Turkey Tribulations

The good news is that I got my bird. The other news is that I had to go thru many changes in emotions and tactics to do so. The ups and downs of hunting turkeys in Michigan. Opening day was clear but windy, 7 to 15 miles per hour winds. This cuts down on your calling range and demands you stake your decoys. Staking is putting a stick long enough to impede the decoy from moving too far to either side on each side. So even in a strong wind the decoy moves but doesn't spin around on it's pivot point to look like a top. Birds were gobbling when I set up and for an hour after sunup. Unfortunately that was it and all 5 toms I saw within eye shot over 2 days never gobbled.

Now for the tribulations. Monday afternoon around 3 I looked over my shoulder to see a tom zooming in to my decoy set up. No gobble just a stealthy drive by to teach my jake decoy who's boss. Not having any shooting windows on that side of the blind I had to open the sliding door to get a shot. The door opened easily and unbenownst to tom. As I lined up the shot I noticed iron sights. The kind that are on a slug barrel not the normal shot barrel for bird shot. I quickly calculated the difference in aim point with the different sights and pulled the trigger. Nothing happened. As I looked at the gun I could see the shell wasn't all the way into the chamber. A little force didn't help the situation and I was forced to eject the shell and the succeeding shell of the same type. My third shell was different and one I considered a long shot, size 4 shot shell. The shell did go all the way in and I focused on the tom heading well out of the decoys and looking over his shoulder trying to figure out what all the noise was coming out of the blind. I aimed right for the waddles and pulled the trigger. Not a feather was touched and the bird ascended into flight across the field only to land at the hedgerow and run into the woods.

This was the low point of my hunt with many negative thoughts and feelings rushing over me. Not seeing anything for the rest of the night I headed in a little early to find a way to see where the gun was shooting. I found a large piece of cardboard and measured out 20 yards. My shot was 4" low and 4" to the right so I would use this as my adjustment for any further action.

The next morning found me in the same blind with the same decoy set up. The sunrise gobbles were very distant today but the woods was full of hens. A dozen hens searched the river bottoms for food when a single hen came thru giving a roundup call. Another 10 hens came out of the surrounding woods to join the group and they all headed off to the west. Mid morning a puffed up tom suddenly appeared 70 yards out and he was with 2 hens. I tried every conceivable call I have in my repertoire but got no response from the tom. The hens naturally ignored my calling and probably became suspicious and they all left to the west.

About noon I decided to switch spots to an area I heard gobbling in the morning. The blind is on the other side of a creek and just before the creek there is a rise in the terrain. As I topped the rise I spotted a tom in full strut accompanied by hens. I dropped down to my knees and set up decoys, back off about 20 yards and started box calling. No response, so I tried crawling to the top of the rise to get a shot but the hens detected me and were on the other side of the creek being followed by the tom.

Crawling in mud takes a lot out of you so I packed up and made my way to the blind. Set up the dekes and climbed in and after allowing the area to settle in I did some calling. No responses back but within a half hour 2 hens with a tom in tow appeared across the small field I was in. The hens didn't like my decoys and headed back into the woods to the awaiting tom. That was it for the next 5 hours, no responses, no sightings and negative feelings setting in.

Just before 6 o'clock some sort of switch was turned on and about 20 deer moved from the woods across the field I was in, across the field and into the woods behind me. Some of the deer didn't like my decoy set up and ran across the opening.
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Soon after the deer were done turkeys started to follow. First 2 hens ignoring my set up, then a young tom with about a 6" beard came thru trying not to make eye contact with the decoys. All these birds were just out of range for me even with the right barrel. Next up was a nice tom and he puffed up when he saw my set up. He walked right in displaying to the hens in my grouping. He was well within range and I waited to see if he would attack my jake decoy. Suddenly something just didn't seem right to him and he deflated and started to walk off so I lined up the sights with the allotted deviation and fired. The gun fired but the turkey was trying to leave the area a little quicker. The second shot somehow connected and the bird went down.

