The national holiday of Championship Sunday entails watching the 2 games to determine who'll be in the Super Bowl, another national holiday. About 3 decades ago when our ambition was larger that our waistlines I and 2 buddies set out to do some perch fishing. We planned to go out to Stoney Point just south of Fermi power plant. Power plant as in electricity, cooling towers, radioactive rods and warm water discharge. We got there early so we could fish 4 or 5 hours and get back to Ho's house to clean fish and watch the games.
We got out on the ice by 7am and headed due east to find the deepest water with safe ice. This was the typical strategy we used then, deep water meaning bigger fish and most fish caught. The strategy only worked once but that was how we rolled back then. So about 100 yards from shore we encountered a crack in the ice, thorough inspection gave 12 inches of ice thickness on both sides. At the time the recommendations for travel on ice were much different than today, I'm sure due to liability issues. A car or truck was usually driven on just 8 inches, so we had plenty of safe ice.
The Navy Vet says "no guts no glory" in his best Admiral Farragut impression. So unlike the 400 odd people fishing on the landward side of the crack we ventured out to find the big ones. Big for our quarry the perch is 8 or 9 inches. Catch 25 and you get a pound of boneless fillets, an average catch is about 10 to 15 with a limit being 50. After catching and cleaning the going rate of 10 to $12 a pound is really a good buy. We were lucky that an empty fishing hut was available to us where the ice thickness/water depth formula had just become to our liking. The hut held all 3 of us and had holes drilled before with only 3 to 4 inches of ice on them. Ho used his brand new Xmas present to drill thru the ice with gas powered ease. We set up quickly and were soon fishing. Shortly another jumper came by and asked how we were doing and in the tradition of fisherman all over the world we told him our luck was pretty good, not having any fish just the great borrowed hut. The sun was out and the hut warming with it which called for refreshments to keep our body temps down, life was good.
We weren't catching any fish and had just a couple of almost bites, maybe from fish swimming by. That's what made it seem odd that all 3 of our bobbers went way down under the surface of the water indicating a nice bite from a bigger fish. We all pulled up lines to check for a small fish on or lost bait, nothing. All bait was untouched and no fish or fish scales present. As I was getting my line back in the water I could see the jumper that came by earlier jogging into shore, I thought it was strange just like my bobber heading back down under the ice like a gang of fish were fighting for it and yes my buddies were dealing with the same. When I peered outside to where the jumper was about 200 yards away I saw open water. Not water on the ice, water with no ice on it. I exited the hut, leaving my bobber flailing in the hole, as I looked to shore there were about 50 to 75 jumpers standing on the lake edge of the crack not able to jump back the 10 yard distance. I brought in my line and packed up my gear to the dismay of the others. I told them they weren't still fishing anymore, they were trolling because the ice we were on was moving. After many expletives and charges of making up a story, which I hear from them often, they finally came out to take a look and then believed me.
They packed up and we headed to the crack to find out what was going on and the crack was now 25 yards wide and getting bigger. One poor soul was rapidly pacing back and forth on a 100 yard path of ice repeating to himself that the ice must meet back up somewhere and after about 15 minutes of this he bolted north, never to be seen again. About that time a Coast Guard helicopter showed up to get a party that was stranded way out without any safe ice to come back on. As they're picking them off the ice Roc says to Ho, "You know they won't take your fishing equipment off the ice with you when they rescue you". Ho made us promise to go home and get a canoe to come back and get him and the coveted gas powered ice auger. We wouldn't agree, being Championship Sunday and all. He became very agitated and started pacing back and forth, we were still talking him down when the Coast Guard showed up with 3 or 4 boats and started ferrying the rest of us jumpers back to safety.
