-07-28T19:57:25.203-04:00Fine Dining at the Nature CenterAfter putting together the craft for the day, a crayfish trap, Chase took everyone down to the fire pit along with a few dozen of his new best friends. The crayfish were a little docile being store on ice in a cooler for a couple of days. Even so they displayed the double claw over the head move that give most predators a second thought about dealing with the pincher's. The taste of the fine dining usually overcomes this fear.<br />
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Most of the explorers have indulged in this delicacy so they don't know the reward is greater than the fear. With a little schooling about how to hold the crawdad all comers grabbed their own and added it to the boiling pot. Just grab behind the head because they can't reach behind it with those claws. Soon all had put in 3 or 4 and we had enough for a feast.<br />
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Next was getting at the reward. With help from the adults the explorers were peeling off the shells and dipping their tails in butter. A fine dine was had by all. Thanks Chase.<br />
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Get Outdoors Downriver.<br />
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<br />River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-84825697996987059502014-07-22T12:25:00.001-04:002014-07-22T12:25:37.528-04:00Who Would You Want to Look in your Most Treasured Book?Just about every fanatic outdoor person keeps a book of info garnered from outings into the unknown. Fisherman jot down weather observations, sunlight levels, lure color, trolling speed, how many of what kind of fish caught and on and on. Hunters also use weather observations and sunlight levels and with those direction deer are traveling, time of day which trails leading to which scrape/rub, which calls used and how many deer. As you can see people dedicated to an endeavor try to use all the info they can, whether good or bad, to help them harvest their game. Much of this info is kept secret, hard to come by details earned thru trial and error.<br />
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Who would you let look thru that encyclopedia of personal info and tips? Kevin Van Dam if you fish for bass, maybe. Tom Miranda if you're a big game bow hunter. I guess it depends on your fanaticism and what your game is.<br />
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How about J.D. Martinez standing on first base unaware that someone has his secret hitting book.<br />
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Should JD be mad? Miguel is by all accounts the best hitter of a baseball in the world. I guess that's someone you'd let look at it but draw pictures, I don't know about that but in 25 years that book might just be worth more than the info inside, just look at the pictures.River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-84736180294690498612014-07-12T16:06:00.001-04:002014-07-12T16:06:44.085-04:00Don't Look a Gift Turkey in the Snood This is an old story now but I'm finally getting around to tell it. Opening morning broke cool but not too crisp and the birds were very vocal. This is southern Michigan farm country and the amount of birds are amazing. I heard a few on the east part of the farm I was on, enough to keep my interest peeked. My cousin Jojo on the other hand was surrounded by a large flock of turkeys. As if they knew where he was and that it was opening day all the toms stayed too far away, even for him, to take a shot with the booming 10 gauge he uses. The toms I saw were thru binoculars in the farming field hundreds of yards away from my decoy set up. They would gobble to my calling but never took a step closer from the path they naturally take. A little after 10 it was time for breakfast.<br />
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We got back about 1 pm after doing some road scouting. The sun was high and no birds were in the fields. Usually we see some toms trying to determine the pecking order but not today. So back to the blinds we went. On the way out to eat I took down my dominate ton hen pecking decoy so as not to educate any live toms in the area. So I set the decoys back up and got in the blind. Almost instantly and before I even tried calling I heard a gobble of to my east. I'm sure it was on of the toms I had heard gobbling earlier in the morning. I called and he gobbled for quite some time. He got close but nowhere near seeing range let alone shooting range. At some point during the excersice I asertained that what I thought were double gobbles were actually a different birds gobbles.<br />
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Now to my west there were two different toms gobbling to my calls. They were very interested and I could tell one or both would be coming in to the decoys. I set up my camera to capture the event but things didn't go as I had hoped. This turkey came in but didn't go the right way. He's puffed up but became silent when he got close.<br />
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Here's the set up I wanted him to come into. He was headed that way but didn't make the commitment. He backed out and started coming straight toward me. I called and the other tom replied.<br />
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I had a hard time with the camera and was frustrated so I shot the tom the first chance I got. This was a really nice bird with a 91/2" beard and 1" spurs. A big 2-3 year old and probably still hanging out with his brother. <br />
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Get Outdoors Downriver.<br />
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<br />River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400772236220233746.post-26827543107830682812014-06-19T08:00:00.003-04:002014-06-19T08:00:48.327-04:00Give a Man a Fish...Have you ever wanted to learn to fish? Join the DNR for "Hook, Line and Sinker",
a weekly fishing program conducted by our staff at over 30 state parks and fish
hatcheries in Michigan.<br /><br />They'll teach you casting and fishing basics, and
we can provide a rod and reel to use if you don't have your own equipment. Hook,
Line and Sinker programs begin in mid-June and continue throughout the
summer.<br /><br />Participants under 17 do not need a fishing license. Programs are
FREE; however, a Recreation Passport is required for park entry.<br /><br />The
experienced, friendly instructors will introduce you to fishing in a relaxed and
fun atmosphere. With step-by-step direction, you'll learn fishing basics like
knot-tying, setting up your pole, casting, selecting and using bait, and
removing fish from the hook. After the 20- to 30-minute lesson, you'll be ready
to hit the water and exercise your new skills.<br />
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There are many parks across the state that offer the program and the closest to the DR is - Sterling State Park, Monroe, 734-289-2715. Call for info.<br />
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Get Outdoors Downriver.<br /><br />River Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097349216826130079noreply@blogger.com0