Overlooking the poor shooting the hunt was fairly typical of the ups and downs of hunting turkeys in Michigan. Hopefully the birds will start to respond to calls shortly and I can call in some birds for my sons and cousin.

Get Outdoors Downriver.

Boating season is Upon Us

The Coast Guard has recently become aware of counterfeits of U.S. Coast Guard approved portable fire extinguishers manufactured by Amerex Corporation and Buckeye Fire Equipment. Both companies are major producers of genuine approved fire extinguishing equipment and serve a worldwide market. These counterfeit extinguishers present a significant safety hazard. Their capability to extinguish a fire is unproven; they may be charged with a powdery substance that is not a fire extinguishing agent, the pressure cylinder is not DOT approved, and the pressure gauge may not function or give false readings. The dry-chemical counterfeit extinguishers are size B-II and may be identified by several distinguishing features: Counterfeit units may have duplicate serial numbers. Genuine approved extinguishers will have a unique serial number for each extinguisher.

For counterfeit Amerex extinguishers, the serial № V-654690 has been reported. There may be other serial numbers used on the counterfeits. For counterfeit Buckeye extinguishers, the serial № K-094927 with a red handle and serial № YMU76222 with a black handle have been reported.

• The labels on counterfeit extinguishers may be simply printed. Labels on genuine approved extinguishers will include a security imprint / texture behind the UL LISTED logo, classification, testing and approval data. Genuine Amerex Corporation extinguishers will have a pattern of scored "circles," and genuine Buckeye Fire Equipment extinguishers will have the letter "S" scored into the label.

• The bottoms of the counterfeits have a rounded curved in lip as shown on the right side of the image on the right. The bottom of a genuine Amerex extinguisher is shown on the left side of the image. Genuine Buckeye extinguishers will have a date stamped on the bottom. Inspections and Compliance Directorate Genuine Counterfeit The counterfeit extinguishers have been reported to have black or red plastic handles. Genuine approved dry-chemical B-II extinguishers typically have handles that are constructed of silver-colored aluminum (although there are some with plastic handles). Pressure gauges on the counterfeit units may be the wrong color. The gauges on genuine approved Buckeye dry-chemical extinguishers will have a red background. Counterfeit extinguishers may have welded seams on the sides of the cylinders. The Coast Guard believes that counterfeit production is not limited to Amerex

Be careful out there and...

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35 incher in the Walleye Capital of the World, For Now

This has been an unbelievable year for walleye fishing in the Detroit River. Due to the weather it's been a later run compared to recent years but the fish are worth the wait. Big fish, that are maybe sticking around longer waiting for the water temp to be right before dropping their eggs. This one came into Dip Net in Ecorse it measured 15+ pounds and more impressive was 35.5" long. This was probably the biggest reported but there are so many that a bigger fish could have been caught and the old river rat just isn't saying anything.


  My son Justin caught his personal best and the largest in family history. This one measured 30.5 inches and weighed 10.6 pounds  

And my best for the year, a 28.5 inch male. Any of these fish would be fish of a lifetime if caught in other waters. Here in the Walleye Capital of the World they're caught on a regular basis in spring.

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Insider's Look at Point Mouille

Got to go thru the gates and ride on the refuge's dikes. What a nice experience and what a place to visit. This was back on March 23rd with much of the area still under ice. Still early for many spieces of birds but there were thousands already there. The first stop was for  trumpeter swan.


The bird was acting nervous with our presence, leaving a mound in the bullrushes and swimming back and forth in front of us. We left this spot, which wasn't very far from the Siegler road parking area, and headed to the banana dike area on Lake Erie. The Army Corp of Engineers was working on filling in a section of the dike. We stopped a little farther on and got a pick of the eagle's nest.



We also got a glimpse of some other wildlife. There were a few muskrats around, but no beaver.