The rescuers just kept saying to themselves, " Why on Championship Sunday would this have to happen..." We sheepishly told them we were sorry and thanked them profusely for coming to get us. They weren't sure about Ho since he had the ice auger bungie corded to his body. I guess it was just his way of saying he wasn't leaving it behind but they didn't care they took everything and did it making sure everyone was safe. So here's a big thanks again to the Coast Guard, I'm sure today there'd be some monetary responsibilities exchanged for that service. We remained past the crack too long and became Championship Sunday Evacuees.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Hurry to save your bacon at Ray's Prime Meats
I was dining on some elk roast and imbibing a moose drool the other day when my mind began to wander. How lucky was I to be enjoying the elk from the UP courtesy of a Ford VP in a recipe from Hoe that was easy to put together, I knew it would be if he could do it. Then all of a sudden I heard such a clatter that I had to put down my drool to see what was the matter. "You've got all that venison hamburger down there and you pick a roast to fix for dinner", Precious said. That got me to wondering about forgotten venison that's stored in freezers throughout the area.
The scenario is a hunter that bags a deer and brags about it, then gets it processed and goes into the freezer out of sight out of mind. As time goes by some is made for dinner, some is given away and some turns into methane in the landfill. The dinners are the ones that turn into wrestling matches at times. Dishes like spaghetti or hamburger helper, anything to mask or er enhance the flavor but someone complains and the atmosphere turns sour. My cuz JoJo shoots 4-6 deer a year so I get a lot of venny hamburger from him plus I'll help him make breakfast sausage and get some of that too. So I usually have a good supply and at times a purge is needed.
So at my lovely wife's urging I called around to see what could be done. Ray at Ray's Prime Meat says they'll process the hamburger into kielbasa, summer sausage, hunters sausage and on and on. Check out their web page http://www.raysprimefoods.com/. You'll have to get prices on the venny hamburger processing depending on what product you pick. One product we've been hooked on from Ray's is the double smoked hams. They do the spiral sliced ham but the double smoked is superb.
Anyway as I'm asking about the sausage angle Ray says I have till the end of the month to get in on the venny bacon. I've heard of this before but not until just recently when JoJo had a deer processed up in the thumb. He got 10 lbs of it but nary a strip headed my way. I've been thinking about it since then but never gave it too much attention, until now. It's the type of thing that isn't cheep and isn't overly costly but is definitely a different presentation for your deer. Especially when no one you'll be watching the Super Bowl with has got a deer within the last decade. Bragging rights have just gone up...
The scenario is a hunter that bags a deer and brags about it, then gets it processed and goes into the freezer out of sight out of mind. As time goes by some is made for dinner, some is given away and some turns into methane in the landfill. The dinners are the ones that turn into wrestling matches at times. Dishes like spaghetti or hamburger helper, anything to mask or er enhance the flavor but someone complains and the atmosphere turns sour. My cuz JoJo shoots 4-6 deer a year so I get a lot of venny hamburger from him plus I'll help him make breakfast sausage and get some of that too. So I usually have a good supply and at times a purge is needed.
So at my lovely wife's urging I called around to see what could be done. Ray at Ray's Prime Meat says they'll process the hamburger into kielbasa, summer sausage, hunters sausage and on and on. Check out their web page http://www.raysprimefoods.com/. You'll have to get prices on the venny hamburger processing depending on what product you pick. One product we've been hooked on from Ray's is the double smoked hams. They do the spiral sliced ham but the double smoked is superb.
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| From odds |
Anyway as I'm asking about the sausage angle Ray says I have till the end of the month to get in on the venny bacon. I've heard of this before but not until just recently when JoJo had a deer processed up in the thumb. He got 10 lbs of it but nary a strip headed my way. I've been thinking about it since then but never gave it too much attention, until now. It's the type of thing that isn't cheep and isn't overly costly but is definitely a different presentation for your deer. Especially when no one you'll be watching the Super Bowl with has got a deer within the last decade. Bragging rights have just gone up...