It was a great day on the refuge especially so that we could drive and not have to walk like a couple of others that didn't know about the outing. I got to spend the day with my brother-in law, the professional fisherman, and my dentist Brian Hartwell along with many members of the Detroit Audobon Society.

Thanks to Joe Robison for leading us around and Zack and Chuck. Joe gave us some info on the refuge in regard to funding the projects there. The place has really changed in the past 10 years due to their efforts and money from various sources. Joe emphasized they need support from all of us and the best way is to but a refuge permit, which goes right to them, or buy a small game license. Even if you don't hunt buying the license opens the vast amount of Pittman-Robertson money that's building up quickly due to the run on guns and ammo. A $15 small game license purchase brings $45 of RP money to the state. Please buy one even if you won't use it. Stay tuned for info on the next ride on the dikes.

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Yo, Yo, Yo it's Walleye Time.

Finally got a chance to go walleye fishing in 2013. The weather Gods all complied and the temps were manageable along with the wind. As a first time out on the water, for the year, it was expected to be more of a shake down cruise than an actual fish catching experience. We did have problems with the electric trolling motor but improvised a solution, note to call Lockeman's for help.

What do you do for major problems? Ask for help from one of the other 40 boats in the jigging line? Maybe after the fish stop biting for an hour or two. Another alternative is Tow-BoatUS. For $67 they'll tow your boat in the water for 25 miles and for an additional $14 they will tow you on land for 100 miles. It may sound expensive but even if you only use them once in 5 years it's probably worth it.

Back to the fishing, we had some success and just missed our limit by one fish each. Four large and four regular not bad.

Due to the trolling motor problems we used 3/4 oz. jigs tipped with Wyandotte worm and stinger hooks. Since we could see the Wyandotte launch from where we fished and using Wyandotte worms it gave a great feeling being from Wyandotte.

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Poaching Spoons

Authorities have announced that eight men have been indicted for alleged trafficking in American paddlefish caviar. One of the men had allegedly tried to smuggle paddlefish eggs in his checked luggage on an international flight from Washington, DC. The investigation was a joint effort of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Missouri Department of Conservation. The Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division and the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri announced four indictments against the men for alleged acts in 2011 and 2012.

These fish are very unique and have a cartilaginous skeleton like their cousins the sturgeon. What would anyone want with this fish? Well the eggs are made into caviar that can rival some that's made from sturgeon eggs. They have been introduced in the Danube River in Europe so introduction to China may be in the works.

Due to their filter feeding gills, much like a whales baleen, they can't be lured or baited to catch them. Only snagging will allow you to catch these prehistoric fish. They must swim to eat and trolling in the same direction won't get you hooked up so knowing where and when to troll and in what direction has a steep learning curve. Fishing with a knowledgeable guide is the way to go and I found Charlie Loomis. He put us on the fish and I got one. This fish was just barely legal believe it or not. That takes another check off the bucket list but the fight of the fish was much like catching a tire in the river. Not too exciting.

Here's a video from the Missouri DNR about the history in that state of paddlefish management. It could be said that it rivals our salmon fishery here in Michigan. I can tell you for a fact that salmon taste a lot better.

Found in the mighty Mississipp,
American paddlefish, I,
Named for the snout above my lip,
Flat and long and can notify
Me by electroreceptor,
When food I like is nearby – yes!
My tuned snout is also good for
Navigating, like GPS.
Fishy fisherfolk can’t lure me,
Due to my filter feeding way.
But by their sneaky snaggery,
I must look out for their foul play.
Smug smugglers do smuggle my roe.
Those greedy humans – doncha know!

Get Outdoors Downriver.

Walleye for money and your jigs for free

This just in from Mike Thomas from the MDNR.

The target numbers were 200 fish implanted in the Tittabawasee River and 200 fish implanted in the Maumee River. We won't likely see many of the Tittabawasee River fish down here, but the Maumee River fish could show up anywhere in the connecting waters of SE Michigan. Some fish will be released on the Ohio "reefs" by the ODNR. So keep an eye out for the spagetti like tags on these fish. Just imagine what you'll do with $100. Jigs, rapalas, reefrunners...