Monday, December 27, 2010
Watch Your Terns on the Bridge
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| From Blogger Pictures |
Now that the coal ship is freed from the Trenton Channel I wanted to talk about terns on the bridges. Not the bad turn the ship made or anything to do with a car or truck. I'm talking about the little black capped water birds you may see diving in the water for food, the common tern. As you drive over one of the bridges look on either side at the big protection cribs. On these islands are colonies of nesting terns. You can also see these from a fishing boat if you slow down and stand up, just don't get too close because the terns are protected now. This is thanks in part to Bruce Szczechowski who did a Masters thesis on this bird and how they've been affected by our industrial abuse to the river.
Bruce is a teacher at Anderson High in Southgate and with John Nasarzewski they formed the Downriver Citizens for a Safe Environment(DCSE). The Stream Team is an off shoot of the group and offers a chance for students to help with projects they may not have a chance to at their current school. The team cleans up stream, bands birds, created and cares for the Southgate Community Nature Preserve and performs Downriver Benthic Monitoring w/ Wayne County. This is a great experience for anyone interested in helping the areas ecology. But back to Bruce.
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| From Blogger Pictures |
Bruce's became interested in the areas ecology at an early age when his biophilic bonds became strong while riding a bike along the shores of the Detroit River. This was when he first notice the terns nesting on the cribs guarding the bridges. Little did he know that the fascination with the tern would take him on a fabulous journey throughout the Great Lakes Region. In obtaining his Masters Degree from Michigan Technological University Bruce found that the nesting pairs of terns had dropped from 4000 in the 1960s to just 300 now. He contributes this to many factors including predation from gulls and night herons to chemical toxicity in the region. You may have received a survey from Bruce for one of his studies of the effects of legacy contaminants if not it can be found on the DCSE web site( http://www.dcseweb.org/dcse.php?page=index).
So here's to Bruce for overlooking our ecological health and helping the local population of common terns to create new and improved nesting areas. Hopefully with Bruce's help some students from the Stream Team will carry on with more river monitoring. Also congrats to Bruce for getting a Masters Degree from Michigan's Toughest University!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Pics
Got a couple of pictures in. This is one of the big perch taken this year near Wyandotte. The Lindberg Flash looks very happy, which isn't very often. The 16 incher is now being processed.
Here's a pic of the corner of 23rd and Pennsylvania. This 4 to 6 pointer made sure to look both ways before crossing.
A future Downriver Walleye Fed. member
A nice trip this time of year is Cabela's, here's what awaits you at the front lobby.
Here's somebody that knows what they want.
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| From odds |
Here's a pic of the corner of 23rd and Pennsylvania. This 4 to 6 pointer made sure to look both ways before crossing.
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| From odds |
A future Downriver Walleye Fed. member
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| From odds |
A nice trip this time of year is Cabela's, here's what awaits you at the front lobby.
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| From odds |
Here's somebody that knows what they want.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Opening Day was here and gone, nary a deer was even sawn
I know it's a horrible title but I've been very busy lately and that's the best I could come up with. Yes Opening Day, what a great happening, like Xmas morn to most hunters. There's electricity in the air and hopefully in your camp, the aura of getting away and the magic of bagging the biggest buck in the world. All these feelings make the experience addictive and keep hunters like me coming back for more.
This year the opener fell on a Monday which is bad for most that can't get away from work. It put a little damper on our camp, we lost 5 hunters to the constraints of the working stiffs. To their credit they did make it up on Friday night for 2 nights of camaraderie and remembering hunts gone by. This is the stuff hunting is made of, the exchange of information and experiences to try to out wit the elusive whitetail. Now more than any other time I've been hunting everyone in our group needs help. We hunt in the DMZ, that's the Deer Minimalized Zone. Baiting is outlawed, many does have been taken with extra permits and now you can't harvest a buck unless it has more points on one side than I've seen in 5 years. We hunt state land and it isn't like anything you see on the outdoor shows, but we have a great time.