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Pete the Greek

Pete was a Greek bar owner in the Rouge that was really liked. So when a friend called me with a problem I immediately thought of Pete. I'm sure it's not what you're thinking but said friend was getting ready to leave for a vacation in loan ladden Greece. The problem was he had a visitor that had no intention of leaving.

By having a tell tale orange colored beak it was determined Pete the Greek is a mute swan. He ended up in said friends dog run and well wouldn't leave. He even used the doghouse for shelter. This is unusual behavior for a swan and with their mean streak they are hard to deal with. So I called Joe Robison head of the Point Mouillie State Game Area for advice. He pointed me to the MDNR website for a licensed rehabilitator.

http://www.michigandnr.com/dlr/


I called 2 of the licensees and was told mute swans were an invasive species. Just like gobies and zebra mussels and the black death, cormorants. So they could lose their licenses if they got involved at all.  So I searched around on the MDNR website and found Mute Swans FAQ.   
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10370_12145_59132_59333-263394--,00.html

Bad news for Pete since the MDNR has plans to try and control theirs numbers by culling and anyone with a problem mute swan can get a permit to dispatch them from the MDNR. Before you could say Yipie Cy Yeah my friend called and told me a neighbor had somehow shooed the squatter from the pen and was escorted out of the back yard. He was last seen limping down the street off into the great blue yonder looking for a new place to stay. Good luck Pete you will definately need it.
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Spring Breaks

Last weekend was a breath of fresh air, and warm, for all weary outdoor people. Especially the fishermen who haven't had decent ice and couldn't get their boats in. That is until Saturday. There had been scattered reports of fish being caught in the river from some die hards. Then walleye were starting to show up in the Huron River as Jack Kell had some success.

Now there are reports of limits in the south waters of the Detroit River.

A call to the local bait shops confirmed some good action on both walleye and perch.

As I write this there's a robin in my backyard wrestling with a worm. I know it's early but things are breaking all over. Now I just need to unbury the boat in the garage.

Get Outdoors Downriver

Wetland Wonders

Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division has developed a new promotional campaign called "Explore Michigan's Wetland Wonders" to highlight the managed waterfowl areas throughout southern Michigan. These are premier locations not only for waterfowl hunting, but also for birding, fishing, canoeing/kayaking, nature exploration, and a variety of other outdoor recreation. These areas are located in major waterfowl migration areas and are managed to provide wetland habitat for waterfowl and a wide diversity of other wildlife species.

As part of the Exploring Michigan's Wetland Wonders campaign, they have developed a Wetland Wonders Challenge II contest that will begin on March 23, 2013 and run through the middle of August. We're inviting folks to explore these areas during the spring and summer to experience all of the great outdoor recreational opportunities. Events are being planned at all seven of these areas during this timeframe to highlight non-hunting recreational activities. When visitors come to an official Wetland Wonders Challenge II event, they can sign-up for a chance to win one of seven prize packages including unique outdoor experiences. Examples of events include birding tours and workshops, paddling workshops, fishing workshops, nature hikes, and photography and nature art workshops.

You can find more information on the Wetland Wonders website(www.michigan.gov/wetlandwonders).


To kick this event off, the Pte. Mouillee staff is hosting a driving birding tour that will be guided by local area staff and local birding experts. The tour will start at 9:00 a.m. at the Pte. Mouillee headquarters located at 37205 Mouillee Rd., Rockwood, MI 48173. You can call 734.379.7430 for additional details if needed. This will give you a great chance to see the entire 4,040 acre wetland complex. A great opportunity to see a whole host of wildlife species and see all the exciting projects that have been initiated at the game area.
This is a real gem of southeast Michigan for many outdoor opportunities. The effort that Joe Robison and crew put in every year really gets maximum value for the wildlife.

Hope to see you on the 23rd.

Get Outdoors Downriver.