A highlight of the hunt is usually the Michigan football game and this year was no exception. The camp doesn't have cable so we try to find the game on a local establishment. This year it was at a local club that one of our hunters just joined. The Wolverines won and the club member only got 2 demerits in the process. Loud cheering is against one of their rules. The biggest project this year was moving Uncle Jerry's outhouse about 2 miles to the camp. It's in good shape and will be appreciated for many years to come.
The biggest problem with losing so many hunters was the heaters couldn't keep up with the temps outside due to the loss of body heat. It got pretty cold at night and frost covered most of the leaves. Plus with only the 4 of us the deer weren't pushed to move around causing more sightings. There may be others in the area illegally baiting drawing the deer away from us but with only 2 or 3 days hunting every year we don't know for sure. All we can be sure of is that the numbers of deer sighted has dropped off drastically over the last few years. It's probably a number of problems that are hard to pin down but in over 30 man hours of hunting we saw 3 doe and 1 tail. So there's very low interest in missing work or buying a license which will hurt hunts in the future.
If you had some success this year send in your pics so I can post on my slideshow.
Get out Downriver....
This year the opener fell on a Monday which is bad for most that can't get away from work. It put a little damper on our camp, we lost 5 hunters to the constraints of the working stiffs. To their credit they did make it up on Friday night for 2 nights of camaraderie and remembering hunts gone by. This is the stuff hunting is made of, the exchange of information and experiences to try to out wit the elusive whitetail. Now more than any other time I've been hunting everyone in our group needs help. We hunt in the DMZ, that's the Deer Minimalized Zone. Baiting is outlawed, many does have been taken with extra permits and now you can't harvest a buck unless it has more points on one side than I've seen in 5 years. We hunt state land and it isn't like anything you see on the outdoor shows, but we have a great time.
A highlight of the hunt is usually the Michigan football game and this year was no exception. The camp doesn't have cable so we try to find the game on a local establishment. This year it was at a local club that one of our hunters just joined. The Wolverines won and the club member only got 2 demerits in the process. Loud cheering is against one of their rules. The biggest project this year was moving Uncle Jerry's outhouse about 2 miles to the camp. It's in good shape and will be appreciated for many years to come.
The biggest problem with losing so many hunters was the heaters couldn't keep up with the temps outside due to the loss of body heat. It got pretty cold at night and frost covered most of the leaves. Plus with only the 4 of us the deer weren't pushed to move around causing more sightings. There may be others in the area illegally baiting drawing the deer away from us but with only 2 or 3 days hunting every year we don't know for sure. All we can be sure of is that the numbers of deer sighted has dropped off drastically over the last few years. It's probably a number of problems that are hard to pin down but in over 30 man hours of hunting we saw 3 doe and 1 tail. So there's very low interest in missing work or buying a license which will hurt hunts in the future.
If you had some success this year send in your pics so I can post on my slideshow.
Get out Downriver....
Friday, October 22, 2010
Calling All Train Enthusiasts
I know you’re thinking what have trains to do with the outdoors? Well I could go on about how the train workers used to stock streams and ponds with smallmouths and carp near where they would stop for water or a pick up. Doing this they spread the range of these fish throughout the country some for good, some not so. I want to cover some interesting things Downriver that are interesting and could interest people on off days.
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| From Blogger Pictures |
The Lincoln Par Train Club, formerly the Trenton Train Club, have been Downriver for quite some time. Thanks to the city of Lincoln Park they have a semi-permanent set up in the J.F.K. Memorial Building, some may know this as the bandshell building, and are open every Saturday from 10am till 1pm January thru Thanksgiving. For the Christmas season they help the city with Fantasyland operations.
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| From Blogger Pictures |
They have 3 different scale train set ups with HO, O and S all running during the open sessions. All the members are very helpful if you have questions about a set up or trouble shoot. Some members may even be persuaded to fix some old equipment you may have. Special arrangements can be made for groups such as schools or seniors to come in for a tour, please do this a month in advance. Call 624-1462 for info. If you do have questions or any interest in trains then this is the weekend to take advantage of their train show.
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| From Blogger Pictures |
On Sunday October 24th at the J.F.K. building the 3rd annual Train Show will be held. From 11am until 3pm for the $3 admission you can swap and buy all things trains. If you’re not familiar with the area the J.F.K. building is just east of the Veteran’s memorial or the First Baptist Church on Fort Street between Emmons and Champagne.
Remember get Outdoors (indoors) Downriver
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The perch, the perch, the perch are on fire!
This is one of those feel good stories. The numbers and size of perch this fall are incredible. Reports of foot long double headers have come from more than one source. This would be unheard of just a few short years ago when the commercial fishermen were making big hauls the perch were small and harder to come by. The Ohio operations were bought out and the Canadians are keeping a closer watch on their quotas. The results are a rebound of magnanimous proportions of this fine table fair.
The reports are in Lake Erie east of Stoney Point in 24 feet of water. Use this as a starting point and move around if you must to find a biting school. As always for perch emerald shiner minnows are a must. Check the bait shop link for the phone numbers to call to make sure the dealer has them. If you’re like me, and have a smaller boat, in rough weather stick to the river. Anywhere in the triangle between the crossdyke, Celeron Island and the boundary marker look for an opening in the weedbeds and plant your speader there. Or look for Ray’s marker to make a killing.
On the other hand the walleyes are declining without a good explanation. The powers that be are seriously considering a reduction in limits. Hopefully they’ll see a rebound soon. One way to help is reporting any cormorant sightings. According to Larry Meijer who’s on the cormorant advisory Committee for the state the ASF+G considers Lake Erie to be cormorant free. So if you see cormorants please report to the MDNRE to establish a baseline for possible control. Go to: http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/cormorantobs/ for the form.
I just wanted to mention the rebound in sturgeon also. Not as prolific as the perch but a good start from the spawning reefs near Fighting Island in the river on the Canadien side. Here’s proof positive they’re working thanks to DR. John Hartig.
If you want to catch an adult specimen of these fine fish contact Walleye Mike from the MI sportsman web site. http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=349532, he’s running a special up on Lake St. Clair and the SCR. Fish aren’t guarantied but they have been having great luck and he supplies everything including the proper tags.
The reports are in Lake Erie east of Stoney Point in 24 feet of water. Use this as a starting point and move around if you must to find a biting school. As always for perch emerald shiner minnows are a must. Check the bait shop link for the phone numbers to call to make sure the dealer has them. If you’re like me, and have a smaller boat, in rough weather stick to the river. Anywhere in the triangle between the crossdyke, Celeron Island and the boundary marker look for an opening in the weedbeds and plant your speader there. Or look for Ray’s marker to make a killing.
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| From Downriver Outdoors |
On the other hand the walleyes are declining without a good explanation. The powers that be are seriously considering a reduction in limits. Hopefully they’ll see a rebound soon. One way to help is reporting any cormorant sightings. According to Larry Meijer who’s on the cormorant advisory Committee for the state the ASF+G considers Lake Erie to be cormorant free. So if you see cormorants please report to the MDNRE to establish a baseline for possible control. Go to: http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/cormorantobs/ for the form.
I just wanted to mention the rebound in sturgeon also. Not as prolific as the perch but a good start from the spawning reefs near Fighting Island in the river on the Canadien side. Here’s proof positive they’re working thanks to DR. John Hartig.
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| From Downriver Outdoors |
If you want to catch an adult specimen of these fine fish contact Walleye Mike from the MI sportsman web site. http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=349532, he’s running a special up on Lake St. Clair and the SCR. Fish aren’t guarantied but they have been having great luck and he supplies everything including the proper tags.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Calendar - Many opportunities this weekend
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
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
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.
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| From Downriver Outdoors |
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| 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.
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| From Downriver Outdoors |
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| From Downriver Outdoors |
A kettle of hawk
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| 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.
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| 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.
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Get Outdoors Downriver….
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